Pearls And Rubies obviously commands respect and did well to win over five furlongs on her debut given her pedigree.

The favourite is sure to progress at this trip, but she’s not alone, and La Guaridalooks better value at the overnight odds. She shaped well on her debut at Newmarket and was much improved when winning comfortably in a good-looking novice at Goodwood last time.

That looked an excellent effort, and next-time-out wins for the trio who chased her home makes it look even better.

Stall 17 should be on the right side of the track, and Richard Hannon’s filly will also benefit from the longer trip being by New Bay out of a maiden, whose own dam is a full-sister to Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Ashado.

At a huge price, I would expect a jolt of improvement from Maymay, who has raced three times at sprint trips, but has a very stout pedigree (by Cloth Of Stars out of a Beat Hollow mare whose dam is a full-sister to brilliant 2000 Guineas winner Zafonic), and will surely do better as her stamina is drawn out.

She ran her best race when fourth in the Woodcote Stakes last time, and is going the right way, even if her official rating suggests she has plenty to find.

3:05 Jersey Stakes (Group 3) 7f

This doesn’t look a vintage renewal, and the two with most scope, Covey and Enfjaar have shown improved form when stepping up to a mile, which is a concern now the pair drop in trip.

I’m inclined to take a chance on Streets Of Gold, who had wind surgery after his reappearance and wasn’t at all knocked about when third to Olivia Maralda and Holguin in the Surrey Stakes at Epsom.

He’s strictly held on that piece of form, but was a highly progressive juvenile who has excuses for both runs this season, and should reap the benefit of his breathing operation at the second time of asking.

Ascot will suit him better than Epsom, and he’s no forlorn hope for a yard having a good summer.

3:40 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 6f

I do hate to repeat myself, but Rohaanwas made for Ascot. He’s a horse who started life in handicaps off a plater’s mark (55 to be precise), but quickly developed into a high-class sprinter in his second season and has a record over course and distance which reads 110114, including back-to-back wins in the Wokingham and a fine fourth in the British Champions Sprint where he was the clear winner on the disadvantaged far side.

Rohaan would have needed his return to action at Salisbury, and he ran even worse on his sole start prior to the Wokingham last year, so his lacklustre effort is easy to look past.

Highfield Princess turns out after a hard race in the King’s Stand and has looked as if this 6f just stretches her in Group 1 company based on two previous tries in this race, and Kinross probably needs softish ground to be fully effective at the trip.

The American and Australian raiders need respect, but the pace here will be strong with Art Power and Highfield Princess pushing it along, and that is the ideal scenario for deep-closer Rohaan.

4:20 Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 1m 3f 211y

Hukum appeals more than old adversary Pyledriver, who is returning from a lengthy injury lay-off and has a bit to prove as a result, and the way the former ran Desert Crown down in the Brigadier Gerard suggests he’s every bit as good as when beating Pyledriver with something to spare in the Coronation Cup last season.

Free Wind is an obvious danger, but I don’t think her form against fillies quite measures up to what Hukum has achieved. Her Middleton Stakes win was franked by Rogue Millennium earlier in the week, but the latter was outstayed rather than outclassed at York, and the key to her improvement seems to be that belated drop in trip.

5:00 Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 6f

The Wokingham is tricky as always, and even the draw is hard to be confident about.

So far, it seems to be better away from the extremes, but that may have changed again by the time this hits the shelves.

I’m favouring middle as it stands, however, and think that Probe is the one to beat, especially with Ryan Moore taking over from Lewis Edmunds in the saddle. Moore was described by Aidan O’Brien as getting better every year, and the rider was excellent when winning this last year on Rohaan.

Edmunds is a solid middle-tier jockey, but he was caught out tactically when Probe was beaten at Newmarket in April, and it’s no slight on him to say that Ryan Moore is a definite jockey upgrade on a horse who is very talented but not an easy ride by any means.

Probe was only fifth at Epsom last time, but looked ill-at-ease coming down the hill before staying on late when meeting rising ground. This track will suit better, and while it was soft when he won at Newmarket on his penultimate start, he should be fine on the ground with the runners racing against the collar on Ascot’s sprint course.

That’s not to say that some rain wouldn’t be welcome, but the course will be watered overnight, and as long as he can make a print, he’ll be fine.

5:35 Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) 1m 1f 212y

All eyes will be on Frankie who has his last Royal Ascot ride on Knockbrex for Charlie Johnston. He caught the eye when behind Chess Piece at York last time, looking to get outstayed by the placed horses having committed earlier than ideal.

I’m not sure backing Frankie’s last ride is the route to riches, however, although I was intrigued to note that the withdrawal of First Sight before the deadline for reserves allowed John and Thady Gosden’s Ziryab to get a run, and I wondered whether Dettori might make a late switch, for all Benoit de La Sayette is booked for the Leicester winner.

Ziryab only made his debut in late April, but showed improved form to win that 1m maiden at Leicester, and with the second and fourth both winning next time, it’s looking strong form for a race of its type. Ziryab ought to stay a mile and a quarter on pedigree with his dam a listed winner over a mile, a furlong and a half, and he looks to have been brought along with good handicaps in mind.

6:10 Queen Alexandra Stakes 2m 5f 143y

With Stratum now a 10-year-old and Falcon Eight not the force of old, Run For Oscar looks the best of the strong Irish challenge, and his impressive Cesarewitch win suggests he will stay this marathon trip.

He’s respected, but the each-way money will be going on the proven stayer The Grand Visir, who has shaped well in both the Chester Cup and again in the Ascot Stakes here earlier in the week, where he finished with running left.

This is a quick turnaround, but he won the Ascot Stakes a couple of years ago off a quickish turnaround, and he’ll be very hard to keep out of the frame if putting his best foot forward.

La Guarida 2:30 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 13/2 (general – 4 places)

Streets Of Gold 3:05 Ascot – 0.5pts e/w @ 33/1 (general – 4 places)

Rohaan 3:40 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 12/1 (Bet365, 5 places – 10/1 SkyBet)

Probe 5:00 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 10/1 (Bet365, Hills – 6 places)

The Grand Visir 6:10 Ascot – 0.5pts e/w @ 20/1 (Bet365, 16/1 general)