DELSARTE is fancied to maintain his unbeaten record by storming to victory in this afternoon's Group 2 King Edward V11 Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Mark Johnston has already marked our card by exclusively revealing that "nothing can beat him" on the home gallops. Such bold statements simply cannot be ignored and considering there are a whole host of top-class middle-distance performers housed within the walls of his all-conquering stable then Delsarte (3.05) must be something special.

Racecourse evidence, albeit very limited to date, also suggests the colt is way above average because last time out at Newmarket on only his second lifetime start, Delsarte dotted up at Newmarket by five lengths in a Listed mile-and-a-quarter contest.

As far as the opposition goes Johnston's star has to overcome the serious threat posed by Big Bad Bob, whose relatively narrow defeat at the hands of Kris Kin in the Dee Stakes at Chester has the look of top-class form in the light of subsequent events in the Derby.

The mouth-watering clash between Big Bad Bob and Delsarte may well turn out to be one of the highlights of the five-day festival and my money is on the latter just edging the spoils in what will hopefully be a titantic duel throughout the final couple of furlongs.

The following Group 1 Coronation Stakes should by all accounts be dominated by the 1,000 Guineas heroine Russian Rhythm (3.45), a most imposing filly trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

Kieren Fallon's mount absolutely destroyed the opposition in the fillies' Classic at Newmarket and is reported to be in "excellent shape" for today's £250,000 one-mile event.

Mick Channon's Master Robbie (5.30) has been a revelation since being stepped up to seven furlongs, twice picking up valuable races in recent weeks by virtue of his superior turn foot.

Form buffs will point to the fact that it was an above average Warwick handicap Master Robbie picked up earlier this week and despite having to shoulder a 5lb penalty in the Buckingham Palace Stakes he still appears to be a solid each-way bet.

Channon might also be in the money at Redcar where he sends Zap Attack (3.55) to participate in the Vinci Services Handicap.

Three duck eggs in a row was reflected in Zap Attack's starting price at Newbury nine days ago when going off at totally unfancied odds of 25-1, although in the event the selection ran a perfectly respectable race finishing third in quite a competitive 0-75 handicap.

Crucially on that occasion the back-to-form three-year-old proved his ability to handle the prevailing fast ground and with only five rivals to take on must be in with a major shout.

l Russian Valour (4-1) and Mr Dinos (3-1) completed a magnificent 14-1 winning nap and next best double for Janus (Colin Woods) at Royal Ascot yesterday.

And to cap off a memorable and profitable day, Fantastic Love obliged at 10-1 in the King George V Stakes.