It is the most glamorous race meeting in the world. The best horses and the jockeys assemble for a five-day extravaganza at Ascot Race Course for the Royal Ascot meeting.

Royal Ascot opens on Tuesday, June 19 and ends on Saturday, June 23, 2007.

There are six races every day. First race is at 2 30 P M and the last race is at 5 30 P M. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at the race course in a Royal procession.

The Royal party enter the track on the right hand side for a mile-long (straight) ride that culminates in front of the Royal Enclosure. The procession begins at 1:55 P M every day of the meeting.

The Royal Enclosure is meant for the Royal Family and those who go through a rigorous application and screening process. One has to be in what is called the 'morning dress' to be admitted to the Royal Enclosure. There are bookmakers who operate exclusively in the Royal Enclosure. The Queen and the Duke watch the races from a glass-enclosed box. There are photographers who position themselves at vantage points in the track to get pictures of the Royal Family and you will see telescopic lens equipment everywhere.

On the first day, there is a formal 'opening ceremony.' The Queen is welcomed and she delivers a short speech. Moments later, the horses for the first race start their trek to the paddock and Royal Ascot gets under way.

There are frequent trains from London Waterloo to Ascot. On race days, there are customer service agents at Waterloo to help fans get tickets from machines. People in morning dress are all over. Hats, in all sizes and shapes, are the essence of a day at Royal Ascot. It is a 45-minute train ride. There is nothing but 'race talk' in the train. You alight at Ascot. The walk to the race course takes 8-10 minutes. 

The first race on Tuesday is the Group 2 Coventry Stakes. It is a six-furlong event for two year-olds. There are 20 runners this year.

The second race is the Group 2 King's Stand Stakes. This is a five-furlong (straight) dash. There are 21 horses. The King's Stand is the British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. Australian runner Takeover Target, the 2006 winner, is in the field.

The third race is the Group 1 St.James Palace Stakes. It is a (round) mile race for three year-olds. There are eight runners. Cockney Rebel, winner of the English and the Irish 2000 Guineas, goes for three in a row. Olivier Peslier, the French riding star, is aboard. Colm O'Donoghue will ride Astronomer Royal, an Aidan O'Broen trainee who won the French 2000 Guineas. Creachadoir, second in both the French and the Irish 2000 Guineas, will be ridden by Kevin Manning. Dutch Art and Excellent Art will also take their chances in the St.James Palace. 

The Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, for older horses, is the fourth race. The Queen Anne will be run over a straight mile. George Washington, the 2006 English 2000 Guineas winner, is the favorite. George Washington won the King George at Ascot last September. He was a flop in the (dirt) Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs last November. After a not-so-inspiring spell at stud, George Washington, an Aidan O'Brien-trained horse, is back racing.

Red Evie takes her chances in the Queen Anne. She won the Sandringham at Royal Ascot last year. After winning Group I races, she failed in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket in her last race in 2006. She rebounded with a win this year on her reappearance in Newbury's Lockinge. There are eight runners in the Queen Anne.

The Ascot Stakes, over 2 1/2 miles, is the fifth race. This is the race that Baddam won in 2006 and he went on to win again on closing day to register a historic Royal Ascot double.

The sixth and final race is the five-furlong Windsor Castle, a listed event. Twenty one run in this race.

In the St James Palace, my choice is Cockney Rebel. He came from behind in the English 2000 Guineas. He stayed close to the lead at the Curragh in the Irish equivalent. He is versatile. He has been impressive in his work. Cockney Rebel's form should carry the day. Creachadoir, I believe, is the principal worry. Creachadoir's Irish 2000 Guineas effort, was noteworthy. He was caught late at Longchamp in the French 2000 Guineas. He is in splendid form.

Red Evie is my selection in the Queen Anne. She beat the boys in the Lockinge this year. She and Jamie Spencer have formed a formidable partnership. A straight mile will play to her strengths. She has a deadly late kick. George Washington's readiness is in doubt. I remember his decisive win in the King George in September at Ascot. A lot has happened since then. Red Evie may offer further proof that 'girl power' will rule this year.

After a dry spell, there has been enough rain in London to keep the watering crew at bay. The going will be good to firm. 'Firm' will be the operative word. Showers are forecast for Tuesday. There may not be enough rain to make the going soft.

The first race is at 2:30 P M London time. It will be 7 P M in India. Royal Ascot is a spectacle. Watch it if you can. You will be thrilled.