It's the time of year when the sporting canvas of Great Britain is studded with high-profile action: Royal Ascot followed by Wimbledon, with the Ashes Test Series close on its heels. Held each year in mid-June at Ascot in Berkshire, England, the Royal Meeting, introduced in 1711 by Queen Anne, monarch of England from 1702 to 1714, is a veritable feast of top-class horse racing action.

Over five days beginning at 2:30 p.m. BST on Tuesday, June 18th, many of the world's finest Thoroughbreds will be seen in action. It's become commonplace to find raiders from Australia at the carnival, but this year, for the first time since 1936, the international contingent will include a Kentucky Derby winner – Animal Kingdom (by Leroidesanimaux). The accomplished Team Valor-bred five-year-old, now largely Australian-owned, will be attempting to achieve what Omaha so narrowly failed to do when nailed on the line by that grand staying mare, Quashed, 77 years ago, namely to add a victory at Royal Ascot to his resume.

Another fascinating facet of the meeting is the professional rivalry – the titles of champion trainer and champion jockey are at stake. Irish ace Aidan O’Brien is aiming to be leading trainer at the world-famous meeting for a fifth time, having first annexed this honour in 2001. His son Joseph is presently favourite to secure riding honours.

As before, the opening event is the Queen Anne Stakes (8 fur.), the race chosen by Animal Kingdom's connections in preference to the Prince Of Wakes Stakes (10 fur.) the next day. The scroll of honour for the Queen Anne contains numerous illustrious names, most recently Frankel! Not having raced since his scintillating victory in the Dubai World Cup on a Tapeta surface in March, Animal Kingdom will need to be at his best to cope with the unfamiliar terrain and surroundings, and his current price of 4 to 6 is hard to justify.

Trainer Graham Motion conveyed an optimistic and at the same time realistic assessment: "I do feel confident but I think there are a lot of unknowns going into this including the going. I think he will handle almost anything". Connections have been painstaking in their preparation, even going to the extent of flying over Johnny Velasquez – who will be in the saddle – from New York for the chestnut's pre-race track work.

Animal Kingdom faces a dozen rivals of which Aidan O'Brien's Declaration Of War (by War Front) stands out. Formerly trained in France by Jean-Claude Rouget, the American-bred has won 3 of 5 for Ballydoyle. The consistent pair of Elusive Kate (by Elusive Quality), from John Gosden's yard, and Aljamaaheer (by Dubawi), an inmate of Roger Varian's stables, are other live each-way prospects.

Thirty-five minutes later, as many 19 speedsters will vie for the King's Stand Stakes (5 fur.), run over the minimum trip. The race bears an open aspect and this is reflected by the fact that only 3 of the runners are quoted in single digits. Given the excellent record of foreign raiders, it is one of that variety, the South African-bred and trained Shea Shea (by National Emblem) that has donned the mantle of favouritism. Mike De Kock's ward is on offer at a rather niggardly 2 to 1. Another visitor, the New Zealand-bred but Australian-trained Shamexpress (by O'Reilly), available at 8 to 1, has a couple of wins earlier this year but is no Black Caviar.

The "home" challenge is spearheaded by a gelded six-year-old from Ireland, the 10 to 1 Sole Power (by Kyllachy), who will square off against his older rival Kingsgate Native (by Mujadil), offered at 14 to 1, and the much younger Reckless Abandon (by Exchange Rate) at 6 to 1. The last-named, a precocious and consistent sort, probably needed the run on his first outing as a three-year-old and shapes as a worthy each-way proposition. Adam Kirby will do duty astride the Clive Cox-trainee.

While the Queen Anne Stakes is for older runners, the St. James's Palace Stakes (8 fur.) is much the same type of contest, albeit restricted to three-year-olds. It often provides an occasion for the winners of the 2000 Guineas in England, Ireland and France a chance to sort out the pecking order amongst sophomore milers in Europe. While the Gallic hope (Style Vendome) has chosen to skip the clash, Dawn Approach (by New Aproach) and Magician (by Galileo) are in the line up as is the much-touted Toronado (by High Chaparral).

Dawn Approach is virtually unbeaten on merit so far, given that he ran no sort of race in the Investec Derby. Provided he does not once again burn himself out, he ought to oblige here for Godolphin, Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning. Toronado has had an equipment change and may run up to trainer Richard Hannon's lofty expectations. Magician, who is held in high esteem at Ballydoyle, is reported to have had a minor setback; this is said to be of little consequence, but presumably as a precaution the stable also fields Mars (by Galileo) and George Vancouver (by Henrythenavigator).

Wednesday opens with the Gr.3 Jersey Stakes (7 fur.). With 35 left in at the time of writing, and with riding assignments yet to be finalized, it's impossible to take an informed view at this stage. Suffice it to say that with Richard Hannon running Professor – who held a winning chance on paper – in an alternative assignment on Sunday (which the Byron colt won), he must feel his other wards Montiridge (by Ramonti) and Ninjago (by Mount Nelson) hold a better chance. Nor should one ignore O'Brien's Gale Force Ten (by Oasis Dream) or the French invader The Brothers War (by War Front) if they run.

The Prince Of Wales's Stakes (10 fur.) could well have showcased the copious talent of Farrh but that Godolphin hope was found to be lame recently and misses the event. However, the race still features a couple of the best older horses in training in the shape of last year's champion three-year-old, Camelot (by Montjeu) from Ballydoyle and the very exciting late developer Al Kazeem (by Dubawi) from Roger Charlton's yard.

At their most recent clash, which came in the Tattersalls' Gold Cup at the Curragh, it was the latter which prevailed and he is favoured at 7 to 4 to repeat the dose. However, both will have to contend with a leading member of the distaff set in the shape of The Fugue (by Dansili), returning from a long absence, and an improving sort in Maxios (by Monsun) who is slated to come over from France.

American trainer Wesley Ward, never one to shirk a challenge, has tasted success previously at Royal Ascot with runners brought over from across the Atlantic. He intends sending across three juveniles to this year's meeting. The first of these likely to be seen in public is Sweet Emma Rose (by City Zip), a runaway debut winner, for whom Joel Rosario has been booked. The event is the Queen Mary Stakes to be run as the fifth race on Wednesday's card.

More later in the week…………