Day One Royal Ascot

There are five meetings taking place this afternoon - one over the sticks at Stratford and four on the level at Thirsk, Brighton, Kempton and Royal Ascot.  The obvious highlight is the first day of the Royal meeting and as you would expect there is some top class action to look forward to - with over £1.2 million in prize money in offer it is hardly surprising.  The stable has two runners in the Ascot Stakes, Investissement and Junior.  Junior won the race three years ago but is still 6lbs higher than that day, while Investissement ran okay last time in the Chester Cup and this track should suit him better.  Meanwhile Massannie (pictured above) bids to follow-up her Pond House debut success at Stratford under Tom Scudamore.

David is off to Royal Ascot today and I hope that someone gets a picture of him in his topper - he stands about 7 feet tall in that!  I always look like a penguin when I wear a top hat and tails, although the main problem is that I walk like one too!  Royal Ascot is a wonderful occasion and will get extensive coverage on ATR and Channel 4 so there is no excuse to miss it.  I would imagine that the handful of serious racegoers in attendance will be heading on to Kempton afterwards.

The American raider Animal Kingdom looks sure to go off a short priced favourite in the opening event, The Queen Anne.  The Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup winner has already pocketed over £5 million in prize money, although all of his successes have come on fast or firm ground.

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It looks like England should beat the Aussies in the Ashes series.  The Australians don't look to be a very good side and they appear to be short on confidence (I know, unbelievable isn't it?!).  They look to have a shortage of world class players and there seems to be trouble in the camp to boot...long may it continue!

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I was reading through the paper and had to chuckle when I read about some of the excuses people had used to explain why they had not purchased a television licence fee.  "I stole the television so I didn't think I needed on", "my corgi is related to one of the Queen's", "I only use the TV as a light in the room" are just a few of my favourites...I do wonder how some of these people's minds work!

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Finally, a thought for the day...if in doubt, mumble!  Keep smiling...