Coventry Stakes (Tuesday) - Persian Force
The Coventry Stakes is always a fiercely-competitive contest, but one contender has stood out for it from the very first day of the turf season.
The Richard Hannon-trained Persian Force burst onto the scene in the very first two-year-old race of the British Flat season in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster back in March. He was well backed for that contest and didn't disappoint, streaking clear of his rivals in the final furlong to record an impressive 4¾ lengths victory.
The visual impression was very much backed up by the clock with him registering a very big number in that regard.
He faced another promising rival in the shape of Holguin on his second start in a conditions race at Newbury, but he saw him off with authority in another impressive performance.
His form is strong, all his measurables add up well and he appeals as being a particularly sharp juvenile that may have an edge over some of the promising but longer-term prospects in the field.
St James' Palace Stakes (Tuesday) - Light Infantry
Coroebus obviously sets a very high bar in the St James's Palace Stakes and a round mile might well suit him even better than a straight mile, but his draw in stall two could well present some traffic problems for William Buick and there may be some value to be had in looking at an alternative at a bigger price.
The David Simcock-trained Light Infantry is one that I've had in mind for the race for a few weeks and he still makes plenty of appeal at a big price.
He looked very promising indeed when winning both his starts last year, overcoming greenness to win the Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury.
His connections pitched him in very deep for his seasonal return in the 2000 Guineas, but he acquitted himself very well. Dropped in last and stumbling early, he was still in last position two furlongs out. Jamie Spencer decided to take him near side to follow Native Trail and that side may have been unfavoured compared to the far side. He produced one of the faster closing sectionals in the race to finish off his race well and be beaten just 6¾ lengths.
That run should bring him on and it wouldn't surprise to see him show a good chunk of improvement here which might be enough to get him in the mix.
Queen Mary Stakes (Wednesday) - Katey Kontent
The Queen Mary Stakes is always one of the most exciting juvenile races of the week and as Hugh Cahill might say on Racing Only Bettor "only fast horses need apply!"
I've liked the Clive Cox-trained Katey Kontent for this race for the last few weeks. She is a real pocket rocket, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in speed.
She overcame greenness to make a winning debut at Salisbury, but it was her performance at Windsor eight days later that really brought her to another level.
Sharp away and disputing the lead from the outset, she drew clear from her more experienced rivals despite showing greenness by drifting to her left. It was an impressive performance and the time she registered was particularly fast. With more improvement to come, she looks an ideal type for this race and it wouldn't surprise to see her run a big race.
Commonwealth Cup (Friday) - Twilight Jet
The Commonwealth Cup has quickly developed into an unlikely highlight of Royal Ascot since it's creation and this year's renewal looks to be a belter. My preference is for the Michael O'Callaghan-trained Twilight Jet.
The son of Twilight Son was very busy last season, running no less than 11 times, but he showed his toughness by seeming to get better with pretty much every start. Having finished a close fifth in the Middle Park Stakes, just 1½ lengths behind Perfect Power, he ran out the easy winner of the Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket.
He reportedly had a small hold up this spring that slowed down his preparation and was thought to be in need of the run prior to his return to action in the Lacken Stakes at Naas.
However, he still produced a very impressive performance to beat off his race-fit rivals by three lengths, impressing with his strength inside the final furlong.
That run suggests that he might well be better than ever and with the potential for him to improve from that in fitness terms, he could well prove to be a tough rival to peg back.
Platinum Jubilee Stakes (Saturday) - Artorius
The international raiders will be getting a lot of attention at Royal Ascot this year and while Home Affairs has been the focus of attention in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes thus far, his lower profile compatriot Artorius might steal the spotlight on the day.
The two have intertwining form and Artorius has actually finished in front of Home Affairs in two of their three meetings, albeit in recent of 11lb in their latest clash in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March.
Watching Artorius' races, he takes some time to warm up and tends to finish off very strongly.
In Australia, such a tendency tends to mean that he gets going too late, but this stiff six furlongs might just help bring the leaders back to him and allow him to get very competitive late on.
I don't think he has as much to find as the betting suggests and I could see him running a big race at a big price.