ON what promises to be a glittering first day of Royal Ascot, Consort can shock Gleneagles in what will not be a cakewalk for the dual 2000 Guineas hero in the St James's Palace Stakes.
Gleneagles carries maximum confidence from the Aidan O'Brien camp, and understandably so, but a quiet momentum has been building behind the lightly-raced Consort who is pitched into Group One company on just his third career start.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt won one of the hottest maidens run anywhere last season, and although a setback kept him out of the Guineas he looked very smart when winning on his return in the Heron Stakes at Sandown.
Very little went right that day and he still managed to win with something to spare, suggesting he has a serious engine.
His recent work at home has apparently been out of the top drawer and he runs here in preference to an easier assignment in the Tercentenary Stakes.
In doing so he is following a similar kind of path to Medicean, who was was a close third to Giant's Causeway in this race in 2000 and went on to prove himself very smart indeed.
The cream of the older milers are gathered for what promises to be a vintage renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes.
While having the greatest respect for Hong Kong ace Able Friend and last year's 2000 Guineas hero Night Of Thunder, this looks the right opportunity for Solow to continue his rise.
Freddy Head has always held the grey in the highest esteem but just felt he needed plenty of time to reach his potential.
The French trainer's faith has certainly been rewarded with Solow chalking up six wins in a row.
His last two victories have come in Group Ones. His demolition of The Grey Gatsby in the Dubai Turf in Meydan was a sight to behold, while he won the Prix d'Ispahan with the minimum of fuss at Longchamp last month.
Mecca's Angel can strike a blow for the north by winning the King's Stand Stakes for County Durham trainer Michael Dods.
The four-year-old filly has made giant strides without being over-raced. She has just had three starts since September, but has won them all.
Her latest performance in the Group Three Prix de Saint-Georges when she ran out a comfortable two-length winner suggested the best is yet to come.
Her first venture into Group One company can be a winning one.
Round Two goes into the Coventry Stakes on the back of two convincing victories and Jim Bolger's youngster looks like being hard to beat.
He showed his versatility by landing the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh over five furlongs after making a winning debut over this distance of six furlongs at Naas.
Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore teamed up at this meeting last year to take the Queen Alexandra Stakes with Pique Sous and can do the same in the Ascot Handicap with Clondaw Warrior.
A three-time winner on the Flat last term, the eight-year-old has shown smart form over hurdles, being placed at the Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festivals.
Soapy Aitken has shown plenty of speed to win his two starts at Leicester and Windsor and can continue the good work for trainer Clive Cox in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Paul Midgley's Another Wise Kid has had seven runs over six furlongs since his last success which was over five, so it is no surprise to see him revert to the minimum trip for the Laurent Perrier Evening Of The Horse Conditions Stakes at Beverley.
Taro Tywod, trained by Mark Brisbourne, can repeat last year's triumph in the starsportsbet.co.uk Fillies' Handicap at Brighton off a 3lb lower mark, while Sea The Skies can do the business for Mark Johnston and Franny Norton in the Theakston Best Bitter Handicap at Thirsk.
Thepartysover showed enough when third at Fontwell last month to show he can come out on top in the Jenkinsons Caterers Handicap Chase at Stratford.
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