York basks in history's spotlight

By Cornelius Lysaght BBC racing correspondent

When they come to write the history of racing in the 21st century, the events of this week will feature largely.

The fact that the Royal meeting, which has taken place since the early part of the 18th century, is actually moving to York, is an historical event.

Since the story that Royal Ascot would move in 2005 broke a couple of years ago, there has been a sense of unreality about it.

TUESDAY'S TIPS 1430 Marcus Andronicus 1505 Cape of Good Hope 1545 Dubawi(Non-runner) 1620 Rakti 1655 Swift Sailor 1730 Championship Point

But in the last few days, it has become a real sense that a moment of history is being made - both for the racing industry and for the Yorkshire area.

A lot of southerners will have been very sceptical about the interest in the event in Yorkshire.

But I was in Leeds - which is 25 or 30 miles from York - on Monday morning and in three different shops people were talking about Royal Ascot at York.

I think those people who have been a bit snooty about it moving to York are really going to miss out.

So it's an historic first day that we are looking forward to.

Everyone always talks about the St James's Palace Stakes being the big race of the first day and year-in, year-out, it is one of the great one-mile races.

But this year's Queen Anne Stakes really is one to savour, including the likes of Rakti, Starcraft and the French-trained Valixir.

Tuesday's big races: Full list of runners

The question is which Rakti will turn up - the coiled spring that releases itself smoothly and wins in great style as he did in the Lockinge at Newbury earlier this season - or the coiled spring that flies out of control like Zebedee as he did in the 2004 Eclipse.

The concern is that it is not a straight mile at York so Rakti, who won at Royal Ascot last year, may not cope with coming round the bend.

Preparations have gone smoothly and trainer Michael Jarvis and jockey Philip Robinson are a top team who click together like the ingredients in a good cocktail.

Robinson may not be the youngest rider in the weighing room or the prettiest jockey to watch in a race but my goodness, he is effective.

The fascinating runner in the race is the huge horse Starcraft, who raced in Australia until coming to Luca Cumani's stable in England.

If the occasion gets to Rakti, Starcraft will come steaming down the outside and throw down a threat.

Fallon favourite for title

Rakti will win if everything goes right but if you're a gambler, you might have a look at Starcraft.

I fancied Dubawi to give Godolphin the spoils in the St James's Palace Stakes, but Shamardal now runs instead.

But I think it will be Kieren Fallon who will get the meeting off to winning start.

Fallon rides Marcus Andronicus, who won last time out at York, in the Coventry Stakes, the first race on Tuesday's card.