GOLDIKOVA and Frankel can confirm their positions at the head of the mile division and take Royal Ascot by storm.

Goldikova’s exploits in winning 13 times at Group One level mark her down as one of the all-time greats, while Frankel’s QIPCO 2,000 Guineas success has whetted the appetite for seeing him strutting his stuff again.

The former – a three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner – bids for back-to-back successes in the opener, the Queen Anne Stakes (2.30pm).

Freddie Head’s wonderful mare showed she is still the one to beat when landing her 13th Group One success on her seasonal reappearance in the Prix d’Isphan at Longchamp last time.

She is Europe’s top miler and follows a similar path to when beating Richard Hannon‘s Paco Boy at the Royal meeting 12 months ago. Another Hannon star, Canford Cliffs, will give her a real race, having won the St James’s Palace Stakes last year.

The unbeaten FRANKEL routed the 2,000 Guineas field in one of the best performances in the Newmarket Classic for many a year. He looks unbeatable in the St James’s Palace Stakes (3.45pm).

Fresh from his knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list Sir Henry Cecil will hope for a similar stunning show from his Galileo colt.

Frankel led from start to finish and was six lengths ahead of the field at the line. If he is in the same form it will be another special effort.

Richard Fahey’s Wootton Bassett, ridden by Warrington’s champion jockey Paul Hanagan, lost his unbeaten record on his reappearance when fifth in the French 2,000 Guineas. He should come on for that and is the biggest danger to Frankel and should reward each-way backers.

Australian speedballs have done exceptionally over the past decade and Star Witness will have a big chance of adding to that record in the King’s Stand Stakes (3.05pm). But Edward Lynam’s SOLE POWER goes from strength to strength and can land Group One sprint.

O’Brien’s POWER can give the Ballydoyle handler a sixth success in the Coventry Stakes (4.25pm). Others likely to go close are Zigato in the Ascot Stakes (5pm) and Gentleman’s Code in the Windsor Castle Stakes (5.35pm).

ROYAL ASCOT DAY ONE PREDICTIONS: 2.30pm Goldikova (NAP), 3.05pm Sole Power, 3.45pm 1 FRANKEL 2 Wootton Bassett 3 Dubawi Gold, 4.25pm Power, 5pm Zigato, 5.35pm Gentleman’s Code.