ROYAL ASCOT - THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015

The Norfolk Stakes (G2) is today's 1st Race. #6 LOG OUT ISLAND beat four-time winner Buratino by five and a half lengths on April 29, his first trip to the post. That's extremely impressive. #5 KING OF ROOKS has won his previous two starts by open lengths and beat a next-out winner in his last trip to the gate. The Coolmore crew sends out #11 WATERLOO BRIDGE, who has been raced into shape by trainer Aiden O'Brien. He's faced good Irish company and takes blinkers off here. 

Juddmonte Farms will be represented by Dubawi's son #13 TIME TEST in the Tercentenary Stakes (G3), the 2nd Race on the card. He's never been worse than second in four runs and gets the services of the great Frankie Dettori for this event. Trainer Richard Hannon will saddle a son of Paco Boy, #11 PEACOCK, for The Queen. He sports two wins in three starts this year and could very easily add another to his record with a top performance. 

One of the world's great races is the Ascot Gold Cup (G1), today's 4th Race. #1 BATHYRHON owns the best marathon figure and exits an open-lengths score in a Group 2 event, his second race of the year. #7 TAC DE BOISTRON has raced in top form for two years. The eight-year-old has been cleverly managed by trainer Marco Botti, who must have had this race on his radar for a while. The great trainer John Gosden sends out #8 FOREVER NOW. The son of Galileo has been progressing nicely in his races this season and should be set for his best effort with the whole world watching.  #14 WINDSHEAR is a stayer. He doesn't win many but he'll be a good price and might spice up the exotics. 

The 5th Race is the Britannia Stakes. #5 MUTARAKEZ has been perfect in 2015 and will try to make his trainer, Brian Meehan, forget the bad luck with Spark Plug yesterday. We'll take him each way and let the vertical wagers go.

Top trainer Sir Michael Stoute sends out #4 DISSOLUTION for the King George V Stakes, Thursday's 6th Race. He just ran second to stablemate Time Test (in today's second race) and that makes him a major player in this easier spot. #7 BELGRADE is in good form and should have a say in the outcome. He is reunited with jockey Richard Hughes this afternoon and that enhances his chances. #17 YORKKIDDING takes on the boys. She is in good form, can get the trip and will be a massive price.