Yellow Peril For Bookies?

Yellow the punters pick for The Queen’s Hat on Ladies’ Day

Yellow is now the joint favourite for the colour of the Queens Hat on Ladies’ Day after more than half the money so far placed with William Hill has been for the sunny shade.

As Her Majesty arrived at Ascot this afternoon in a ‘teal green’ outfit, bookies William Hill have lengthened the odds on green being the chosen colour on Ladies’ Day, but have halved the odds of yellow from 8-1 to 4-1 joint favourite with blue.

Hills spokeswoman Jennie Prest said, “There’s not much sunshine around at Ascot, but the punters are obviously hoping The Queen brings some on Thursday in a yellow hat. It’s been by far the best backed colour in the book so far and we are taking evasive action quickly …… history has taught us money talks in this sort of market.”

In the past, the bookies have been turned over by big gambles on the colour of The Queen’s Hat, with brown in 2005 and cream in 2007 hitting them hard, although a gamble on white went astray in 2008.

William Hill’s betting on the colour of the Queen’s Hat at Royal Ascot, Ladies’ Day Thursday 17th June: 4-1 Yellow (from 8-1), 4-1 Blue, 5-1 Purple, 6-1 Green, 6-1 Pink, 8-1 Peach/Apricot, 10-1 Cream / Beige, 10-1 Green, 12-1 Turquoise, 16-1 White, 16-1 Brown, 20-1 Orange, 20-1 Red, 20-1 Grey / Silver, 25-1 Black, other colours on request

1000-1: The Royal Procession receives a fanfare of vuvuzelas on entering the parade ring on Ladies’ Day.

100-1: One or more of the carriages in the Royal Procession at Royal Ascot on Thursday 17th June to be flying a plastic ‘car flag’

10-1: The Queen to have a Cross of St George somewhere visible on her Ladies’ Day outfit (including accessories such as hat, handbag and shoes)

-ENDS-

Royal Ascot Facts:

William Hill have been betting on the colour of the Queen’s Hat since 1973

Over the last few years, Her Majesty has worn the following coloured hats:

2009: White

2008: Blue

2007: Cream

2006: Green

2005: Brown

2004: White

2003: Blue

2002: Green

2001: Apricot

2002: Blue

The Queen has owned 20 winners at Royal Ascot, most recently Free Agent who won the Chesham Stakes in 2008.

· The first Royal Meeting was held at Ascot in 1768

· Royal Ascot has over 275,000 visitors during the 5 days of the meeting

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