DAY 1 TODAY

2.30 Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 3.05 Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 3.40 King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) 4.20 St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 5.00 Ascot Handicap (0-100) 5.35 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)

Race of the Day Three Group Ones on the first day ensure that Flat racing’s showcase meeting begins with a bang. The Queen Anne and King’s Stand offer plenty but surely only the St James’s Palace Stakes merits the accolade of ‘race of the day’, maybe even the race of the week. Dual 2,000 Guineas winner Churchill renews rivalry with Barney Roy – Coolmore against Godolphin. Churchill beat Barney Roy by a length at Newmarket and many observers felt Barney Roy was unlucky, with his trainer, Richard Hannon, adamant his colt can exact revenge. But Churchill looked even better when later landing the Irish Classic.

One To Watch While we may be more used to seeing Willie Mullins in the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham in March, he is also a man to be respected here as he has won the Ascot Handicap (5.00) and the Queen Alexandra twice. He has an interesting candidate in Thomas Hobson, who is a highclass hurdler and much improved since last running on the Flat.

Best Outsider The Queen Anne Stakes (2.30) does not appear to be a vintage contest – it usually takes an exceptional miler to land this as the recent role of honour that includes Frankel, Solow and last year, Tepin, indicates. Lockinge winner Ribchester is all the rage and has plenty of form good enough to win but the big field could be an issue. Mutakayyef, who has a good record here, likes fast ground and appeals at 8-1.