Betting honours fairly even after opening day

A PARTIAL success was the message emanating from the majority of bookmakers after the first day of Royal Ascot saw just two favourites pass the winning post first.

Araafa inflicted most wounds when easily obliging as the 2-1 favourite in the St James’s Palace Stakes, with one bet of £5,000 to win £10,000 recorded.

Hellvelyn (4-1 joint-favourite) got the layers off to a costly start in the opening Coventry Stakes, with Takeover Target causing further damage when landing a blow for Australia in the King’s Stand.