Ryan thinks Whistlejacket is up to the challenge. Here's the rundown on his rides.
Ascot | Race 1: G3 Albany Stakes
SIGNORA is a nice Frankel filly who finished third on debut in a Group 3 at Naas.
That was a hot enough race for her first career start, and she showed up pretty well. She ran on nicely that day and will have learnt a fair bit so will hopefully take a nice step forward.
Her dam, Heartache, was a very good two-year-old who won the Queen Mary at this meeting, so that's a good sign.
Ascot | Race 2: G1 Commonwealth Cup
WHISTLEJACKET is a rock-solid Group 1-winning sprinter who fully deserves to be lining up in this.
Nothing went right for him last time out in the Lacken Stakes and I think Ascot will suit him better. The drying ground might not be completely to his liking, but he's got the talent to get involved.
Shadow Of Light is probably going to be a short-price favourite and I think he'll be hard to beat. Babouche should be in the mix too, but Shadow Of Light looks the one to beat.
Ascot | Race 3: Duke of Edinburgh Stakes
I'm back on ETHICAL DIAMOND here having finished fourth in this race last year.
He was a bit keen that day and the form of the race has worked out very well, so he's worth another shot in here.
He's only got a couple of pounds more to shoulder here compared to last year and should run well again.
Ascot | Race 4: G1 Coronation Stakes
Lake Victoria would have been one of my best chances of the week in this, but she's not going to run, so lots of yards are throwing their hats into the ring.
Aidan [O'Brien] runs two in here and I'm on JANUARY. She was second in the Fillies' Mile last year and is an interesting filly for the season ahead.
She needed the run on her reappearance in the Irish Guineas, where it would have been impossible to get into the race from off the pace, and I can see her taking a big step forward. She's been working nicely at home and should run well.
Exactly was a bit unfortunate in the French Guineas. Getting carried left at a crucial stage did her no favours and she's better than the bare result.
Jane Chapple-Hyam's Kon Tiki has been supplemented, so clearly connections fancy their chances too.
Ascot | Race 5: Sandringham Stakes
SWEET CHARIOT is a nice Wootton Basset filly out of Clemmie.
She ran a good second on her reappearance at the Curragh but was then well-beat on her first start in Group company Leopardstown. Back in a handicap, she's interesting, but it's hard to be too confident. It's a wide-open renewal.
Ascot | Race 6: G2 King Edward VII Stakes
I'm riding the Lingfield Derby Trial winner here, PUPPET MASTER.
He had the option of running in the Derby at Epsom, but he's been prepared for this instead. He's straightforward, gets the trip well and goes on quick ground. He'll be there with every chance.
I like the look of Johnny Murtagh's horse, Zahrann, who won the Listed King George V Cup at Leopardstown last time out.
Ascot | Race 7: Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes
No ride for me in what looks like a wide-open handicap to finish the day off.
William Haggas' Realign looks an obvious improver, but there'll be a number of yards hoping they've got something capable of their current mark here.
