It’s one of the biggest days of the racing year at Ascot with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.50) the centrepiece and there is little doubt in my mind that the French challenger, Flintshire, is the outstanding piece of each-way value at around 12/1.

Trainer Andre Fabre has always thought the world of this colt but he has very rarely had his ground conditions in his short career to date. 

A fine run behind the mighty Cirrus Des Aigles at Epsom in the Coronation showed he was not far off his best, but he subsequently disappointed in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud at Longchamp.

However, that could once again be put down to the good to soft going and back on a lightning fast surface. 

I believe we will see a vastly different animal similar to or even better than the three-year-old that waltzed away with the 2013 Grand Prix de Paris.

He is almost assured a fast pace this afternoon and gets the nod over Telescope, Eagle Top and Taghrooda.

The last named flew home in the Epsom Oaks last month and could be absolutely anything. 

But the form of that race has simply not worked out since then and three-year-old fillies simply have a dreadful record in this famous race.

Eagle Top (King Edward VII Stakes) and Telescope (Hardwicke Stakes) are hard to separate on the clock on those Ascot performances but the former may not want the ground too quick, but the latter could have finally arrived on the big stage after several false dawns. 

However, Stoute’s charge is 9/4 and Flintshire is 12/1. I rest my case!  

The big betting race of the day is the International Stakes at 3.15, a 29-runner handicap over seven furlongs and judged on the Royal meeting high numbers could have a considerable advantage.

That leads me in the corner of last year’s Royal Hunt Cup winner Belgian Bill after he had a terrible passage defending his title this year. 

Drawn in stall 29, he can put his sharp turn of foot to good use off a fast pace and take care of the progressive Horsted Keynes and outsider Pacific Heights. 

Of those drawn low I have respect for Yeager, the well handicapped Don’t Call Me and Ayaar.

The ladies amateur riders event at 4.25 has a smaller field than normal of just 13 and Desert Society  may be able to step up for Richard Hannon.

At Newmarket, have a second look at Tryster (2.45), Laftah (3.20) and Late Shipment (5.35). 

But the best bet of the day outside of Ascot comes at Newcastle in the form of Highland Acclaim in the six furlong handicap at 2.30.

Finally at York, Sir Reginald gets one last chance to shine off a good rating in the 2.20, while Foxtrot Romeo is interesting back at six furlongs in the 3.30 and can make the most of the weight he receives from Hoof It.