Royal Ascot countdown: day one entries set up mouthwatering St James's Palace Stakes; Rosallion and Japanese ace market movers

That is all you're getting from me folks, but there is plenty of cracking reads that you can enjoy across the site.

• Who could represent the big racing powerhouses on day one of the royal meeting? 
• Eyecatching entries: an unmissable Group 1 clash, fascinating Wathnan recruit and significant jockey booking 
• David Jennings: 'She's a very fast filly, has a lot of ability and we can go to Royal Ascot with a bit of confidence'  
• Karl Burke: 'I don't care who turns up against him, he's winning the Wolferton and is the best bet of the meeting by a long way' 
• 'This colt's a great candidate for the task ahead' - impressive Gulfstream winner becomes the latest addition to Wathnan's Royal Ascot team 
• 'When he gave him a little squeeze he really exploded' - US raider lights up July course before Queen Anne bid 

My colleague James Stevens will be at the controls tomorrow as entries and confirmations are made for day two, headlined by the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

And we've got something extra special lined up as Pricewise himself Tom Segal will be here from 4.30pm for a live chat about all things Royal Ascot, exclusively available for subscribers to Racing Post+ Tipping and Ultimate packages. Find out more here.

Another day, another signing for Wathnan Racing. We might need to create our own Royal Ascot transfer market at this rate to keep them under control.

This time the big-spending operation, headed by the Emir of Qatar, have splashed out on Sandal's Song, a US-trained two-year-old who won on fine style on his debut at Gulfstream Park last month in a 'win and you're in' race for Royal Ascot.

He is on course for the Norfolk Stakes next Thursday for trainer George Weaver, who won the Queen Mary with Crimson Advoctae in 2023.

Wathnan Racing's recent Royal Ascot purchases and targets

Lazzat Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Flora Of Bermuda King Charles III Stakes/Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Night Raider King Charles III Stakes/Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Humidity Chesham Stakes
Sandal's Song Norfolk Stakes

Full story: 'This colt's a great candidate for the task ahead' - impressive Gulfstream winner becomes the latest addition to Wathnan's Royal Ascot team

Could this be the race of the entire week? The English, Irish and French 2,000 Guineas winners are all on course for an epic clash in the St James's Palace Stakes (4.20) so let's have a look at the big three

Field Of Gold (best priced 10-11)

Highly regarded as a juvenile, winning the Solario Stakes at Ascot before the soft ground got the better of him in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day. Exploded back onto the scene with an explosive victory in the Craven to shoot to the head of the 2,000 Guineas market. However that Newmarket run, when Kieran Shoemark confidently waited a few strides too many before committing him, caused a storm that ultimately led to the rider losing his role as first-choice jockey to the Gosdens. 

With Colin Keane onboard, Field Of Gold rebounded in spectacular style in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and he is the one to beat on Tuesday.

Ruling Court (11-4)

The Derby's loss is Ascot's gain as Charlie Appleby's late decision to swerve softening ground at Epsom means he has been rerouted to Ascot. 

An electric turn of foot in the Dip and perfectly timed ride from William Buick saw him storm to victory in the 2,000 Guineas, holding off the fast-finishing Field Of Gold by half a length. 

The debate has raged since then over whether he would still have won had Field Of Gold been ridden slightly differently, and this is the Frankel colt's chance to prove the best horse did indeed win at Newmarket.

Henri Matisse (9-2)

Ran six times as a juvenile (compared to four for Field Of Gold and two for Ruling Court) and achieved more than either of his two main St James's rivals. After winning a pair of Group 2s he came up just short in the National Stakes and was half a length behind Field Of Gold in the Lagardere when soft ground similarly did not suit. 

However, he took his form to a new level when winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November and has won both of his starts this season, including the French 2,000 Guineas last time when coming from way back under Ryan Moore. The time of that was strong.

Quick ground should suit all three and none will have any problem with the trip, so there should be no excuses for any party. But who's going to win? One man never short of an opinion or two is our deputy Ireland editor David Jennings, and we put the question to him when he sat in the Ultimate Preview Night hotseat..

Can anything beat Field Of Gold in the St James’s Palace?

No. He's the best horse in training right now. I have a feeling he won't be beaten again and evens is some price. Would you rather back him at evens or Zarigana at evens for the Coronation Stakes? It's a no-brainer, surely. 

More Ascot insight from David Jennings: 'I don't care who turns up against him, he's winning the Wolferton and is the best bet of the meeting by a long way' 

Field Of Gold16:20 Ascot

View Racecard

Jky: Colin Keane Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

By Graeme Rodway, deputy betting editor

French Master (Copper Horse Handicap)

Willie Mullins has exactly the same quintet of Poniros, Pappano, Charlus, Reaching High and Too Bossy For Us in the Copper Horse Handicap as in the Ascot Stakes. It will be fascinating to see how he cuts his cloth. However, French Master catches my eye here for the Gosden team.

He has been acquired by Wathnan Racing since winning on his first start over 1m6f at Goodwood last month and is a brother to Group winner Mohaafeth. A mark of 100 could seriously underestimate his ability and he has a similar profile to the stable’s Sweet William, who progressed into a Group performer following a similar impressive victory at Goodwood.

Graeme and betting editor Keith Melrose have been combing through the entries for day one and their full thoughts on four more eyecatching runners will eb available to read for Racing Post+ subscribers from 6pm.

I promised you earlier an update on the early morning Newmarket workouts of international stars Satono Reve and Carl Spackler, who will be ridden by one of the world's top jockeys James McDonald, a Royal Ascpt winner on Nature Strip in 2012.

A bit later than advertised but here we go:

Carl Spackler (Queen Anne)

Jamie Spencer rode Carl Spackler this morning but James McDonald will be onboard at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Will Bourne, bloodstock and racing manager to trainer Ciaron Maher, said: “We came here wanting to have a hit out. That’s his second gallop since he’s been here in Newmarket and he arrived in good condition from Chad Brown. He did what we wanted him to do today and Jamie said when he gave him a little squeeze he really exploded.

“We're impressed with how he’s switched on from his first gallop in Newmarket last Friday to his second here this morning. It’s a tough ask to go to the Queen Anne Stakes, but the horse is an absolute dude and is going to run a big race.”

Very bullish you have to say. He won a Grade 1 at Keeneland is April and is available at 20-1 with bet365 and William Hill.

Satono Reve (Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes)

Satono Reve (Ryan Moore) roared out of the dip under Ryan Moore at Newmarket's July course this morningCredit: Edward Whitaker

No quotes from the Satono Reve camp but the videos that have been going around social media of his gallop as he powered well clear of his work companion under Ryan Moore speak for themselves.

He burst out of the dip in impressive style and, from a general 8-1 this morning, he is now no bigger than 7-1 and as short as 6-1 with most bookies. 

For all their success at international meetings around the world in recent years, a Royal Ascot winner has so far eclipsed Japan, but Satono Reve's form behind Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong arguably entitles him to be even shorter in the betting.

Charles Darwin: Ballydoyle colt entered for the Coventry but could also run in the NorfolkCredit: Patrick McCann

Betting markets are now live for the non-Group 1 races on Royal Ascot's opening day and let's examine the Coventry Stakes and Ascot Stakes first.

Coventry Stakes

Sky Bet: 7-2 Postmodern, 5 Military Code, 6 Charles Darwin, 8 Gstaad, 9 Underwriter, 10 Warsaw, 16 Ballistic Missiles, Brussels, First Legion, Flushing Meadows, 290 bar

Wathnan Racing's Postmodern, a five-length winner on his debut at Yarmouth, leapt to the head of the betting after Aidan O'Brien's Albert Einstein was ruled out last week.

MIlitary Code is 2-2 and already has William Buick booked to ride so is the clear Godolphin first choice over stablemate Wise Approach.

Charles Darwin is the shortest of the Ballydoyle contingent but O'Brien has also namechecked the Norfolk as a live option so caution would be advised there. Charles Darwin is a brother to Blackbeard, who was a beaten favourite in the Coventry in 2022 but won two Group 1s over six furlongs later in the season. O'Brien has four other entries – Brussels, Flushing Meadows, Gstaad and Warsaw – who were all winners on debut. 

Underwriter and Naval Light both also represent Wathnan in a market dominated by racing's superpowers, but given the Coventry has had winners at 150-1 and 80-1 in the last five years you cannot rule anyone out. 

• Assessing the top-performing two-year-olds in Britain and Ireland this season - and their Royal Ascot chances 

Wesley Ward will not be adding to his Royal Ascot winners tally of 12 this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

US trainer Wesley Ward will have no Royal Ascot runners for the first time since 2012 after pulling plans at the last minute to send over a juvenile team headed by the unbeaten Outfielder.

Ward has saddled 12 winners and 15 placed horses at the meeting, having burst onto the scene when Strike The Tiger won the Windsor Castle Stakes in 2009.

Even the Covid-19 pandemic could not stop Ward bringing over a team of live contenders and he most recently enjoyed success with Campanelle in the Commonwealth Cup in 2021.

Speaking from the US on Wednesday, Ward said: “Everything didn’t come together this year, so unfortunately we couldn’t make it. I don’t think we’ve missed a year at Royal Ascot since we first started coming in 2009 and I don’t know who’s gutted more me or my son Riley. We love Royal Ascot, but sometimes things don’t work out the way you want them to.”

Full story: 'Unfortunately there will be no top hats this year' - no Wesley Ward runners at Royal Ascot for first time since 2012 

Lake Forest won the Group 1 Golden Eagle over 7½f in Australia in NovemberCredit: Jeremy Ng

Reader Jon Eden has been in touch, and although he can't pick from his many favourite Royal Ascot memories, he does have a fancy for the Queen Anne.

He writes: "I've got too many great memories to mention! But in regard to day one entries, I'll be looking to get some each-way value by swerving the main protagonists and looking at bigger odds.

"I am fascinated to see what Lake Forest can do over the Ascot mile in the opener. He has course form having run a somewhat unlucky second in the Commonwealth Cup last year and has been running on strongly in all his races, including a 7½f big-race win in Australia, where he beat Lazzat [favourite for the Jubilee]. That was on good ground and you can put a line through his most recent run on softer going. On good to firm, as long as stamina doesn't become an issue, he could have the best turn of foot in the field."

Let me know your Ascot thoughts by emailing liveblog@racaingpost.com

The going at Ascot remains good, good to firm in places this afternoon following a dry 24 hours.

The straight course was watered with 10mm on Tuesday morning, while 3mm was applied to the round course on Tuesday night.

The ground on the straight course tends to drain quicker than the round course, hence the variation, which can often lead to a difference in the going descriptions on each course.

The forecast is largely dry until Thursday when thunderstorms are possible through to Saturday. From Sunday it could become drier and more settled.

Want to cut through the Royal Ascot noise? Sign up to Racing Post+ and you can get 60% off the first month of a Racing Post+ Ultimate subscription by using code JUNEJEWELS20 at the checkout, meaning you’ll have access to a whole host of fantastic content as the summer hits boiling point. 

We have Royal Ascot Stable Tours with the sport’s key players, the Ultimate Royal Ascot Preview Night featuring big opinions from racing’s foremost judges, Tom Segal has hunted down the value in Ante-Post Pricewise, and as always we’ll be undertaking insightful interviews with the biggest names in the game.

Today's top RP+ reads:

• Royal Ascot Stable Tour: 'The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a tough race - but he's in great form, progressive and we'll have him right at his best'
• Richard Forristal: I once competed for the same rides as Wayne Lordan - and it was fantastic to see him have his day of glory at Epsom
• Ante-Post Pricewise: 'He has the raw talent to win with a bit to spare' - Tom Segal has three big-priced fancies for Royal Ascot's two cavalry charges

Gavin Cromwell has twice won at Royal AscotCredit: Mark Cranham

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell is no stranger to success at Royal Ascot having won the Queen Mary and Chesham in recent years.

And he is taking a strong team over to Berkshire this year, headed by a new Amo Racing purchase in the Kensington Palace Stakes on Wednesday (5.35)

“We have six horses who could potentially go to Royal Ascot this year,” he said in his William Hill blog, “and one we’re very excited about is Kayhana, who’ll go for the Kensington Palace Stakes. She’s only had one run for us where she was just beaten by a head at Gowran Park a couple of weeks ago.

“She’s just been bought by Amo Racing and it’s really thrilling for us to have a runner for them at Royal Ascot. We’re hoping there’s more improvement to come from her and she can be competitive in this race. She drops back to a mile here which shouldn’t be a problem for her in a fast-run race and she’ll definitely get further.”

Cromwell may also run Robbies Rock (Ascot Stakes), My Mate Mozzie (Copper Horse), Snellen (Kensington Palace), Fiery Lucy (several possible targets) and Brownstown (Chesham).

Rosallion (right) beats Henry Longfellow in the St James's Palace Stakes last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Queen Anne Stakes looks a fascinating affair, and the big questions punters have to ask themselves is how much do you trust the Lockinge form?

Lead Artist led home Dancing Gemini that day, but both had race fitness on their side compared with third Rosallion and fourth Notable Speech, who were both making their seasonal returns.

The answer for most punters at the moment seems to be: do not trust.

Rosallion was 3-1 this morning but after confirmations has been clipped into a mixture of 5-2 and 11-4, and pro punter Matt Williams believes that to represent good value.

He wrote in his Royal Ascot Ultimate Preview Night feature: "Rosallion is great value. We have to believe his run in the Lockinge was a high-level prep. I think he’s far and away the most talented horse in the race and he should be more like a 6-4 shot. If he had been able to finish his three-year-old season, we’d have all been licking our lips in anticipation of this campaign. I hope he doesn't disappoint, because he's an absolute specimen."

The Richard Hannon-trained four-year-old, who won the St James's Palace Stakes at last year's Royal Ascot, is also the one William Hill are fearing most.

“While Rosallion didn’t win the Lockinge, punters seem to have warmed to him since," said spokesperson Lee Phelps. ""He was 9-2 straight after his defeat to Lead Artist at Newbury, but it seems that many think that form will be reversed in the Queen Anne, so much so that he’s now a 5-2 shot.

“We expect him to be popular on the day too once people realise they can back last year’s uber impressive St James’s Palace winner at around 5-2.”

A day one double of Rosallion and Field Of Gold pays around 7-1, for anyone interested.

Baaeed was brilliant in the Queen Anne in 2022Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

As Keith says, the St James's Palace Stakes has all the makings of an all-timer.

The opening day of Royal Ascot rarely fails to deliver with its three Group 1s and this year looks no different.

One of my favourite Royal Ascot memories was being at the track in 2022 when Baaeed romped home in the Queen Anne, shortly before Nature Strip absolutelyt blew away his King's Stand rivals.

Are you going this year, or do you have a favourite memory from an Ascot you've attended? Let me know by emailing liveblog@racingpost.com

By Keith Melrose, betting editor

Unlike Cheltenham, the five-day stage reveals so much about Royal Ascot, and that will only deepen later in the week. 

We already had early-closing entries for the three Group 1s on Tuesday, but a couple jump out from the other entries released today. Haatem is in the Wolferton, backing up his Irish Champion Stakes entry in suggesting that now he is fit he will be campaigned at 1m2f, away from stablemate Rosallion.

Another Wathnan entry, Naval Light, is in the Coventry. He was second in the 2yo Trophy at Beverley on his debut and his owners also have Coventry favourite Postmodern, so there is no real need to rush him.

But it is all about that St James's Palace, really. Only 11 go forward, but they include the winners of all three major 'Guineas' and if Field Of Gold, Ruling Court and Henri Matisse all enter the stalls then we are in for a real treat on day one of Royal Ascot.

A relaxed Colin Keane flew in to Newmarket specifically to partner Lead Artist in a racecourse gallopCredit: Edward Whitaker

While all that was going on, we've heard from Colin Keane, who was at Newmarket's July Course this morning to partner leading Queen Anne hope Lead Artist in what could potentially be the most spectacular way to kick-start his new job as Juddmonte's retained rider.

On Lead Artist, he said: “He was obviously very good in the Lockinge and he felt today like a very straightforward horse. He’s good-moving and I’m looking forward to Tuesday. 

"Ascot is the pinnacle of our sport. It’s the place where everyone wants to go, including trainers, owners and jockeys, and I’m fortunate to have some nice rides this year.”

Keane, who will be back riding at Limerick on Wednesday evening, said: “I’ll be going where I’m told until I get a feel of things and I’ll be talking to Barry Mahon [Juddmonte's racing manager] a lot. He’ll tell me where to go across Ireland, England and perhaps France the odd day as well. 

"I’ll be busy enough and I’ll try to get around some of the places to ride some of the horses I haven’t sat on before, just like I have this morning.”

Full story:  'I'm sure you'll see him on Ryanair a lot' - Colin Keane flies in to Newmarket to partner Royal Ascot contender in racecourse gallop

Field Of Gold: odds-on for the St James's Palace StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

The bookies have been redoing their markets for the three Group 1s and here is how we stand:
Queen Anne Stakes

Paddy Power: 11-4 Rosallion, 9-2 Dancing Gemini, Lead Artist, Notable Speech, 8 Sardinian Warrior, 12 Lake Forest, 16 Carl Spackler, Diego Velazquez, Quddwah, 25 Docklands, 66 Cairo

King Charles II Stakes

Ladbrokes: 9-2 Believing, Asfoora, 7 Regional, 8 Night Raider, 12 Mgheera, Starlust, 14 Bucanero Fuerte, Kind Of Blue, Storm Boy, 16 West Acre, Whistlejacket, 20 American Affair, Flora Of Bermuda, 25 Aesterius, Balmoral Lady, Monteille, Rumstar, Prime Art, 33 bar.

St James's Palace Stakes

Sky Bet: 4-5 Field Of Gold, 5-2 Ruling Court, 4 Henri Matisse, 14 Opera Ballo, Shadow Of Light, 25 Jonquil, 33 Rashabar, 50 Officer, Scorthy Champ, 66 Windlord, 100 First Wave

Anything leaping out at you, or from the entries for the opening day's other four races? Let me know by emailing liveblog@racingpost.com

Willie Mullins after Belloccio's win in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot last yearCredit: Patrick McCann

Copper Horse Stakes (6.10, Tuesday June 17)

A star next to a name indicates they are also entered in the Ascot Stakes

Aernonautic
Alphonse Le Grande *
Ascending *
Barnso *
Caballo De Mar *
Champagne Prince
Charlus *
Creatif
Crypto Force
Crystal Flyer
Dallas Star
Endless Victory
Fairbanks
Fox Journey
French Master
Gentleman Joe *
Goodie Two Shoes
Great Bedwyn
HMS President
Imperial Sovereign
Insanity
Jesse Evans
Kildare Legend
Knightswood
Lavender Hill Mob
Leinster *
Lieber Power *
Loughville
Master Builder
Mordor *
Mutaawid
My Mate Mozzie
Ndaawi *
Oneforthegutter
Pappano *
Plage De Havre
Poniros *
Prydwen
Reaching High *
Real Dream
Samui
Saturn *
Scottish Anthem*
Small Fry
Story Horse
Too Bossy For Us *
Zoffee *

One of the newer Ascot contests, this 1m6f handicap has been won by Willie Mullins in each of the last two years. Maximum field size of 16 and plenty are doubly entered.

William Buick and Colin Keane have been booked for Mullins runners Charlus and Pappano respectively.

Bucanero Fuerte has been supplemented for the King Charles II Stakes at a cost of £65,000Credit: Patrick McCann

Before I bring you the full list of entries for the Copper Horse, the three supplementary entries for day one have just been revealed.

Bucanero Fuerte, third in the Coventry and a Group 1 winner as a juvenile for Amo Racing, and Prime Art, a four-year-old filly trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam who had smart form as a two-year-old but has only raced twice since, have both been added to the King Charles II Stakes.

Carl Spackler has been confirmed as the supplementary entry for the Queen Anne.

Wolferton entry Haatem won the Jersey Stakes at last year's Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Wolferton Stakes (5.35, Tuesday June 17)

Aafoor
Alcaraz
Ambiente Friendly
Ancient Rome
Cash
Caviar Heights
Certain Lad
Checkandchallenge
Cloud Seeker
Doha
Ecureuil
Enfjaar
Fox Legacy
Galen
Haatem
Haunted Dream
King's Gambit
Liberty Lane
Meydaan
Military Order
Passion And Glory
Phantom Flight
Royal Power
Running Lion
Savvy Victory
Sons And Lovers
Teumessias Fox
Thunder Run
Torito
Wahdan

This Listed race over 1m2f was won last year by Israr for the Gosdens, the first winning favourite since the same stable sent out Mahsoob to win in 2015. Maximum filed size of 16 so that list will be cut down substantially on Sunday.

Ascot Stakes (5.00, Tuesday, June 17)

Alcaraz
Align The Stars
All In You
Alphonse Le Grande
Artistic Star
Ascending
Barnso
Brave Knight
Caballo De Mar
Caprelo
Charlus
Colonia Victoria
Comfort Zone
Common Practice
Contacto
Dawn Rising
Divine Comedy
East India Dock
Feigning Madness
Gentleman Joe
Godsend
Jabbar
Kyle Of Lochalsh
Leinster
Liari
Lieber Power
Manxman
Molten Sea
Mordor
Mr Hampstead
Mr Percy
Ndaawi
Nurburgring
Pappano
Poniros
Reaching High
Robbies Rock
San Salvador
Saturn
Scottish Anthem
Too Bossy For Us
Tritonic
Trooper Bisdee
Vaguely Royal
Vischio
Wild Waves
Woot City
Youthful King
Zoffee

Full disclosure: I am one (of the many) who owns a share in the Paul Nicholls-trained Brave Knight for the Owners Group so am delighted to see his name in there.

Max field size of 20 for this marathon handicap over 2m4f.