Critics have made capital out of the lack of overseas runners at the Royal Meeting this year, but it has done little to lower expectations before five days of the best racing in Europe.

Any visitor to Her Majesty The Queen's racecourse Ascot this week will unquestionably be satisfied they have witnessed superb racing at the highest level. And I write that before even seeing a single race.

No matter there is no Choisir, Takeover Target or Black Caviar (Australia), or indeed a Little Bridge (Hong Kong), Royal Ascot stands alone as the supreme testing ground for the thoroughbred at the widest variety of distances and categories.

American trainer Wesley Ward, who has sent out seven winners at the meeting since 2009, will be relied upon to supply the major international element this year.

But as for status, the added fact that Royal Ascot usually takes place on good, fast ground confirms it as racing's true championships.

Queen Anne saw the potential in Ascot as a racecourse as far back as 1711, and with the Royal Enclosure dating from 1822, the tradition at the Berkshire course is unmatched in world racing.

I have long considered 2012 the best Royal Ascot I have seen. It was the year Frankel won the G1 Queen Anne Stakes by 11 lengths, and Black Caviar scraped home in the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes after the jockey dropped his hands close home.

But could 2017 surpass that memorable year? Could it possibly be the best Royal Meeting of them all? The 30 races that take place this week will determine that.

Personally, I look forward to Godolphin's Ribchester taking a firmer grip on the 'miler's' crown, though he is presented with a bigger task than expected from gate 1 (the far side of the track) in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes.

The American speed machine Lady Aurelia, who annihilated her opposition last year, provides another potential highlight in the G1 King's Stand Stakes.

Then there is the return clash of Churchill and Godolphin's Barney Roy in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes, plus former champion apprentice Josephine Gordon riding the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dream Castle for Godolphin in the G3 Jersey Stakes.

Five-year-old Jack Hobbs, carrying the Godolphin Royal Blue, can underline his versatility by dropping back to a mile and a quarter in the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

And Charlie Appleby has some smart Godolphin juveniles to unleash on the Royal Meeting - Sound And Silence, in cheek pieces for the first time, is worth noting in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes.

But one not to forget is stablemate Masar in Saturday's Listed Chesham Stakes.

The long week ahead promises much in the world of racing. It will deliver, in true Royal Ascot style.