Although the Aidan O’Brien stable is yet to get on the scoreboard at this week’s Royal Ascot meeting, Magician, Verrazano and Giovanni Boldini, amongst others, have provided enough evidence to suggest Ballydoyle’s raiding party is in pretty good shape.

Leading Light, winner of the Queen’s Vase 12 months ago, heads the ante-post market for next Thursday’s Ascot Gold Cup after the latest declaration stage yesterday.

Moonlight Cloud produced arguably the performance of the day as she came from last to first to land the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.

Retirement from football has allowed Michael Owen more time to concentrate on racing interests and his beloved Brown Panther offered up his greatest success as an owner to date in the Artemis Goodwood Cup yesterday.

Rite Of Passage will bid to regain his crown when he lines-up for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday.