IT’S out with the tweed and in with the top hat, tails and high heels for racing’s glitziest festival of the year.
There really is nothing like Royal Ascot.
GettyThe rich and the famous – including former England striker Peter Crouch and supermodel wife Abbey Clancy – flock to Royal Ascot for one of the best racing weeks of the year[/caption]
Royal Ascot is all about watching some top class racing in the sun – and taking a few quid off the bookiesGetty Images – Getty
Monarchs battle car salesmen for winners worth hundreds of thousands and the fastest, most ferocious thoroughbreds on the planet thunder down the famous straight at 45mph.
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The Pimms and lemonade flows early, Champagne corks are popped and millions upon millions is bet on 35 races over five fantastic days from Tuesday, June 18.
Heck, even if you know nothing about horses and just like a day out then you’ll be going to the sporting equivalent of London Fashion Week.
Royal Ascot is the ultimate when it comes to glamour, serious cash and the prestige of winning in front of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
But if you fancy winning a few quid to pay for your drinks, it’s worth getting to know a bit about how it all works.
Here, we take a look at the key things to consider throughout the week.
Who are the big jockeys and trainers?
Frankie Dettori won’t be racing at Ascot this year – instead he’s joined our brilliant Sun Racing team with a daily exclusive column and tips.
You can read his priceless insight by joining our fantastic new Members Enclosure.
Elsewhere, it always pays to look at who Ryan Moore is riding for legendary Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The two are the best in the business… mind you, you won’t get rich quickly backing all their runners because they are more often than not at the head of the market.
William Buick is Southampton boy Charlie Appleby’s No1 rider for Godolphin, the global racing powerhouse owned by the ruler of Dubai.
While Oisin Murphy is the main man for Sun Racing columnist and famed trainer Andrew Balding.
While Kieran Shoemark rides for iconic father-son duo John & Thady Gosden.
Trailblazing Hollie Doyle always pops up with a few winners at Ascot and her husband Tom Marquand is the go-to man for William Haggas.
Elsewhere you really want to pay close attention to the mounts of Saffie Osborne and Billy Loughnane.
What celebrities will be there?
King Charles and Queen Camilla looked to have a great time at last year’s meeting – helped by having an 18-1 winner.
And they’re expected to rock up again this year in the famed Royal Procession which takes place before racing every day.
AFPKing Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to be at this year’s Royal Ascot[/caption]
Holly Willoughby has soaked up the summer sun at Royal Ascot in the past
GettyYou’re never far from a Royal at Ascot’s summer showpiece[/caption]
Hollywood A-listers such as Idris Elba and Tom Cruise have shown up in the past.
While TV stars including Amanda Holden, Holly Willoughby and Georgia Toffolo have all made it to the Berkshire track.
What are the big races and which horses do I need to bet on?
Which horse you back is down to you! Sun Racing’s top tipster Templegate will bring you all his top picks throughout the week.
And he’ll post his verdicts on all the ITV action first in our Members Enclosure – so be sure to sign up for just £1 for the first month.
The big race Tuesday to Friday is run at 4.25pm and the Gold Cup on Thursday is the feature race of the entire festival.
O’Brien could have the banker of the week there in his superstar stayer Kyprios, who’s 10-11 to win that contest.
Bookies are already running for cover with punters putting him in multiples alongside the likes of fellow shorties Notable Speech and Auguste Rodin.
The former is a red-hot 11-8 fancy to win Tuesday’s St James’s Palace Stakes while Auguste Rodin is around 6-4 to claim the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday.
On Saturday the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is the main race at 3.45pm while the 29-runner Wokingham at 4.25pm is the big betting heat.
What do I wear?
Dress smart because it doesn’t get much posher than Royal Ascot.
The Royal Enclosure is strictly top hat and tails only, but it’s a bit more relaxed in the other areas.
But beware, on Ascot’s official site they have an extensive breakdown of what is and isn’t allowed.
Wear the wrong thing and you could be turned away.
PAITV Racing presenter Leonna Mayor looks incredible as she arrives for Royal Ascot[/caption]
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