FINDING a local angle to highlight is not always easy in amongst the world-class fields at Royal Ascot, but in the guise of Takamaka Bay (4.20) and Double Honour (4.55), potential big-race success for our region beckons.

Orthodoxy has never been particularly near the head of the agenda for Mark Johnston, who has targeted Takamaka Bay at the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes a mere 48 hours after winning with the fast-improving four-year-old at Leicester on Sunday.

It's an unusual preparation to say the least for one of the hottest mile-and-a-half handicaps run on the entire racing calendar, nevertheless I've a feeling the Middleham-based representative may ultimately prove to be a Group class performer.

He beat nothing of any substance over a mile-and-a-quarter at Leicester, however, by the same token neither did the son of Unfuwain since he was eased right down in the closing stages, crossing the line virtually in a hack canter.

Johnston said after the race: "We don't really regard him as a ten furlong horse, a mile-and-a-half is going to be his trip and he could run under his penalty at Ascot on Tuesday."

Double Honour's case in the Queen's Vase is arguably even more compelling because the all USA-bred three-year-old colt has progressed hand-over-fist in recent weeks.

Apart from the usual strength-in-depth of the opposition, the only other question mark the selection has to answer is his ability to stay two miles.

The record book shows that both of Double Honour's victories this term have been achieved at a distance of 12 furlongs, consequently his reserves of stamina must be taken on trust. That said, it has always looked as if a step up in trip would suit the powerfully-built grey.

Incidentally if you are thinking of backing either of the pair, Johnston also fields Akbar (4.20), plus And Beyond (4.55), against the two I have plumped for, neither of whom are by any means slow coaches and small saving bets are therefore advised.

The star-studded fixture opens up with the Group 2 Queen Anne Stakes crammed with top-notch milers, even so I have no hesitation in recommending Shibboleth (2.30) as the likely winner.

He's an outstandingly well-bred individual who has tasted defeat only once in his career to date, and that when a narrowly beaten fourth in last year's St James Palace Stakes.

Triumph for Shibboleth would be a fitting lift for his Newmarket handler Henry Cecil, the ten-times former champion trainer, who for the first time in several seasons had neither a runner in the Derby nor the Oaks.

The centrepiece of the card is the £250,000 St James's Palace Stakes, a contest jam-packed with proven Group 1 performers set to slug it out in the sort of showdown reserved for the very best of British racing. Raiders from Ireland and France take on the best of the home team headed by Tamburlaine.

Richard Hannon's runner, second in the 2,000 Guineas to Golan, has the right credentials to finish in the frame, although I can't envisage him reversing the defeat inflicted by Black Minnaloushe (3.45) in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Thirsk stage the only other meeting of the day where Patricia Philomenia (2.50) is fancied to play a leading role in division 1 of the Elly And Phil Breakfast Maiden Stakes.