Royal Ascot starts today

There is racing this afternoon at Thirsk and this evening at Brighton and Newton Abbot (N.H.) as well as Sligo in Ireland - but who cares? Today is the first day of Royal Ascot and nothing else counts. This is the best meeting of the year in the U.K. and probably worldwide as well, and this year´ s meeting promises to be one of the best ever, with the two highest-rated horses in the world competing- Frankel, who runs in the opening race today, and the Australian supermare Black Caviar, who runs on Saturday. Neither will start at a backable price, but that is not important, there are plenty of other betting opportunities. The mere fact that these superstars are present adds further glitz to the spectacle - forget the toppers and fncy dresses, this is all about the horses.