Ed Chamberlin with his five best bets for Royal Ascot

What a week we have to look forward to at Royal Ascot with the pageantry, fashion, history and above all a sustained period of the best racing in the world.

It’s 12 months to the day since my transfer to ITV was confirmed and ever since that day I’ve been looking forward to this meeting. Preparations have been going on for months and it’s an event like no other.

I’ve been consulting with historians and various experts to make sure I get the royal procession right every day – there are so many other factors to consider.

It’s a huge event for ITV. I get asked all the time why we don’t show all the races from the likes of Cheltenham and Aintree – and the answer is we can show what we’re permitted to show.

But for Royal Ascot that is every race – every day – and they will all be on the main channel. That has to be good for the sport.

Every day my sportinglife colleague Olli Bell will present The Opening Show from the Number One Car Park with race previews and big-name guests, and there’s every chance we’ll end each day back in the same spot in some guise.

You could say Francesca Cumani and I will need more stamina than the runners in the Queen Alexandra – it’s certainly the first time I’ve presented for five consecutive days – and we are on air from 1.30-6.oopm every day.

We’ll end each broadcast by the famous bandstand and I’ll be cueing the conductor to spark the iconic sing-song that brings the curtain down on each day. If you’re down there come along and say hi – chances are we could even persuade Matt Chapman to join the ranks of the brass band and belt out a tune or two.

There are a lot of innovations during the week and I am particularly excited about some new cameras you’ll see for the first time on Tuesday.

Obviosuly there are lots of features to enjoy too and on Wednesday this week I combined my two sporting loves – Southampton football club and horse racing – by spending the day at Mick Channon’s historic West Ilsley yard.

The place is just full of history – it’s amazing to see the boxes that housed the likes of Brigadier Gerard, Troy, Henbit, Higchclere, Dunfermline, Nashwan, Dayur and Youmzain.

Mick was in storming form and we have some great old footage of him. One clip is of him during his Southampton days. At half-time in a game he signals up to Brian Moore, the commentator, to see if the horse they’d backed had won. As you find out next week it was bad news…

It’s now time for my five best bets for next week’s meeting – and I think Mick could be adding to his 17 Royal Ascot winners.

DAY ONE

I can’t wait for the rematch betweem Churchill and Barney Roy in the St James’s Palace Stakes and would love to see Richard Fahey win the Queen Anne with Ribchester – as long as he doesn’t push me off the podium afterwards as he did following the horse's win in the Lockinge!

However my best bet is MARSHA in the King’s Stand Stakes. She produced a brilliant performance when defying a 7lb penalty to win the Palace House Stakes at the Craven Meeting.

She showed so much speed that day and I was very impressed, particularly as she won at a time of year when Sir Mark Prescott’s team aren’t usually firing on all cylinders. In a week when the powerhouses will dominate, I’d love to see Elite Racing win a big prize with her.

I’d also give a good mention to Signs Of Blessing in the race, his win at Deauville has gone under the radar somewhat, but I do think he’d prefer softer ground.

DAY TWO

Here’s the Channon horse – BOSSY GUEST each-way at a huge 33/1 in the Royal Hunt Cup. I think the Victoria Cup will be the key to this contest, runner-up George William will run well here but there was a lot to like about my selection’s run in seventh. He met with trouble in running but flew home up the rail and is in really good order. 

He will absolutely love the quick ground and don’t forget this is a horse who finished fourth in the 2015 2000 Guineas. He goes well on the straight track here too.

DAY THREE

It’s MORI in the Ribblesdale. She could be the horse to give Sir Michael Stoute a 76th Royal Ascot winner, taking him ahead of the late, great, Sir Henry Cecil as the most successful trainer at the meeting.

Stoute’s first success was in the 1977 Jersey Stakes – fully 40 years ago – and the great man is stil going strong. There’s no-one better at preparing one for the big day and this daughter of the brilliant Midday, sired by Frankel, is a typical improver for the yard. She did well to win the Height Of Fashion at Goodwood and will progress again.

DAY FOUR

The Commonwealth Cup is a great innovation and I can’t wait for this year’s renewal. It features a smash up between Ballydoyle and Godolphin – and I think the prize is going to Ireland.

I have so much respect for Clive Cox and people tell me Harry Angel is a superstar. He’s a very exciting talent and my only worry is how he’ll handle the razzmatazz of this occasion. Godolphin also run Blue Point who beat Harry Angel at Ascot two starts ago. Would they have bought the other colt if they were convinced he’ll confirm the form?

However it’s all about CARAVAGGIO for me. Regular readers will know I’m mad about him – and was even before his win in the Coventry Stakes at this meeting last season. When I was over at Ballydoyle in September it was obvious he was a bit special. He was the one box I went into – as you’ll see from the photograph – and I can’t wait to witness what he does.

He’s out of the ordinary – a monster – and can light up Royal Ascot.

DAY FIVE

TASLEET in the Diamond Jubilee. Ben Linfoot put me onto him before the Duke Of York at the Dante Meeting and he just hasn’t been given the credit he deserves for winning there. It was a stunning performance, he overcame trouble in running to win easily and I don’t see why quicker ground will be any inconvenience. I can’t believe he’s a double figure price (follow link to back Tasleet with Sky Bet).

So there you have it – enjoy Royal Ascot – it’s a week to savour – and I’ll see you at 1.30 on Tuesday!