The most valuable contest on the first day of Newmarket's Debenhams July Festival is the Group Two Princess of Wales's Stakes over a mile and a half, and the race has been one by some great horses over the years such as Height Of Fashion, Carroll House, Shantou, Millenary, Lucarno, Cavalryman, Big Orange and Hawkbill.
Historically one of the most prestigious all-age races on the Flat calendar, three-year-olds used to hold a very good record, but nowadays a win for the Classic generation is very rare; Soapy Danger in 2006 is the only three-year-old to triumph this century.
Here are my thoughts on each runner declared for the £125,000 contest. Despite the small field, it looks hugely competitive on paper, and an expensive one, with the four runners' (take out the homebred Wimbledon Hawkeye) total sale receipts totalling around £6 million.
Arrest chases home winner Giavellotto in last year's Princess of Wales's Stakes.
1 ARABIAN CROWN
Best odds: 6-1. Rating: 110.
In an effort to rekindle some of his early promise, connections have decided to castrate this four-year-old since his last run, where he finished sixth of the seven runners in the Gordon Richards Stakes behind Al Aasy at Sandown.
He had previously looked hugely exciting when bringing his juvenile campaign to a close with a five and a half-length win in the Zetland Stakes, and then starting his three-year-old campaign where he left off, with a three and a quarter-length victory in Sandown's Classic Trial, which remains his last win.
His only run over a mile and a half came at Meydan in March, where he finished fourth of seven in the Dubai City Of Gold having never been in contention.
2 EL CORDOBES
Best odds: 6-1. Rating: 108.
Despite being officially rated 2lb inferior to stablemate Arabian Crown, he is the choice of William Buick. To confuse matters slightly, he is still set to carry the white cap and not the blue.
He put in a storming run at Newmarket's Guineas Festival when making most to beat French Master, who was in receipt of 5lb and has since won twice, including easily at Royal Ascot.
El Cordobes then finished third in the Aston Park Stakes over the same trip, where he again led the field before weakening inside the final furlong. He then took a slight backwards step last time out, where he again finished third, but was well beaten, in Listed company at York over 1m6f.
A return to this trip looks a positive move and he should have no issues with the ground.
3 GHOSTWRITER
Best odds: 2-1. Rating: 118.
The highest-rated runner in the race, he was knocked down for a staggering £2 million at the Goffs London Sale to Amo Racing and finished third in the Hardwicke Stakes for hs new owner five days later.
That was his first run over further than a mile and a quarter and whilst the run was solid and it is hard to say he didn't stay, it was not a career best either.
Having won just three times, his strike rate is not the most encouraging, but his form from last year is very solid. He finished fourth in the 2000 Guineas, fourth in the French Derby, third in the Coral-Eclipse, third in the Juddmonte International and then fifth in the Irish Champion Stakes, beaten just two lengths by winner Economics.
He added to his string of creditable top-level efforts when fourth in the Dubai Turf in April, before a slightly below-par sixth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then last month's effort in Berkshire.
Sets a high standard.
4 PALLADIUM
Best odds: 11-4. Rating: 114.
Another expensive purchase. The son of Gleneagles won the German Derby last year before later being bought for €1.4m at Arqaba to go into training with Nicky Henderson as an entire.
He won his only hurdle race at Huntingdon in January before then joining John and Thady Gosden. So far, he has finished third in the Tapster Stakes and fourth in the Hardwicke Stakes, both over this trip. He has a length to find with Ghostwriter from Royal Ascot, which was on by far the quickest ground he had encountered.
He did get noticeably worked up before his run last time, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the preliminaries. He is clearly a strong stayer over this trip and has Ryan Moore back aboard again.
5 WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE
Best odds: 4-1. Rating: 109.
With the ladies' singles semi-finals getting underway at SW19 on Thursday afternoon, this is likely to prove a popular bet with many racegoers on what is Ladies Day in Newmarket.
History is stacked against the son of Kameko, as he bids to become the first three-year-old to triumph in 19 years. He does get 12lb from his four older rivals however, and his fourth-placed effort in the Kind Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot could prove to be decent form.
He gave The Lion In Winter a race in the Acomb last year too before winning the Royal Lodge, but this will need a career best effort and he may be vulnerable to stronger stayers.
VERDICT
These small field middle-distance races can often turn tactical, but I can't get away from the claims of GHOSTWRITER here. He is likely to be positioned prominently which may turn into an advantage, and we know he has a smart turn of foot and the best form in this race.
I would also not rule out a big run from El Cordobes back down to a more suitable trip at one of the bigger prices on offer under William Buick, whilst the solid Palladium may round out the first three, but could be vulnerable to speedier types.
1 Ghostwriter. 2 El Cordobes. 3 Palladium.