Even though a number of racing carnivals have been established around the globe, easily the most prestigious of these is the five-day Royal Meeting held each June at Ascot in Berkshire, England. Participants at the meeting include virtually all the top-class horses in Europe, as also no less than 20 international runners from far and wide, although of course none from India. For the record, Indian participation abroad in such events can begin only when all the current foolish and meaningless restrictions applicable to Indian horses and Indian horse racing are lifted. Then Achhe Din can follow!

Queen Anne, monarch of England from 1702 to 1714, instituted the first meetings at the venue, just West of London, and the Royal Meeting itself has been going on for 208 years. The prize money is not quite comparable to the largesse disbursed at the Breeders Cup or the Dubai Racing Carnival, but the increase in prestige and capital value are adequate compensation. This year the most unique of the foreign challengers is last year's Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome (by Lucky Pulpit), the second of his tribe to make the journey in modern times. But of him and his chances, more later…

We will first deal with the track conditions. Britain is likely to have a dry spell during the meet, and hence the going will probably range from "good" to "the firm side of good". In fact, Chris Stickels, Ascot’s clerk of the course, has not ruled out the possibility that some watering, after racing on Wednesday, might be necessary. To sum up the situation, the ground and temperature ought to be ideal for high-class sport, which is all to the good.

As before, the opening event is the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes for older milers, which goes off at 2:30 p.m. BST (7:00 p.m. in India) on Tuesday afternoon (June 16^th) over the Straight Mile course and will feature some of the highest-rated runners currently in training anywhere. These include Able Friend (by Shamardal) from Hong Kong, whose connections are aiming to prove that he is simply "the best in the world". Apart from being the world's joint-highest rated runner, John Moore's charge is also one of the biggest – he stands 17 hands and weighs in at 600 kgs! Able Friend has not tasted defeat in 6 starts since last October and will have Brazilian ace Joao Moreira trying to pull off what would be a stunning tribute to the standard of racing in the former Crown colony.

Standing in his way are seven rivals, which include the equally impressive Solow (by Singspiel), presently the favourite at 6 to 4. The grey gelding's connections (Freddie Head/Maxime Guyon) are hoping the Wertheimer home-bred will extend his six-race winning sequence that included the scalp of The Grey Gatsby (by Mastercraftsman) in the Dubai Turf back in March. The two other runners with the credentials to pull it off hail from the Wiltshire yard of Richard Hannon, Jr. – these are last year's Qipco 2000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder (by Dubawi), with James Doyle up, and Toormore (by Arakan), to be steered by Richard Hughes. This pair finished 1-2 in the Lockinge Stakes last month, and the former could be an interesting each-way play.

The third race of the afternoon, at 3:40 p.m. (8:10 p.m. IST) is the King's Stand Stakes, another Group 1 event, which has its customary huge field, what with 19 runners declared for the 5 furlongs sprint. Although that hardy annual, Sole Power (by Kyllachy), is the public choice at 7 to 2, one cannot say that he is a stand-out, even though he has won this very event twice before. The reason is that he could run into traffic when essaying his usual late effort under Richard Hughes, who will be keen to record a Royal Ascot win in his last season as a jockey. That might leave the way clear for the front-runners to surprise.

Hoping for a fifth win in the King’s Stand Stakes for a runner trained on its shores, Australia has sent a leading challenger in the shape of Shamal Wind (by Dubawi), and trainer Robert Smerdon has landed an early blow by securing the services of Ryan Moore to guide his speedy racemare, who is unbeaten this year from 2 starts. The best price available for this package is 8 to 1. Sandwiched between this pair as far as odds go are Muthmir (by Invincible Spirit), making his Group 1 debut, who is at 9 to 2, and Mecca's Angel (by Dark Angel) at sevens. Incidentally, Shamal Wind will be bred to Sea The Stars before returning home in the autumn.

Forty minutes later, the decision taken by Coolmore not to run their star miler, Gleneagles (by Galileo) in the Investec Epsom Derby 10 days ago will come under intense scrutiny. The scales tilted in favour of an appearance here in the Group 1 St. James's Palace Stakes (over the Round Mile), which goes off as the fourth race here at 4:20 p.m. (8:50 p.m. IST). Their star faces just 5 rivals, none of which look likely at first glance to trouble him – thus the Aidan O'Brien-trained, Ryan Moore-ridden colt is at short odds, namely 8 to 13 against. For many he will be one of the bankers of the meet.

A race is not over until they pass the winning post and so one has necessarily to examine the opposition. In supplementary entry Make Believe (by Makfi), Gleneagles could potentially meet his match – between the pair they have swept the 2000 Guineas events (or equivalents) in England, France and Ireland. What is encouraging about Make Believe is that the form of his victory in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains has been franked by runner-up New Bay, who came up with one of the season's most dramatic efforts next time out (in the Prix du Jockey Club-French Derby). Believers in the "old firm" of Andre Fabre/Olivier Peslier can get the generous price of 7 to 2.

Given the form he is in, Frankie Dettori must also be respected and his mount here is the improving Consort, an unbeaten son of Lope De Vega, who also has last year's leading juvenile Belardo engaged.

Unlike the riches of Tuesday, Wednesday (June 17^th) sees only one Group 1 race, but what a cracker it promises to be! The Prince Of Wales's Stakes (10 furlongs) is at 4:20 p.m. (8:50 p.m. IST) and brings together a star-studded cast. None is more intriguing than California Chrome, the fascinating California-foaled home-bred campaigned by Dumb Ass Partners, the nom de course of Perry Martin and Steve Coburn. Following his runner-up effort in the Dubai World Cup, he was shipped to the Newmarket barn of Rae Guest (who used to ride to good effect in Calcutta many years ago). Art Sherman has flown in from his Los Alamitos base to saddle the consistent four-year-old, who could be a worthwhile each-way play at 12 to 1 with William Buick astride.

“It’s kind of like the Kentucky Derby back in the States, there’s a lot of hats and a lot of glamour,” part-owner Coburn said. “So I’m looking forward to it, it’s something I can cross off my bucket list thanks to a horse".

Another runner attempting to navigate a path off the beaten track is Spielberg (by Deep Impact), trained in Japan, a country which has hitherto failed to fire at the Royal meeting, albeit from very few runners. No doubt one day they will succeed and who knows, it could be this year with Nobutaka Tada's 12 to 1 entire. It is reported that ace rider Christophe Soumillon approached connections for the ride, feeling that the six-year-old "would be suited to European racing". Spielberg has the distinction of having beaten no less than Gentildonna and a repeat would surely see him make the cut.

The 10 to 1 Criterion (by Sebring) from Australia is the third overseas competitor in this race and the David Hayes-trainee brings impressive credentials. He has already travelled overseas from his home base in Victoria and run with credit, as for example when placed in a Group 1 in Hong Kong. The 10 furlongs trip suits him well and noted rider Chad Schofield makes the long journey to partner him in the saddle.

A formidable home team lies in wait for those that have had the temerity to take to the skies. The lightly-raced but hugely talented Free Eagle (by High Chaparral), from Dermot Weld's Rosewell House Stables in Ireland, is the 3 to 1 favourite, even though not seen since last October. However, Weld is sure to have the future Irish National Stud stallion in fine fettle. Possibly in need of the run last time, The Grey Gatsby can surprise, assuming the real "G.G." shows up instead of an imposter. Ectot (by Hurricane Run) was amongst the leading fancies for the "Arc", no less, when he last raced. Though he finished 17^th then, 10 lengths behind Treve, he had previously won six-in-a-row. And John Gosden's Western Hymn (by High Chaparral), who is two-for-two in 2015 could prove one of the revelations of the season with Frankie Dettori up.

More on the rest of Royal Ascot in a couple of days….