Mike Cattermole sets the scene on day two of Royal Ascot 2020 with Hollie Doyle a rider to watch

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Japan, a runaway winner of the King Edward VII Stakes 12 months ago, is back to bid for more Royal Ascot glory for Team Ballydoyle in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, which tops the bill on day two.

In the meantime, Japan has developed into a top-class colt and, win or lose this time, a lucrative stud career surely awaits him.

Yet there is one horse lining up against him who would be bridging not one, but a three-year gap in wins at the Royal meeting - and who might suggest to his rival that nothing is certain in the racing and breeding world.

Yes, Barney Roy, winner of the St James’s Palace Stakes in 2017, is now six and still racing on, when in an ideal scenario, he would by now have covered hundreds of well-bred mares at stud.

Through no fault of his own, those plans had to be shelved forever when he was found to be infertile and it is to his credit that, subsequently gelded, Barney has come back and is still able to show very smart form. On his most recent start, he even managed to win yet another Group One, the Jebel Hatta, at Meydan in March.

Indeed, there might be a tear or two shed from some members of the Godolphin team were Barney to pull this one off.

Speaking of feeling emotional, riding a Royal winner for The Queen at Royal Ascot must be a dream of any jockey. With Ryan Moore being claimed for Aidan O’Brien’s Russian Emperor in the Hampton Court Stakes, it leaves the way open for Frankie Dettori to take his place and don the Royal silks on First Receiver.

That’s a proper dream team - and it has history.

A full quarter of a century ago, Frankie brought home Phantom Gold in the scarlet, purple and gold braid to win the Ribblesdale Stakes in 1995 for Lord Huntingdon. A 24th Royal winner for The Queen, even behind closed doors, would be something worth celebrating.

As would another win from one of the female jockeys. Last year, Hayley Turner became only the second female to win a race at Royal Ascot on Thanks Be in the Sandringham, 32 years after Gay Kelleway had smashed through the glass ceiling on Sprowston Boy.

Let’s hope, please, that it’s not another 32 years for the next, so best of luck to both Nicola Currie and Hollie Doyle who both have decent opportunities on the card.

Nicola teams up once again with course specialist Raising Sand in the Royal Hunt Cup. Off a mark of 108, it will not be easy for this talented hold-up performer who was third a year ago, but connections will have been buoyed by the rains arriving earlier this week.

Hollie, meanwhile, has been in irresistible form, a tour de force. She renews her partnership with Mighty Gurkha in the Windsor Castle Stakes. The pair flew home at Lingfield, so far clear that daylight was second.

But first, keep a close eye on her on board Win O’Clock in the King George V Handicap. That may also be the time to catch her.

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