It does not seem a year ago I was reminiscing on my Royal Ascot 2007 blog of past visits to the Ascot course. This year I will be an armchair viewer with five races each day on the BBC. My interest will revolve around entries I have made on the Totetentofollow competetion. I am already loosing ground on the leaders, but hopeful of picking up some points this week. On Tuesday Henrythenavigator and Ravens Pass are due to run in St James's Palace Stakes. Ravens Pass did not appear to stay the mile in the 2000 Guineas, but obviously connections think it is worth another try at that distance. He could be the eachway value although Henrythenavigator (pictured beating New Approach) should win. On Wednesday Duke of Marmalade is fancied to win the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Thursday is Ascot Gold Cup Day and my hope here is Septimus if he runs. He is also engaged in the Hardwicke Stakes over one and a half miles on Saturday. Also on Thursday we have the Ribblesdale Stakes where we are still waiting to see if Lush Lashes runs. The runners and riders towards the end of the week are a bit sketchy. A lot depends on the state of the ground for some of them. On Friday Nahoodh, who has changed ownership and stables, will reappear in the Coronation Stakes with Frankie Dettori on board. Saturday's big race will be the Golden Jubilee Stakes and here I hope Sakhee's Secret will sprint home. Have a good week and be lucky. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".

The Epsom Derby and Oaks Meeting gets underway this Friday the 6th June. All the talk at the moment is of New Approach, now that it has been decided by his trainer to run him in the Derby. He finished last season unbeaten and was quoted at 4/1 antepost favourite for the Derby at that time. Ladbrokes now quote him at 6/1 with a run, which seems better value! He is battle hardened with two very good runs this season against Henrythenavigator in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas. After the Dewhurst last season his trainer stated that he had been training the horse with next years Derbys in mind. New Approach acts well on good to soft ground and if he turns up on Saturday he should go very close to winning this years Derby which is worth £1,250,000.00 in prize money. He will have to overcome Casual Conquest who is now favourite and Curtain Call whose owner backed him at 66/1 last season after he split New Approach and Henrythenavigator in the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh. Rio De La Plata might find the distance of one and a half miles too far in order to produce his sharp turn of foot. I have a lasting impression of watching him power up the Newmarket hill last July while standing by the running rail. The Coronation Cup, a Group 1 worth £200,000.00, will be run on Friday before the Juddmonte Oaks which is worth £350,000.00. The Coronation Cup seems to rest between Getaway from the Andre Fabre yard in France and Soldier of Fortune from the all conquering Aidan O'Brien yard in Ireland. Both horses finished upsides in last years Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. New Approach's trainer, Jim Bolger, has the Juddmonte Oaks favourite in Lush Lashes who has put in two very good runs this season, especially the one in the Musidora at York. She looks a worthy favourite and could kick off a memorable couple of days for Jim Bolger. The blogger is hoping Soldier of Fortune, Lush Lashes and New Approach will earn some points for the Totetentofollow competetion. For all the runners and riders and jockey's colours go to the Sporting Life. Be lucky. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".