By Simon Mapletoft Our ambassador Hollie Doyle gives her verdict on all seven races on Day 1 at Royal Ascot. Tom can get off to a dream start in Queen Anne Though it’s frustrating that a broken leg has ruled me out of the greatest week of Flat racing anywhere in the world, I’ll be keeping close to the action in the hope that my husband Tom Marquand and my boss Archie Watson both claim a share of the glory. Tom rides William Haggas’s progressive five-year-old MORE THUNDER in a mouthwatering curtain raiser, the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (2.30). He’s always thought such a lot of this colt who has been on a progressive curve for the last two years. The way he finished off his race from a long way back in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on his return to the track was eye-catching and he’s sure to have sharpened up for the run. He was a close second in last year’s Wokingham before going on to win the Hungerford Stakes so the stiff nature of the track will definitely be in his favour. Notable Speech, who finished in front of him at Newbury, had the advantage of match fitness that day but hasn’t got the best record at Ascot, which I think is a bit too demanding for him. I’m more fearful of last year’s winner Docklands who ran his best race since when third in the Group 1 Champions Mile in Hong Kong in April, and Karl Burke’s Zeus Olympios, who is a Group 1 winner in the making. Watch out for Siouxperb in Coventry I’ve made no secret of my admiration for Archie’s SIOUXPERB since winning on him in such style at Yarmouth and he can ruffle a few feathers in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes (3.05) – a race Archie has a fine record in, winning with Bradsell in 2022 and going close with Army Ethos and Electrolyte. Siouxperb emerged as the stable’s flagbearer following his dominant display on his only start so far, beating George Scott’s O’Gorman who has gone on to win twice since. His homework has been pleasing going into this and his draw in stall six should be fine. Aidan O’Brien’s favourite Confucius looks extremely progressive and is the one they all have to beat on the evidence of his Curragh win, which has worked out well, but I’m hoping Eve Johnson Houghton’s Night In Vegas and Richard Hannon’s Cut A Dash can enhance their reputations behind Siouxperb. Aussie Raider to take King Charles Honours Aussie raider OVERPASS is the most intriguing runner in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (3.40) and can take the honours for trainer Bjorn Baker. He hasn’t won for a while but has kept his form well in top races down under and has that lethal mix of speed and stamina. Lasty year’s winner American Affair should be cherry ripe after his second in the Temple Stakes to Night Raider, who takes him on again. A stronger pace looks assured here and he can find more improvement on this stiffer track. I also respect Australian mare Asfoora, who has been disappointing on face value but looked in need of the run at Newmarket and found the soft ground against her at Haydock. If she can show the sparkle that won her this two years ago she’ll give them all a scare.   Bow Echo stamps his class The re-match between Guineas one-two BOW ECHO and Gstaad in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes (4.20) is the highlight of the opening day but I can’t look past George Boughey’s Classic winner, who can confirm the form with Aidan O’Brien’s star. Bow Echo was very impressive in the way he went through the gears for young Billy Loughnane at Newmarket and has everything in his favour for a follow-up with the round mile certain to suit his speedy attributes. Godolphin’s Talk Of New York is on an upward trajectory after winning the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown – a nice trial for a race like this. He looks capable of better still but needs to take a big step forward to trouble the two Classic winners.  Hoping for a Royal winner I’d love to see REACHING HIGH win the Ascot Stakes (5.00) for HM The King & HM The Queen. What a story it will be if the son of the late Queen’s Gold Cup heroine Estimate could give us a Royal winner on the first day. He was undeniably unlucky when sent off favourite in this last year. Ryan Moore was trapped behind a wall of horses but will be keen to set the record straight on a lightly raced gelding that Willie Mullins has laid out for this race. His dangers include last season’s Cesarewitch winner Beylerbeyi – another big chance for Billy Loughnane - who hasn’t done a lot wrong since on the All-Weather and will appreciate this extreme test of stamina after struggling to make an impact over 10f at Epsom last time. Varian runner looks value in Wolferton  Last year’s winner Haatem is an absolute gentleman who excels around Ascot but might find one too good in the Listed Wolferton Stakes (5.35) in the shape of Roger Varian’s ENFJAAR. Fourth in this last year, the 2024 John Smith’s Cup winner made a great seasonal debut in similar grade at Goodwood and looks a value option in such an open renewal. Another likely to go off at a big price is Jamie Insole and Dr Richard Newland’s Dividend, who was fourth in last season’s Britannia for me and has acquitted himself well in Dubai this year. His second in the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes is excellent form and I think he’ll enjoy this first try at 10f. Daiquiri has strong chance in Copper Horse  Wathnan Racing’s Valiancy is a stayer going places after powering home in a good race at Hamilton last time and will unsurprisingly be all the rage in a good renewal of the Copper Horse Stakes (6.10). However, I’m taking him on with Alan King’s DAIQUIRI BAY who came back from a gelding operation to beat my old boss Imad Alsagar’s Gamrai at Newmarket – a race that could be the key to the outcome of this 1m6f handicap. Alan has such a good record in handicaps at Ascot and this son of New Bay gives the impression he has so much more to offer, even though he hasn’t got the best of draws out in stall 12.