The retirement of Kyprios – undoubtedly one of the great long-distance racehorses of modern times – has altered the dynamics of the European staying division – and there must be a live chance that it will allow William Buick’s mount Trawlerman to land Thursday’s (19 June) G1 Ascot Gold Cup (3991m).

Map Of Stars will be hoping to provide France with their first Royal Ascot success of 2025 when he takes on the likes of Los Angeles and Anmaat in a mouthwatering Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

With 114 declared runners for Tuesday’s (17 June) hotly contested opening day at Royal Ascot, only Field Of Gold in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes (1600m) – third of the afternoon’s Group 1 contests – can be rated as a very likely winner.

Royal Ascot, two five-letter words representing five of the best days of racing on the calendar.

Francis-Henri Graffard saddled three of the first four home in the Group 1 Prix de Diane, with Gezora getting the better of Aidan O’Brien’s Bedtime Story to claim top honours in the fillies’ Classic.

Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Zarigana has been confirmed for the 1m Coronation Stakes on Friday at Royal Ascot and heads a competitive field of fifteen, including two supplementary entries.

Jane Chapple-Hyam is planning to add her unbeaten filly Kon Tiki to next Wednesday’s Coronation Stakes field at Royal Ascot.

Staying fillies come to the fore in the Prix de Diane run at Chantilly on Sunday.

Since it was reduced to 2100m this face has favoured horses drawn in single figures.

We look at some feature international racing & ratings for this week’s Talking Points.

Two exciting performances at Chantilly on Sunday have thrown up potential Royal Ascot contenders, with both Monteille and Afjan recording wins that put them firmly on the shortlist.

Chantilly is the venue for this race – the French Derby – and as in Japan has 18 3yos competing.

Sam King has bagged seven winners over the last week and is back with three more selections for Saturday’s action.

Charlie Fellowes appears to be favouring a run in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly over Royal Ascot’s 1600m Coronation Stakes for his star filly Shes Perfect.