A preview of Friday at Royal Ascot

Jessica Harrington carried all before her through the last jumps season, but at the other end of the scale to Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John is Alpha Centauri, a leading player in Friday's Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Niarchos family-owned filly has won each of her two starts this season, landing a Naas maiden at the beginning of May before following up at Listed level at that track last time out.

Jockey Colm O'Donoghue said: "She's been pretty good and stepped forward from her maiden win in good style, I'm looking forward to it.

"Jessie was very happy leading up to her in the Listed race, she's a big, scopey filly and very powerful, I was trying to keep a lid on her as long as I could. I think she'll stay further, she settled and travels nicely.

"She's very laid back and I don't think the occasion will bother her, but we wouldn't want it too firm, as she's a big filly.."

Actress was behind Alpha Centauri on both occasions at Naas and is one of three runners for Aidan O'Brien along with Clemmie, who is the choice of Ryan Moore, and Snowflakes.

Wesley Ward has a couple of wins to his credit this week but after having to settle for second with hot favourite Happy Like A Fool in the Queen Mary, he is looking to Fairyland and Princess Peggy to hitting the target here.

Fairyland won over four and a half furlongs at Keeneland on her debut and Ward said: "I think she's got a really big chance.

"She's a big filly with a long stride, as opposed to Happy Like A Fool. When you look at them you can tell Fairyland will go further."

Princess Peggy also won on her only racecourse start and will be partnered by American star David Flores.

Ward said: "This is a filly that just keeps improving. Early on I didn't think she was one for Ascot, but she ran and won and from the race she's really improved.

"Ryan (Moore) rode her in work and I asked him if he felt she was worthy to run in the Albany and when he got off he said 'absolutely'.

"Fast ground and six furlongs will suit her."

Godolphin were smartly out of the blocks on Tuesday with three winners and fire a triple assault on the King Edward VII Stakes.

Saeed bin Suroor's Best Solution finished eighth in the Derby and clashes with fellow Epsom also-rans Glecadam Glory (ninth), Permian (10th), Salouen (13th) and Khalidi (14th).

Bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com: "Best Solution ran well in the Derby but would prefer softer ground. This trip suits him well and he has been working nicely."

Wolf Country represents Charlie Appleby and he expects the Dante fifth to feel the benefit of switching back up in distance.

He said: "The drop back in trip didn't really suit Wolf Country in the Dante, when he turned in well but just lacked a bit of pace to finish fifth.

"He has physically done well since then. We have a bit to find on the ratings but I feel he should be competitive back over a mile and a half.

"He has won twice with juice in the ground but his homework has been good on quicker ground."

Hugo Palmer's Best Of Days gives Godolphin a third option as he makes his seasonal bow.

Palmer said: "Best Of Days had a setback in the spring, which is why he didn't make the Derby. I thought that we would miss that race by a couple of weeks and I have been really, really pleased with his work.

"He seems to be improving all of the time and I am excited about running him over a mile and a half.

"My only slight misgiving is that we are going into a Group Two at Royal Ascot on his seasonal reappearance, which is not an easy thing to do."

Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Ocean finished third in the Dante and heads the market for this.

Mark Johnston's Time To Study is one of 13 contenders for the Queen's Vase, which has been upgraded to Group Two status this year, while the distance has dropped back to 14 furlongs from two miles.

Johnston's runner was last seen winning a Musselburgh but faces stiffer opposition headed by the O'Brien-trained Belgravia, who is a full-brother to 2013 Derby hero Ruler Of The World.

Popular performer Master Carpenter heads the weights in the closing Duke of Edinburgh handicap after bouncing back to form with a five-length win at York last month - his first victory in nearly two years.

Trainer Rod Millman said: "He's come back to form very well and it was a good win last - unfortunately the handicapper has put him up 10lb for that though.

"He's holding his form well and as the ground is a bit more lively, we're trying him over a bit further.

"The ground wouldn't be ideal for him but he's in good form and we're hoping he'll run well.

"The John Smith's Cup will be the next target after this, all being well."

Roger Varian has two leading chances in the race with Appeared and Wadigor, while Stoute's Mainstream is towards the head of the market.