RACING/Royal Ascot preview: Rakti can cement his place at the top of the miling tree with victory in the Queen Anne Stakes when the five-day Royal Ascot extravaganza opens today at York.

Michael Jarvis's superb six-year-old is not going to offer much value to punters, but it is virtually impossible to oppose such an outstanding horse.

The son of Polish Precedent is prone to a touch of temperament, but Jarvis seems to have that side of him in check judged on his sterling run at Newbury last time.

Rakti blasted away in the Lockinge Stakes, making virtually all the running to win by five lengths without ever really having to engage top gear.

He won the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot last year over two furlongs further, but he really has been a revelation since he switched back to a mile.

Rakti is a monster of a horse and providing he does not boil over, he must be the banker of the meeting.

Indesatchel was only just touched off in the French 2,000 Guineas last time and he can avenge that defeat by Shamardal in the St James's Palace Stakes.

The David Wachman-trained colt had an unfavourably high draw at Longchamp and made late headway before just losing out by a head. With four of the first five home having been drawn low, Indesatchel was facing an uphill battle and he looks much better placed in stall one tomorrow.

This son of Danehill Dancer notched up a hat-trick earlier in the season, and given that he has had a bit of a break to freshen up, he can regain the winning thread and also land a first Group One victory.

Aidan O'Brien can strike first with Marcus Andronicus in the Coventry Stakes. This Danehill colt made a pleasing debut on the Knavesmire when beating Hill Of Howth by a length and a half over six furlongs.

He was nicely on top at the finish and looks sure to acquit himself well now that he has a bit of experience under his belt.

A run at Sandown last month should have put Var spot-on for the King's Stand Stakes.

Last year's Prix de l'Abbaye winner looked in need of the outing in the Temple Stakes as he was up there early on before blowing up in the final furlong.

There was no disgrace in finishing a five-length fifth behind Celtic Mill and he looks to have bags of improvement in him, especially given his progressive profile last year.

Trainer Clive Brittain did very well with the six-year-old and Var can mark himself out as a contender for top sprinting honours again.

King Revo can fly the flag for Yorkshire by taking the Ascot Stakes over the new two-and-a-half-mile course.

Championship Point can make it two from two in the closing Listed Chesham Stakes. Mick Channon's runner won at Newbury on his debut and can follow up here.

Meanwhile, Kieren Fallon will be reunited with the filly Damson in the Coronation Stakes on Friday. Fallon had been expected to take the ride aboard Aidan O'Brien's 1,000 Guineas winner Virginia Waters, but he will instead partner David Wachman's daughter of Entrepreneur.

Fallon rode Damson for the first time when steering her to victory against the colts in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last summer and was also in the plate when she was third in the Cheveley Park Stakes.

Virginia Waters will now be ridden by Johnny Murtagh.