Royal Ascot welcomes Sir Mo Farah as gold medallist 'here to enjoy the racing'

Sir Mo Farah made his first appearance at Royal Ascot declaring he wanted to enjoy the racing as thousands of racegoers geared up for the start.

The long distance runner - who won four Olympic golds - looked smart in a top hat and tails as he arrived with wife Tania at the famous Berkshire race course.

Sir Mo, who will present the prizes for the first race of the day, the Queen Mary Stakes, said: "I'm just here to enjoy the racing, I haven't been here before but I'm looking forward to it."

His wife added: "It will be a fun day today, we will both try to enjoy it."

Other famous faces taking their places track-side included TV presenter Declan Donnelly and his pregnant wife Ali, football pundit Robbie Savage and sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher.

Talk Show host and race horse owner Jeremy Kyle, said: "I love Ascot, it's a good day out but it's different. It's all about the social aspect."

Bookies traditionally take bets on the colour of the Queen's hat, and they hope to have better luck than Tuesday when the favourite yellow was heavily backed.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said they shortened the odds on blue from 7-2 to 2-1 favourite, adding: "We will be feeling blue if another hat horror occurs today."

Harry Aitkenhead from Coral said his firm had also made blue their 5-2 favourite: "The Queen looked resplendent in yellow yesterday but it was the punters cheering, not the bookmakers, as they successfully predicted the colour.

"Today blue seems to be the pick and we've seen a number of bets on it this morning."

The Queen is expected to arrive at the course in her traditional carriage procession and among her guests in the royal box will be the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Charles and Camilla are due to present the winning prizes in the aptly named Prince of Wales's Stakes while the Earl of Wessex will perform the same role in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.