ROYAL ASCOT 2008
Date: Tuesday 17-Saturday 21 June First race: 1430 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC One (1345-1520) and BBC Two (1520-1715), BBC Radio Five Live and the BBC Sport website

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

By Russell Barder

1750: That's it for day one folks. A remarkable day's action, with Henrythenavigator firmly cementing his place as Europe's top miler with his win in the St James's Palace Stakes. To finish things off, 100-1 shot Flashmans Papers comes through to upset the odds. Oliver Brett will be in this hot seat to guide you through tomorrow's action.

1730: Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed - 5f)
1 Flashmans Papers (S Drowne) 100-1
2 Bushranger (J Murtagh) 4-1 Fav
3 Mullionmileanhour (L Keniry) 16-1
25 ran. Dist: �, 1�

1742: They're finally underway in the final race of the day.

1729: "It means so much - this is actually our first winner on the Flat, we are primarily a jumps yard and hardly have any Flat runners. I'm delighted for the owners, the horse and everyone in the yard."
The views of the winning trainer from the last race Suzy Smith

1724: One race remaining today then and 25 horses are expected to go to post for the Windsor Castle Stakes. Tishtar is our one non-runner.

1719: "I doubt we'll see a better finish than that all week!"
ruthere909 on 606

1715: Suzy Smith wins the battle of the jump trainers in that race as she claims her first Flat victory. In fact it is her first winner at Ascot on her very first visit.

1655: Ascot Stakes (Handicap - 2m 4f)
1. Missoula (S Hitchcott) 20-1
2. Mamlook (R L Moore) 8-1
3. Liberate (J P Spencer) 9-2 Fav
18 ran. Dist: hd, sh-hd

An incredible blanket finish with just half a length separating the first five horses, but Missoula just gets his nose in front when it matters. The favourite Liberate put in an incredibly gutsy performance to fight back after losing the lead to Bukit Tinggi who finished fourth. Mamlook very nearly came through for jump trainer David Pipe, who remains without a Flat win.

1657: Jamie Spence will be gunning for his second straight win of the afternoon on Liberate, who's last race on the flat was two year's ago. He has looked good over hurdles though so it will be interesting to see how he fares today.

1651: "A very classy performance from Art Connoisseur"
ruthere909 on 606

1646: Waverley and Odiham are the two non-runners for the penultimate race, the Ascot Stakes so we'll 18 runners going to post. Liberate is the current favourite.

1634: "He's a very smart horse but I didn't think he would win quite that well. That was a good performance."
Art Connoisseur trainer Michael Bell

1620: Coventry Stakes (Group 2 - 6f)
1. Art Connoisseur (J P Spencer) 8-1
2. Intense Focus (K J Manning) 12-1
3. Lord Shanakill (D Sweeney) 12-1
18 ran. Dist: 2�, ns

Art Connoisseur came from absolutely nowhere to win that. He was last before sprouting wings to fly through the back and in the end it was an easy win for Jamie Spencer. The favourite Orizaba never really got into it and finished fourth.

1624: Favourite for the fourth race of the day is Frankie Dettori's mount Orizaba.

1620: Clare Balding tracks down the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips who appears to be enjoying herself despite the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics.

1614: Three down, three to go and the two-year-olds take centre stage next for the Coventry Stakes. Henrythenavigator won this Group Two race last year and Aidan O'Brien could complete an Ascot hat-trick as Peter Tchaikovsky is a strong contender.

1609: It's the men's turn to take the fashion spotlight - waistcoat, top hat and tails is definitely the order of the day.

1602: So, another top notch performance by Henrythenavigator sees him crowned the undisputed champion three-year-old as this victory follows on from his wins at the Irish and English 2000 Guineas. Has there ever been a better miler?

1545: St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1 - 1m)
1. Henrythenavigator (J Murtagh) 4-7 Fav
2. Raven's Pass (J Fortune) 13-2
3. Twice Over (T Durcan) 7-1
Eight ran. Dist: �, 2�

Henrythenavigator produces a stunning run to win the day's feature race, setting a course record in the process. Credit to Raven's Pass who ran him close in the end, but Johnny Murtagh rode a textbook race to guide the favourite to victory. He was content to ride second last for much of the race, but he showed a great turn of foot two furlongs out to come through the middle of the pack.

1542: The horses exit the parade ring, led by Frankie Dettori who rides Alexandros as his Derby ride Rio de la Plata has been withdrawn. Not surprisingly, Henrythenavigator is the clear favourite.

1540: Not long to go now until the feature race of the day - the St James's Palace Stakes. Aidan O'Brien has said Henrythenavigator is the best miler he has ever trained, quite a claim when you think he trained the great Rock of Gibralter. We should be in for quite a race.

1535: "He ran very well in France last time and today was the big ambition. The trainer said he would be better to stay behind and get cover but I said over five furlongs he'd be better in front. He was handy and everything went right for him."
Equiano jockey Olivier Peslier

1529: Winning jockey in the first race Johnny Murtagh has picked up a three-day ban for overuse of the whip during that victory.

1527: Poor old Willie Carson has just been bullied by Clare Balding to have word with Dame Judi Dench. The little fella does well though as he muscles in on her chat with jockey Jimmy Quinn and seems to make a good impression.

1522: So far we have had an Australian bred, Irish-trained winner and a French bred, Spanish-trained winner. Surely we cannot go through the whole day without a British winner can we?

1505: King's Stand Stakes (Group 1 - 5f)
1. Equiano (O Peslier) 22-1
2. Takeover Target (J Ford) 6-1
3. Fleeting Spirit (R Moore) 15-8 Fav
13 ran. Dist: �, nk

Another fantastic finish. The group split into two and for a while it appeared the winner would come from the group on the far side with Dandy Man, ridden by Frankie Dettori, looking strong. However, the Spanish-trained Equiano held off late challenges from Takeover Target and Fleeting Spirit to win. That is only jockey Olivier Peslier's second winner at Ascot.

1510: The 13 runners are being lined up and Fleeting Spirit, ridden by Ryan Moore, will go off as favourite.

1506: The last two winners of this race have been provided by the Aussies and you would be a brave person to bet against them winning today with 2006 winner Takeover Target and Magnus involved today.

1459: We have two non-runners for our next race due off in five minutes, the Kings's Stand Stakes. Reverence and Captain Gerrard will not join the others at the starting gates, while the BBC's Clare Balding and Jim McGrath are both gunning for another Australian in Magnus.

1455: We are currently being treated to glamorous catwalk show. I am no fashion expert but there are certainly some interesting outfits on show out there...

1452: Cricket legend Richie Benaud presents the winning stable with their trophy, quite apt considering the winning horse is also Australian.

1449: "He's very natural. From day one with us he was very fast and you can see why everyone was so excited about him in Australia."
Haradsun's trainer Aidan O'Brien

1430: Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1 - 1m)
1. Haradsun (J Murtagh) 5-1
2. Darjina (C Soumillon) 5-1
3. Finsceal Beo (K J Manning) 9-2 Fav
11 ran. Dist: hd, �

What a great way to get Royal Ascot up and running. It was a photo finish at the end between Haradsun and Darjina, but Aidan O'Brien's charge won it by a nose. Haradsun had to battle hard for that one but came through after stable mate Honoured Guest set the pace, pre-race favourite Finsceal Beo beat Cesare into third.

1432: The runners are on their way to the start, it looks like we will be getting underway a few minutes later than the scheduled 1430 off. Finsceal Beo has jumped to the top of the markets and will go off as the clear favourite.

1428: Not since 1998 has the favourite won this race, so that does not bode well for Haradasun, Tariq and Darjina who are all currently joint favourites. Personally, I fancy Cesare for this one.

1420: We're just 10 minutes away from the first race - the Queen Anne Stakes over 1m and BBC presenter Rishi Persad has tipped Tariq for victory. Who is your tip in today's opener? Don't forget you can text us on 81111 or join in on 606.

1413: Right, let's get down to business. All the talk today, apart from fascinators and the like, seems to centre around Henrythenavigator. He goes in the St James's Palace Stakes at 1545 and is clear favourite after winning both the Irish and English 2000 Guineas earlier this year.

1409: In fact Mr Sherwood informs BBC viewers that the colour the Queen is wearing is actually champagne pink. He also points out that she is wearing a signature three string pearl necklace, the first of which was given to her by her grandfather George V.

1405: The Queen arrives in style as usual adorned in a classy pink suit with a nice black trim.

1400: It's a nice bright day in Berkshire and today's official going is good to firm so we can expect some pretty quick races.

1353: It's not all about the racing today - I will be keeping a close eye on all the fashion faux-pars around Ascot. If you are heading to any of the five days then you might find fashion critic James Sherwood's guide quite useful.

1345: Good afternoon ladies and gents. I trust you are all sporting your top hats and fascinators for what promises to be an exciting first day's racing at Royal Ascot?

We kick-off with three Group One races and our handy, brief guide below should give you a little taster of what is in store today.