Everything you need to know about day one of Royal Ascot on Tuesday

Big races

One of the biggest weeks in the horseracing world starts with a feast of top-level action on Tuesday, headlined by three Group 1s as part of a seven-race card.

The opening Queen Anne Stakes (2.30) has a star-studded roll of honour, with Frankel's 11-length demolition job in 2012 widely regarded as one of the most stunning Ascot displays of all time.

Some of the world's fastest sprinters do battle in the King's Stand Stakes (3.40) – a race with some terrific recent international history – just before a host of star three-year-olds clash in the St James's Palace Stakes (4.20).

Big horses

Battaash has lit up the European sprinting scene for a number of years and is undoubtedly one of the headline acts on the opening day of the Berkshire extravaganza, out to retain his King's Stand Stakes crown.

Battaash will bid for another King's Stand StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Palace Pier has established himself as one of the world's elite milers and is officially the highest-rated runner on the card with a mark of 125, set to face off against returning Breeders' Cup Mile hero Order Of Australia in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Qipco 2,000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare has tried his luck in the French and Irish equivalents on his way to the St James's Palace Stakes. He bids for further Group 1 glory against rising star Mostahdaf, as well as Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-olds Battleground and Wembley.

Dettori bids for flying start

Frankie Dettori is bound to be in the winner's enclosure plenty over the course of the week and won't have many better chances to do so than in the opener aboard Palace Pier.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old has only been beaten once in eight career outings and showed his wellbeing with an impressive display in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes last month, confirming his position as one of the top Flat performers in training.

Frankie Dettori and Stradivarius: a match made in racing heavenCredit: Edward Whitaker

With a number of high-profile rides to come later in the week – none more so than Stradivarius's bid for four straight Gold Cups on Thursday – a winner in the first race of the week would set the 50-year-old up ideally for the five days he loves more than any other.

US raiders feared

Part of Royal Ascot's magic is the involvement of international runners at the meeting, and the first day of the 2021 highlight promises to be an important one for those challenging from America.

The Wesley Ward-trained Kaufymaker is viewed as a banker by some in the Coventry Stakes and the leading trainer also calls on Maven in the King's Stand Stakes - both horses set to be ridden by US Hall Of Fame jockey John Velazquez.

Extravagant Kid, on course to be partnered by Frankie Dettori, is another trained on the other side of the Atlantic by Brendan Walsh, demanding respect as a real danger to Battaash in the 5f Group 1.

Wesley Ward: will look to get Royal Ascot off to a bright start with Kaufymaker on TuesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

A good beginning on Tuesday would bode well for the remainder of the overseas challenge later in the week.

Going news

A warm Sunday looks to have ensured that we'll have quick ground for the opening day of the royal meeting, with the going officially described as good, good to firm.

The quickest part of the track on the straight course is said to be between the six-furlong pole and the junction with the round course.

Speaking on Sunday afternoon, Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "We have the hottest day of the year at the moment with temperatures in the high twenties and a reasonable drying breeze, so it will be fast ground on Tuesday.

"We'll water again tomorrow [Monday] on the straight and we're putting a little bit on the round course tonight."

He added: "We'll decide whether we need to put a little more on the round course tomorrow night after seeing how the track holds the moisture through tomorrow."

Stay ahead of the field with the Racing Post

The Racing Post has you covered every day of Royal Ascot. From the morning, with a bumper Racing Post newspaper available to purchase from all good newsagents, throughout the afternoon, with host Dave Orton, Bruce Millington and the might of the racing world guiding you through the action on Racing Post Live, through to the evening, with leading Racing Post tipsters Tom Segal and Paul Kealy joining Ross Brierley on our live show, In The Know (7-8pm, Monday to Friday).

You can download the following day's Racing Post from 9pm the night before. Subscribe to Members' Club Ultimate for unlimited access to the Racing Post newspaper, online and via the app, saving more than £100 a month on the cover price. Find out more here.

You can also keep up to date with the latest news, previews, reports and tips on racingpost.com and on the Racing Post mobile app every day during what promises to be an awesome Royal Ascot.

Monday
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Plus the Racing Postcast

Tuesday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Wednesday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Thursday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Friday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Plus What A Shout and the Racing Postcast

Saturday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange

All live shows are available to watch via YouTube and Facebook, with the Postcasts available via the usual podcast platforms

Read more on Royal Ascot 2021:

Confirmed runners and riders for the King's Stand at Royal Ascot on Tuesday

The six jockeys and trainers who could enjoy a Royal Ascot breakthrough

The must-watch race on each of the five days at Royal Ascot

Dettori adds to strong hand as he guns for third straight Royal Ascot crown

The Punting Club Royal Ascot special: 'She's my best – and only – bet in a two-year-old race'

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