Preview of the Royal Ascot meet
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from Sporting Life:
Racing fans have already been spoilt this summer with the emergence of a new equine superstar in Sea The Stars and with Royal Ascot on the horizon, punters can be forgiven for getting a little giddy.
Steeped in history dating back to 1711, when the famous circuit was founded by Queen Anne, Ascot continues to appeal to the general public as each afternoon begins with the Royal family's traditional procession.
With the presence of the Queen and hopefully the promise of some glorious British sunshine to bask in, not to mention the inescapable fact that Royal Ascot represents one of the social highlights of the calendar, it is hardly surprising this is Europe's best-attended race meeting.
Looking good and enjoying the sunshine with some strawberries and a glass or three of something sparkling is top of the list for some - 170,000 bottles of champagne are expected to consumed over the five days, together with 160,000 pints of beer, 14,000 bottles of Pimms, around 10,000 lobsters, 18,000 salmon steaks and four tonnes of beef!
And the quality of racing can never be questioned, even by those passionate fans who would rather be sporting shorts and a T-shirt than the suit and tie that Ascot demands.
It all gets under way on Tuesday when the cream of the milers will be lining up in the St James's Palace Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes.
The three-year-old division do battle in the former, where Aidan O'Brien's runners are likely to play a major role in the absence of the Derby winner.
His Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mastercraftsman is set to lock horns with Brian Meehan's Delegator once more, but on quicker ground the result could well be different.
In the Queen Anne, all eyes will be on Paco Boy to prove once and for all that he does stay a mile after disappointing in the Lockinge. Gladiatorus and Main Ain are guaranteed to put him under severe pressure.
There is also the King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs where the overseas raiders will be worth watching.
The likes of veteran Takeover Target, South African J J The Jet Plane and American Cannonball add spice to the event.
On Wednesday, last year's Derby runner-up Tartan Bearer looks the one to beat in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes while Thursday sees the Gold Cup.
Yeats, already in the history books with three wins to his credit, will be looking to bounce back from an abysmal first run of the year and bag a fourth successive win.
However, the rejuvenated Geordieland will be trying to top his old adversary while young pretender Patkai is also on course making it one of the most eagerly-awaited renewals for years.
Friday's feature is the Coronation Stakes for fillies and a mouth-watering clash between the English, Irish and French 1000 Guineas winners Ghanaati, Again and Elusive Wave is on the cards.
Saturday's highlight is the Golden Jubilee, where the winner of the King's Stand could bid for a quick double to emulate the Aussie machine Choisir in 2003.
Throw into the mix handicaps like the Wokingham Stakes and the Royal Hunt Cup, as well as the Coventry and Queen Mary Stakes for the juveniles and numerous other Pattern and Listed races, and you could be in need of a deserved rest on Sunday.
Away from the glamour of Ascot, Ffos Las joins the racecourse ranks as they open their doors on Thursday.
Unlike the ill-fated Great Leighs, the Camarthenshire venue is the finished article and feedback from those who have been to the track so far has been highly enthusiastic.
Ffos Las is already sold out for Thursday and it will be interesting to see how the Welsh racecourse shapes up.
Racing fans have already been spoilt this summer with the emergence of a new equine superstar in Sea The Stars and with Royal Ascot on the horizon, punters can be forgiven for getting a little giddy.
Steeped in history dating back to 1711, when the famous circuit was founded by Queen Anne, Ascot continues to appeal to the general public as each afternoon begins with the Royal family's traditional procession.
With the presence of the Queen and hopefully the promise of some glorious British sunshine to bask in, not to mention the inescapable fact that Royal Ascot represents one of the social highlights of the calendar, it is hardly surprising this is Europe's best-attended race meeting.
Looking good and enjoying the sunshine with some strawberries and a glass or three of something sparkling is top of the list for some - 170,000 bottles of champagne are expected to consumed over the five days, together with 160,000 pints of beer, 14,000 bottles of Pimms, around 10,000 lobsters, 18,000 salmon steaks and four tonnes of beef!
And the quality of racing can never be questioned, even by those passionate fans who would rather be sporting shorts and a T-shirt than the suit and tie that Ascot demands.
It all gets under way on Tuesday when the cream of the milers will be lining up in the St James's Palace Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes.
The three-year-old division do battle in the former, where Aidan O'Brien's runners are likely to play a major role in the absence of the Derby winner.
His Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mastercraftsman is set to lock horns with Brian Meehan's Delegator once more, but on quicker ground the result could well be different.
In the Queen Anne, all eyes will be on Paco Boy to prove once and for all that he does stay a mile after disappointing in the Lockinge. Gladiatorus and Main Ain are guaranteed to put him under severe pressure.
There is also the King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs where the overseas raiders will be worth watching.
The likes of veteran Takeover Target, South African J J The Jet Plane and American Cannonball add spice to the event.
On Wednesday, last year's Derby runner-up Tartan Bearer looks the one to beat in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes while Thursday sees the Gold Cup.
Yeats, already in the history books with three wins to his credit, will be looking to bounce back from an abysmal first run of the year and bag a fourth successive win.
However, the rejuvenated Geordieland will be trying to top his old adversary while young pretender Patkai is also on course making it one of the most eagerly-awaited renewals for years.
Friday's feature is the Coronation Stakes for fillies and a mouth-watering clash between the English, Irish and French 1000 Guineas winners Ghanaati, Again and Elusive Wave is on the cards.
Saturday's highlight is the Golden Jubilee, where the winner of the King's Stand could bid for a quick double to emulate the Aussie machine Choisir in 2003.
Throw into the mix handicaps like the Wokingham Stakes and the Royal Hunt Cup, as well as the Coventry and Queen Mary Stakes for the juveniles and numerous other Pattern and Listed races, and you could be in need of a deserved rest on Sunday.
Away from the glamour of Ascot, Ffos Las joins the racecourse ranks as they open their doors on Thursday.
Unlike the ill-fated Great Leighs, the Camarthenshire venue is the finished article and feedback from those who have been to the track so far has been highly enthusiastic.
Ffos Las is already sold out for Thursday and it will be interesting to see how the Welsh racecourse shapes up.