Start of the Royal Ascot Festival

Ascot, Tuesday, June 14: The Royal Ascot Festival starts today with a group fireworks display. It starts with the Queen Anne Stakes (1st race/15.30/580,000 pounds/1609 m). The classic has a clear favorite in William Haggas` Baaeed (Jim Crowley), who was so convincing in his recent victory in the Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) against Real World (Daniel Tudhope) and Chindit (Pat Dobbs) that anything other than another triumph would be a surprise.

The Coventry Stakes (2nd race/16.05/150,000 pounds/1200 m) is reserved for the youngest active yearling. Unbeaten in two and three starts respectively, Persian Force (Rossa Ryan) and Blackbeard (Ryan Moore) share the favorite role. Age Of Kings (Frankie Dettori) and Bradsell (Hollie Doyle) also haven`t gone wrong in their short careers so far.

The sprinters are in demand in the King`s Stand Stakes (3rd race/16.40pm/400,000 pounds/1000m). Here, all eyes will be on Nature Strip (James McDonald), who arrives from Australia and is the responsibility of Chris Waller. The multi-millionaire and winner of numerous Group 1 races will be challenged by last year`s Breeders` Cup Sprint winner Golden Pal (Irad Ortiz Jr.). Currently, the American won the Shakertown Stakes (Group 2). Twilight Calls (Ryan Moore) lost the Temple Stakes (Group 2) at Haydock only after a tough fight. He could foil the favorites in the reckoning.

In the St James`s Palace Stakes (4th race/17.20/400,000 pounds/1603m), Coroebus (William Buick), victorious in the English 2000 Guineas, strikes the next blow. The fiercest rival for the three-year-old trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin is identified as My Prospero (Tom Marquand), who currently has no rival to fear at Listed level. The previously unbeaten Maljoom (Cieren Fallon) faces a tough task but is expected to be in the front running.