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 (€7,315.83) to win £10,000 (€14,631.66) recorded.