While some of Royal Ascot's excesses may indeed be excessive, there can be no complaining about the actual racing, which again promises to be superb over the next four days.
Sadly, the impression remains that that will be a secondary concern for a significant proportion of the gigantic crowds, but for the Irish in attendance there could be some very significant action on the track, centred today on the driven figure of Michael Kinane.
Since 1946 there have 101 Irish-trained winners at the Royal Ascot meeting, the last of which was Harbour Master, Aidan O'Brien's debut Ascot winner, in last season's Coventry Stakes. Having got the taste, O'Brien looks set to digest some more Coventry success, this time with African Skimmer.
The highly regarded Tirol colt won his only race at long odds on at Tipperary over a month ago, and while the bare form may not be much, African Skimmer did all that was asked of him and, significantly, it was on soft to heavy ground.
Such proven ability to act on a cut in the ground will be vital at Ascot as will be African Skimmer's draw. On the straight course, a low draw is usually a huge advantage on soft going and African Skimmer is better served there than a lot of the English juveniles, most of whom have failed to grab the imagination in their careers so far. African Skimmer can reinforce that view.
Although the Group One St James's Palace Stakes is the centrepiece of the day and a fantastic race in its own right, it's worth betting that more than a few shrewdies will be retaining ammunition until the concluding Ascot Stakes, where a very good case can be made for the John Hassett-trained Generosa.
A fine handicap hurdler with a turn of foot and the ability to act on the soft, Generosa returns to the flat under conditions that give her a serious chance. When trained in England by Henry Candy two years ago, this Generous mare earned a handicap mark of 87. Since then, however, she has thrived for Co Clare-based Hassett, including winning two flat races last year. Yet, throw that in with her hurdles form and she still races today off a mark of 74. At long odds, Generosa could be excellent each-way value.
There is no direct Irish interest in the St James's Palace, but it will be interesting to see how the form of the Curragh 2,000 Guineas works out with the first two, Desert Prince and Fa-Eq, renewing hostilities.
It could be worth betting that nothing changes. Desert Prince did get first run on the field at the Curragh, but Fa-Eq did get alongside only to be conclusively brushed aside by three lengths at the line. Olivier Peslier's mount is also proven on this ground, having won the Newmarket Free Handicap on the soft and doesn't have the stamina doubts hanging over him that the French 2,00 Guineas winner, Victory Note, has. The Gallinule winner, Quws,runs for Kevin Prendergast and Stephen Craine in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, and a big run from this consistent sort can be expected. Nevertheless, Quws was well beaten by Daylami at the Curragh last month and preference is for the Godolphin horse.
