For many people who follow Royal Ascot as much for the presence of the King and Queen as for the elite racing, the week will reach a climax should any one of five royal runners end up in the winner's enclosure.
That thirst could be sated on opening day, with Reaching High a strong fancy to avenge his defeat 12 months ago in the Ascot Stakes.
Handicap 'plots' are not usually associated with the purple and crimson silks of the monarch. But then most of the King and Queen's horses are not trained by Willie Mullins, a man their majesties' racing and breeding manager, John Warren, describes as a "master of his trade".
Last year, Reaching High was all the rage for the Ascot Stakes but, having been sent off at 11-4 on his second start for Mullins, rider Ryan Moore found himself locked up in a series of dead ends and cul-de-sacs, and could only finish ninth. Mullins must hope he is dealing with a group-class horse here, judged by future entries in two of Ireland's leading contests for stayers, the Curragh Cup (G2) and the Irish St Leger (G1).
So he and his owners have sat on their hands for 12 months in the hope of getting that first royal victory at this meeting since Tom Marquand steered Desert Hero to victory in the 2024 King George V Handicap.
Warren told the Racing Post: "We're very hopeful that Reaching High is going to run a big race. He's been off for 365 days, so it's a big ask to come back after that time, but obviously Willie Mullins is a master of his trade. So fingers crossed the horse's fitness will be up to it.
"We've only waited this long so as not to spoil his handicap mark. He's off 94 and conditions are right for him, and it's nice to have Ryan Moore on, so we're hopeful."
Mullins, who is on 12 career winners at Royal Ascot putting him ninth on the list of the most successful trainers currently with a licence, is one of racing's most patient practitioners when required and has had no problem sticking to the brief.
"He ran very well in the race last year, when his passage was impeded," he said. "He was a shade unlucky, but that's racing. I think he's in as good of form as we can get him without a run."
And what a story it would be if the royal team could win at Ascot with a homebred son of Estimate, the late Queen's Gold Cup winner.
Week's Other Royal Runners
The King and Queen have four other chances at Royal Ascot, and Warren had little hesitation in highlighting the credentials of Point Of Law, who has received market support since being declared for Wednesday's Group 2 Queen's Vase.
"The horse I'm most interested in would be Point Of Law," said Warren. "It's an experiment for a young, inexperienced horse to tackle group company on his third start. It will be fascinating to see whether he can stay a mile and three-quarters.
"That's going to be quite a test for him, but on the dam's side Deep Impact stayed two miles, so we're hopeful that he will stretch out. He's going to be very interesting to see how his future unfolds from here. John Gosden is happy with him."
On Thursday the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) sees Ralph Beckett field Golden Orbit, who was strongly fancied for the Newbury Fillies' Trial but could only finish fourth behind Esna. More time to develop and an extra two furlongs should both be to her advantage, while the application of first-time blinkers is also worth noting.
Beckett also trains King's Prize, the winner of a Nottingham novice race over 6 furlongs in April and currently a 20-1 chance for Friday's Albany Stakes (G3). Her dam, Award Scheme, was talented at both a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half, and found only the future Arc winner Alpinista too good in a Listed race at Salisbury as a 3-year-old. So the fact she is showing enough dash to be considered for this group 3 is perhaps a pleasant surprise to connections.
And the famous five is rounded out by Warrant Holder, who is no bigger than 6-1 for the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap later on Friday afternoon and, as the joint top-rated horse among the entries on an official mark of 105, will carry top weight.
