"Royal Ascot Crowds" by Steve Harris (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Royal Ascot horse racing meeting is one of the biggest and best horse racing festivals in the world. Every single year, fans, horses, trainers and jockeys from all over the world descend on Royal Ascot to see the very best in the world take each other on over a variety of different distances. The international feel to this meeting is what makes it stand above the rest, and this year looks to be no different with challengers heading to Ascot from Europe, America and many other parts of the world.

However, the home contingent is always strong at Ascot, and they are determined to defend and win prizes of their own. Alongside the British runners, those from Ireland and, in particular, those from the Aidan O’Brien yard do very well at the meeting. He is likely to head over with a very strong Royal Ascot team, including many short-priced favourites that will make or break the meeting for him.

"Ascot Racecourse" by Nigel Cox (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Two horses at opposite ends of their careers are the two big names to look out for at Royal Ascot from the Aidan O’Brien yard. The first is a two-year-old just starting his career and that is Sergei Prokofiev, who is currently favourite for the Coventry Stakes. We first saw his quality in April when he bolted up at Navan, creating a very big impression on those who saw him. The O’Brien team know a good horse when they see one, and they are very excited about him, so the signs are he is going to be something special.

The latest horse racing betting has him 9/4 favourite for the Coventry Stakes, a race that has traditionally thrown up a good winner in the past. If the vibes are right about this horse, he could be the one to watch out for at Royal Ascot and could have a very bright future ahead of him.

The other Aidan O’Brien star at the head of the betting is Order Of St George, a horse who is an older staying superstar and he will aim to win the Ascot Gold Cup. He is a class above many of his rivals and was just touched off in this race last season, although in his favour is the fact that his defeat that day came against Big Orange, a horse who unfortunately we won’t see this season. Big Orange was fantastic last season, and deserved his victory, but it is unlikely there is anything in the field this season capable of putting up a performance like he can.

There will be many different horses heading to Royal Ascot from all over the world; however, two of the most exciting challengers are making the relatively short trip from Ireland. Both Sergei Prokofiev and Order Of St George are favourites to win their races right now, and both look to have great chances. One is just beginning his career, while the other will be calling it a day soon, but both remain hugely exciting animals that you can see at Royal Ascot 2018.