Opening day of Royal Ascot

the Royal Ascot meeting starts today, five days of pageantry and top-class racing, wgich is regarded by many racegoers as the best fixture of the entire season. Only Longchamp´s Arc weekend comes close in Europe, and worldwide perhaps the Breeders Cup. The two factors which are important for punters, at a meeting which is traditionally very tough, ar the state of the ground and the effect of the draw.

We can only guess at the latter until some races on the straight course have been run, but the general view seems to be that the middle is the best place to be. Please note that number one on the straight course is now on the inside, i.e. the far side; the stands side (favoured last year) is where the high numbers will be racing.

As for the going, after weeks of dry and hot weather there was a lot of rain on Saturday and Sunday, so that the ground is officially good, good to soft in places. Today is expected to be dry and sunny and a bit windy, so that the track could dry out a bit by the time of the first race; however there should be enough ease in the going to suit soft ground performers, and possibly too much for those who want it firm.