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Showers and longer periods of rain could not dampen spirits at Royal Ascot today, although they did lead to two changes in the going during the afternoon - the first to Good to Soft after the fourth race and then to Soft after the fifth contest.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "We had five millimetres (up to 5.15pm) rain today, which changed the going from 'good' on the straight course and 'good, good to soft in places' on the round course, to 'soft' all round after race five.

"We are forecast further showers this evening, tonight and tomorrow morning. It is difficult to predict how much, but anything between four millimetres and eight millimetres."

That might be worrying news for racegoers who have invested in summer fashions and chic shoes, but Stickels sounded a note of optimism when he said: "The latest information I have is that it does look better from lunchtime tomorrow, although the forecast is changing daily.

"It certainly looks better from Thursday onwards, with just occasional showers and generally a drier outlook.

"There won't be any rail movements this evening, but the plan is to move rails from the nine-furlong point to the home straight tomorrow, after racing, to provide fresh ground for Thursday's card."

Today's crowd came to 45,135 as against 46,773 last year.