The weather bureau came ominously close to being right as the clouds gathered in menacing fashion soon after the first race on Wednesday, the second day at Royal Ascot. The clouds grew darker and the sun was shut out effectively. The temperature dropped and the winds picked up. I saw several pieces of headgear being chased and ladies were holding on to their hats with one hand firmly perched on their heads. The winds stayed on but the rain that looked imminent did not come through. As I left Ascot at the end of the program, the sky remained overcast and the threat of rain had receded.

The Queen arrived at the appointed time. She was in a subdued purple dress. The Duke of Edinburgh was the first to alight from the carriage on arrival at the paddock. The Queen was received by the Chairman of Ascot and there they chatted for a minute or two. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles were in another carriage. After all, Wednesday belonged to Prince Charles. The feature was the Prince Of Wales stakes.

It was an enjoyable train ride from Waterloo. A group of four women were to my left and Ladies’ Day, traditionally on Gold Cup Day which is Thursday, had come a day early for them. They had food, potato chips, paper cups and copious amounts of champagne. Another group of fans behind me were engrossed in racing questions.

The opening event was the Group III Jersey Stakes, a 1400-metre race for sophomores. Only three horses were being bet. Calming Influence, from Saeed Bin Suroor’s yard was the favourite at 4-1. Jupiter Pluvius, ridden by Jihn Murtagh and trained by Aidan O’Brien was at 6-1 and Aqlaam, from trainer Haggas’s yard, could be bet at 13-2. Surprisingly, Frankie Dettori was aboard Il Warrd, another Godolphin runner and at longer odds.

The race was won by Aqlaam and it was a bloodless victory. Il Warrd came on well to take the runner-up berth. Jupiter Pluvius was never in contention. Calming Influence did not do anything to raise the pulse of his supporters.

Trainer Haggas spoke about the knee injury from which Aqlaam had recovered. “It was a long procedure. A lot of good people work for me. Long time in the box and this colt has come back strong. There are good things ahead for him.”

Sixteen ran and the time of the race was 1 26.98 seconds.

The Windsor Forest Stakes came next. It was over 1600 metres. All the wagering centered on Heaven Sent, a Ryan Moore mount, and Sabana Perdida, ridden by Christophe Lemaire. Heaven Sent as 9-4 and Sabana Perdida was quoted at 4-1.

Jockey Lemaire had Sabana Perdida racing fourth. Jockey Moore stayed in range with Heaven Sent. With 400 metres left, Lemaire was in front and his filly began to idle. Heaven Sent struck the front. Responding to Lemaire’s call, Sabana Perdida rallied to gain the edge close home. The time was 1 39.73. Thirteen ran.

Jockey Lemaire, speaking in perfect English, explained his predicament. “She (Sabana Perdida) is capable. She has won Group races. She was traveling well. When we got going, suddenly she lost interest. I don’t know if the noise took away her interest. She came back.”

Duke of Marmalade was the 11-10 favorite in the Prince Of Wales. As the horses were in the paddock, I came across Mick Kinane’s father, a 75 year-old retired jumps jockey. We talked about Kinane’s rides in India. The senior Kinane recalled Mick’s and Sir Bruce’s exploits. He had fond memories of Bangalore.

I asked for and got 12-10 on the Duke. John Murtagh had the favourite fourth as Red Rock Canyon, another Aidan O’Brien trainee, set the pace. Less than 400 metres left, Murtagh angled out and gave the Duke the green light. In a trice, the favourite had the measure of those ahead of him. The winning margin was four lengths. The time was 2:5.35 for 2000 metres. Twelve ran.

Traner O’Brien loves to answer questions. He spoke eloquently about the Duke’s problems and how, at one point, it was thought that he may not race. “This has been a great story. He is better and stronger at four. Despite problems, he did well last year. We had pins inserted to help him. He responded.”

I got one question in. I congratulated O;Brien on the Irish invasion of Royal Ascot. “I am from America. There is a lot more to come from the Duke, are there plans to come to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup?”

O’Brien replied, “absolutely. He is coming along. It is on our agenda.”

The Royal Hunt Cup, the next race, was over 1600 metres and there were 29 runners. Docofthebay and jockey Shane Kelly almost made it all. They were caught in the waning yards by Mr Aviator and Richard Hughes. Mr Aviator was a 25-1 longshot. Bankable, the 7-4 chance, Dettori up, finished fifth. Bankable was restless leaving the paddock and at the start, he showed no signs of composure. The hood was put back again. Nothing went right.

The articulate Richard Hughes had this to say, “I was not surprised. I knew that the favorite was beatable. My horse can offer more. He kept going in a three-way battle.”

Another 25-1 chance won the next race, the 1000-metre Queen Mary Stakes. Langs Lash, handled by Alan Munro, beat Shryl and Frankie Dettori. The time was 1 08.7. Langs Lash won from the word ‘Go.’

The finale, the Sandringham handicap, went to Festivale and Kerrin McEvoy. Festivale was 10-1 and beat Illusion by a neck.

I met trainer Padmanabhan and his wife, Sharmila. I said hello to Mr Poonawalla and we spoke about the 2008 Invitation Cup.

Let me say what my thinking about the Thursday card at Royal Ascot is. I like the chances of South Central in the first race, the Norfolk Stakes over 1000 metres. South Central made a winning debut and the margin was 13 lengths. Robert Winston rides.

In the Ascot Gold Cup, I am taking Coastal Path to beat Yeats. Yeats is seven and all the reports say that he is training magnificently. However, the unbeaten Coastal Path, trained by Andre Fabre who does not know how many times he has been champion trainer in France, has not been tested. Yes, the 4000 metre-distance is new to Coastal Path but his pedigree suggests that he can stay. Stephen Pasquier, the French champion jockey in 2007, will ride. Yeats was beaten on Arc day and won a prep in Ireland this year.

There are 30 horses going in the Britannia Stakes. I will stay away.
Dr Faustus, Ryan Moore up, is my pick in the Hampton Court stakes. It is over 2000 metres.

In news from America, the Thoroughbred Safety Commission, brought into being by a directive from the Jockey Club, has made some important recommendations. A blanket ban on steroids in racing and training is recommended. There needs to be a ban on toe grabs and reform relating to use of whips. Whips, if not approved by the Racing Commissioners International, cannot be used.