Royal Ascot is always a wonderful week. It’s the focal point of the summer, and really important for us.

That said, we’re very lucky on the Flat, given all the international racing, that there are big races throughout the entire year, so it’s not do or die.

For the jumps guys it is mainly about Cheltenham, and if you don’t have a good week there it really affects your season.

All owners, trainers and jockeys want to have runners and winners at Royal Ascot, though. It’s the centre of attention for racing fans all over the world.

There will be people watching in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, America, Dubai and many more places. It’s a hugely significant meeting and very good for your international profile.

We only live 45 minutes away from the track and we usually have different people staying over during the week.

We do a fair amount of entertaining in the morning and at night, people come from far and wide.

We have lunch each day and then on Saturday, when it’s all over, we tend to go to one of the car park parties for a couple of drinks.

It’s such a great occasion. Everyone gets into the spirit of the meeting.

14:30

I’d like to think that Beat The Bank has an each-way chance in the Queen Anne. You have to forgive him his run in the Lockinge at Newbury last time, and he’s doing very well at home.

We’d be absolutely delighted if he could sneak into the places.

Laurens is high class, and - if Barney Roy is back to his best - they are two multiple Group One-winning horses who set a very high standard.

Apart from them, it looks fairly open.

Accidental Agent loves the track and is back for more after last year, but I do think we would have given him a run for his money if we’d got the breaks 12 months ago.

15:05

We don’t have anything in the Coventry, but I know that Richard Hannon is very keen on Threat.

He’s been around enough good two-year-olds to know a good one when he sees it and our Spanish Angel was behind him when he won at Newmarket on Guineas weekend.

Threat was very impressive that day, and Spanish Angel was only just touched off at Goodwood last month.

15:40

The King’s Stand really looks between Blue Point and Battaash, last year’s first and second places.

Blue Point has a very good record at Ascot, which is always significant. I’m sure this has been the target and he did well in Dubai in the spring.

Mabs Cross, who was third 12 months ago, would be my each-way bet.

16:20

We run Bell Rock in the St James’s Palace, but it’s going to be very difficult for him to beat the likes of Too Darn Hot and Phoenix Of Spain.

I think Too Darn Hot can get his season back on track in this. He was the champion two-year-old last year, but things just haven’t panned out quite right up to now.

We’re taking a chance with Bell Rock, but we thought he was as good as any of our three-year-olds in the spring.

He ran okay in the Heron Stakes at Sandown on his reappearance, but he is lacking experience, which is an obvious disadvantage at Royal Ascot. I wouldn’t be surprised if he finished third or fourth, though.

17:00

The Ascot Stakes is made for the jumps trainers really, they have a very good record in it. Their horses stay well and tend to be very fit.

You have to respect anything Willie Mullins runs, so Buildmeupbuttercup is an obvious contender, while Gordon Elliott brings two over. He won at the meeting last year.

17:30

Magic Wand was very impressive in the Ribblesdale so she must have every chance in the Wolferton, although she doesn’t have the best of draws.

Much will depend on how much rain they get in the afternoon. If it turns soft, Dophin Vista could go well at a big price. He beat Morando at Ayr last September on soft ground.

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