Royal Ascot 2012: Richard Hannon has a classy team of juveniles primed to lead his 30-strong challenge Nevertheless, his juveniles have won 29 races this season, nearly three times as many as his nearest pursuers in that department. "They've just started firing," he said on wednesday, surveying his third lot - a battalion of good-looking horses, many of whom have yet to see a racecourse. They have done a bit of work but we don't know what we're holding on to. I've got eight entered in one race on Sunday. We'll give three or four a day out. They need firing now. Hannon's Royal Ascot team will amount to about 30 horses, the core of which will be two year-olds, but it is unlikely to include three of his smartest older horses. Dubawi Gold, recovering from a setback and ­Harbour Watch, who is not quite ready, both miss the meeting, while Strong Suit will tackle Frankel only if the ground dries. Harbour Watch is nearly there, but I wouldn't want to dive straight into the St James's Palace and he would get a penalty in the Jersey. I would prefer to go quietly to the Criterion at Newmarket at the end of June. Fort Bastion, Mister Music and Jacob Cats are pencilled in for the Britannia. If Jacob Cats gets in he would have a hell of a chance. Cai Shen would be our best hope for the Hunt Cup. He gets a bit further [than a mile], which is what you need - there are no stations on that line. Most of his juveniles will work on Sunday before final decisions are made, but The Taj looks set to represent Hannon and Sheikh Hamdan in the Coventry, possibly joined by Havana Gold and Olympic Glory, while Jalaa is likely to go for the Chesham with, possibly, today's Newbury debutant Toronado. Impressive Sandown winner Sir Prancelot is to be aimed at the Norfolk. Sky Lantern, the top-rated juvenile filly in Europe, could go for the Albany. "Key to our chances," said Hannon, "is the ground. None of mine ever seem to like the soft. I don't know why, but I suppose the turf here is never anything other than good and if you don't practise on it you come unstuck when you run on it.