With only a week until day one of the Royal Ascot meeting, here are five things to be excited about on Tuesday…
1. Frankie Dettori
Ascot wouldn't be Ascot without the presence of Frankie Dettori, who famously completed the 'Magnificent Seven' by winning every race on the card at the Berkshire track in September 1996. It will be the Italian's final Royal Ascot as he continues his farewell tour and you would never bet against him producing something extraordinary. Frankie has already won two of the four English Classics this season and seems to be riding better than ever.
2. The clash of the colts
With three Group 1 events on the Tuesday of Royal Ascot, it is difficult to pin down the 'must-watch' race of the day but the Group 1 St James' Palace Stakes has to come close. It looks to be a clash of the Guineas, with 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean taking on the winner of the Irish equivalent, Paddington. Isaac Shelby will represent the French Guineas form after finishing second in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp whilst the up-and-coming Cicero's Gift will make a highly-anticipated step up in class.
3. The Royal Procession
A tradition dating back to 1985, the horse-drawn Royal Procession comes through the Royal Gates at one end of the racecourse, travels up the Straight Mile and finishes at the paddock before racing commences. There will be a sad note to this year's procession with the notable absence of the Queen, who was always an enthusiastic advocate for the 'Sport of Kings'. It is unconfirmed whether King Charles III will attend Royal Ascot and the participants of the Royal Procession on Tuesday will be watched with keen interest.
4. Australian raiders
After the success of Nature Strip in the 2022 Group 1 King's Stand Stakes, two more Australian sprinters have travelled over to try their luck against the best of the European horses. Coolangatta represents the training duo of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and won the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February ahead of her Royal Ascot bid. Peter and Paul Snowden's Cannonball has shown great form since switching yards and should not be forgotten in a race that will be run to suit.
5. Top-class milers
There is no time to waste at Royal Ascot and the meeting kicks off with the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, where the best of the older milers will be decided. International superstar Modern Games claimed a long-awaited first domestic Group 1 when winning the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and will face John & Thady Gosden's Inspiral, who took the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at last year's meeting. Jean-Claude Rouget brings Erevann over from France to add some European flavour to an exciting race.
