GROUND LOOKS HARD TO BEAT

SIR MICHAEL STOUTE can show why he is the most successful Royal Ascot trainer by landing today’s two headline acts with Highest Ground and Dream Of Dreams.

Stoute has trained more Hardwicke Stakes winners than anyone else and can extend his tally to 12 with HIGHEST GROUND (3.40, nap, ITV).

The colt, like so many of the trainer’s stars, has been a slow burner but showed he is progressing when winning hard-held at Leicester earlier this month.

Last season the four-year-old indicated a big prize awaits him when a neck behind Thunderous in the Dante at York

The third home, Juan Elcano, paid the form a compliment by winning Tuesday’s Wolferton Stakes.

The ground will be ideal for DREAM OF DREAMS (4.20, nb, ITV) to better his second in last year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

On that occasion the gelding arrived too late when beaten a head by Hello Youmzain.

If the rain had stayed away Starman would be a player, but he finished down the field in testing conditions behind Glen Shiel at this track in October.

Charlie Appleby and William Buick can start the meeting on a winning note with NEW SCIENCE (2.30, ITV) in the Chesham Stakes.

The colt impressed when too strong for Reach For The Moon at Yarmouth last month.

The pair can double-up with NAVAL CROWN (3.05, ITV) in the Jersey Stakes.

The three-year-old ran a blinder when fourth behind Poetic Flare in the 2,000

Guineas at Newmarket. Andrew Balding’s decision to run KING’S LYNN (5.00, treble, ITV) just four days after his defeat by Oxted in the King’s Stand Stakes can be rewarded.

He was denied a clear run on that occasion and today’s contest is a massive drop in grade for the Queen’s runner.

Roger Varian has two shots at the Golden Gates Handicap with Alfaadhel and Fantastic Fox.

Both have outstanding credentials but the preference is FANTASTIC FOX (5.35, ITV) judged on his penultimate run when third behind Snow Lantern at Newbury in April.

Hollie Doyle can bring the curtain down on the meeting by partnering STAG HORN (6.10, ITV) to victory in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.