Iranian women seeking to run in the presidential election next month have been told they are not allowed to take part.

The John Smith's Silver Cup (2.25 York) is a typically strong 15-runner handicap in which a case can be made for a number of the runners, but perhaps the most compelling of all can be built around the progressive Suraj, who sits neatly at the very bottom of the racecard.

After the gallant effort of Carlton House in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday and the disappointment of Momentary in yesterday’s Ribblesdale Stakes, it could be a case of third-time lucky for host and owner Queen Elizabeth II as her choicely bred Estimate looks set for a big run in this afternoon’s Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.

Iranian security forces stormed a series of opposition offices today, rounding up at least seven prominent anti-government activists in a new crackdown against the country’s reformist movement, opposition websites and activists reported.

International human rights organisations today warned that many prominent activists and politicians have been arrested in Iran in response to protests over the country's disputed presidential election.