Many Arrows to fire at flat racing's Royal 'Olympics'

The five-day meeting which starts tomorrow is not only the beacon of racing but also one of the major sporting events of the year, comprising a host of top-quality action and chic ambience that creates a unique experience. The Queen and members of the Royal Family attend each day, visitors flock in from around the world, traditional top hats and tails mingle with bespoke and occasional outlandish fashion, while runners from overseas take on the best of the British.

Being the Royal Meeting none of the races are sponsored, yet no fewer than 17 Group races are held, including seven Group Ones, and in a Racing Post interview on Saturday, David Redvers, bloodstock advisor to Sheikhs Hamad, Fahad and Suhaim, described the event as racing's "Olympics".

Last year's Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture could provide a winning start when tackling this evening's Voute Sales Warwickshire Oaks (7.50) at Nottingham, while a Listed-race victory by Wind Fire at Sandown on Saturday was a positive omen for the week ahead.

Pearl and Qatar teams are strongly represented on tomorrow's opening card, beginning in the opening Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes in which airline expert Side Glance(Jamie Spencer) makes a welcome reappearance on home soil. Hot Streak (Spencer),Pearl Secret (Olivier Peslier) and Green Door (Jim Crowley) line up in the Gr.1 King's Stand Stakes, and Mind Of Madness (Spencer) bids to follow up Extortionist's win last year in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

On Wednesday Queen Catrine and Kiyoshi hold entries in the opening Jersey Stakes, while Likely and Peace And War - who both hold a one-run, one-win record - are contenders for the Queen Mary Stakes. Purr Along, Pearl Of Africa and Just The Judgegive the team good options for the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. Queen Catrine also holds an entry in the closing Sandringham Handicap alongside Alutiq and Graceful Grit.

Royal Ascot week has gained an innovative new element with the launch of today's Goffs London Sale in association with QIPCO. Held at Kensington Palace in central London, it offers a group of unraced breeze-up two-year-olds alongside horses-in-training, many with entries for the Royal Meeting. The stand-out lot, offered by Qatar Bloodstock, promises to be the mare Crystal Gaze, who is carrying a foal by unbeaten Frankel and has a colt foal at foot by the same stallion.