TREAD warily if you are intending to have a bet at Royal Ascot this year.

Last year, you were analysing good and fast ground form in the lead up to the week, and endeavouring to figure out if your conclusions held true on the soft ground at Royal Ascot.

This year: foot, shoe, other. The ground during the early part of the season has been unusually easy in general, some of the big races have been run on easy ground, and next week is set to be baking.

The forecasters are saying that, all things being equal, it will be fast ground all the way to Thursday at least, so wear sunscreen and look for fast-ground horses.