Royal Ascot Day Two

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon with four flat cards from Royal Ascot, Hamilton, Chelmsford City and Ripon as well as a jumps card from Uttoxeter.  Day two looks like another cracking card from the Royal meeting, although likely favourite Laugh Aloud is an early defection from the Duke of Cambridge which is a shame.  It was a good day for Godolphin yesterday as they landed three winners including the big one with Barney Roy as well as a 1-2 in the final race.  There was also another magnificent performance from American wonder filly Lady Aurelia in the King's Stand - it is a great shame that Frankie Dettori will not be riding at the meeting and I bet seeing her scorch to victory has made his arm feel ten times worse.

The ground was clearly very fast as track records from Ribchester, Barney Roy and Rajasinghe will testify.  The groundsmen have been doing their best to keep conditions safe with artificial watering but there is no substitution for the real thing - something that is due tomorrow.  In the meantime from a betting perspective, with another scorching day predicted you are still going to want horses who act on fast ground.

The stable has no runners this afternoon although stable jockey Tom Scudamore heads off to Uttoxeter where he has picked up some outside rides.

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It is the longest day today so the nights start to draw in tomorrow - now there's a cheerful thought!

Andy Murray lost to Jordan Thompson in straight sets in the first round of the Queen's Club tournament yesterday.  It looks like switching between surfaces from clay in France to grass is problematic.  The grass courts are so much quicker and it takes time to adjust, especially as so many tournaments are played on the slower surface.  Murray certainly won't be winning Wimbledon on this form and this is hardly the ideal preparation.  Let's hope he can make the necessary adjustments...and quickly!

I see the Spanish tax man is now after Jose Mourinho, mind you he is only after £3 million - a drop in the ocean compared to Christiano Ronaldo.

England take on South Africa in the first T20 cricket tonight at 6.30pm on Sky Sports.  England are 8/11 chances but with a few likely new additions to the squad that is a little on the skinny side for my liking so I will be having a little wager on South Africa at 6/5.

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I'm amazed how many people attend Royal Ascot when it is windy.  Still, hats off to them!

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