Royal Ascot

Seven of the last eight winners of this to have run before came into the race unbeaten, with six of those having won their only previous start. Curragh maiden winner Aix La Chapelle fits into that category and will be a major player in his bid to provide Aidan O'Brien with his eighth winner in the race, albeit with fellow Irish challenger Nola Soul having achieved just as much when making a successful debut at Leopardstown. Both are respected, while Newbury winner Aperoll is clearly highly regarded and makes the shortlist alongside impressive Musselburgh winner Time For The Moon. Joseph O'Brien's newcomer On Just Terms should be closely monitored in the market, but the vote goes to REVELS whose impressive Redcar debut success has since been handsomely franked by the reopposing Sword Salute. The stable took this with Holloway Boy in 2022.[David Bellingham]