Six Irish trained runners at Royal Ascot today

Six Irish trained horses have been declared to run on day one of the Royal Ascot meeting today.

Cape Blanco for Aidan O'Brien with Jamie Spencer in the saddle is the only Irish representative in the first race of the day, the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes.

This race has been billed as a clash between four time Group 1 winner Canford Cliffs and the French wonder mare Goldikova. Cape Blanco looks best of the rest, but he has never met the aforementioned pair before, so anything is possible.

The second race on the card, the Group 1, King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs will have two Irish trained runners in the shape of the Tracey Collins trained Arctic and the Eddie Lynam trained Sole Power.

Arctic who will be making his debut as a 4yo in this contest is likely to go off at fancy prices, after three average efforts in defeat last season.

Sole Power on the other hand will be disputing favouritism having won the Nunthorpe Stakes last season and showing that was no fluke by winning the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock just last month.

Aidan O'Brien will give Ryan Moore the leg up on Zoffany, who is the only Irish trained runner brave enough to take on the brilliant Frankel in the third race, the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes and in reality he will be racing for the place money here.

Power again for Aidan O'Brien & Ryan Moore is the sole Irish runner in the twenty three strong field for the Group 2 Coventry Stakes. He looks to have every chance in this contest after winning his two starts to date, both of which came at the Curragh.

In the 2m 4f Ascot Stakes, the penultimate race on the card, Rattan for Willie Mullins with Richard Hughes aboard will fly the flag for the Irish.

The son of Royal Anthem has been a bit disappointing over obstacles since coming to Ireland only winning on one of his six starts.

The 5yo who only managed one win from eleven starts on the level when trained in England will have his work cut out for him here with last year's winner Junior looking the one to beat.