Summary

  • Coverage of day one at Royal Ascot 2017

  • Barney Roy wins St James's Palace Stakes

  • Ribchester wins Queen Anne Stakes

  • Injured Dettori out of Royal Ascot

  • Armed security increased at racecourse

  1. The gates are openpublished at 10:04 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    The turnstiles are turning, the big metal gates have been pulled apart, and Royal Ascot is officially open.

    These women are going through at about 100 mph, by the looks of it.

    WomenImage source, Getty Images
  2. Top tips for Ascot topperspublished at 09:55 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    Adam Whitty
    BBC South

    Maybe you're a gentleman on your way to Ascot today, or at some point this week, and you're worried about your top hat etiquette.

    Or, you're just a fan of all things millinery.

    Either way, it might be best to learn the top tips on top hat wearing from a professional hat-maker.

    Doug Simpson, from Ascot Top Hats, has been giving us the polite way to manage your headwear over the week, including, how to present it in front of Her Majesty.

  3. horse-racing

    Ascot talking pointspublished at 09:48 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    A movie script, a Middle East rivalry and an American dream - there are many subplots to Royal Ascot 2017.

    Our racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght has been looking forward to the five-day meeting.

    "As usual, the Queen will be holding court during what is acknowledged as her favourite week of the year," he writes.

    You can read Cornelius' preview right here.

    The QueenImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'The show must go on'published at 09:37 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    Tim Dellor
    BBC Berkshire sport editor

    The big news breaking early today is there will be no Frankie Dettori riding at Royal Ascot this week.

    He will be missed, but the show must go on, and what a show. The meeting opens with three Group 1 races.

    The first of the 30 races this week is the Queen Anne Stakes at 2:30. Ribchester and Lightning Spear are the two most eye catching runners. They finished 1-2 in the Lockinge at Newbury last month.

    Then after the Coventry Stakes for the two-year-olds we've got the King's Stand Stakes. Last year Clive Cox's Profitable won the race. The Lambourn horse might find it tough to defend his crown, though. The American-trained Lady Aurelia is very highly rated.

    Today's feature is the St James's Palace Stakes at 4:20. According to the bookies this will be a duel between Churchill and Barney Roy.

    Wrapping things up on Day 1 it's the Ascot Stakes, and then the Windsor Castle Stakes at 5:35.

  5. Injured Dettori out of Royal Ascotpublished at 09:27 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    Jockey Frankie Dettori will miss the 2017 Royal Ascot meeting after a fall at Great Yarmouth last week.

    Read More
  6. More armed police for this year's eventpublished at 09:21 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    Toby Wadey
    BBC South

    Royal Ascot will feature more armed officers and security checks following the London and Manchester terror attacks, police have said.

    The force said it wanted to reassure the 300,000 racegoers expected to descend on the Berkshire town ahead of the five-day event's Tuesday start.

    Armed police at Royal AscotImage source, Getty Images

    "Those attending should go about their day as normal," a force spokesman said.

    Armed patrols were deployed at Royal Ascot, which the Queen will attend, for the first time in 2016.

  7. "Heat forces Ascot rethink"published at 09:10 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    The Times

    The Times say organisers at Royal Ascot are preparing to relax the formal dress code to combat the effects of the summer heatwave we are having at the moment.

    A spokesperson said if it gets too hot, gentlemen will be allowed to remove their jackets.

    Top hat and tails are compulsory for those inside the Royal Enclosure.

    The TimesImage source, The Times
  8. Ascot is readypublished at 09:07 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    Ascot looks sublime this morning.

    Weather forecasters are predicting scorching temperatures throughout the day, with highs of around 28 degrees (82F).

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  9. horse-racing

    Dettori to miss Ascotpublished at 09:02 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    Frank Keogh
    BBC Sport at Ascot

    Frankie DettoriImage source, Getty Images

    Jockey Frankie Dettori will miss the 2017 Royal Ascot meeting which starts today.

    The 46-year-old Italian had been due for some fancied rides, including favourite Lady Aurelia in the King's Stand Stakes on the opening day.

    Dettori, the most successful Royal Ascot jockey currently riding, returned to action at Chantilly on Sunday.

    But he was struggling with an arm injury on Tuesday morning and was ruled out of the five-day fixture.

    "For me that's soul destroying as it's the most important week of the year," he said.

    "I'll be counting the days until next year."

  10. horse-racing

    Ready to rumble at Royal Ascotpublished at 08:59 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    Five days, 30 races, more than £6.5m in prize money - there's high stakes alongside the high fashion at Royal Ascot.

    You can hear live commentary of the first four races on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, with further coverage throughout the day on BBC Radio Berkshire.

    Royal AscotImage source, Getty Images

    Here's the full running order (races in bold on Sports extra). All times BST.

    14:30: Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) one mile

    15:05: Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 6f

    15:40:King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) 5f

    16:20: St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) one mile

    17:00:Ascot Stakes (handicap) 2 1/2m

    17:35: Windsor Castle Stakes 5f

  11. Are you ready? Yay or neigh?published at 08:58 British Summer Time 20 June 2017

    Gorgeous manes, perfectly fitting hooves, some thoroughbred stallions and plenty ignoring a stable diet.

    And that's just the punters.

    Welcome to the most opulent event on the sporting calendar, Royal Ascot 2017.

    AscotImage source, Getty Images