Glitz and glamour of Royal Ascot to be blown away by power of Frankel

With all its pomp and ceremony, and the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, racing can often take a back seat but this year’s action comes with an air of excitement and anticipation – thanks to one superstar colt.

Frankel put up arguably the best performance seen on a British racecourse for a generation when pulverising his rivals in the 2000 Guineas, producing a devastating display of speed and strength to land the Classic in a style that had even those cynical punters who doubted his resolution and ability to settle doffing their caps in admiration.

Connections must have been tempted to stretch his stamina out to a mile and a half in the Derby but common sense prevailed and Sir Henry Cecil has kept his powder dry for the St James’s Palace Stakes tomorrow.

The master of Warren Place is no stranger to Ascot success – he has four St James’s Palace trophies among his remarkable 72 winners at the Royal meeting – and extending Frankel’s unbeaten record to seven should prove little more than a penalty kick.

That opening afternoon is undoubtedly the best of the week, with three Group Ones kicked off by Goldikova – European racing’s own version of royalty – attempting to retain her Queen Anne Stakes crown.

Freddie Head’s wonder mare returned for her fifth season to record her 13th victory at the highest level in the Prix D’Ispahan and having fended off Paco Boy here 12 months ago, now has another Richard Hannon top-notcher to contend with in the shape of last month’s Lockinge hero Canford Cliffs.

The fixture is firmly established as a true international festival now, a fact highlighted by the recent King’s Stand honour roll.

Choisir, Miss Andretti, Takeover Target and Scenic Blast have all stormed home for Australia in the five-furlong dash and Star Witness carries the antipodean hopes this time around, with Saturday’s Golden Jubilee also on the agenda if all goes to plan.

So You Think has been allowed a little more time to acclimatise since being shipped from Down Under, where he held superstar status, and he has picked up where he left off for Aidan O’Brien.

The son of High Chaparral was given a relatively easy introduction in the Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh and duly coasted to victory, before returning for the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup, where he disposed of Godolphin’s top-flight performer Campanologist with the minimum of fuss.

He faces a much stiffer examination of his credentials in Berkshire, with Rewilding and Planteur among the potential opposition but if he sees off rivals of that quality, it will be difficult to see what else is out there to beat him for the rest of the season.

O’Brien saddled legendary stayer Yeats to an unprecedented four Gold Cup titles and is responsible for Fame And Glory, this year’s favourite for the Royal Ascot highlight.

The son of Montjeu, a four-time winner at the top table, boasts a similar profile to Yeats before his first Gold Cup, in that he is stepping up to staying distances with middle-distance prizes like the Coronation Cup already under his belt. He was made to work hard to land the Saval Beg at Leopardstown, but he did beat last year’s winner Rite Of Passage that day and Dermot Weld’s staying star has reportedly been struggling a little since.

Richard Fahey may have to be content with minor honours when he pitches stable star Wootton Bassett in against Frankel in the St James’s Palace Stakes but the Malton handler has every chance of getting on the scoresheet courtesy of Miss Work Of Art in the Albany Stakes.

After scorching over the Lingfield Polytrack to make a successful debut, the Dutch Art filly burst the Magic City bubble at Ascot before making it three out of three on Knavesmire.

A step up to six furlongs is expected to suit her, which could leave the five-furlong Queen Mary Stakes at the mercy of another Yorkshire-based juvenile in the shape of Dozy.

Kevin Ryan’s charge showed smart acceleration to scythe down Vocational in the Hilary Needler and appears an out-and-out speed merchant.

The international flavour of the meeting is never more apparent than in those juvenile events, as US trainer Wesley Ward sends Gypsy Robin and Judy The Beauty and will be out to repeat his Royal meeting victories of 2009.

The Mick Easterby-trained Hoof It stormed to the top of the Wokingham market when returning with a bang on Knavesmire at the Dante meeting, and he will take some stopping on the final day, with all grounds coming alike to him.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston is no stranger to success at the royal meeting, with 32 victories already in the bag, and as well as the obvious handicappers he has tuned to the minute, he boasts an excellent record in Friday’s Queen’s Vase, with five wins in the race since 2001.

Whatever he runs in the two-mile battle is sure to merit more than a passing glance.

A thrilling week of racing is in store.