Royal Ascot - Tuesday

The opening race of the meeting sees short priced favourite TORONADO line up. He was top class over a mile last year winning the Group 3 Craven Stakes and the Group 1 Sussex Stakes. Was beaten a short head at Royal Ascot last year by Dawn Approach in the St James' Palace Stakes and is the one to beat here. Hasn't been seen out since disappointing in the Juddmonte International Stakes and that would be a worry but won first time out both at 2YO and 3YO. His main challenger comes from Coolmore's Verrazano who was a dual Grade 1 winner in the US on the dirt before moving to Aidan O'Brien's stable in Ireland. Was an eyecatching third in the Lockinge Stakes when running on well at the end to finish 4l behind Olympic Glory. The Andrew Balding-trained Tullius was second in that race. Is in good form this season having won the Group 2 Bet365 Mile at Sandown in April but is not sure to confirm form with Verrazano. Of the other runners Anodin brings over good form from France having been runner up to Cirrus Des Aigles in the Group 1 Prix D'Ispahan at Longchamp. Glory Awaits second in the 2000 Guineas last season and run well in other group races. Could go well at a big price for Kevin Ryan and James Doyle.

This looks a wide open renewal. Kool Kompany and War Envoy bring the best form to the race after a first and third respectively in a listed race at Naas. Adaay for William Haggas and Paul Hanagan is likely to go off favourite after making a very good impression last time out at Yarmouth. THE WOW SIGNAL, the mount of Frankie Dettori bolted home by 9l on his only start at Ayr and could be dangerous.

Sole Power won this last year and was third in 2012. Shown a good turn of foot last time out to win the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket. The drying ground will be a bonus and Richard Hughes takes over the ride from Ryan Moore. Moore rides an interesting runner from the Aidan O'Brien stable in Guerre. The 3YO has only had three runs but beat Maarek last time out in a 5f listed event at Naas in a fast time. South African trainer Mike de Kock brings last year's runner up SHEA SHEA back to Ascot. The horse is in good form after two runs in Meydan and comes here with every chance. Hot Streak has been improving this year. Finished third behind Sole Power at Newmarket before winning the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock. Pearl Secret was third in this last year and Olivier Peslier is on board. Jack Dexter was second over CD in the Group 2 British Champion Series Sprint Stakes last October and has been well supported in the betting for this race each way.

This race sees 2000 Guineas first and second, Night Of Thunder and KINGMAN, line up for battle a third time this season. The Richard Hannon-trained Night Of Thunder got the better at Newmarket but John Gosden’s Kingman had previous thrashed him in the Greenham Stakes by 4l. Kingman has since gone on to win the Irish 2000 Guineas and maybe a good bet to reverse that classic form. Richard Hughes takes over from Kieren Fallon on Night Of Thunder. Toormore and War Command weren’t that far back in the 2000 Guineas but will find it hard to beat the top two in the market.

A competitive field goes to post for the first handicap of the meeting. Sir Graham Wade is top weight for Mark Johnston. Disappointed last time out at Kempton but has some good bits of form from last season. Perfect Heart is an improving type for Roger Varian and won well on his seasonal debut at Doncaster last time out. The drying ground is a concern though as most of his form has come on softer going. Lieutenant Miller was a close third in this last year for Nicky Henderson and should go well again but maybe vulnerable to an improver. There were high hopes over hurdles for the Aidan O’Brien-trained PLINTH but he disappointed. Could go well back on the flat.

Fuwairt was an expensive purchase. Disappointed a little on his debut before just getting up to beat Jaganory over 6f at Chepstow. Mind Of Madness won very well on his first start beating Absent Friends by 4 1/2l before being runner up to Coventry Stakes favourite, Adaay, at Yarmouth. Hootenanny comes over from the US and goes for Wesley Ward who has had a number of 2YO at the meeting over the last few years. He won well on debut and will be a good point to the trainer runners this week. FOUR SEASONS is a nicely bred colt by Dubawi. Was eighth of eight on debut but put that run behind him when winning by 2l over 6f at Leicester.