Classy field for Ascot opener A top-class field of 18 horses have stood their ground for the curtain-raising contest to next week`s Royal Ascot meeting, the Group Two Queen Anne Stakes.The one-mile race next Tuesday is likely to feature Sir Michael Stoute`s top miler Medicean, the Henry Cecil-trained Shibboleth and John Gosden`s Valentino in a high-class contest that will set the tone for the remainder of the week.A total of 29 acceptors remain in the King`s Stand Stakes, the second race of the day.Among the speedsters in the field after the five-day stage are French raiders Nuclear Debate (last year`s winner), Dananeyev and Imperial Beauty.French 2000 Guineas winner Noverre is on course to clash with Black Minnaloushe, the winner of the Irish equivalent, in the St James`s Palace Stakes.Richard Hannon has booked Jimmy Fortune for the ride on Tamburlaine, second to Golan in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.Besides Black Minnaloushe, Aidan O`Brien has another five possibles for the Group One contest, namely Beckett, Darwin, King Charlemagne, Minardi and Mozart.
