As the dust settles over Berkshire following another Royal Ascot, it is time to draw breath and look back at a fantastic weeks racing.

It is very easy to use hyperbole when the big meetings come around, however within the racing industry there is a rare occurrence. There is actually a consensus that Royal Ascot 2008 has been the best in many a long year.

Of course it helps that the sun shone for most of the week and even on the Saturday the rain went on its merry way a couple of hours before the first race.

For the first time the meeting began with three Group One races and the Ballydoyle stable of Aiden O’Brien quickly gave an indication of what was to come with Haradasun taking the opening Queen Anne Stakes, albeit with some luck in running.  

The Kings Stand, one of the more competitive races sprung something of a surprise in some quarters with the Spanish raider Equiano beating the perennial Ascot raider Takeover Target by half a length, providing the Spanish with their first Royal Ascot win.

Then came the “big one” of day one, the St James’s Palace Stakes, in which Henrythenavigator underscored his superiority in beating a high class field and in doing so hopefully silenced his detractors once and for all. OK Ravens Pass was only ¾ of a length in arrears but the winner never looked to be in any danger.

Henrythenavigator was not the only impressive winner on day one, the manner in which Art Connoisseur put in a blistering last to first performance in the Coventry Stakes, impressing many a seasoned observer of this sport.
Lewes trainer Suzy Smith deserves a special mention. In the 2½ mile Ascot Stakes her Missoula came off best in a blanket finish giving her trainer her first ever flat victory.

After such an opening day Wednesday had a great deal to live up to – it did not disappoint.

Who else but Aiden O’Brien took the big race of the day, the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes , with his Duke Of Marmalade taking the race in a matter of strides after happily tracking the field for most of the race.

The victory hit the bookmakers really hard and they were running scared when Bankable went to post in the Royal Hunt Cup. As well as being well backed in his own right there were a large number of doubles rolling on from Duke Of Marmalade.

The bookies heaved a huge sigh of relief as the favourite was headed by Richard Hannon’s Mr Aviator on the line.
Thursday was, of course Ladies Day, with many of the attractions being off the track, it’s safe to say the quality of the fillies on display ranged from Classic through to selling plater.

On the track there was only one name on people’s lips, Yeats – trained by you know who.

Attempting to win the feature Gold Cup for the third year running, only the great Sagaro who achieved the feat in the 1970’s has managed it before, he had to work hard for victory.

Turning for home it was a three horse race with Yeats, unbeaten French challenger Coastal Path and Geordieland. The French raider was the first to fold seemingly not getting the distance. Geordieland was level with Yeats a furlong out but inside the final furlong he ran on, returning to a tremendous roar.

Thursday was a terrible day for the bookmakers with four favourites coming in and in the other races the winners were not unfancied.

Another notable victory was Colony in the finale, giving former champion Ryan Moore his first ever Royal Ascot win.

Friday provided some more  good action with more prizes going across the Irish sea, although it was a day for Aiden O’Brien to draw a blank with Derby winning trainer Jim Bolger taking the first race with the promising Cuis Ghaire and the big race with Lush Lashes – both excellent performances.

For me the most impressive victory of the day, arguably the week,  was Patkai in the Queens Vase. In a matter of strides, two furlongs out , he showed an amazing turn of foot to trounce a quality field by seven lengths.      

Saturday was the dullest day weather wise but it was all sunshine and smiles after a royal winner in the first, as Free Agent gave The Queen her first winner at the Royal meeting since 1999.

Anyone who thinks Her Majesty is aloof and emotionless only had to see the look of absolute joy on her face to realise she is just as human as the rest of us.

Mr O’Brien still had some say on the final day with Macarthur taking the Hardwicke stakes the hard way, just getting up on the line.

Most appropriately O’Brien with stable jockey Johnny Murtagh also took the final race of the meeting with Honolulu adding the final sunshine to what was a bright and cheerful week.