Royal Ascot makes the bookies squirm

So Royal Ascot 2010 has come and gone and as usual has provided us with some extraordinary sporting memories,writes Elliot Slater.

Probably the biggest thrill though has been the absolute hiding the bookies have taken on what for them is usually a five-day profit filled week that leaves most punters much worse off than they started.

Looking back, it all started with the very first race of the meeting, the Queen Anne Stakes, when a major gamble on French superstar mare Goldikova (9/4 down to 11/8) was landed as Freddie Head's five-year-old held off the fast finishing Paco Boy.

In the two following Group 1s on the card Equiano (9/2) was a well backed winner of the King's Stand Stakes and there was also plenty of money for joint-favourite Canford Cliffs, brilliant winner of the St James's Palace Stakes. Favourite Strong Suit (15/8) landed the Coventry and Junior (10/1 to 17/2) was not without support when landing the Ascot Stakes, after which Marine Commando, 15/2 down to 9/2 left the books in turmoil. Anyone who paid attention to the Timeform racing tips should have backed a few winners.

Still, they must have expected their luck would change over the subsequent four days. Byword and Maqaasid did more damage on day two. Day three saw Hibaayib, Afsare and Dandino romp home. Monteroso, Lillie Langtry, Mikhalil Glinka and a massive punt on Rainbow Peak made Friday a stunning day for backers. Then on Saturday the two huge gambles on Harbinger (8/11) and Laddies Poker Two (25/1 a week before, down to 9/2), as well as serious money for Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Starspangledbanner (13/2jf), compounded the bookies "worst ever" Royal Ascot. It was certainly a good time for anyone who kept their eye on the daily horse racing tips.

It's hard to know how true the bleating about a £50 million loss is for the firms, but there is no doubt that the royal meeting has given punters plenty of ammunition to use in the war against the bookmakers for the rest of the mid-summer run.
Even though I personally failed to finish ahead, knowing that so many others did show a profit is almost like winning myself - but not quite.