Back Battaash to leave rivals in wake and land elusive prize

Third time lucky for sprinter in King’s Stand Terebellum to benefit from run in Queen Anne

1.15pm Buckingham Palace Handicap (7f, 3yo+, 0-105 handicap)

Roger Varian’s first Royal Ascot success came in this race in 2012, and MUTAMAASIK looks to hold excellent claims of giving him a second; he should prove up to Stakes class this year. Daarik is respected, but he needs to prove that he is as good on turf (having shown all his best form on all-weather). Ebury rates a lively outsider, with Andrea Atzeni an eyecatching booking for trainer Martyn Meade.

1.50pm Queen Anne Stakes (1m, 4yo+, Group 1)

In an open renewal of the Queen Anne, TEREBELLUM can show the benefit of a recent run and account for Circus Maximus and take this prize, with the drop down in trip unlikely to trouble her. In a contest that historically has very much favoured hold-up horses, Escobar and Space Traveller are fancied to be finishing late at big prices. Danny Tudhope’s straight course record at Ascot is sure to stand Space Traveller in good stead.

2.25pm Ribblesdale Stakes (1m4f, 3yo fillies, Group 2)

With the Epsom Classics pushed back a month, this year’s Ribblesdale serves as something of an Oaks trial, with Frankly Darling featuring prominently in the betting both for this race and the Oaks next month. She showed good promise but has to step up again here, and rating a much more solid option is TREFOIL, who comes here off the back of coming third in a Listed event that was run in an excellent time; she looks a live chance of upsetting the favourite.

3.00pm King Edward VII Stakes (1m4f, 3yo colts/geldings, Group 2)

MOGUL finished a respectable fourth behind subsequent 2,000 Guineas scorer Kameko, despite him looking in love with Newcastle’s tapeta surface. He should be much more effective back on turf, and can put himself in the Epsom Derby frame with victory here. Arthur’s Kingdom can chase Mogul home in a race that looks set to be dominated by Aidan O’brien. Papa Power looks sure to improve for this step up in trip, and can fill the frame.

3.35pm King’s Stand Stakes (5f, 3yo+, Group 1)

No crowds at Ascot should play right into the hands of BATTAASH, who looks to have a much better chance of conserving his energy for the race itself. Having finished second in the past two runnings of this race, Battaash can take all the beating in a weak renewal; this is his race to lose. Tis Marvellous loves this track and rates a lively outsider behind the favourite. You will not get many opportunities to back Aidan O’brien and Ryan Moore at such a big price in a Group One, and Sergei Prokofiev could just outrun his odds.

4.10pm Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (1m, 4yo+ fillies & mares, Group 2)

JUBILOSO’S form tailed off a touch last season, but her Group One Coronation Stakes third placing on just her third career start gives her a leading chance here. Miss O Connor brings a perfect record to the table, having won her four starts to date; she is a tough filly, but will have to do it the hard way on ground that continues to dry out. Queen Power can prove suited to the drop back to a mile, and can go close.

4.40pm Ascot Stakes (2m4f, 4yo+, 0-100 handicap)

A race that has been dominated by National Hunt trainers in the past, and that looks set to continue, with VERDANA BLUE looking likely to take all the beating here, having changed hands for 370,000gns at the Tattersalls December Sale last year. Following a gelding operation over the winter, confirmed stayer Summer Moon can give her most to think about. On his second start for last year’s winning trainer Ian Williams, Mancini looks to have been aimed at this, and can go close.