The countdown to Royal Ascot is now in full swing and racing fans across the world are licking their lips in anticipation for the feast of great action that is set to take place at the Berkshire course.

The meeting is one of the highlights of the British social calendar, but the horses are the true stars of the show at the meeting that was first held in 1768.

This is Britain’s most valuable race meeting and more than 500 horses will feature across five days of great action, which will get the royal seal of approval each day, starting on Tuesday 20th June.

To help you get a real taste of the action, we have compiled some informative articles about some of the stars of the show, who will be battling it out for glory across what promises to be another fantastic occasion at Royal Ascot.

Emily Dickinson looking to bounce back

Aidan O’Brien is hoping for a ninth success in the Ascot Gold Cup and, according to the market, Emily Dickinson is his biggest hope as she looks to bounce back from fifth spot at the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown.

It won’t be easy though against last season’s St Leger winner Eldar Elarov and favourite Coltrane.

Read our Emily Dickinson profile here

Coltrane camp should be confident

Coltrane will also be gunning for glory in the big race and has the benefit of winning over the 2m 4f trip last season.

A win over two miles at Ascot will have also boosted confidence in Andrew Balding’s yard that the son of Mastercraftsman can land glory in the Thursday showpiece.

Read our Coltrane profile here

Trueshan looking to recapture past glories

Alan King’s top stayer Trueshan has had the Ascot Gold Cup in his sights for some time but a couple of spring setbacks have halted progress.

Still, a host of big race wins, including the Northumberland Plate and three Long Distance Cup victories at Ascot suggest he cannot be easily dismissed.

Read our Trueshan profile here

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Broome not looking to play second fiddle

Aidan O’Brien also saddles Broome for the Gold Cup and the seven-year-old brings a host of experience from all four corners of the globe.

Perhaps more tellingly, he won the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting last year under Ryan Moore so there should be few worries about performing on the biggest stage.

Read our Broome profile here

Chaldean looking to build on Guineas success

Chaldean was the champion two-year-old last season and has already won the 2000 Guineas under Frankie Dettori this season, so it is no surprise to see the Andrew Balding-trained colt at the head of the market for the St James Palace Stakes.

Just like his sire Frankel, who tasted victory in Wednesday’s big race 12 years ago, hopes will be high for another landmark success.

Read our Chaldean profile here

Hopes Little Big Bear can make up for Newmarket blow

Little Big Bear had won four of his five races before the 2000 Guineas but there is a strong need to bounce back after failing to beat any of his rivals in the Newmarket classic.

Friday’s Commonwealth Cup and a drop in trip to six furlongs looks to be the target so we take a look at what chance the O’Brien colt has of recovering from that no-show.

Read our Little Big Bear profile here

Drop back could help Sakheer

After the later stages of the 2000 Guineas proved the undoing of the Roger Varian-trained colt, admittedly on slow ground at Newmarket, Sakheer looks set to be aimed at the Commonwealth Cup on Friday.

He did not race beyond that distance in his two-year-old campaign, so we look at his chances of getting back to winning ways.

Read our Sakheer profile here

Commonwealth Cup target for Noble Style

Noble Style's form as a two-year-old is enough to suggest that he has a chance of Commonwealth Cup glory.

He has been disappointing in his last two starts but connections are still confident of a strong Ascot showing.

Read our Noble Style profile here

River Tiber being sent to Coventry

Aidan O'Brien will be hopeful of a perfect 10 in the Coventry Stakes, with River Tiber heading the betting.

The expert trainer hasn't won the race since 2019 but a fine trial at Naas suggests he may have another one.

Read our River Tiber profile here

American Rascal to fly US flag

Wesley Ward will have high hopes of another Norfolk Stakes winner in American Rascal.

The US trainer has won the race twice before with No Nay Never and Shang Shang Shangin, and he goes for a hat-trick this year.

Read our American Rascal profile here

Queen Anne next for Native Trail

Former Irish 2000 Guineas champion Native Trail looks likely to be a contender for the Queen Anne Stakes.

He was second on his seasonal reappearance in the bet365 Mile at Newmarket and Charlie Appleby will be targeting a return to winning ways.

Read our Native Trail profile here

Inspiral goes for more Ascot success

Last year's Coronation Stakes winner Inspiral is headed towards the Queen Anne Stakes in 2023.

She was underwhelming at Ascot back in October but Frankie Dettori will be confident of chalking up another Ascot win in his final year.

Read our Inspiral profile here