2.30 The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

The 5f Norfolk Stakes gets the ball rolling on ladies day, with 12 two year olds going to post.

With the exception of Star Rover most are unexposed and open to improvement.

However there is one stand-out candidate in the shape of Richard Hannon’s Monsieur Chevalier, unbeaten in four runs he won impressively at Sandown last time out, despite finding himself short of room halfway. This is a step up in class but there is no reason why he should not improve and the stable have had an excellent start to this years meeting.

Mick Channon’s Tawaabb was an impressive winner of a Leicester maiden last time out and looks the most impressive of the remainder.

3.05 The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)

The Ribblesdale Stakes is the first 1½ mile contest of the meeting.

Totally Devoted is the O’Brien runner, although there are serious stamina concerns with this one.

Take The Hint is an improving runner and looks as though the step up to 1m 4f will suit, a serious contended.

Leocorno is a progressive Stoute filly who has only had two runs. This race is 3f further than she has run before but she gives the impression the trip will not be a problem.

Sir Michel Stoute’s other runner, July Jasmine, was runner up to the Oaks second Midday on her seasonal bow and the feeling is she could have been ridden better. Today she has Mick Kinane on board, the big question mark is the distance.

Flying Cloud is having her first run for Godolphin but with their current form can be ignored today.

3.45 The Gold Cup (Group 1)

For many the Gold Cup is the highlight of the week and this year it has an additional edge as Yeats goes for an unprecedented fourth victory in the contest.

If he were to win the roof of the grandstand would be in serious danger of sustaining serious damage.

There is no doubt Yeats is the horse in the race, however there is a big question mark and how you view his chance today depends on how you choose to interpret his seasonal debut run at Navan, a race he had won the two previous seasons.

He was, frankly, abysmal, coming home a disappointing sixth of eight, with no obvious explanation.

Now that performance can be taken at face value and the argument made he is not the force he used to be.

Alternately the view can be taken he just had an off day – after all horses are animals not machines.

The other thing to bear in mind is Coolmoor are not known for sentimentality and Yeats owes them nothing. I cannot see them running Yeats unless they thought he was a serious contender.

When Yeats flopped on debut Sir Michael Stoute’s Patkai assumed the mantle of favourite for this race. A progressive sort, only a four year old, seems to run his best at Ascot. However he suffered a shock defeat at Sandown last time out, which has dented confidence. Also this race is half a mile further than he has run before and his Sandown run did raise a question about him getting the extra.

4.20 The Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

The Britannia is another of those typical tricky, large field, handicaps in which a case can be made for most of the contenders.

Mark Johnston’s Roman Republic is an unexposed type who has as good a chance as most.   

4.55 The Hampton Court Stakes (Listed)

Although thirteen go to post in the Hampton Court Stakes there is one stand out contender and itv is difficult to look past Freemantle. He skipped the Derby to come here and should easily improve on his Dante second.

Glass Harmonium was sixth in the Dante and should improve on that, however it will be asking too much to expect a reversal of form with Freemantle.

Palavinci has a progressive record, winning a listed contest at Newmarket last time. This represents a big step up in class but it would be no great surprise to see him run for a place.

5.30 The King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap)