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 Elizabeth Hudson

1748: That's it for day three and Yeats has definitely been the star of the show. There are still two more days left of Royal Ascot but I think you may need umbrellas for the next couple of days if the forecast is to be believed. Hope to see you again tomorrow.

1730 King George V Stakes (Handicap - 1m4f)
1. Colony (R L Moore) 11-2 Fav
2. Savarain (L Dettori) 16-1
3. Moonquake (J Fortune) 12-1
4. Dream Desert (E Creighton) 9-1
16 ran

A good finish to the day for former champion jockey Ryan Moore as Colony becomes only the second favourite in 11 runnings to win the King George V Stakes.

1728: This is not a race that favourites have enjoyed good fortune in - the last was Double Classic in 1998. At the moment Colony, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and the ride of Ryan Moore is set to go off favourite. Can Moore turn around what has been a disappointing week for him so far?

1725: I hope your hats haven't blown away in the wind and you are ready to try your luck in the last race of the day, the King George V Stakes.

1655 Hampton Court Stakes (Listed - 1m2f)
1. Collection (Kerrin McEvoy) 13-2
2. Staying On (Adam Kirby) 9-1
3. King of Rome (Johnny Murtagh) 8-1
15 ran. Dist: 1�, �

Kerrin McEvoy brought Collection through with a late weaving run to claim his second winner of this year's meeting.

Collection got settled toward the back early on but once he got into his stride he came through the field strongly to overhaul long-time leader Staying On.

King of Rome, who ran in this year's Epsom Derby, also put on a late charge to grab third place.

The favourite Kensington Oval was a big disappointment after struggling at the start and never figured

1659: Nearly ready for the Hampton Court Stakes with Kensington Oval the favourite as Ryan Moore bids for his first winner of the meeting.

1653: "I couldn't have liked it more. I've been grinning from ear to ear all day."
BBC fashion critic James Sherwood on the fashion on show for Ladies Day.

"I always think when they do split (into two groups) you are best trying to win your group and if that's in front it is a bonus."
Fifteen Love's jockey Steve Drowne

1640: I hope all you tennis fans were on Fifteen Love. If you are a cricket fan, maybe Kensington Oval in the next, could be the one for you!

1620 Britannia Stakes (Handicap - 1m)
1. Fifteen Love (S Drowne) 28-1
2. Masaalek (R Hills) 20-1
3. Yaddree (P Robinson) 12-1
4. Dubai Dynamo (J F Egan) 33-1
28 ran. Dist: �, 1�

Fifteen Love came through on the stand side to triumph in the keenly-contested Britannia Stakes to give jockey Steve Drowne his second win of the week.

The 28-strong field split into two groups and Drowne's mount looked strong and overcame his rivals on the stand side but Masaalek, ridden by Richard Hills, came through well late on to head the far-side group.

But Fifteen Love proved the strongest sweeping through late on to emerge victorious.

1616: Hurricane Hymnbook, ridden by Michael Kinane and trained by Brian Meehan is set to go off as favourite while Redford, the mount of Jamie Spencer is also well fancied.

1614: Three favourites win the first three races - it's definitely a bonus for the punters and not the bookmakers, but there is a chance for them in the next, the Britannia Stakes which features 29 runners.

O'Brien is the master. Yeats is a legend. Anyone else think he could win it for a fourth time next year?
fergyuuu on 606

"Brilliant horse, brilliant ride, sheer class"
bluesboy3 on 606
Your thoughts on the action

"He has the heart of a lion. I knew he would kill them. This horse is different - he has that touch of class that sets him apart."
Winning jockey Johnny Murtagh.

"It's unbelieveable - I didn't think it could happen. He is a strightforward horse to look after. When he gets fit he gets aggressive and has massive lungs and a massive heart. We've never had a horse like that. It's special for everyone involved."
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien.

"Yeats's class told in those last 200 yards. I'm so delighted and this is a very emotional win for everyone at Royal Ascot today as well as the Ballydoyle team."
BBC Sport commentator Willie Carson

1545 Gold Cup (Group 1 - 2m4f)
1. Yeats (Johnny Murtagh) 11-8f
2. Geordieland (Shane Kelly) 15-2
3. Coastal Path (S Pasquier) 2-1
10 ran. Dist: 5, 4�

Yeats and Johnny Murtagh created history with a third Gold Cup victory in a row to continue a magnificent week for Murtagh and trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Murtagh had Yeats well placed from the start as Le Miracle and Coastal Path set the piece but Murtagh mounted a serious challenge over the last half-mile as Yeats and Coastal Path pulled away.

The pair went around the home turn together while Geordieland also moved into contention.

Coastal Path faded but Geordieland threw down a challenge only for Yeats to pull away for a comfortable win.

1542: This is a two and a half mile test of stamina for the horses as they make their way to the start. Can Yeats create history?

1539: Former jockey and now BBC paddock commentator Kevin Darley says he cannot separate Coastal Path and Yeats who both look spectacular.

1537: The sentimentalists will probably be going for the grey Geordieland. A bird did its stuff on trainer Jamie Osbourne's shirt this morning, which is generally recognised as a sign of good luck.

1536: There is plenty of tension around the parade ring as the big race fast approaches. Yeats will go off favourite with Coastal Path and Geordieland, predictably, the next two in the market.

"Geordie's don't have the guts to win in the big games. He'll look Yeats in the eye and be found severely wanting. Coastal Path will be dispatched easily."
anubisrich on 606

1525: Dame Helen Mirren (who played the Queen in the film of the same name a couple of years ago), presented the trophies for the second race. She tells BBC Television that Royal Ascot is great for people-watching but she is having problems with her millinery. It's not only the wind, she admits she keeps barging into people with her wide-brimmed hat

"Coastal Path will win by a clear two lengths! Really not impressed with Yeats' seasonal re-appearance and I think Coastal Path is very very special!"
sirBlueNose89 on 606

1517: The big race of the day, the Gold Cup, is up next and can Yeats win his third Gold Cup in a row. He would become only the second horse ever to achieve the feat after Sagaro. But what would make Yeats more unique is that he will have been ridden by three different jockeys in the race - Kieren Fallon, Michael Kinane and Johnny Murtagh.

"She came here happy and I couldn't be happier with her. We'll give her a holiday now and go for the Yorkshire Oaks."
Winning trainer John Gosden

1505 Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2 - 1m4f)
1. Michita (Jimmy Fortune) 100-30f
2. Arthur's Girl (Steve Drowne) 7-1
3. Hobby (Seb Sanders) 11-1
9 ran. Dist: 3�,2�

An impressive run by the John Gosden-trained Michita who makes up for her disappointing seventh in the Epsom Oaks with a comprehensive victory.

Ridden by Jimmy Fortune, last year's champion rider at the Royal meeting, she was nicely poised throughout, just behind the leading pack and when Fortune called on her for an effort, she looked spectacular.

She moved through the field effortlessly and grabbed the lead from Hobby with a furlong and a half to go and never looked troubled after that with Steve Drowne on Arthur's Girl second.

1503: The horses are down at the start for the start at 1505.

1458: Michita and Cape Amber are heading the betting market as the second race the Ribblesdale Stakes fast approaches. BBC presenter Clare Balding likes the look of Cape Amber.

1456: The ever-popular Strictly Come Dancing presenter Bruce Forsyth and his glamorous wife Wilnelia are among the crowd at the course today. It's nice to see him, to see him nice. Brucie describes the day as "better than doing summer season."

1446: South Central's owner Graham Wylie receives his trophy from television personality Cilla Black who is wearing a green suit topped off with a black and red hat.

"The horse was very gutsy - he jumped off and travelled well for the first three furlongs and although he didn't quicken as I would have liked, he hung on well."
Winning jockey Robert Winston

1430 Norfolk Stakes (Group 2 - 5f)
1. South Central (Robert Winston) 11-4f
2. Spin Cycle (Ted Durcan) 7-1
3. Prolific (Richard Hughes) 6-1
11 ran. Dist: hd, 1

Jockey Robert Winston and trainer Howard Johnson combine for their second win in the race in four years when South Central holds on to take the Norfolk Stakes.

Winner of his only start before now at Carlisle, Winston took his mount to the front from the start along with Cerito.

As Cerito faded, Spin Cycle started to mount a serious challenge to South Central but when Winston urged his charge on for another charge, he responded well and held on for a good win for favourites backers.

1428: Among those in the paddock is former Southampton footballer Matt Le Tissier who is at Royal Ascot as a guest of another former Saints player and now successful trainer Mick Channon, who looks after Cerito in the opener. The horse is owned by Harry Findlay, who also owns Gold Cup winner Denman.

1423: We are getting near the start of the Norfolk Stakes with South Central likely to go off as favourite. Flashmans Papers, who won the Windsor Castle Stakes on day one, runs again and looks in good form.

1419:There seems to be a lot of black and white on show - including on BBC fashion presenters Julia Bradbury and Lisa Snowdon.

1417: It blew me away the way he ran on his first run at Carlisle. When I asked him to quicken he did it nicely and it was easy for him.
Jockey Robert Winston, who rides South Central in the opening race

Day three looks as tough as a day as the previous two - I am just looking for value, low drawn horses.
wellbeaten-the-owl1977 on 606

1411: According to Mr Sherwood, the Queen only wears black or white gloves - she has opted for black today as she makes her way into the royal enclosure in front of the biggest crowd of the week so far.

1406: BBC fashion critic James Sherwood is full of praise for the Queen's outfit, which is made of jacquard and is designed by Stewart Parvin with a hat by Philip Somerville. He is also pleased to see that Princess Beatrice has tied her hair back. With the wind, it's a sensible option for the young princess!

1403: The Queen has opted for pale blue (that's one winner for me today). The Princess Royal is wearing a fascinator while her daughter-in-law Autumn Phillips, the wife of Peter Phillips, is wearing a spectacular cerise hat.

1359: Johnny Murtagh, who will be riding Yeats in the Gold Cup, admits to the BBC's Clare Balding that the pressure is on him after the success for Aidan O'Brien so far this week. Murtagh has never ridden Yeats in a race before so he will be hoping to make it first time lucky.

1355: Time is ticking down to the start of the Royal procession. My money is on the Queen wearing blue today for Ladies Day. What do you think? Don't forget you can text us on 81111 or join in on 606.

1345: The sun is shining at Royal Ascot but it is reasonably windy so I hope the hats on show are secured with plenty of hatpins.

1340: Welcome to day three of the Royal meeting and it's Ladies Day. The ground is officially good to firm, firm in places. There are a plethora of spectacular hats on show and everyone is wondering what colour the Queen will be wearing. Not too long to wait to find out.