We kick off Royal Ascot this year with one of our stronger bets of the day in the shape of ROSALLION. This colt was high-class last season winning the Irish Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at this meeting. He suffered a set-back after that and that’s why I think he was entitled to need that reappearance run in the Lockinge. He still ran a huge race to finish third and I’d be confident he can reverse form with both Lead Artist and Dancing Gemini now. We know he loves Ascot and even at 11/4 I think there is value in his price and he will go off shorter come post time.

Sardinian Warrior looked well suited by this track and trip beating Docklands on return. He then bumped into Sosie up in trip in France and back on a faster surface and at a track we know he likes he could emerge as the danger. Docklands also takes his chance and shouldn’t be completely ignored either at a massive price and may well be worth a saver.

Aidan O’Brien has farmed this race over the years having won it 6 times since 2007. There was a big upset in it last year with Rashabar winning but the year before that River Tiber came out on top under Ryan Moore. They saddle GSTAAD this time around and confidence seems to be growing surrounding this colt. He impressed beating his more fancied stablemate on debut at Navan last month and he shaped as though he’d relish this test. The fast ground is ideal and he is the choice of Ryan Moore.

Plenty of dangers in a race with so many unknowns possibly headed by the favourite Postmodern. This colt by Too Darn Hot showed a smart turn of foot to win by 5 lengths on debut. He didn’t know he had much of a race though and this is obviously a lot tougher. At a bigger price Wathnan Racing also saddle Underwriter who impressed winning on debut and could play a part.

I know Asfoora ran out quite an impressive winner of this last year but I’m keen to oppose her this time around. She hasn’t won a race since and also lacks a run. I’m not sure she’ll be in the same form and at the prices BELIEVING makes much more appeal. She is still only a 5yo and looks to be peaking at the right time having won a Group 1 in Dubai when last seen. She was fourth in this last year but if things pan out better here with a lot of pace on I think she’ll be the one finishing best of all under Ryan Moore.

Regional was beaten less than a length by the selection at Meydan last time so on that form could be the biggest danger. Night Raider has more to come for Karl Burke and he shouldn’t be underestimated dropping back to the minimum trip for the first time. That wasn’t a bad run at all behind Inisherin at York last month and he will be much fitter here.

I took 9/2 for FIELD OF GOLD to win the Craven and have been a huge fan of the horse since! He won that race doing handstands and then looked desperately unlucky when beaten in the Guineas. Another few strides and he would have won that race so I’d be confident he can reverse form with Ruling Court. He has won the Irish equivalent impressively under Colin Keane since and looks a colt at the top of his game now. He isn’t done improving either having only had 7 starts and it is hard to see how he is beaten here.

Ruling Court is a smart horse himself having won 3 of his 4 starts and with more to come he will still be the danger. Henri Matisse has won 6 from 8 and showed a good attitude to knuckle down and fend off Jonquil in France last month. This demands more again but he shouldn’t be underestimated for Aidan O’Brien.

It is rare that Willie Mullins leaves Royal Ascot week without a winner and he could have a great chance to start the 5 days on a high in the shape of REACHING HIGH in the Ascot Stakes. This well bred 4yo was previously trained by Sir Michael Stoute and very nearly made a perfect start for this yard going down just a short head at Leopardstown. He shaped like he wanted a trip that day and now his stamina is drawn out further he could have any amount of improvement in him. A mark of 94 likely underestimates him and I can see him proving popular in the betting come post time.

East India Dock is a classy operator and he impressed winning the Chester Cup gamely last month. He is definitely a danger but also look out for Goodwood winner Manxman who seems to stay forever and if he is smuggled into it I can see him getting involved as well.

I really don’t like Enfjaar or Haatem at the head of the market so there could be some value on offer in the Wolferton this year. SONS AND LOVERS is a double-figure price which surprises me and he could be a big player down in grade. He was last seen finishing fourth behind Los Angeles at the Curragh and that form is decent given that horse has won the Tattersalls Gold Cup since. The form has been franked throughout so he definitely looks overpriced in these calmer waters. Ryan Moore has been booked and I can see him going very well.

King’s Gambit went close at this meeting last year and he remains lightly raced so don’t be surprised to see him involved. That Newbury run was poor but he is better than that and if bouncing back could run a nice race. Ecureuil Secret bolted up at Epsom and if this doesn’t come too soon he is another one to consider in a competitive race that often throws up an upset or two.

I know French Master did well to get up at Goodwood last month and has subsequently been purchased by Wathnan but I can’t help but think he has been overbet for this. I’m definitely opposing and CABALLO DE MAR looks to have the right profile coming into this. He has a terrific strike rate having won 6 of his last 7 starts and again he was nicely on top where it mattered to win at Haydock last month. He is up another 4lb but it is hard to know where his ceiling is and if this track suits he will run a big race under Callum Shepherd.

Charlus was down the field in the Triumph but looks quite a promising young horse and with Ryan Moore booked he could easily be in the mix and have a bit in hand off his mark. My Mate Mozzie is a strong traveller and is another one you can see being in the mix in the closing stages.