UDODODONTU, trained at Wetherby by Richard Guest and the mount of Malton jockey Jason Hart, is likely to give the course commentator a tongue-twisting time at Royal Ascot this afternoon.

The three-year-old with the unusual name is one of 30 runners in the Britannia Handicap and, in a wide-open race, is fancied to give big-priced backers a good run for their money with a first-four finish.

Guest has his team in fine form. His latest winner came at Thirsk on Tuesday when Pumaflor came from last to first to win over seven furlongs.

The trainer revealed that Udododontu had given Pumaflor a hefty amount of weight and a hands-down beating in a recent workout, leaving him to believe that a bold show is on the cards this afternoon.

Winner of two of his three races this season, most recently at York last month, Udododontu is a fascinating runner. Ideally, a higher draw might have served him better, but there are plenty of positives and, in a race which will replicate a cavalry charge, he is expected to go well.

Ryedale trainer Peter Niven was forced to take Clever Coookie, a facile winner at York last month, out of today's showpiece, the £375,000 Ascot Gold Cup, because of unsuitable ground.

The quick surface should not hold any terrors, however, for Luca CUMANI'S MIZZOU, winner of the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes on this course on his reappearance and the winner of four of his six races on turf. William Buick takes the mount on the nap selection.

The opening Norfolk Stakes promises to prove successful for Richard Hannon, who has not only one but two of the leading contenders.

Log Out Island was hugely impressive on his one and only start at Ascot, but preference is for the more exposed KING OF ROOKS, who got off the mark at his second attempt at Newbury and has since won the National Stakes at Sandown.

In second place that day, beaten five lengths, was BURATINO, who has since won at Epsom on Derby Day and who earlier this week landed the Coventry Stakes in decisive fashion. King Of Rooks will be very hard to beat if that level of form can be believed.

TIME TEST is expected to go well in the Tercentenary Stakes.

Roger Charlton's colt won well at Newbury on his reappearance and is open to further improvement. He looks good enough to cope with this step up to Group 3 level.

A bold show from Time Test would augur well for the chances of Dissolution in the King George V Handicap.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt finished second to Time Test at Newbury, having previously scored at Newmarket. He can provide Ryan Moore with yet another winner at a meeting he is dominating from the jockeys' room.

The Ribblesdale Stakes brings together a host of smart fillies, perhaps none smarter than Irish raider PLEASCACH, trained by Jim Bolger and the winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month.

North Yorkshire racegoers are catered for by a meeting at Ripon, where the Beaumont Robinson Ladies' Derby is one of the feature events.

Laura Wilson, who won the Queen Mother's Cup at York last Saturday, rides Red Inca in this mile-and-a-half contest, but preference is for MERCHANT OF MEDICI, who has been on a high in recent weeks.

Trained by the in-form Micky Hammond, the gelding has won his last three races, all at Haydock Park. Significantly, his latest victory came in an apprentices' race last Friday and, as a result, Merchant Of Medici has escaped a penalty for this race. He will be well ridden by the accomplished Becky Smith, who has won on him before.

Richard Fahey's FISHERGATE (2.10), runner-up in both his races over five furlongs, should appreciate the step up to six furlongs in the opener, while his stablemate VENTURA QUEST (3.55) has useful claims in the richest race on the card after his recent course win.

Royal Ascot

2.30 King Of Rooks, 3.05 Time Test, 3.40 Pleascach, 4.20 Mizzou (NAP), 5.00 Udododontu, 5.35 Dissolution

Ripon

2.10 Fishergate, 2.45 Inxile, 3.20 Multellie, 3.55 Ventura Quest, 4.35 Merchant Of Medici, 5.10 Margrets Gift, 5.45 Icy Blue