There's always some exciting racing at this event and today's opening day program is no exception.

Firstly we have the Acomb Stakes G3 over 1400m for the 2yos.  The surface is rated Good to Firm so it should suit all the races.  The Acomb market is headed by Godolphin's Night of Thunder colt Distant Storm who won on debut and is on 6/4 for this which could be on the skinny side considering this is only his second start.  Coolmore's Italy is a Wooton Bassett who has had a bit more experience and is on 13/8 for O'Brien-Moore.  Our roughie here is May Angel on 16/1 for the Gosdens and Oisin Murphy.  He's by Daark Angel and as John Gosden says "is on an upwards curve" so he could insert a bit of value in the multiples.

Then the Great Voltigeur is always a great race for the 3yo c&gs with 7 to run the 2000m trip and four of them to be saddled by Aidan O'Brien, whose Lambourn heads the call on 10/11.  He's a double Derby winner, he's by Australia and he will be ridden by Ryan Moore as he goes for a fourth successive win.  Carmers is another going for a fourth consecutive win – he's by Wooton Bassett and unbeaten to date.  9/2 for Twomey-Keane.  And our roughie here is Arabian Force on 17/2 with Haggas training and Marquand riding this son of Lope de Vega.

The Juddmonte comes up on all counts as one of the most important races of the year and we are going out on a limb here by having Daryz as our top pick.  From the late Aga Khan's estate Graffard trains and Barzelona rides he is unbeaten in his four runs to date and what we have liked is how he has improved and mentally improved with each run.

Japan has sent Danon Decile, winner of the Japan Derby and second in the Dubai Sheema he is a very talented horse and will be ridden by one of Japan's top jockeys in Keita Tosaki,  He's on 11/2 here and probably odds-on in Japan.  O'Brien's Delacroix made a huge return to form at his last outing to win the Eclipse so is now 15/8 for this with O'Brien-Moore in charge.  Ombudsman is current favourite in the UK on 7/4 for Gosdens and Will Buick riding.  He's an excellent horse but will need to be on his top form in this fascinating edition of the race.A