The racing world may have eyes for only one horse – Frankel – when the gates of Royal Ascot open tomorrow for five spectacular days of top-quality action, but there will be no lack of interest in North Yorkshire in two others.

Foxtrot Romeo, who bids to prove that his runner-up in the Irish 2,000 Guineas was no fluke and Gabrial, who steps up to Group 1 company for the first time after owner Dr Marwan Koukash had stumped up a whopping £25,000 supplementary entry fee.

The St James’s Palace Stakes is the glowing target for the pair.

Foxtrot Romeo, trained by Bryan Smart, locks horns once again with Power, the Aidan O’Brien colt, who beat him in Ireland last month, while Gabrial, trained by Richard Fahey and a hugely impressive winner of a valuable handicap at Haydock on his latest start when he came from last to first to win, takes a massive hike up in class.

Koukash and Fahey have decided to let Gabrial have a crack at some of the best three-year-olds around and he will line up under Jamie Spencer against a 16-strong field.

It promises to be a fascinating race and a very competitive one, given the £250,000 prize money up for grabs.

Good runs are expected from the North Yorkshire duo, but it might well prove that Power will win again. Also make note of Kieren Fallon’s highly-regarded mount Most Improved, who lost both his front shoes when suffering interference in the French Derby.

Frankel promises to kick off Royal Ascot in the best possible way. Sir Henry Cecil’s colt, the highest-rated horse in the world, has yet to taste defeat.

The Queen Anne Stakes looks his for the taking, which is reflected in his current odds – about 1-5.

Smart has high hopes that Tangerine Trees will go well in the King’s Stand Stakes, also the target of Tim Easterby’s high-class Hamish McGonagall and Ponty Acclaim, as well as Kevin Ryan’s Masamah and Bapak Chinta, but the vote goes to Bated Breath, who looked in imperious form when winning at Haydock on his comeback.

Jim Bolger’s triple-winner Dawn Approach looks sure to go well in the Coventry Stakes, while Cosmic Chatter, another from North Yorkshire, is not to be overlooked in the closing Windsor Castle Stakes.

David Barron’s juvenile made a winning debut at Haydock and looks potentially smart. He is expected to go well under Graham Gibbons.

At Thirsk, a bumper eight-race card kicks off with a good opportunity for nap selection Body And Soul to further her reputation in the British Stalliion Studs Supporting British Racing Novice Stakes.

Tim Easterby’s filly looked good when winning at Ripon three weeks ago and is fancied to follow up under Duran Fentiman.

Honeymead (3.25) has been running well without getting her head in front, is also worth noting, as is Horatio Carter (4.40).

The latter, trained by David O'Meara, was only caught in the dying strides of Saturday’s charity race at York.

Racing selections

Royal Ascot

2.30 Frankel, 3.05 Bated Breath, 3.45 Power, 4.25 Dawn Approach, 5.00 Dark Ranger, 5.35 Cosmic Chatter.

Thirsk

2.15 Body And Soul (NAP), 2.50 Peep N Creep, 3.25 Honeymead, 4.00 Herostatus, 4.40 Horatio Carter, 5.15 Spinatrix, 5.45 Mr Mo Jo, 6.15 Steel Stockholder.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Brighton and Newton Abbot.

Today’s meetings

Carlisle, Warwick, Windsor and Wolverhampton.

• Today’s nap is Avec Rose (6.55 Warwick).