Royal Ascot 2017 – Churchill and Ribchester the star names on day one of Royal Ascot
Aidan O'Brien's three-year-old is the hot favourite to add another Group 1 to his CV and his closest challenger looks set to be Barney Roy who finished behind him in the 2,000 Guineas
CHURCHILL will face a maximum of 10 rivals in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next Tuesday.
Aidan O'Brien's dual 2,000 Guineas winner is the hot favourite to claim another Group 1 contest.
O'Brien has also left in Orderofthegarter, Lancaster Bomber, Peace Envoy and Whitecliffsofdover.
The Richard Hannon-trained Barney Roy, second to Churchill at Newmarket, looks his closest challenger.
Thunder Snow is due to represent Saeed bin Suroor, while William Haggas has given Rivet the option.
Richard Fahey's Forest Ranger, Michael Dods' Kings Gift and Simon Dow's Mr Scaramanga complete the list.
Also on Tuesday, Ribchester heads 16 confirmations for the Queen Anne Stakes.
He is one of two possible runners in the race for Richard Fahey alongside likely pacemaker Toscanini.
Heading the home opposition is the David Simcock-trained Lightning Spear, who finished second to Ribchester in the Lockinge, and Mutakayyef from the yard of Haggas.
O'Brien, bidding for a fourth win in the race, has Cougar Mountain and Deauville, who along with the Robert Cowell-trained Dutch Uncle was supplemented for the race.
Miss Temple City, from the yard of Graham Motion, and the Todd Pletcher-trained American Patriot could attempt to win the prize for America for the second year running following the victory of Tepin 12 months ago.
Kaspersky, the mount of Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne, will fly the flag for Jane Chapple-Hyam, while Richard Hannon could be double- handed with Oh This Is Us and Kool Kompany.
The confirmations are completed by Dutch Connection, Jallota, Ennaadd and Spectre.