Royal Ascot 2018: Who is Bucchero, what race is he running in, what are his odds and should I bet on him?

PUNTERS will now have become used to the annual invasion of international runners at Royal Ascot.

Each year, horses from America, Australia and Asia travel to the UK to take part in the most famous Flat racing festival in the world - but who are they and are they worth a bet?

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In recent years, American trainer Wesley Ward has enjoyed notable success at the Royal meeting, and trainer Tim Glyshaw will be hoping for a victory with his first runner.

Talented sprinter Bucchero will take his place in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs at Ascot on Tuesday.

The six-year-old entire brings a smart level of US form to the £500,000 race.

He has placed on his last three starts but ended last season in career-best form, winning the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes and finishing a close fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

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Glyshaw said the horse had settled in well to his new surroundings in Newmarket, though believes he faces a difficult test in the King's Stand.

Glyshaw said: "It was great for Bucchero to get an invitation and to have a shot at a race like this is a pretty big deal for our stable as we only have just over 20 horses.

"He's doing really well and he's going to go out there and run his race.

"Battaash is a really nice horse and Lady Aurelia is also a really nice horse who loves Ascot.

"I think they must not run their A-race and we have to run our best race if we're going to win.

"There is a question about him not running on Lasix and running over the straight track for the first time, but these questions can't be answered until after the race.

"He does need a little bit of luck.

"He could run really well and finish fourth or he could run really well and win the race."

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Even on the pick of his form, Bucchero will likely come up short for win purposes behind the likes of Lady Aurelia and Battaash.

If he runs up to his very best, he could squeak into a place at 33-1.