The newly revamped Ascot course was officially opened by the Queen after its �200m redevelopment.

The crowds packed into the course to see the Queen, dressed in royal blue, make her first appearance at the new-look track.

On the course, Araafa followed up his Irish 2,000 Guineas win with victory in the St James's Palace Stakes while the day's other Group One race, the Queen Anne Stakes, went to Ad Valorem, after a stewards inquiry.

Australian challenger Takeover Target claimed a famous victory in the King's Stand Stakes and he will compete in Saturday's Golden Jubilee Stakes.

1730 - Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed - 5f)
1. Elhamri (D P McDonogh) 20-1
2. Conquest (J Fortune) 8-1
3. The Old Fella (K Fallon) 12-1
18 ran

Elhamri produced a determined display to land the Windsor Castle Stakes for jockey Declan McDonogh and trainer Sylvester Kirk.

The 20-1 shot was always well positioned just behind the early pacesetters and took up the running with just over a furlong to go, finding extra when challenged.

Conquest emerged as a major threat inside the final furlong but failed by a neck to reel in the winner, having travelled very smoothly up the stands rail.

The Old Fella found his stride late on under Kieren Fallon and stayed on well for third.

1655 - Ascot Stakes (Handicap - 2�m)
1. Baddam (Ian Mongan) 33-1
2. Top of the Charts (FM Berry) 5-1
3. Shamayoun (Nicky Mackay) 10-1
4. Full House (K Darley) 16-1
29 ran. Dist: 5, hd

Ian Mongan put in a strong run on the home straight to win the Ascot Stakes on Baddam for trainer Mick Channon.

The four-year-old took over the lead from Elusive Dream in the last furlong and a half looked well in control.

It only took a few reminders from Mongan to ensure his charge stayed on in eyecatching fashion to land the spoils at odds of 33-1 and give him his first Royal Ascot success.

1625 - Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1 - 1m)
1. Ad Valorem (K Fallon) 13-2
2. Court Masterpiece (Jamie Spencer) 11-2
3. Proclamation (L Dettori) 2-1
7 ran. Dist: 1�, nk

Ad Valorem and Kieren Fallon emerged victorious after a stewards inquiry in a controversial Queen Anne Stakes.

The winner and Peeress, ridden by Mick Kinane, were pushing to the line when there appeared to be some interference which affected Peeress and Court Masterpiece.

After a lengthy inquiry, the places remained unaltered but Fallon was given a four-day ban which will rule him out from 1-4 July.

1550 - St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1 - Old Mile)
1. Araafa (Alan Munro) 2-1f
2. Stormy River (O Peslier) 7-2
3. Ivan Denisovich (K Fallon) 13-2
11 ran. Dist: 2, 1�

Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Araafa claims a comfortable success in the day's first Group One race.

The 2-1 chance, trained by Jeremy Noseda, stayed just behind pacesetter Arabian Prince in the early stages of the race.

But jockey Alan Munro moved him up to a strong position turning for home with three furlongs to go and once he accelerated down the home straight, nobody could catch him.

Stormy River finished fast for second but he never really challenged the winner and it was Munro who claimed his first Royal Ascot success since 1994.

1510 - King's Stand Stakes (Group 2 - 5f)
1. Takeover Target (Jay Ford) 7-1
2. Benbaun (Jamie Spencer) 16-1
3. Pivotal Point (L Dettori) 25-1
28 ran. Dist: sh-hd, �

Overseas challenger Takeover Target wins a dramatic King's Stand Stakes after a photo-finish.

The top Australian sprinter, owned and trained by taxi driver Joe Janiak and ridden by Jay Ford, edged out the fast-finishing Benbaun on the line.

Takeover Target started well on the stands side and battled bravely to hold off the challenge of his rivals as he emulates the win of compatriot Choisir in the race in 2002.

There was drama late on when Orientor and Tabaret both fell towards the back of the field which resulted in jockey Dean McKeown being brought to hospital as a precaution.

1435 - Coventry Stakes (Group 2 - 6f)
1. Hellvelyn (Ted Durcan) 4-1jf
2. Major Cadeaux (Richard Hughes) 11-2
3. Tariq (Alan Munro) 12-1
21 ran. Dist: �, 1

Hellvelyn puts in a strong display to win the opening race of the 2006 Royal Ascot meeting.

The 4-1 joint favourite was in a good position from early on at the stands rail which proved crucial in the big field.

The winner and Major Cadeaux, ridden by Richard Hughes, looked strong and pulled away from the rest of the field in the final couple of furlongs.