Prelude to the Royal Ascot Festival

Ascot, Tuesday 20 June: The Royal Festival at Ascot begins today with a host of classics including the inaugural Queen Anne Stakes (1st race/15.30/750,000 pounds/1609m). A year after Baaeed, Inspiral (Frankie Dettori) is trying to follow in his footsteps. On her last start here in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1), the Gosden mare did not finish higher than sixth behind Modern Games (William Buick), who was currently unbeaten in the Lockinge Stakes (Group 1). Native Trail (James Doyle), also running for Godolphin, was beaten at Newmarket by Mutasaabeq (Jim Crowley), who again lost out to Modern Games, Chindit (Pat Dobbs) and Berkshire Shadow.

The next Group 1 meeting is in the King`s Stand Stakes (3rd race/16.40pm/600,000 pounds/1006m). Highfield Princess (Jason Hart) will be looking to rectify her strike result a year ago in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes (Group 1), something the Quinn mare should be able to do after a good honours finish in the Duke Of York Clipper Stakes (Group 2). Coolangatta (James McDonald) travels from Australia with a fresh Group 1 win and is expected to be in the closer as is Manaccan (Frankie Dettori), who pleased when third in the Palace House Stakes (Group 3).

Exclusively horses of Derby vintage are under order in the St James`s Palace Stakes (4th race/5.20pm/600,000 pounds/1603m). Chaldean (Frankie Dettori) from Andrew Balding`s quarters underlined his top position among the mile cracks in the 2000 Guineas (Group 1). His father, the legendary Frankel, was already in a class of his own here twelve years ago. He will have to watch out for Paddington (Ryan Moore), who is undefeated this year and recently scored his most valuable in the Irish 2000 Guineas (Group 1). Cicero`s Gift (Kieran Shoemark) has done no wrong in his three-start career. It remains to be seen how the Muhaarar son will perform today.