Gold Cup winner Stradivarius the favourite the layers fear most

Tuesday

Accidental Agent put the books well ahead with his 33-1 success in the opening Queen Anne last year and layers will be looking for a repeat shock to scupper the gamble on Le Brivido. Bet365 report Battaash winning the King's Stand would be their worst result due to his public following, which has him favourite over Blue Point, but Hills report Aidan O'Brien's Sergei Prokofiev would be one of their worst results of the week. Hills fear Threat in the Coventry, having halved his price to 7-1 after plenty of support, including a £1,200 bet at 14-1.

Battaash: victory at Royal Ascot would be bet365's worst result of the weekCredit: Grossick Racing (racingpost.com/photos)

Wednesday

The Prince of Wales's Stakes has become a betting duel between Sea Of Class and Magical, the first of multiple Group 1 big-name clashes. The other markets for Wednesday's fare are very open but the Royal Hunt Cup has seen a big move for the James Tate-trained New Graduate, who is now 8-1 favourite, replacing former winner Settle For Bay.

Thursday

The day revolves entirely around the Gold Cup and Stradivarius continues to shorten with most firms trading at 11-8. Ladbrokes, in particular, fear the champion stayer but have also seen support for Kew Gardens and have shortened the St Leger winner to 6-1 (from 12) in the last month. Some firms report Stradivarius is the first leg of a populartreble, completed by Hermosa and Ten Sovereigns on Friday.