Fashions dazzle as the sun shines on Royal Ascot

Fashions to the fore as the sun shines on day one of Royal Ascot. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

There could not be a better start to Royal Ascot – unless perhaps you are the owner or trainer of a mud-loving horse – with the sun beating down on the world’s greatest race meeting.

The jockeys report that the ground has dried out to Good, with some describing it as "perfect for all".

The fashions are stunning wherever you look and soon the Queen will be arriving up the course in the Royal Procession.

With four kilometres of Union Jack bunting and thousands of mini-flags, Her Majesty will be in for the warmest of welcomes in her Diamond Jubilee year.

Shortly afterwards, all eyes will be on the world’s best racehorse, Frankel, as he enters the parade ring ahead of the first race of the meeting, the Queen Anne Stakes over the famous straight mile.

Odds of 1-6 have not put the backers off and Frankel is now 1-7 as people conclude that backing him is an easy way to buy some money.

The buzz of anticiaption is building already as the clock ticks down to the start of five days of outstanding racing.

Make sure you catch all the action live on BBC TV and At The Races.