Last year's runner-up Trawlerman looks the safest bet in what appears an open renewal of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday.
With Aidan O'Brien's dual winner Kyprios now retired, there will be a new name on the famous trophy come Thursday afternoon and John and Thady Gosden's charge has less questions to answer than most.
The seven-year-old was beaten just a length by Kyprios 12 months ago and previously beat the popular chestnut in the 2023 Long Distance Cup at this track.
In Kyprios' absence Illinois bids to play the role of Ballydoyle supersub, but his stamina is not guaranteed over this marathon distance, while French raider Candelari may not be entirely at home on the drying ground.
Trawlerman on the other hand loves to hear his hooves rattle and should go close again in the hands of William Buick.
The Richard Hannon-trained First Legion gets the nod in the curtain-raising Norfolk Stakes.
The Mehmas colt looked seriously smart when making a winning debut over 1200m at York's Dante Festival before dropping to 1000m for the Listed National Stakes at Sandown.
Although he was beaten, he appeared to cope with the sharper test and was probably unlucky not to come out on top after having to switch wide to throw down his challenge.
A stiff 1000m at Ascot should be right up First Legion's street and he looks a shade overpriced for a yard that knows a thing or two about training juvenile Royal Ascot winners.
Serenity Prayer just about sets the standard in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes.
The daughter of Dubawi created a big impression when making a successful start to her career at Newbury in April, earning her a step up in class in the Musidora at York the following month.
While no match for the impressive Whirl, Andrew Balding's charge emerged best of the rest and the winner has since finished a close second to stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Oaks at Epsom to give that form a solid look.
O'Brien's Serious Contender looks just that in the King George V Stakes.
A son of Wootton Bassett, the three-year-old was beaten in his first two juvenile races but signed off with a hard-fought maiden win at Leopardstown.
He made his reappearance and handicap debut at the same venue in late March and having again finished with gusto to emerge victorious, he appears to have been saved for the Royal meeting and further improvement should be forthcoming as he tackles 2400m for the first time.
The lightly-raced Brave Mission looks tailor-made for the Britannia Stakes following an eyecatching effort in defeat over 1400m here last time, while Reyenzi looks overpriced and could prove good each-way value in the Hampton Court.
The latter was first past the post but demoted to third after drifting under pressure in the Group Three Gallinule Stakes four weeks ago and clearly has a big engine.
The Buckingham Palace Stakes is another devilishly difficult puzzle for punters to solve and preference is for Never So Brave, who was well fancied for the Jersey last year and while he did lose his way slightly, a narrow reverse on his first start for Andrew Balding suggested he is not done with. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
RIPON: Race 1: 15.05 Parish Councillor, Race 2: 15.40 Ellusive Butterfly, Race 3: 16.15 Paris Lights, Race 4: 16.50 Trefor, Race 5: 17.30 Percy's Daydream, Race 6: 18.10 Raft Up, Race 7: 18.43 Sovereign Class.
CHELMSFORD: Race 1: 15.15 Mr Nugget, Race 2: 15.50 Coming Attraction, Race 3: 16.23 Jungle Land, Race 4: 17.00 Empress Of All, Race 5: 17.35 Jolly Jack Tar, Race 6: 18.05 Radiant Beauty.
ROYAL ASCOT: Race 1: 15.30 First Legion, Race 2: 16.05 Serious Contender, Race 3: 16.40 Serenity Prayer, Race 4: 17.20 TRAWLERMAN (NAP), Race 5: 18.00 Brave Mission, Race 6: 18.35 Reyenzi, Race 7: 19.10 Never So Brave.
WETHERBY: Race 1: 18.48 Angela's Baar, Race 2: 19.20 Fan Club, Race 3: 19.50 Candle Of Time, Race 4: 20.20 Rumba Bay, Race 5: 20.50 Electric Avenue, Race 6: 21.20 Arlington, Race 7: 21.50 Bernalda.
LINGFIELD: Race 1: 18.58 Persian Phoenix, Race 2: 19.38 Orange Emperor, Race 3: 20.10 Night Step, Race 4: 20.40 Royal Accord, Race 5: 21.10 Guns And Flowers, Race 6: 21.40 Dubai Treasure.
ALL TO COME: Serious Contender and Trawlerman (Ascot, Races 2 and 4).