The finishing touches are being put to training preparations for animals good enough to be taking part in next week's Royal Ascot bash, and trainer Paul Cole was in upbeat mood yesterday when talking about the chances of No Hubris in the Coventry Stakes.

The York winner was very impressive that day and takes a step up on Tuesday.

No Hubris was fancied for his racecourse introduction in Yorkshire and, having been sent straight to the front, quickened clear in great style to beat subsequent winner Flying Statesman with plenty to spare.

He will have more on his plate in next week's Group 2, but Cole is hopeful of a bold show.

"He's on target for the Coventry and I think he will put up a good performance," said the trainer. "He had been going well at home before his debut but you still have to go to the racecourse and do it so that was good to see.

"I think he has improved again since then and the fast ground should suit him well.

"These races are always hard to assess as there are five or six in there that could be really good two-year-olds, we will just have to see.

"The horse is in good form and I'm hopeful."

Also Coventry-bound is the Michael Jarvis' Alrasm, an impressive winner of a Doncaster maiden on his latest outing.

Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "Hopefully, he'll go for the Coventry. He did a routine piece of work the other day which went very well.

"Richard Hills rode him and was very happy with him. The ground was very firm when he won at Doncaster and he was just a bit touchy on his shins for a couple of days.

"Much for next week is ground dependant, but as long as it's not firm, I'd like to think he would be running."

Before that, the Prix de Diane, or French Oaks, at Chantilly is up for grabs, and trainer Luca Cumani believes Fantasia is in the form of her life as she goes in search of Classic glory on Sunday.

She won twice in three starts as a juvenile and looked destined for the top when turning in an impressive display in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.

She let down odds-on backers when third in the French 1000 Guineas, but Cumani feels she could not be in better form.

"We are looking forward to seeing her run at Chantilly," said Cumani.

"It's hard to say if she has improved since the French Guineas but she has never been in better form than she is at the moment.

"Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon have been riding her in her work and both feel a mile-and-a- quarter will suit her well."

With Dettori not available, Cumani has booked Stephane Pasquier.