What's on this week: the biggest names in racing are heading to Royal Ascot

Monday

It’s a quiet day of racing in advance of Tuesday’s big meeting, as Carlisle hosts a Flat card that includes Sharrabang (3.05), responsible for all of trainer Stella Barclay’s wins this season and aiming to hand her another.

He returns to the same course he won at two weeks ago and races off a 2lb higher mark since his last success.

Group 3-winning hurdler Cerberus sets off in a beginners' chase at Kilbeggan in the evening (7.10). The Joseph O’Brien-trained runner has failed to deliver in his three hurdle starts this year so connections will be hoping a switch to chasing can spark a revival from the five-year-old.

All-weather racing can be found at Lingfield, while more evening action comes from Windsor and Nottingham.

Tuesday

All eyes are on Ascot for day one of the much-anticipated royal meeting.

Three Group 1 prizes are on offer, starting with the return of Lockinge Stakes winner Palace Pier in the Queen Anne Stakes (2.30). The four-year-old's only defeat came at this course, but he is one of the best milers in the world, a former Royal Ascot winner, and will take some beating in his current form.

Palace Pier and Frankie Dettori tackle the Queen Anne StakesCredit: Pool (Getty Images)

Battaash races for the first time in 2021 in the King's Stand Stakes (3.40). It will be his fourth run in the Group 1 contest, and he has yet to finish out of the top two.

The final Group 1 of the day, the St James's Palace Stakes (4.20), looks to be an intriguing rematch between two familiar rivals, 2,000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare and the Jessica Harrington-trained Lucky Vega.

Both were last seen finishing behind Mac Swiney in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

The Coventry Stakes (3.05) will also provide Group 2 action on Tuesday and US trainer Wesley Ward will be looking for his twelfth Royal Ascot winner with Kaufymaker.

Thirsk and Stratford round out Tuesday's afternoon racing, while evening action is held at Sligo, Beverley and Brighton.

Wednesday

The Prince of Wales's Stakes (4.20) is the talk of Wednesday, with Champion Stakes winner Addeybb hoping to go one better than last year. He will have to contend with Love, last season's 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner.

Love: last seen winning the Darley Yorkshire Oaks in AugustCredit: Edward Whitaker

There are three Group 2 contests on offer, including the Queen Mary Stakes (2.30), the Queen's Vase (3.05), and the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (3.40), where Lady Bowthorpe will be looking to strike after chasing home Palace Pier in the Lockinge Stakes.

There is also Listed action in the Windsor Castle Stakes (5.35) with another Wesley Ward runner, Ruthin, looking to build on her impressive maiden win at Keeneland.

Jump racing can be found at Uttoxeter, Navan and Wexford, where Banbridge (2.25) is on the search for a hat-trick.

Stay ahead of the field with the Racing Post

The Racing Post has you covered every day of Royal Ascot. From the morning, with a bumper Racing Post newspaper available to purchase from all good newsagents, throughout the afternoon, with host Dave Orton, Bruce Millington and the might of the racing world guiding you through the action on Racing Post Live, through to the evening, with leading Racing Post tipsters Tom Segal and Paul Kealy joining Ross Brierley on our live show, In The Know (7-8pm, Monday to Friday).

You can download the following day's Racing Post from 9pm the night before. Subscribe to Members' Club Ultimate for unlimited access to the Racing Post newspaper, online and via the app, saving more than £100 a month on the cover price. Find out more here.

You can also keep up to date with the latest news, previews, reports and tips on racingpost.com and on the Racing Post mobile app every day during what promises to be an awesome Royal Ascot.

Monday
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Plus the Racing Postcast

Tuesday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Wednesday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Thursday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Friday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Plus What A Shout and the Racing Postcast

Saturday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange

All live shows are available to watch via YouTube and Facebook, with the Postcasts available via the usual podcast platforms

Thursday

It's Gold Cup day and Stradivarius sets out for a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup (4.15) under Frankie Dettori, returning to the track where he landed the Sagaro Stakes on his seasonal comeback in April.

Dubai Gold Cup winner Subjectivist will be looking to upset the narrative for the Mark Johnston yard.

Elsewhere, Noon Star will be stepping out in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes (3.40) after missing the Oaks due to a blood disorder. The Norfolk Stakes (2.30) and the Hampton Court Stakes (3.05) round off Thursday's Group racing. The unbeaten Mohaafeth tackles the Hampton Court.

In the evening, Ffos Las welcomes back spectators for the first time since early last year with a seven-race jumps card.

Noon Star returns to action in the Ribblesdale StakesCredit: Pool (Getty Images)

Friday

Classic winner Mother Earth tackles the Coronation Stakes (4.20). A surprise winner of the 1,000 Guineas for Aidan O'Brien, she will be taking on the progressive Ed Walker-trained Primo Bacio for the first time.

The Commonwealth Cup (3.40) sees the return of last year's Queen Mary Stakes winner Campanelle, who clashes with unbeaten French filly Suesa.

Campanelle returns to Royal Ascot after winning at the meeting last yearCredit: Stephen Pond (Getty Images)

Gear Up will be looking to return to form in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (3.05) after a below-par run in the Derby.

The top juvenile fillies clash in the Albany Stakes (2.30), a race headed by Flotus, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford.

Market Rasen hosts the Summer Plate Trial (3.25) in the only jumps meeting of the day, while Flat racing can be found at Goodwood, Newmarket, and Redcar.

Saturday

The final day of Royal Ascot features the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (4.20), where Glass Slippers could make her first start since winning Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint win.

The first three home in the Coronation Cup could line up in the Hardwicke Stakes (3.40), with winner Pyledriver potentially meeting Japan and Al Aasy once more.

All three may have to contend with Broome, who has enjoyed a productive campaign so far.

Jumps racing takes place at Perth in the afternoon, while Down Royal hosts the Ulster Derby (3.25), with Aidan O'Brien responsible for twelve entries in the handicap.

Glass Slippers goes for Diamond Jubilee glory after international successCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sunday

After the high-quality action throughout the week at Ascot, Sunday's racing is more relaxed with three meetings on offer.

Worcester and Hexham race over jumps, while there is a seven-race Flat card at Pontefract featuring the Listed Castle Fillies' Stakes (2.55).

Get clued up with the latest Royal Ascot tips and odds with our free microsite. The best betting advice and exclusive Royal Ascot free betting offers all in one place.

If you want more on Royal Ascot . . .

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The must-watch race on each of the five days at Royal Ascot

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The Punting Club Royal Ascot special: 'She's my best – and only – bet in a two-year-old race'

'Surely 5-2 is a joke?' – the claims of six Royal Ascot favourites assessed

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