'It looks the hottest race in Europe' - French aces ready for golden opening day at Royal Ascot

Jerome Reynier is looking forward to a huge couple of hours on the opening day of Royal Ascot on June 18, and the French trainer admits that saddling possible Queen Anne favourite Facteur Cheval may not even be the highlight.

The Dubai Turf winner has led the bookmakers' lists for the royal meeting opener since the eclipse of Inspiral and Big Rock in the Lockinge at Newbury, but the Marseille-based handler also plans to send St James's Palace Stakes dark horse Darlinghurst for a mouthwatering clash he describes as "the hottest race in Europe" with Classic winners Notable Speech, Rosallion and Metropolitan, who is set to be supplemented on June 12.

A best-priced 10-1 chance for the St James's Palace, Darlinghurst easily accounted for First Look in the Prix de Guiche over nine furlongs last month, after which Reynier immediately nominated a drop back to a mile at Ascot as the Dark Angel colt's next assignment.