Royal Ascot

Being drawn middle to high has provided a significant edge in the last decade, with only one winner exiting a single-figure stall. This smacks of a strong renewal when several sets of connections have made bullish predictions, including the US contingent represented by Ruiva, Shining Moment, More Champagne and CELTIC DISPUTE, all of whom have chances. The selection, a big filly with scope and whose sire Leinster was a high-class sprinter who excelled on good and quicker ground, impressed at Gulfstream in the Royal Palm Stakes, which the stable's Lennilu won en route to finishing third in this last year. Aidan O'Brien finally won a Queen Mary 12 months ago and his Victorious has to be feared when debut winners from this yard typically progress to high honours, and she's already won a Group race, while Wild Blossom, Alta Regina and Senorita Bonita are once-raced winners who fall into the "could be anything" category. At greater odds, Kentucky Rain might be a dark one.[Alistair Jones]