The quality of racing at Royal Ascot is second to none and some of the world’s greatest horses will head to the meeting in search of more Group One glory with the likes of Goldikova, Canford Cliffs, Frankel and Star Witness headlining an action-packed opening day of racing.

It could be that the first race of the week proves to be the most fascinating and Goldikova (13/8, William Hill) and Canford Cliffs’ (6/4, William Hill) clash in the Queen Anne Stakes (2.30) really is a match to savour.  

French wondermare Goldikova will be looking to add a sensational fourteenth success to her glowing CV and Canford Cliffs will be looking to prove that he is Europe’s leading miler in a mouthwatering conundrum worthy of top billing at any race meeting in the world. 

Tactics in the race are sure to play a great part in the result and Richard Hughes will be hoping that his patience pays off better than twelve months ago when he and Paco Boy just failed to reel in Olivier Peslier and Goldikova after the French raiders kicked for home and looked to put the race to bed.

There is no doubt that Canford Cliffs is a better horse than Paco Boy, but Goldikova looks an easier ride and the race looks set to be run exactly like last year’s enthralling showdown.  That being said, if Paco Boy nearly caught Goldi, who is to say Canford Cliffs can’t and if there was ever a race to sit back and enjoy this is it.  Anybody who thinks they know who will come out on top is just guessing and racing fanatics will not need to bet on the contest to become engulfed in the one-mile showpiece.

Instead, racing fanatics should turn their focus to the King’s Stand Stakes (3.05) which sees long time ante-post market leader Star Witness (5/1, Paddy Power) looking to join a long list of Aussie sprinters that have made a successful trip to Royal Ascot.  Big sprint successes for the likes of Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast have sent punters from Down Under into raptures in recent years and Star Witness is more than capable of doing the same.  With four Aussie winners in the last eight years, the prize is there for the taking and with his second to Black Caviar on top of two Group One successes to his name he looks the one to beat.

However, top-class Irish sprinter SOLE POWER (8/1, Paddy Power) and trainer Edward Lynam could have something to say about that and the ultra-speedy Nunthorpe hero has more than enough ability to keep the prize on British soil.  

Sole Power’s recent victory in the Temple Stakes at Haydock proved that his 100/1 shock in the Nunthorpe was no fluke last year and he silenced his doubters with a relatively simple victory over a field including Kingsgate Native and Overdose.  There were plenty of raised eyebrows when he defeated the mighty Starspangledbanner at York but he deserves to be second favourite here and he commands the upmost respect.  The stiffer track at Ascot is not sure to suit and he will not want any more rain, but he looks to be Europe’s leading contender and the breakneck gallop is sure to suit.

The St James’s Palace Stakes (3.45) sees the mighty Frankel (2/5, Ladbrokes) return to action six weeks after his breathtaking performance in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. His extraordinary six length victory on the Rowley mile maintained his unbeaten record and Henry Cecil’s stable star will start long odds-on at Ascot.  The form of his 2000 Guineas success has been underlined by Dubawi Gold and Roderic O’Connor in the Irish equivalent and the only negative surrounding the colt is his temperament.  It is no secret that he is far from straightforward and those opposing the superstar will be hoping that his exploits before and during the race are enough to give some of his rivals a chance.

Those rivals look to be headed by Newmarket runner-up Dubawi Gold, Japanese raider Grand Prix Boss and recent German 2000 Guineas hero Excelebration.  The latter has been back heavily over the course of the last week but the best bet of the race looks to be WOOTTON BASSETT in the ‘without Frankel market’ (5/1, Paddy Power).  

Richard Fahey’s Group One-winning colt went too fast when trying to overcome his difficult draw in the French 2000 Guineas and he looked far too fresh when the action got underway.  Connections of the horse believe he will strip much fitter for that outing and he could be seen in a completely different light this time around.

The Coventry Stakes (4.25) looks to be another fiercely competitive renewal of the race and with the likes of Mezmaar, Gatepost and Trumpet Major all going to post, it will not be easy for Aidan O’Brien’s POWER (5/1, Ladbrokes).

That being said, the Irish raider looks to have excellent claims of following in the footsteps of the mighty Henrythenavigator and the juvenile arrives at Ascot unbeaten after two impressive victories on the other side of the Irish Sea.

After a winning victory in a 6f maiden at the Curragh last month, O’Brien had already targeted the Coventry Stakes with Power and he was already on his way to the meeting when he showed a good attitude in beating the classy Tough As Nails over 5f in the Marble Hill Stakes.

It was testament to his ability that he managed to cope with the drop in trip so well and it was a mature and professional display from a colt going places.  He is sure to relish the step back up in trip and he can make the 5/1 on offer look generous come Tuesday afternoon.

3.05 – Sole Power (8/1, Paddy Power) 

3.45 – Wootton Bassett in the w/o Frankel market (5/1, Paddy Power)

4.25 - Power (5/1, Ladbrokes)