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

One of the highlights of the racing calendar is almost upon us as Royal Ascot gets under way on Tuesday, with top quality contests right up to the close on Saturday.

Superstar miler Baaeed is the big attraction on day one and could get the meeting off to a flyer in the Queen Anne Stakes.

But it's not just Baaeed who will be taking centre stage on Tuesday, with a seven-race card on the agenda and some thrilling racing to enjoy.

Here, we run down everything that you need to know ahead of day one at the royal meeting.

Big races

Given the stature of Royal Ascot in the racing calendar, it is only right the five-day festival begins with some high-quality Group 1 clashes.

The Queen Anne Stakes (2.30) opens the royal meeting and over the years it has produced some memorable moments, none more so than Frankel's 11-length demolition job in 2012. Should Baaeed produce a similar performance a decade on, it should get the meeting off to the perfect start ahead of more top-level action.

Some of the best sprinters in the world will battle it out in the King's Stand Stakes (3.40), while the third and final Group 1 contest comes in the form of the St James's Palace Stakes (4.20).

Big horses

The word on everyone's lips is Baaeed. The unbeaten miler will aim to extend his flawless record to eight races and secure a fourth successive Group 1 win in the Queen Anne.

The William Haggas-trained colt is long odds-on to oblige, which is understandable given that he has already beaten most of his six rivals including Real World, Chindit and Sir Busker in the Lockinge last month.

Baaeed: bidding for an eight successive win of his careerCredit: Edward Whitaker

The 2,000 Guineas scorer Coroebus makes his first appearance since the Classic success in the St James's Palace Stakes. It will be the Godolphin colt's first run away from Newmarket and he takes on the likes of Heron Stakes winner My Prospero, the unbeaten Maljoom and last year's Coventry hero Berkshire Shadow.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champion Golden Pal leads the charge in a more selective squad for Wesley Ward at this year's royal meeting. The 2020 Norfolk runner-up is part of an 18-strong line-up in the King's Stand Stakes includes the Queen's King's Lynn, Australian raider Nature Strip and Twilight Calls.

Australia v USA

There are a number of exciting international clashes at Royal Ascot this year with American superstar Golden Pal and Australian hope Nature Strip perhaps the most intriguing face-off in the King's Stand Stakes.

The pair sit at the top of the betting, although both have question marks to overcome with Golden Pal winless in two trips to Britain, including a flop in the Nunthorpe when well fancied.

However, Wesley Ward's four-year-old will this time have the benefit of Irad Ortiz Jr on board with the regular rider unbeaten in five starts when partnering Golden Pal, most recently in the Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland in April.

Golden Pal (right) finished second to The Lir Jet in Norfolk Stakes in 2020Credit: Julian Finney

Meanwhile, the Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip will have to prove he can transfer his impressive form in Australia, which has seen him win 20 times, across to England against younger rivals.

However, Nature Strip's rider James McDonald as well as Waller have vocally expressed confidence in their horse who has been the subject of sustained support this week.

Mullins v Elliott

Yes, you read that right. Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have had their fair share of battles on the Cheltenham hill and in the Irish trainers' championship, but this is a very different situation.

The jumps specialists are set to go head-to-head once more as Bring On The Night and Pied Piper line up in the Ascot Stakes (5.00). The former was fourth behind Constitution Hill at the Cheltenham Festival and won a conditions race in Deauville for Andre Fabre in May 2020 the last time he raced on the Flat.

Elliott's Pied Piper was tenth in the Queen's Vase at this meeting last year, when he was trained by John and Thady Gosden.

Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins will go head-to-head in the Ascot StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

More recently, the four-year-old was third in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and was on the wrong end in the stewards' room after the Jewson Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.

Going news

Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels indicated the going at the start of the royal meeting should be good to firm, good in places, when the festival begins on Tuesday.

With last week being largely dry, watering has occurred to ensure the ground remains in perfect condition as high temperatures are expected throughout the week.

Speaking on Saturday, he said: "We're good to firm, good in places, and we're watering. We put 5mm on the round course and we're putting 10mm on the straight.

"It's generally drying conditions. We've got warm, dry breezy weather until Monday and then maybe a bit cloudier on Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures are set to rise as the week goes on, so the odd light shower won't go amiss."

He added: "We'll review track conditions once the water has gone in. I anticipate starting on a mixture of good to firm and good ground."

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