So the first two days of that most prestigious of horse race meetings, Royal Ascot, are done and dusted. Form has held up well and only the defeat of A Shin Hikari came as a surprise. Thursday is "Ladies Day" as also the day on which the famed Gold Cup is run over 2-1/2 miles. This year, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 90^th birthday the race has been renamed and will be officially known as the Gold Cup In Honour Of The Queen´s 90th Birthday.

The afternoon begins at 2:30 p.m. with 11 two-year-olds scheduled to line up at the starting gates for the Norfolk Stakes (Gr.3; 5 fur.). As many as five of these – Big Time Baby (by Dandy Man), Plata O Plomo (by Paco Boy), Prince Of Cool (by Royal Applause), Prince Of Lir (by Kodiac) and Silver Line (by Dark Angel) – are unbeaten winners of their only starts and of course it is hard to weigh up merit based on a single run. Far better, then, to rely on the more-exposed Global Applause (by Mayson) who has beaten Mehmas (who ran so well on Tuesday). With Ascot specialist (3 wins in 2 days) Frankie Dettori up he has every chance, though the pair will have to be wary of Aidan O'Brien's Peace Envoy (by Power), who will enjoy the services of Ryan Moore.

Next up at 3:05 is the Tercentenary Stakes (Gr.3; 10 fur.), which has drawn 9 three-year-olds that have not won a Group 1 or Group 2 event. It bears a rather open look with 5 or 6 having valid claims to superiority. Highest rated of all is the classic-placed Blue De Vega (by Lope De Vega), with Kieren Fallon up. Never unplaced, he should be right there. Others that have advertised their prowess are Hawkbill (by Kitten's Joy), who will be trying to extend his winning streak to five, the lightly-raced Abdon (by Cacique), with Frankie Dettori in charge, and Long Island Sound (by War Front), unbeaten from three starts but unlikely to appreciate the ground.

Any breeder anywhere would love to own a winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr.2; 12 fur.) – there are 14 three-year-old fillies in contention for the race this year and they will line up at 3:40 p.m. "Runner-up in the Investec Oaks" should be a strong enough credential to land the prize – that status belongs to Architecture (by Zoffany) who represents the burgeoning Hugo Palmer/Frankie Dettori partnership. Should that race have taken too much out of her, then either Aidan O'Brien's Even Song (by Mastercraftsman) or John Gosden's once-raced winner  Sovereign Parade (by Galileo) can oblige. Lightly-raced Queen's Trust (by Dansili) and Chicadoro (by Paco Boy) have shown improvement with every start and may be considered for the combination pools.

Having had the opportunity to watch Order Of St. George (by Galileo) annihilate his opposition in the Irish St. Leger at the Curragh last September, I can vouch for the superior ability of this Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, now a four-year-old. With Ryan Moore up, all this formidable stayer needs to do for his connections to receive the coveted trophy for the showpiece race of the meeting, the aforementioned Gold Cup In Honour Of The Queen´s 90th Birthday (Gr.1; 20 fur.) is to demonstrate that he gets the 2-1/2 mile trip. This is 6 furlongs longer than he has ever gone in public and there is also the small matter of 17 rivals to deal with, one of which – Flying Officer (by Dynaformer) – has valid claims of his own. Triumphant on 6 of just 10 career starts spread over 5 seasons, the last-named has the Gosden/Dettori combine going for him. The ground conditions will favour Max Dynamite (by Great Journey), all three of his career wins having come when rain had affected the going.

Friday tees off at 2:30 p.m. with the Albany Stakes (Gr.3; 6 fur.) for two-year-old fillies, which has 19 declared. Like in the Coventry Stakes, Aidan O'Brien has one primed for the job. This is the daughter of Galileo named Cuff, winner of the last two of her three starts, who will take on the 2-for-2 Grizzel (by Kodiac) and 14 others, which include another Wesley Ward speedster. There is a marked difference, though, from Ward's other runners as Create A Dream (by Oasis Dream) – though foaled in the USA – is by a stallion that stands in England; what's more she began her career at Ascot with a victory, so won't have to cope with unfamiliar surroundings. Finally, Frankel could have the first of what are sure to be many Royal Ascot successes through Queen Kindly, impressive winner on debut.

Often known as the "Ascot Derby", the King Edward VII Stakes (Gr.2; 12 fur.), at 3:05 p.m., provides those who missed Epsom Derby honours an opportunity to gain recompense. The 9 runners include the sentimental fancy, Carntop (by Dansili), a homebred who runs for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and who will have Fran Berry astride. Ralph Beckett's ward has shown pleasing progress at each appearance. Aidan O'Brien's Beacon Rock (by Galileo) missed the original version – his stable had five others to represent it – and has the advantages of being well-rested and consistent to boot. Humphrey Bogart (by Tagula) ran well (fifth) at Epsom but is making a quick return to action, as is Across The Stars (by Sea The Stars), tenth on that occasion.

That sets up the scene for the day's feature, the Commonwealth Cup (Gr.1; 6 fur.) for three-year-olds, to which the bargain purchase Quiet Reflection (by Showcasing) brings a 5-from-6 record. She may well win but the potential risk/reward ratio is in favour of Buratino (by Exceed And Excel), currently trading at 16 to 1. Donjuan Triumphant  (by Dream Ahead) might give Silvestre De Sousa an opportunity to record a Royal Ascot win to add to his tally, which includes 140 wins in India. Back at the trip after a couple of abortive attempts at a mile, Illuminate (by Zoffany) is another to be kept on the right side.

Some of the best three-year-old filly milers in Europe clash in the Coronation Stakes (Gr.1; 8 fur.). The 13-strong cast is headed by Irish 1000 Guineas victress Jet Setting (by Fast Company) who changed hands to the China Horse Club just last week. The consideration was £1,300,000 and the new owners have left her with Adrian Keatley for the moment. Thus Shane Foley will continue his fruitful partnership with the 2 to 1 chance. At the time of writing, Nemoralia (by More Than Ready) remains in contention, though more rain might scupper her chances. Qemah (by Danehill Dancer) comes over from France in an attempt to make mincemeat of her rivals, while Coolmore's hopes lie with Alice Springs (by Galileo). The combination of talent, consistency and Dettori makes Nathra (by Iffraaj) a definite possibility for a slice of the action.

Saturday concludes the week's extravaganza. This far out it is impossible to say how many of the dozen acceptors for the 3:40 p.m. Hardwicke Stakes (Gr.2; 12 fur.), restricted to older horses, will actually trouble the starter. The race has been something of a preserve of Sir Michael Stoute who has sent out 6 winners in the past 10 years! Not surprisingly, the Newmarket conditioner's Exosphere (by Beat Hollow) – a Juddmonte homebred – is the ante post favourite. Next in demand is the same trainer's Dartmouth (by Dubawi), who could give Queen Elizabeth a fitting birthday present, should he oblige. John Gosden's Eagle Top (by Pivotal) has the class to prevail, not to mention the jockey of the moment in Dettori. If he takes part, Highland Reel (by Galileo) will be reappearing on a European racecourse after a four-race world tour that has encompassed Australia, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

The final top class event is the 4:20 p.m. Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr.1; 6 fur.) which has 18 left in at the moment. Last year's winner, Undrafted (by Purim), a student of the Wesley Ward academy, is back for a repeat attempt and no less a "knight of the pigskin" than Johnny Velazquez has been drafted for the purpose of trying to guide him to the winning post. Better fancied though – doubtless the riding arrangements had a lot to do with their attractiveness to punters – are Magical Memory (by Zebedee), for which Charlie Hills has snapped up the services of Frankie Dettori and Twilight Son (by Kyllachy), with Henry Candy securing a commitment from Ryan Moore. Also a warm order is The Tin Man (by Equiano) which may give Tom Queally – rider of Frankel – an opportunity to return to the limelight.