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DAY One of Royal Ascot sees no fewer than three Group 1 contests – the Queen Anne Stakes, the King’s Stand Stakes and the St James’s Palace Stakes – to look forward to.

Three four-year-olds have won the Queen Anne Stakes in the past four years and Palace Pier is seen by many as the four-year-old with the best chance to enjoy success in today’s opener. Meanwhile, the Charlie Hills-trained Battaash won the King’s Stand Stakes in 2020 and will be back again this year to try to claim back-to-back victories, in the same way Blue Point did in 2018 and 2019.

It was 1834 when the St James’s Palace Stakes was first run and some great names have entered the winner’s enclosure, including Giant’s Causeway (2000), Rock of Gibraltar (2002), Mastercraftsman (2009) and Frankel (2011). Poetic Flare, winner of last month’s 2000 Guineas, is expected to be among the favourites for the 4.20pm contest.

Today marks the start of an exciting week for racing fans and to kick it all off, you can claim your £5 Free Bet with Mansionbet.