After the Coventry, the Norfolk Stakes is the best two-year-old race at Royal Ascot for punters to get really stuck into with nine of the last 18 runnings going the way of the favourite or second-favourite. In winning as the 5/1 second-favourite two years ago, A’Ali became the first maiden to win the Norfolk in 29 years having finished second on his debut at Ripon. The previous year saw the third-favourite, Shang Shang Shang, be one of Wesley Ward’s 11 Royal Ascot success. Eight of those victories were two-year-olds but perhaps more significantly, nine were achieved in races over 5f and his Golden Pal finished second in the Norfolk last year to The Lir Jet. Windsor form has come to the fore with five of the last 15 British-trained winners either winning or finishing second at the riverside track. Richard Hannon took the honours seven years ago with Baitha Alga and supplied the second and third in 2015. His father secured victories with Niche (1992), Lucky Lionel (1995) and Baron's Pit (2002) in addition to saddling two runners-up going back to 1994 so Team Hannon have to be very much respected. Peter Chapple-Hyam has won this race on three occasions and also respect also note William Haggas who has saddled two winners. Mark Johnston’s Eye Of Heaven was a disappointing favourite last season so couldn’t add to the stable’s sole success in 2003 with Russian Valour, though they have supplied three runners-up. This 5f Group 3 contest is very much for precocious types and, as such, very few winners have made a serious impact the following season. Of winners since 1997, just six had previously been tried at further than 5f but, interestingly, that does include three of the last six winners, two of which were trained by Aidan O’Brien. The recent Roll of Honour of winning sires is packed with sprinters so it is no surprise that 22 of the last 25 winners were by stallions with a Sire Index of no bigger than 8.3f with eight of those being the produce of stallions with a Sire Index of less than 7f as there aren't too many of them. Just four winners since 1991 had tasted defeat on their previous start and 17 of the last 27 winners were unbeaten (nine of which won their only start). All seven winners since 1997 that had run more than twice were beaten first time out. Positives: The favourite or second-favourite, by a stallion with a Sire Index of less than 7f, undefeated, to have run over 5f in all starts (except if trained by Aidan O’Brien), trained by Richard Hannon, Aidan O’Brien, Mark Johnston, Peter Chapple-Hyam or William Haggas, finished first or second at Windsor earlier in the season. Negatives: Beaten last time out, by a stallion with Sire Index of more than 8f.