Three-time Group One winner, including success in last season’s G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at this venue and distance (round course), ROSALLION, appears the most likely winner. The Richard Hannon-trained son of Blue Point, warmed up for this with third in the G1 Lockinge Stakes.

He has ground to make up with the reopposing first and second that day, Lead Artist and Dancing Gemini, but is expected to improve significantly with that run under his belt. He is also far more likely to give his best than Notable Speech, who, although brilliant at his best, is too inconsistent.

This year’s renewal may not be as strong as it seems on paper. The front four in the market - Rosallion, Dancing Gemini, Lead Artist and Notable Speech all raced in the G1 Lockinge at Newbury in May. Lead Artist got the better of Dancing Gemini, with the former somewhat a surprise winner.

The 1-2 from last season’s 2000 Guineas - Notable Speech and Rosallion - are likely to prove fitter for their reappearance runs, but it is LAKE FOREST who catches the eye at a big each-way price. Last year’s Commonwealth Cup second fared well on seasonal return over 7f - running on strongly for fourth in a French Group Three event - and should relish the rise to a mile, judged on breeding. 

In what promises to be a wide-open renewal of the G2 Coventry Stakes, ANDAB is selected to run a big race. He travelled powerfully before just tying up late in the G3 Marble Hill Stakes at Curragh, finishing just behind the reopposing Power Blue.

Andab may be able to turn the tables; his trainer noted that the Saxon Warrior colt had a minor setback prior to that race. As a strong-travelling type, he should be well-suited to the straight Ascot track.

A wild chance is taken on KOLKATA KNIGHT at a monster each-way price. An impressive winner on debut at Hamilton, the Tom Dascombe-trained Cotai Glory colt beat a subsequent winner by five lengths that day and could have plenty of improvement to come (like most of the field).

His trainer has trained Royal Ascot winners - including in a two-year-old race - and he shouldn’t be underestimated.

This Group One sprinting prize is highly competitive, with numerous contenders. NIGHT RAIDER rates one of the more intriguing contenders, following his high-profile sale to the powerful Wathnan team. This all-weather specialist - four from four on synthetic tracks - appeals as one who could build up an unassailable lead over the minimum trip.

A seriously speedy type, the son of Dark Angel could prove hard to catch over this 5f - especially if the ground is riding on the quick side of good.

AMERICAN AFFAIR was a huge improver last term, culminating in winning the valuable Portland Handicap at Doncaster. He returned in fine form this season, with an excellent success at Musselburgh, which can be upgraded after a troubled passage. Defying a 4lb rise was impressive at Haydock, prior to a fifth-placed finish in the G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock.

A gap closed as he was coming through with his run, so that effort wasn’t a bad one in hindsight. He does need to improve to play a hand in the finish, but at attractive each way odds, he may be able to pick up a minor placing.

The outstanding Irish 2000 Guineas winner - FIELD OF GOLD - is banker material in this year’s G1 St James’s Palace Stakes. The Craven winner was an agonising second in the English 2000 Guineas, behind the reopposing Ruling Court. Our selection can firmly reverse form, having shown scintillating form subsequently.

French 2000 Guineas winner, HENRI MATISSE, may be able to chase Field Of Gold home, having shown improved form this term. With the likelihood of a strong pace to aim at - considering Aidan O’Brien and Andrew Balding are running pacemakers - this should set up the race for the closers. Henri Matisse is ideally suited to a quick gallop, which can see him keep on best of the rest. 

EAST INDIA DOCK - winner of this year’s Chester Cup Handicap - holds genuine credentials of following up. One of the leading juvenile hurdlers of last season, he has to prove his true effectiveness on quick ground, but with stamina on his side, is taken to keep on strongly when it matters.

The handicapper has raised him 8lb since that Chester success, which may still underestimate his unexposed nature on the flat.

Another Chester winner - ALPHONSE LE GRANDE - is a fascinating runner for Tony Martin. A thorough staying type, who has scored over 2m2f and the extended 2m2f trip, must enter each-way consideration. He caught the eye of the stewards over 1m6f at Curragh last time, in what was probably a prep run. It wouldn’t be a big shock if he could outperform his odds, despite a career-high mark of 93.

Last season’s runner-up in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes, KING’S GAMBIT, offers the hope of a big performance, returning to this course-and-distance. He arrives off the back of a modest Newbury sixth but that came over 1m4f.

The drop to 1m2f on a likely quick surface could see him bounce back to his best. If he does then he has stronger claims than his odds suggest, in what could be an open contest.

MEYDAAN delivered a career best last time, when runner-up behind the reopposing Liberty Lane in Listed company at Goodwood. He could easily reverse form, with a 3lb pull in the weights, coupled with the chance of further improvement since a gelding operation. A quickly-run race would play to his strengths, which is a distinct possibility, with a few pacy types drawn low.

FRENCH MASTER is a worthy favourite to conclude the first day of the Royal Meeting. The John and Thady Gosden-trained Frankel colt scored a third success from just five starts, in a Goodwood handicap over this journey last month.

He may have been given more than a 4lb rise in the weights but having only narrowly scored, that may have been a blessing in disguise. First-time blinkers are enlisted, which could spark further progress, and he is thoroughly unexposed.

AERONATIC offers each-way hope for trainer Joseph O’Brien. He returned after a lengthy break and a gelding operation, when downfield over an inadequate trip at Curragh. He is likely to come on for that outing, especially raised significantly in trip. Quick ground is unlikely to faze him and he appeals as a lurker from a handicap mark of 96, from a good low draw to work from.