In a year when no members of the public or owners, such as the Queen, have been allowed into the racecourse it seems fitting that there should be a royal winner and having just been denied in the second race of the day, Her Majesty won the Windsor Castle Stakes with the well-backed Tactical. The winner definitely got the loudest round of applause of the week so far even if it was only from about 20 people welcoming her winner back in. Lord North, who was also ridden by Tactical’s jockey James Doyle, was the most impressive winner of the day in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and diehard racing fans will be looking for something similar from Stradivarius who goes for a hat-trick in the Gold Cup on Thursday. Join us for all the action here tomorrow.
Copper Horse Handicap (4.40pm) result
1 Fujaira Prince (Andrea Atzeni) 3-1 Fav
2 Selino (Oisin Murphy) 8-1
3 Almania (Jim Crowley) 12-1
4 Themaxwecan (James Doyle) 16-1
16 ran
Copper Horse Handicap (4.40pm)
They’re off ... Hochfeld and Fujaira Prince lead the field in the early stages ... Deal A Dollar is tailed off ... Shailene is pulling hard ... and has been allowed to race on now ... and takes the lead ... and that quickens the pace ... Fujaira Prince goes for home and goes well clear and strides home for an easy win.
Updated
Copper Horse Handicap (4.40pm) betting
- Ranch Hand – 4/1
- Fujaira Prince – 9/2
- Colllide – 13/2
- Selino – 10/1
- Alright Sunshine – 11/1
- Almania – 12/1
- Floating Artist – 12/1
- Themaxwecan – 16/1
- Shailene- 22/1
- Dubai Horizon – 22/1
- Eddystone Rock -25/1
- Hochfeld – 33/1
- Deal A Dollar – 33/1
- Here and Now – 40/1
- Amazing Red – 40/1
- Ernesto – 40/1
- Full betting at Oddschecker
Copper Horse Handicap (4.40pm) preview
A new race for this year, this is a marathon handicap for older horses and the betting interest has centred on Fujaira Prince, a slightly one-paced third in a shorter race here last year. He hasn’t run since, which could be a worry, but his yard is going well. Ranch Hand won a similar race at the end of last year and has halved in price since yesterday, suggesting someone expects continued improvement.
Collide, a brother to the unbeaten Leger winner Logician, was close behind Fujaira Prince last year and his Chelmsford win last week was encouraging, provided he can run another good race so quickly. Floating Artist, a winner at this track in July, still looks fairly rated and will go close if the extra distance is a help. Ernesto has joined Ian Williams from Germany and is one to keep an eye on but it would be a surprise if he was quite ready for this.
Windsor Castle Stakes (4.10pm) result
1 Tactical (James Doyle) 7-2 Fav
2 Yazaman (Tom Marquand) 20-1
3 Muker (P Mulrennan) 40-1
18 ran
Also: 20-1 Get It 4th
Non Runners: 7,13
Her Majesty The Queen will certainly be watching! 👑 #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/20MCUaCJgz
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2020
Updated
Windsor Castle Stakes (4.10pm)
They’re off ... Tactical is away quickly ... Get It is prominent ... Muker and Tactical fight it out and the Queen has a winner with Tactical.
Updated
Windsor Castle Stakes (4.10pm) betting
- Tactical – 4/1
- Chief Little Hawk – 4/1
- Sunshine City – 7/1
- Mighty Gurkha – 13/2
- Sherriff Bianco – 8/1
- Get It – 12/1
- Atimegoesby – 16/1
- Hyde Park Barracks – 16/1
- Yazaman – 18/1
- Fast Start – 28/1
- Stay Smart – 28/1
- Muker – 40/1
- Fools Rush In – 40/1
- Victory Heights – 40/1
- Tantastic – 100/1
- Tenth Century – 125/1
- Selected – 125/1
- Honeydew – 150/1
- Full betting at Oddschecker
Windsor Castle Stakes (4.10pm) preview
The first two-year-old race brings with it the first US raiders from Wesley Ward’s yard. They will be mighty quick from the gates but the rule of thumb seems to be that recent rainfall makes it hard for his raiders to see out five furlongs and neither Sheriff Bianco nor Sunshine City appears the pick of his team. Chief Little Hawk looked like he already knew the job well when he scored at Navan last week, though again the rain might not be brilliant for him.
Tactical gives the Queen a fair chance, having looked in need of the experience when third on his recent debut, and rain is a positive in his case. Mighty Gurkha and Muker impressed in making all in their all-weather outings a fortnight ago but this is a very different test. Fools Rush In, third to Muker, showed enough to suggest he may be able to turn the form around.
Royal Hunt Cup (3.35pm) result
1 Dark Vision (W Buick) 15-2
2 Montatham (Dane O’Neill) 8-1
3 Pogo (K Shoemark) 25-1
4 Vale Of Kent (J Fanning) 22-1
23 ran
Also: 6-1 Fav Lord Tennyson
Non Runner: 17
Royal Hunt Cup (3.35pm)
They’re off ... Card Sharp out fast as they split into two groups ... Vale Of Kent is prominent ... Lord Tennyson is with the leaders ... Dark Vision finishes fastest of all to win this prize for Godolphin.
Updated
Royal Hunt Cup (3.35pm) betting
- Lord Tennyson – 13/2
- Bell Rock – 7/1
- Dark Vision – 8/1
- Montatham – 9/1
- Afaak – 10/1
- Alrajaa –11/1
- Fox Premier – 11/1
- Qaysar – 14/1
- Kynren – 16/1
- Willie John – 22/1
- Indeed – 25/1
- Vale of Kent – 25/1
- Pogo – 25/1
- Raising Sand – 33/1
- Fox Champion – 33/1
- Baltic Baron – 33/1
- Beatboxer – 40/1
- Petrus – 40/1
- Fox Power – 66/1
- Wargrave – 66/1
- What’s The Story – 66/1
- Walhaan – 80/1
- Cardsharp – 100/1
- Full betting here at Oddschecker
Royal Hunt Cup (3.35pm) preview
With two wins in the past four years, the Irish were becoming a force in this famous old race, but they’re not allowed to take part in British handicaps yet, so perhaps John Gosden can land it for a third time? His three runners include the very lightly raced Lord Tennyson, whose recent second to Marie’s Diamond looks all the better after that one finished third in the Queen Anne. Still, his rating is no gimme. Afaak is only 3lb higher than when winning this last year and he was second the year before, so 12-1 is possibly a bit big.
Kynren also has a good record on this straight course and would be of major interest if there was enough rain to make a difference. Bell Rock finished strongly to pip Ouzo at Newmarket and ought to go well again under a penalty. Qaysar ran an extraordinary race on his reappearance, running on powerfully to be a close third after tailing himself off; more conventional behaviour would allow him to get involved. Wargrave’s preparation is the most unusual, as he was last seen winning on the frozen lake at St Moritz in February. His rating does not appear lenient.
Prince of Wales's Stakes (3.00pm) result
1 Lord North (James Doyle) 5-1
2 Addeybb (Tom Marquand) 7-2
3 Barney Roy (W Buick) 8-1
7 ran
Also: 6-4 Fav Japan 4th
Updated
Prince of Wales's Stakes (3.00pm)
They’re off ... Japan was slowly away ... but moves up to near the leaders but is on the outside of the leading three with Bangkok in the lead ... Addeybb is in second and Japan is back in third and more poised ... they turn for home and Bangkok goes for home ... they are all in a line with Lord North coming home best and quickens up to win for James Doyle and John Gosden.
Lord North sprouts wings! ✈️ #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/pfFLa4AV10
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2020
Updated
Going change ... no rain at Ascot as yet and it’s got faster
There has been an official going change on the round course at Royal Ascot from Good to Soft to Good
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) June 17, 2020
Prince of Wales's Stakes (3.00pm) betting
- Japan – 6/4
- Barney Roy – 5/1
- Addeybb – 5/1
- Lord North – 11/2
- Headman – 15/2
- Mehdaayih – 11/1
- Bangkok – 40/1
- Full betting at Oddschecker
Prince of Wales's Stakes (3.00pm) preview
This revolves around Japan, who achieved so much last summer while looking, at times, an absolutely gorgeous specimen. He was third in the Derby despite an interrupted preparation and then won three on the bounce, including a Group Two here and the Juddmonte International at York, where he outbattled the very game Crystal Ocean. But he was getting the handy three-year-old allowance in the latter race and again when fourth in the Arc, so he must improve again just to stay at that level, and perhaps this first run back is not a bad time to oppose him.
Addeybb is certainly battle-hardened, having been to Australia and bagged a couple of their Group Ones already this year. He ran a big race over this course and distance when a close second in the Champion Stakes and any rain will help. At his best, Barney Roy would nearly be favourite for this but that was before his time at stud, ended by fertility problems. His Dubai defeat of Magic Lily doesn’t read quite so well as it did a month ago. Headman looked a work in progress last year and ought to be a Group One contender this summer. His yard is in form and a big run would not surprise.
King George V Handicap (2.25pm) result
1 Hukum (Jim Crowley) 12-1
2 Kipps (David Probert) 9-2 Jt Fav
3 Subjectivist (R L Moore) 22-1
4 Group One Power (S De Sousa) 28-1
17 ran
Also: 9-2 Jt Fav Bright Melody
Non Runner: 11
Hukum sees off the field to win the King George V Stakes at @Ascot and gives Jim Crowley his 4th success of Royal Ascot 2020 so far! pic.twitter.com/GEjbRDb1a1
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 17, 2020
Updated
King George V Handicap (2.25pm)
They’re off ... King’s Caper and Group One Power are prominent early ... Oleksander takes the lead ... Bodyline is right at the back ... Locked And Loaded has a chance ... Hukum holds on from Kipps in a close fight to the line. And it’s another for Jim Crowley.
Updated
King George V Handicap (2.25pm) betting
- Kipps – 9/2
- Bright Melody – 5/1
- Win OCLock – 7/1
- Convict – 8/1
- Bodyline – 12/1
- To Nathaniel – 12/1
- Arthurian Favle – 14/1
- Hukum – 14/1
- Kings Caper – 14/1
- Subjectivist – 25/1
- Trumpet Man – 25/1
- Group One Power – 28/1
- Wyclif – 33/1
- Oleksander – 40/1
- Sumeronsevenhills – 50/1
- Berkshire Savvy – 100/1
- Locked N Loaded -100/1
- Full betting at Oddschecker
Updated
A 60th Royal Ascot winner for Ryan Moore, the most reticent big-name rider since Lester Piggott. Not surprisingly for him he didn’t seem that impressed with his achievement. His answer was: “You wouldn’t give it any thought, would you?”
"Ryan - you've amassed 60 winners at #RoyalAscot, how do you feel about this achievement?"
— Geoffrey Riddle (@Louchepunter) June 17, 2020
Ryan Moore: ?
Answers please... https://t.co/zkQNVXrne3
Updated
King George V Handicap (2.25pm) preview
There are always unexposed types in this big-field contest for three-year-olds but that is even more true just two weeks into the Flat season and you’ll be doing well if you sort this race out. Counter-intuitively, the best place to be drawn is towards the outside; those on the inner tend to run out of room or feel forced to go too quick as the field charges downhill towards Swinley Bottom. South Pacific, from stall eight last year, was the lowest-drawn winner since 2010, so Hukum and King’s Caper are possibly starting in the wrong place.
Convict, on the border in nine, surely has a bright future, as a half-brother to the talented Hamish, but might be sharper after this first run of the year. Win O’Clock looks promising on the strength of his recent Haydock win but To Nathaniel has had just five days to recover from his battling Kempton victory. Bodyline ran a fair prep when second at Yarmouth a fortnight ago and ought to do better for the extra distance.
Hampton Court Stakes (1.50pm) result
1 Russian Emperor (R L Moore) 10-3
2 First Receiver (L Dettori) 9-4 Fav
3 Berlin Tango (Oisin Murphy) 4-1
8 ran
Russian Emperor get's the best of First Receiver as Ryan Moore swoops down the outside to land the Hampton Court Stakes! 👏pic.twitter.com/pPLxvy7qsU
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) June 17, 2020
Updated
Hampton Court Stakes (1.50pm)
They’re off ... Juan Elcano and Mascat race handily ... with King Carney now taking up the lead ... with Berlin Tango behind the leaders ... Russian Emperor held up towards the back ... they turn in and Juan Elcano takes the lead ... Berlin Tango and First Receiver fight it out ... and Russian Emperor comes down the outside to beat First Receiver at the line.
Updated
The first six horses home in the Silver Hunt Cup raced down the stands’ side and many punters may now switch their attention firmly to the high numbers for the Hunt Cup itself later in the afternoon. However, it might be an over-reaction, if Oisin Murphy – who rode the Silver Hunt Cup winner, Sir Busker, – is correct.
“I was drawn high in 18 and Ouzo and a couple of the fancied ones were drawn higher than that,” Murphy said. “Frankie was drawn higher as well on Alternative Fact. They ride Ascot as good as anyone, better than anyone, so I wanted to follow those riders. The GoingStick tells us that the fastest ground is on the far side, but you can’t race on your own, you have to go where the good horses are.
“I’ve had a luckless few days leading up to this and your confidence is up and down. I’ve been trying to believe in myself nonetheless and I’m just pleased to get one on the board with good chances [to come] particularly tomorrow and Saturday.”
Updated
The Queen will be eagerly watching this race from Windsor Castle with First Receiver in the next race
Her Majesty The Queen’s First Receiver in the parade ring ahead of the G3 Hampton Court Stakes 👑 pic.twitter.com/Zjlgn4nEPT
— Racenews (@RacenewsService) June 17, 2020
It’s raining at my base in north London and the suggestion from Ascot is that the precipitation is set to hit the track around 3pm
☔ "Be careful...we are almost CERTAIN to get rain around about 3pm"
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 17, 2020
Conditions out on track are Good (good to soft in places on round course) but according to @LeglockLuke that could all change...
Join us LIVE:
📺 ITV
💻 https://t.co/8QDVIeRIbJ pic.twitter.com/WgogNVnaRg
Hampton Court Stakes (1.50pm) betting
- First Receiver – 9/4
- Russian Emperor – 3/1
- Juan Elcano – 7/2
- Berlin Tango – 9/2
- Kenzai Warrior – 12/1
- Mascat – 40/1
- King Carney – 50/1
- New World Tapestry – 70/1
- Latest betting here at Oddschecker
Updated
Hampton Court Stakes (1.50pm) preview
John Gosden won a Group race here on Tuesday with a horse that had only broken her duck on the all-weather a fortnight earlier and now Sir Michael Stoute tries to turn the same trick with First Receiver, carrying The Queen’s colours. There wouldn’t be much substance to the form but he looked a thorough professional in scoring handsomely at Kempton. He will travel strongly here but the last quarter-mile on rain-softened turf will be a test for him. That is when we can expect to see a challenge from Aidan O’Brien’s Russian Emperor, possibly teed up by a strong pace from his stablemate New World Tapestry. The memory is green of his power-packed finish at Naas in March and there was an insufficient test of stamina when he was held off at Leopardstown recently.
Juan Elcano showed plenty of dash in the Guineas but was helped by racing against the rail and seeing this out to the line will be harder. Kenzai Warrior, ninth that day after blowing the start, has a bit to prove now. Berlin Tango’s Classic Trial win looks a lot better after the runner-up, Pyledriver, won here on Tuesday. He wouldn’t want any more rain.
Updated
Maydanny was first home on the far side but the evidence of our first race is that those who raced on the stands’ side were at a distinct advantage. But the effect of that is likely to be that all runners in the Hunt Cup later will come over towards the stands’ side, which will lead to crowding. Those seemingly drawn well may run out of room at a crucial stage. Luck in running seems set to be a factor.
Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (1.15pm) result
1 Sir Busker (Oisin Murphy) 12-1
2 Salayel (Andrea Atzeni) 12-1
3 Alternative Fact (L Dettori) 9-1
4 Almufti (James Doyle) 33-1
22 ran
Also: 4-1 Jt Fav Maydanny, Ouzo
Non Runners: 21,24
Brilliant ride from @oismurphy! Sir Busker wins the Silver Royal Hunt Cup for @WKnightRacing#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/7Ga2erUw3k
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2020
Updated
Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (1.15pm)
They’re off ... So Beloved was slowly away and Universal Gleam and Brains are prominent ... Zhui Feng leads on the near side ... Red Bond is behind the leaders ... Salayel takes the lead ... Maydanny finishing well and Sir Busker is produced late for victory.
Updated
Get ready for the action ... and instead of the Royal procession it’s the national anthem each day a quarter of an hour before the first race
The National Anthem plays as horses parade before the first race of #RoyalAscot day two! 🇬🇧🎶 pic.twitter.com/g5B64U4t3C
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2020
Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (1.15pm) betting
- Ouzo – 9/2
- Maydanny – 9/2
- Brian Epstein – 9/1
- Alternative Fact – 11/1
- Sir Busker – 12/1
- Ambassadorial – 14/1
- Salayel – 14/1
- Zhui Feng – 20/1
- Nicklaus – 22/1
- Red Bond – 22/1
- Plantadream – 28/1
- Dean Street Doll – 33/1
- Hotzadar – 33/1
- Succellus – 33/1
- Almufti – 40/1
- Goring – 40/1
- Presidential – 40/1
- Smile A Mile – 40/1
- So Beloved – 66/1
- Brains – 80/1
- Home Before Dusk – 80/1
- Universal Gleam – 80/1
- Full betting here via Oddschecker
Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (1.15pm) preview
As much as I love the Hunt Cup (today’s 3.35pm race), it has never once crossed my mind that we could really do with a consolation race for those who missed the cut at the bottom of the weights. Still, here we are with another big-field handicap up the straight course. On the bright side, we’ll be getting plenty of evidence about any draw bias before the Wokingham comes around at the weekend. It’s a bit early for hard and fast conclusions but Tuesday’s action suggested the stands side was the place to be, in which case Ouzo is well drawn in 24. From the Richard Hannon yard that won Tuesday’s opening handicap, he is only 6lb higher than when landing a straight-mile handicap at Newmarket last summer and again ran well there on his reappearance, just behind Bell Rock.
Maydanny, under the in-form Jim Crowley, is over on the far side. As long as that doesn’t kill his chance, he should be competitive in light of his reappearance win, which hinted that he could live up to his pedigree. Oisin Murphy couldn’t do better than fourth on day one but the progressive Sir Busker gives him a chance from the top of the weights, having won at Newcastle a fortnight ago. Presidential might find this coming bit quick after his win on Saturday but at least he’ll get the strong gallop that suits him.
Top trainers
John Gosden 2 wins
Aidan O’Brien 1
Charlie Hills 1
William Muir 1
Richard Hannon 1
Alan King 1
We mentioned in this space yesterday that 7-4 was a fair price about Gosden to end the week as top trainer and he narrowly outpointed O’Brien on day one, albeit the Irishman is ahead on runners-up.
Gosden has six runners today against O’Brien’s five but most of the Newmarket man’s runners are in highly competitive handicaps. The Irishman has the favourites for both the Hampton Court and the Windsor Castle, which puts him in a better position.
Charlie Hills has had five Ascot winners now, all of them on the straight course, and his reputation for being good with sprinters grew once more on Tuesday. Richard Hannon is now on six, having been blanked for the past couple of years.
For both Alan King and William Muir, Tuesday brought their second successes at the Royal meeting. Muir’s first was 18 years ago with Zargus in the Balmoral, which was killed off some time ago but has been revived for this year as the Palace Of Holyroodhouse on Friday. He wasn’t far off a double on Tuesday, as Jack’s Point was second in the opener at 66-1.
Top trainer best odds:
11-10 O’Brien, 5-4 Gosden, 12-1 Charlie Appleby, 14-1 Mark Johnston, 16-1 William Haggas, 25-1 Hannon, Roger Varian, Sir Michael Stoute, 33-1 Andrew Balding.
Updated
Top jockeys
Jim Crowley 3 wins
Frankie Dettori 1
Ryan Moore 1
Martin Dwyer 1
Thore Hammer Hansen 1
Crowley is already having the best Royal Ascot of his career at the age of 41. He picked the right one of four Hamdan runners in Tuesday’s opener, even though two of the others were shorter in the betting, he got Nazeef home in a driving finish and he managed not to fall off Battaash. He’s 9-2 from 25-1 to end the week as top jockey, though it might be worth mentioning at this point that the winner of ‘top jockey’ has been blanked on Day One for the last three years, so it’s early days.
Dettori and Moore inevitably got on the scoresheet and also shared three second places between them. Martin Dwyer has had seven winners in this week before now but Pyledriver was only his second since 2011. Thore Hammer Hansen was having his first Royal Ascot winner aboard Coeur De Lion, which was all the more impressive because, as a 5lb claimer, he was prevented from riding for the first two weeks after resumption. This was just his third ride since March.
Top jockey best odds:
11-10 Moore, 7-4 Dettori, 9-2 Crowley, 16-1 Oisin Murphy, 20-1 William Buick, 25-1 Andrea Atzeni, James Doyle, 50-1 Silvestre De Sousa, 100-1 Tom Marquand, Jason Watson.
Don’t back these today – here is a list of the non-runners we have in so far
1.15pm Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap:
21 Asdaa (Going)
24 Model Guest (Self Certificate, in season)
2.25pm King George V Stakes (Handicap):
11 Glenties (Going)
3.35pm Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap):
17 Jahbath (Self Certificate, lame)
4.10pm Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
7 Macho Pride (Going)
13 Steadman (Self Certificate, not eaten up)
Non-Runner tomorrow
1.15pm Golden Gates Handicap
14 Cemhaan (Self Certificate, heat in leg)
Updated
Wednesday's tips
1.15 Silver Royal Hunt Cup
Maydanny 9-2
1.50 Hampton Court Stakes
Russian Emperor (nap) 100-30
2.25 King George V Handicap
Bodyline (nb) 11-1
3.00 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
Addeybb 4-1
3.35 Royal Hunt Cup
Bell Rock 6-1
4.10 Windsor Castle Stakes
Chief Little Hawk 4-1
4.40 Copper Horse Handicap
Collide 13-2
That’s quite a restrained bunch of selections compared to Tuesday and obviously there won’t be another Pyledriver in there. I’m hoping Aidan O’Brien can get a double in the supporting races. You can read my in-depth preview here.
Updated
Betfair Royal Ascot tipping competition
Congratulations to Borsot, who won Tuesday’s competition on a final score of +16.33, having picked Pyledriver (18-1) and Nazeef (100-30). Commiserations to teaplanter, who finished on the same score but had posted their tips about 15 minutes later than Borsot. Tunaalbacore and Chrisso76 also scored highly.
You could win a £50 account credit from Betfair by proving your tipping prowess on today’s races. All you have to do is give us your selections for all of today’s races at Ascot. As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price. Non-runners count as losers.
Please post all your tips in a single posting, using the comment facility below, before the first race at 1.15pm. There are seven races at Ascot today and you must post a single selection for each race.
Our usual terms and conditions, which you can read here, will apply, except that this will be a strictly one-day thing. If we get a tie after all the races have been run, the winner will be the one who posted their tips earliest out of those with the highest score.
If you don’t win today, don’t despair. We are running an identical competition on each day of the Royal meeting, up to Friday.
Post your tips or racing-related comments below.
Rain could transform ground at Royal Ascot
It took an immense amount of thought, planning and organisation to ensure that Royal Ascot was the first major British sporting event post-lockdown, and that hopefully extended to ensuring that the track’s hub for weather and going news has enough servers and bandwidth to cope with the demand on a day like today, when a millimetre or three of rain at a vital moment could transform the course of the afternoon.
As things stand, the going has quickened up a little since yesterday morning, when it was good-to-soft all over, and it is now officially good on the straight course and good, good-to-soft in place on the round. In fact, as time-and-going guru Simon Rowlands has pointed out on Twitter, the time of the first race yesterday – the revived Buckingham Palace Handicap – suggests that the ground was closer to good than good-to-soft, as it was similar to times recorded in the past when the ground was riding good-to-firm, so with little rain recorded at the track in the last 24 hours and just under 2mm lost to evapotranspiration, it is no surprise that it is a little faster today.
With a distinctly unsettled forecast today, some punters may be hitting “refresh” on the weather hub every 30 seconds to get the latest news and amend their betting strategies accordingly. It’s a service which was initially conceived with owners in mind in particular, as having a runner at the Royal meeting and enjoying all that goes with it is what many get into ownership for in the first place. But the information, with unprecedented depth and detail, is available to all, and it will also inevitably throw up the occasional puzzle, such as the current report that the track has had no rain for 24 hours.
This will come as a surprise to anyone who was watching yesterday’s action, when, for instance, the lens on ITV’s in-running camera was covered in raindrops at one stage. The answer, according to Chris Stickels, the clerk of the course, is that while the weather station which feeds the hub did not register any rain, another gauge at the track recorded 0.2mm – a reminder that when it rains over an area as large as Ascot racecourse, it does not necessarily rain everywhere or evenly.
Jim Crowley hit the ground running on Tuesday with three winners and Maydanny, his mount in the opening Silver Royal Hunt Cup at 1.15, has attracted plenty of money this morning to move to 9-2 second-favourite (from 13-2 overnight), half a point behind the Ryan Moore-ridden Ouzo. Moore is aboard two more (current) favourites in Japan, a 6-4 chance for today’s big race, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and Chief Little Hawk in the Windsor Castle Stakes, while Frankie Dettori has two market leaders in First Receiver – who is owned by the Queen – in the Hampton Court Stakes and Lord Tennyson in the Royal Hunt Cup.
The latest betting for top jockey at the end of the week is 11-10 Moore, 7-4 Dettori and then 9-2 Crowley, and the action is underway at 1.15
