2:30 QUEEN ANNE STAKES (GROUP 1) 1M

As always, the Queen Anne starts the meeting off with a bang and although this isn’t a vintage renewal, it is intriguing nonetheless. Rhododendron, after her Lockinge win, is favourite to win a fourth Group 1 but there is very little to choose between her and Lightning Spear, who reopposes.

Benbatl, a winner at Royal Ascot last year and coming off an impressive Dubai Turf win is another of note but this could go to French raider Recoletos, who produced an impressive performance in the Prix d’Ispahan last time out. After that run his trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias alluded that he had been running the horse over the wrong trip previously so it maybe that he can reach his full potential now, over the Ascot straight mile.

An outsider to note is Simon Crisford’s Century Dream, who could continue his progression. He won a Group 3 impressively on Derby day at Epsom and significantly, was a course-and-distance winner on his previous run.

Selection: RECOLETOS

Alternative: Century Dream

3:05 COVENTRY STAKES 6F

Sergei Prokofiev and Calyx dominate the market with the former, a son of Scat Daddy who was impressive on his last two starts and the latter, a son of Kingman who streaked clear at the end of his maiden win at Newmarket. Both deserve to be prominent in the market but whether, as 5/2 shots, they should take up the chunk they currently account for is questionable.

Cosmic Law could be better value at 12/1. He dismantled the Woodcote field on Oaks day at Epsom and in so doing, reminded of Buratino who took that race impressively before scoring here in 2015.

Dubai Legacy and Indigo Balance are two others who won impressively first time out.

Selection: COSMIC LAW

Alternative: Dubai Legacy

Battaash will take on Lady Aurelia in one of the best races of the week

3:40 KING’S STAND STAKES (GROUP 1) 5F

For many this is the race of the week with Lady Aurelia and Battaash set to have a rematch after their Nunthorpe bout at York last season failed to materialise. On that occasion, Battaash got agitated before the race which somewhat excuses his lacklustre performance while Lady Aurelia got pipped by Marsha on the line. That Battaash was then able to go and slam that mare by four lengths in the Prix de l’Abbaye does speak volumes in terms of form lines. If he settles in the preliminaries, he could well have to much for the American filly, whose excellent record from two starts at Ascot is very much respected.

One to consider at a bigger price is Washington DC, a winner at Royal Ascot as a juvenile in the Windsor Castle Stakes, who was only just beaten by Battassh in the Temple Stakes.

Selection: BATTAASH

Alternative: Washington DC

4:20 ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES (GROUP 1) 1M

Without Parole is favourite but he looks vulnerable taking on proven 2000 Guineas horses from three different countries. It could be Romanised who emerges best. Ken Condon’s colt was much the best at the Curragh and for all that you can mark up the runner-up U S Navy Flag's effort, there was two and a half lengths between the pair at the line. Fast ground is a big plus for the son of Holy Roman Emperor and he can follow recent winners of this race Henrythenavigator, Mastercraftsman, Canford Cliffs, Kingman and Gleneagles who have all won at the Curragh on their route to Ascot.

Tip Two Win is respected on his run at Newmarket and can go well again for Roger Teal but Wootton is also worth a second look. The Godolphin runner never settled in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, rushing up to the leaders before the straight, and so in the circumstances did very well to finish fourth.

Selection: Romanised

Alternative: Wootton

5:00 ASCOT STAKES 2M 4F

Willie Mullins holds the key to this contest having won three of the previous six renewals. The conundrum punters have is that the Irish champion jumps trainer has declared five (Stratum, Whiskey Sour, Lagostovegas, Meri Devie and Chelkar) all of which have claims. Stratum is favoured by bookmakers at present but it would be a surprise if Whiskey Sour didn’t shorten up in from his current price of 10/1. Luke McMahon’s gelding returns to the flat where he won his previous two races; two feature day races at the Galway Festival last year. He holds a rating of 98 but so impressive he was, he gave the impression there could well be more to come, which was backed up by his form over hurdles through the winter. In particular, his most recent performance where he stayed on well behind Dortmund Park in a Grade 1 over two and a half miles at Punchestown, suggests that this sort of stamina test back on the level could be well up his street.

Chelkar is an intriguing runner considering he runs in the colours of Australian owners OTI Racing, has been off the track for 600+ days and Ryan Moore is riding him. One at a much bigger price to consider is Hassle, who had been off the track for 574 days but won impressively over hurdles on his second run back.

Selection: WHISKEY SOUR

Alternative: Hassle

5:35 WOLFERTON STAKES 1M 2F

An open listed race to finish proceedings on the first day. It may go to Roger Varian’s progressive Sharja Bridge, who is stepping out of handicap company but is already rated 106 and has the promise of more given this is just his sixth start and second of the season. The step up in trip to 10 furlongs should suit considering his full brother Querari was a Group 1 winner over the distance.

Laraaib has a similar sort of profile and is also a course-and-distance winner which is a help while Mirage Danger could well go to another level this year as a four-year-old for Sir Michael Stoute.

Further down the betting, Morando is noted. He did well to finish third to King George contender Crystal Ocean and can progress on just his second run for Andrew Balding.

Selection: SHARJA BRIDGE

Alternative: Morando