All eyes will be on Masar in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) June 22, the final day of Royal Ascot, as last year's Investec Derby (G1) winner makes a much-anticipated first public appearance for more than a year.
The son of New Approach gave Charlie Appleby a landmark first British classic win last June but has been absent since sustaining a leg injury in the buildup to the Coral Eclipse (G1) a few weeks later.
After a long road back, which took in a winter spell of recuperation in Dubai, Masar has defied the doubters who said we had seen the last of him, and he is ready to resume his career.
Originally, connections had hoped to start the 4-year-old in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes (G1) June 19, but that was thought too hot a contest for the chestnut first time out.
"I'm delighted to be getting Masar back on the track, and his preparation has gone very well," Appleby said. "It is exciting to have the Derby winner back, but it goes without saying that he hasn't raced for more than a year and will come on for the run, mentally more than anything."
Ahead of his comeback, Masar enjoyed a gallop on the Newmarket July course a fortnight ago where he covered seven furlongs with stablemate Secret Advisor.
"I can't fault the way his preparation has gone," Appleby added. "He has ticked every box going into this race and looks great. We had the option of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes this week, but I think we made the right call, with the caliber of that race and testing ground on Wednesday."
Can Stoute Dance to the Dozen?
Sir Michael Stoute is chasing a remarkable 12th victory in the Hardwicke and is represented by the Khalid Abdullah-owned Mirage Dancer. The owner-trainer partnership have twice combined to win this with Sea Moon (2012) and Snow Sky (2015).
A son of Frankel, Mirage Dancer is from the traditional Stoute mold of improving older horses, and the 5-year-old enjoyed a comeback win in listed company at Goodwood last month.
He has improved from that in his work at home and is making his third appearance at the royal meeting, having twice found a mile and two furlongs inadequate.
"Mirage Dancer is in good shape going into the race," Stoute said. "He's come out of Goodwood in fine shape, and this trip and track should suit him."
Will Coronation Cup Hero Defoe Strike Again?
The acclaimed Park Top in 1969 was the last winner of the Coronation Cup (G1) to follow up in this, but Defoe could well break the sequence after his impressive return to winning ways at Epsom.
The task for Roger Varian's gray has been made easier as there are no group 1 or group 2 penalties applied for this race.
After returning with a solid effort in the Roaring Lion Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Newmarket in May, Defoe got the breaks to go one better at the expense of Kew Gardens at Epsom, where he had four of these rivals behind him.
Salouen (third), Communique (fourth), Lah Ti Dar (sixth), and Morando (eighth) all reoppose.
"This looks the right route to take with Defoe after his win in the Coronation Cup, where it was nice to see him get his head in front," Varian said. "The mile and a half around Ascot should suit him well."
Lah Ti Dar Chases History for Gosden
You have to go back to 1983 to find the last filly to win this—the mighty Irish mare Stanerra—but Lah Ti Dar is out to put the females back on the map.
Owner Lord Lloyd-Webber suffered the disappointment of seeing Too Darn Hot turned over on the opening day of Royal Ascot but will be hoping his older sister can restore some family pride.
The daughter of Dubawi made a winning return when handling a drop back to this distance in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Stakes (G2) at York but failed to act on the track when only sixth behind Defoe in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time.
"Lah Ti Dar is quite a tall filly and didn't enjoy Epsom much, but this track will be better for her and she'll much enjoy the long rise out of Swinley Bottom," Gosden said.