A Majestic Kingdom

In recent years we have been served up an absolute treat to begin Royal Ascot. The opening Queen Anne Stakes, which was given Group 1 status in 2003, has now become almost the highlight of the entire meeting. From Goldikova to Canford Cliffs, and then the mighty Frankel, we have become used to the mouth-watering start of what is probably the World's greatest race meeting.

This year promises to be no different, as the incredibly versatile and high class US raider Animal Kingdom bids follow in the footsteps of those aforementioned stars.

It is extremely rare that a horse can be top class on both dirt and turf, but Animal Kingdom has proven to be exceptional, not just on those two surfaces, but also polytrack and tapeta. His roll of honour currently includes the Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup, as well as a fabulous second to the best turf miler in America, Wise Dan, at last year's Breeders' Cup.

Indeed, some say that Animal Kingdom was perhaps unlucky not to trouble the winner more in the Breeders' Cup Mile, having suffered a bad trip, before finishing to good effect. Either way, that was a tremendous effort, given that he was coming back off a long layoff.

No stone has been left unturned by Animal Kingdom's superb trainer Graham Motion. The horse has been stabled in the UK since his Dubai win, and appears to be getting used to his new surroundings, and training regime.

The biggest stumbling block he may encounter is Ascot's straight mile. This is an alien configuration for an American horse, and Motion has been quick to return to the services of Animal Kingdom's Kentucky Derby-winning pilot John Velazquez, who not only knows the horse, but has ridden successfully on Ascot's straight course for Wesley Ward. This experience, combined with the fact that Velazquez is one of the World's best jockeys, should ensure that the big horse is given every assistance from the saddle.

What of the opposition? Well, at the moment the field is uncertain, though Godolphin's Farhh is prominent in the ante-post lists, after his demolition job in the Lockinge at Newbury a few weeks ago.

Make no mistake, this is a high class, if fragile horse, and would certainly provide stiff opposition to the US raider. There is a caveat here, however. Sheikh Mohammed now owns a share in Animal Kingdom. He may decide to run Farhh in the ten-furlong Prince Of Wales's Stakes later in the week. I think most observers would hope this isn't the case, though. So impressive was Farhh in the Lockinge, that a clash here would make for sensational viewing.

The rest of the opposition appear to have it all to do if the big two bring their A-game. The one with the most potential to trouble them appears to be the Ballydoyle-trained Most Improved.

He would be making his debut for Aidan O'Brien were he to turn up here, and could well live up to his name with the change of trainer and surroundings. His form from last year leaves him a little bit to find, but the gap is far from insurmountable, given normal improvemet from three to four, coupled with that fact that he is now handled by one of the World's best.

In just over two week's time, the Queen will arrive at Royal Ascot, and the great meeting will be under way.

Only then, will we find out if she will be overseeing a majestic Kingdom from the Royal Enclosure.