King hopeful Top Tug can give him another royal victory

5.35 Royal Ascot
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV/RUK

Swapping the chilly damp of winter for five balmy days in Berkshire in June comes as second nature to Alan King every year as the wellies and waterproofs are discarded in favour of top hat and tails.

Last June the trainer saddled his first Royal Ascot winner when Primitivo landed the King George V Handicap, and this time around he is hopeful of following up that victory with the rejuvenated Top Tug.

King recalled 12 months ago, saying: “I've trained 15 Cheltenham Festival winners but winning a race at Royal Ascot is right up there with all of them as I've not missed a day at the meeting for 30 years – it’s just a fantastic place to be for the five days.

“It’s my favourite week of the year as it’s the best racing anywhere on the planet with a great atmosphere all around the place and training a winner at the meeting last year topped it all – I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Of Top Tug, he added: “He seems in great form and is a bit happier in himself being back on the Flat as sometimes the switch helps as it improves these old horses and gives them something to think about.

“With a bit of luck he should go well as he comes into the race on the back of a win at Goodwood and before that he had been good second to Frontiersman, who stamped the form when runner-up behind Highland Reel at Epsom so the overall figures are very solid."

One for Her Majesty?

Sir Michael Stoute is a past master at laying out horses for the royal meeting and given the title of the race there is good reason to believe Mainstream, owned by the Queen, has been trained with this contest in mind since catching the eye on his return to action at Newmarket behind Frontiersman.

The four-year-old might have finished a lot closer but for meeting traffic problems and having to be switched on a couple of occasions before staying in good style to finish third, beaten under three lengths.

The Queen’s racing manager John Warren said: ”Sir Michael reports that Mainstream is in excellent form coming into the race which has been his target. If everything goes right we expect a big run.”

What they say

Rod Millman, trainer of Master Carpenter
He's in very good form and we're trying him over a mile and a half for the first time, but when he won at York recently he was staying on really well so we hope he'll get the trip. We originally had Frankie Dettori booked for the ride but hopefully Fran Berry will prove an able deputy.

Charlie Johnston assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Soldier In Action
He took time to get his condition back after his winter campaign but bounced back to form at Epsom. Track, trip and ground are all bang in his favour, and although this is a hard race he ticks all the boxes.

James Fanshawe, trainer of Star Storm
He's back in handicap company after competing in Listed and Graded company. He likes the course as he won the Cumberland Lodge there a couple of years ago. We're hopeful but these races are always very competitive and this is no exception.

John Gosden, trainer of Cape Cova
He ran a better race at Newmarket last time than he did first time out and deserves to take his chance in a typically open event.

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Red Galileo
He won over a mile and six furlongs out in Dubai but I think a stiff 12 furlongs will suit him. He's in good form and ready to go.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Lustrous Light
He's training really well and the race should suit – we've got a better handle on him now.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Rare Rhythm
He's been gelded since he ran in this race last year and has been pleasing us at home. He looks fit enough although the quick conditions would be a slight concern as both his wins have come with ease in the ground.

David Simcock, trainer of Oasis Fantasy
We were very pleased with him at York on ground that wouldn’t have been ideal. We took him to Meydan and he never really trained over there, which some horses don’t. Since he came back he's trained well and what Meydan did was bring him down the weights and so he's more competitively handicapped. He has ideal conditions – a mile and a half, fast ground and a nice draw – everything is in his favour.