What's on this week: top-class action as royal meeting takes centre stage

Monday

The build-up to Royal Ascot continues with afternoon Flat action from Carlisle and Catterick, which hosts its first meeting since redevelopment.

Windsor and Nottingham provide the evening entertainment, while Kilbeggan is the sole jumps card of the day in Ireland.

Tuesday

The biggest Flat meeting in the world is upon us! On a day packed with quality, the Group 1 contests come thick and fast with the Queen Anne, King's Stand and St James's Palace holding sway. The likes of Accidental Agent, Battaash and Too Darn Hot will be on show, and it simply cannot be missed.

Galileo Gold beats The Gurkha (right) and Awtaad (striped cap) in the 2016 St James's Palace StakesCredit: Charlie Crowhurst

The Group 2 Coventry Stakes, which has been won by Canford Cliffs, Dawn Approach and Caravaggio in recent year, always warrants a close eye. The Listed Wolferton Stakes has attracted a quality field, while jumps trainers are keen to join in on the action in the Ascot Stakes.

Elsewhere, Thirsk and Stratford host afternoon cards on the Flat and over jumps respectively, while Sligo, Brighton and Beverley all host twilight fixtures.

Wednesday

The second day of the royal meeting is headlined by the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, in which Poet's Word defeated Cracksman in a thrilling contest last year.

This year's line-up includes Arc runner-up Sea Of Class, Crystal Ocean, Magical and the French-trained Waldgeist. There are three Group 2s on the card, namely the Queen Mary, the Queen's Vase and the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, with the Royal Hunt Cup and Windsor Castle Stakes providing a worthy finale to day two.

Hamilton and Uttoxeter attempt to share the limelight with afternoon fixtures, while Wexford, Chelmsford and Ripon all host evening meetings.

Thursday

The Gold Cup has produced some epic clashes in the past and last year's hero Stradivarius will bid to defend his crown against Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter and the improving Dee Ex Bee.

Stradivarius: back to defend his Gold Cup crownCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Ribblesdale Stakes looks like another quality renewal with Queen Power, Fleeting and Frankellina entered, while the Norfolk and Hampton Court Stakes open the third day of the meeting.

The card closes with two quality handicaps, the Britannia and King George V Stakes, and they will be just as fiercely contested.

Chelmsford and Ripon host afternoon cards, while Leopardstown, Lingfield and Ffos Las provide evening entertainment for Flat and jumps fans alike.

Friday

Despite the loss of Calyx and Lady Kaya, the Commonwealth Cup still has a competitive look to it and Ten Sovereigns, fifth in the 2,000 Guineas, bids to return to winning ways for Aidan O'Brien.

The son of No Nay Never will not have it all his own way with Hello Youmzain and Jash among his potential rivals.

Hello Youmzain: heads to the Commonwealth CupCredit: Grossick Racing (racingpost.com/photos)

Hermosa has looked a class act with success in the English and Irish Guineas but the Khalid Abdullah-owned Jubiloso also stands her ground in the Coronation Stakes. What a treat we have in store.

The King Edward VII and Albany Stakes also feature on the fourth day, while the Sandringham and Duke of Edinburgh handicaps close the card.

Redcar and Market Rasen also hold afternoon fixtures, with Newmarket, Goodwood and Ayr taking over at twilight.

Saturday

The final day of Royal Ascot and the top-class actions continues with the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee featuring on an excellent card which also includes the Hardwicke, Chesham and Jersey Stakes.

Invincible Army has done nothing wrong in two starts this campaign and bids to add a first Group 1 to his CV for trainer James Tate.

The Hardwicke Stakes sees the return of 2018 Derby hero Masar, while Defoe, Mirage Dancer and Ghaiyyath also feature among the entries.

The Wokingham and Queen Alexandra Stakes wrap up a fantastic five days of action at the royal meeting.

Ayr hosts Listed action in the afternoon alongside Redcar, Perth and Newmarket, while Down Royal, Lingfield and Haydock host evening meetings.

Sunday

A quieter day's racing as Pontefract, Hexham and Worcester all host meetings in the afternoon.

Pontefract's feature contest, the Listed Pontefract Castle Fillies' Stakes, was closed to just fillies in 2017 but was won previously by the hugely popular Brown Panther in 2012 and 2013.

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