ROYAL ASCOT takes centre stage all through next week, and I will of course preview the Saturday card in seven days’ time. 

A brief run through the first two days appears at the bottom of this text, but for this afternoon we still have three hugely competitive cards at Chester, York and Sandown Park to try and embrace.

The Queen Mother’s Handicap (York, 2.25) has always been one of my favourite races of the year as you always know what you are going to get, namely a fast-run race over the galloping 12 furlongs at the Knavesmire for lady amateur riders — even if we have a slightly smaller field of 12 than I had envisaged.

Born Ruler is the likely favourite here under the very accomplished Gina Andrews and remains relatively unexposed as a five-year-old having gone to post under rules just 15 times, and comes here having run well in back-to-back class-two events. 

This is significantly easier against more exposed rivals, and I expect he will probably start as low as 5/2 market leader.

However, there are several entries in here worthy of an each-way shout, and top of that particular shop has to be SARATOGA GOLD.

The seven-year-old is not quite the horse he was two years ago, but that knock of talent has also seen his handicap mark drop from a high of 97, less than two years ago, to 73. 

Lauren Frost pushes me even more in his direction with her five-pound claim, taking her partner’s markdown to 68. There was also plenty to like about his run behind Great Bedwyn over the course and distance last time out, and the quicker they are, the better his chance.

Chillingham also takes a drop in class and returns to what I consider to be his optimum trip, but I think that the top weight would prefer a bit more give in the turf under the reliable Becky Smith.

Later on the card, COLUMNIST (3.35) could outrun his massive odds in the Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap over six furlongs, but there are reasons to be quite optimistic about his chance this afternoon. 

Richard Fahey’s stable have finally clicked following a desperately slow start to the campaign. Third in the Coventry Stakes and a close-up fourth in the Superlative Stakes over seven furlongs (didn’t get home) as a two-year-old, there are viable excuses for his two starts in his second season.

Again over seven on his seasonal debut, he patently didn’t get home. And then he lost his chance at the start when racing in rear throughout in a similar event at Newmarket last time out. 

Dropped 5lbs for those two losses, this fast six furlongs could be right up his street, and I, for one, am happy to take an each-way play on him up against the likes of the hat-trick seeking Double Rush and Marchogion.

Off a mark of 81, I was quite sweet on Theme Park in the nine furlong handicap due off at 4.45, but I was put off by his outside draw in box number 14 and top weight, Crack Shot, and LEADENHALL are preferred. 

The last named is particularly interesting following two runs this year, a win at Pontefract and then a strong running finish when third of six at Redcar; a race which was not run to suit the Time Easterby gelding.

At Sandown Park, Samuel Colt could outrun his odds in the big class two, one-mile handicap at 2.05, but he has yet to really recapture his old form since coming from Amanda Perrett from Aidan O’Brien and in a field where there are more than several disappointing sorts.

That leads me in the direction of TRIBAL CHIEF, who had his good run of form come to a sudden halt when taking in a competitive and valuable handicap at Longchamp, when he ran out the back in a 19-runner and typically slowly run French event. 

As long as the field do not lob along again here, the stiff, uphill finish should be right up his street. And I have a feeling that even a career-high mark of 91 may not stop him at around 8/1.

SHE’S THE DUCHESS (4.25) and LOVING LOOK (5.35) are two others worth consideration at the Esher track, with the last named of particular interest. The daughter of Expert Eye is hardly bred to get home over this stiff mile-and-three-quarters trip, but her run style says otherwise. 

Her last run at Goodwood over a mile-and-a-half can be safely consigned to the dustbin as she raced in the rear off a tardy pace. Dropped 2lbs for that run is a nice piece of compensation, and anything in the region of 7/1 would be hugely acceptable.

Copper Knight would be an emotional win for the Easterby family in the big class-three sprint at 2.10, but the remarkable 10-year-old may have to give best to NAZRON. 

Rated as high as 92 last year, down to 80 here, the four-year-old is going to need some luck from off the back of the pack here, but if the gaps open the selection is more than capable of landing this prize.

As far as Royal Ascot is concerned at the time of writing, we have only the six-day decks for the first few days. Tuesday has always been a huge highlight at the Berkshire track and ROSALLION (2.30) is taken to beat his old rival, Notable Speech, in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes. 

The score is 2-1 in favour of Richard Hannon’s charge, but I think this straight mile will play more in his favour if Sean Levey can keep him hidden in the pack before unleashing his final furlong turn of speed.

RULING COURT may be able to confirm 2,000 Guineas form with Field of Gold in the St James’s Palace Stakes at 4.20, especially if we get a fast surface — with FRENCH MASTER (6.10) arguably the best bet on day one in the Copper Horse Stakes, following his last gasp win at Goodwood three-and-a-half weeks ago.

Day two looks even tougher for us punters, but my best value play could well be JEFF KOONS (5.00) in the Royal Hunt Cup cavalry charge. This five-year-old has mainly raced over one-and-a-quarter-miles of late, but this fast run, stiff mile could be a perfect fit. 

Based on his strong finishing effort to Metal Merchant over the course and distance, he could cause a huge surprise here if the gaps open late on.