TODAY’s Coventry Stakes (3.05pm) is the most prestigious two-year-old event at Royal Ascot and will see over 20 of the best juveniles scorch down the Ascot straight.

Aidan O’Brien’s Confucius heads the betting and is expected to be hard to beat.

It was a surprise to see him defeated on debut given his reputation, but he made amends with a fine performance when stepped up to six furlongs at Naas next time.

Connections talk about him like he’s the real deal, and with the master of Ballydoyle having won a record 11 renewals, that confidence must be respected.

He’s not much of a price at 2/1, though, and while O’Brien has a stellar record in the race, his well-hyped Coventry runners don’t always come home in front.

Their other runner, Great Barrier Reef is also of interest after his Group Three Marble Hill victory, but I’m drawn to other contenders at bigger prices.

The first of which is CUT A DASH for Richard Hannon, who caught the eye when impressively winning on his only start at York over five furlongs.

He travelled smoothly all the way, and when Sean Levey pushed the button, he responded by powering clear under hands and heels.

This test will be a lot stiffer, but there was so much to like about his debut, and the way he finished off over five suggests the step up to six will be no problem.

Hannon apparently loves him and so do I at 8/1.

ROYAL HERITAGE is another I’d like to play against the Ballydoyle jolly.

He also won very easily on his only start, with his effort coming at Hamilton over six furlongs.

Again, there was so much to like about his performance, and he looked like another Wathnan rocket off the conveyor belt.

James Doyle, the first jockey to the owner, has interestingly picked him over Ruler’s Pride, who was himself deeply impressive on debut.

That has to be a tip in itself, and I’ll be backing this Blue Point colt at around 7/1 with Star Sports to give Hamad Al Jehani his biggest win yet.

Later on, the Group One King Charles III Stakes (3.40pm) sees punters sample our first real taste of international flavour at this year’s Royal meeting, thanks to Australia’s Overpass.

Not many in this field would be able to get within two lengths of the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, like Bjorn Baker’s charge did in the Everest, but at 5/2, he still feels too short in a race that can often resemble a handicap rather than a Group One.

I’m taken by two at bigger prices, starting with RUMSTAR.

Jonathan Portman’s stalwart has consistently represented his yard in big sprints over the years, and bits and pieces of his form entitle him to be right there.

In the Palace House, he was only half a length behind Night Raider, who reopposes, but is half the price of Rumstar.

He was a touch unlucky in last year’s renewal, but was only beaten six lengths, and I think a better effort can be expected.

I also like JAKAJARO.

Again, his form ties in closely with Night Raider, having finished just over a length behind him at Haydock last month.

And like Rumstar, if you pick through his form, there is some top-level quality in there, certainly enough to make him worth a swing at 28/1 with Star Sports.

POINTERS                            ASCOT

Cut A Dash e/w               3.05pm               

Royal Heritage e/w         3.05pm              

Rumstar e/w                    3.40pm               

Jakajaro e/w                     3.40pm