TRADE STRONG, REPORT BOOKMAKERS ON DAY ONE

Animal Kingdom may be the big-name horse with a CV to envy on the opening day of Royal Ascot, but Pricewise of the Racing Post has caused a 'Storm' in the betting ring.

The industry's most-talked-about tipster sided with Trade Storm against Animal Kingdom for today's Queen Anne Stakes (2.30), and inevitably that has led to a shortening in his price.

'The best-backed horse today,' was the view of Tote representative Andrew Griffiths, who said Trade Storm had been cut to 10/1 from 14/1. Yet the same firm's offer of 'double the SP if Animal Kingdom wins by more than two lengths' means the American challenger is not friendless with his firm.

Trade Storm's odds have shortened to 12/1 from 14/1 with Paddy Power and to 11/1 from 14/1 with Ladbrokes, while Barry Orr of Betfair reported weakness in interest for Animal Kingdom, who is now 11/10 from 4/5. The same firm has also found little support for Dawn Approach - now 7/4 from 6/4 - for the St James's Palace Stakes (3.45), although neither view is shared by Coral.

Its representative, Simon Clare, said the raider from across the Atlantic had been 'heavily supported in shops' this morning, forcing his price down to evens from 5/4, while interest in Dawn Approach had seen his odds shaved from 7/4 to 6/4.

Coral has also trimmed Reckless Abandon for the King's Stand Stakes (3.05) - he is now 11/2 from 13/2 - and been forced to tickle up Midnight Oil in the Ascot Stakes (5.00). His stablemate, Simenon, won the race last year, and punters appear to reckon trainer Willie Mullins will make it an across-the-year double.

Other King's Stand Stakes interest has focused on Shamexpress and Medicean Man, claims Ladbrokes. The former is now 8/1 from 10/1 while the latter is 20/1 from 25/1.

Movers with Paddy Power include Magician (3.45), into 9/4 from 5/2, and Sir John Hawkins (4.25), whose odds of 6/1 had been cut a point to 5/1. The same firm and Ladbrokes have been forced to duck under the weight of interest for Big Easy (5.00), cutting him to 10/1 from 12/1 and 14/1 respectively.

Ladbrokes' biggest mover of the day, however, is for a horse that has yet to win a race. My Catch, who lines up in the closing Windsor Castle Stakes (5.30), has been a popular choice with newspaper tipsters and punters, forcing his price in to 12/1 from 20/1.

UPDATED NON-RUNNERS AT 1.00PM

4.25pm COVENTRY STAKES    

1 BAHAMIAN HEIGHTS (Self Certificate, Colic)

5.00pm ASCOT HANDICAP        

8 JUNIOR (Vet's Certificate, Bad Scope)

5.35pm WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES  

8 FINE 'N DANDY (IRE) (Vet's Certificate, Colic)

14 MR DANDY MAN (IRE) (Self Certificate, Knocked Joint)

23 TREADSTONE (Self Certificate, Temperature)

27 KODAFINE (IRE) (Self Certificate, Stiff)