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★ PUNTERS are celebrating the start of Royal Ascot today!

Even though the five-day event is being held behind closed doors because of the coronavirus crisis, the flat racing extravaganza will actually feature more races than usual.

★ And with high-street bookies having reopened their stores this week, thousands of us are expected to have a cheeky wager on the action.

Here JAMES MOORE reveals 10 top facts you need to know and some top horsey one-liners to get you in the mood…

1 Ascot Racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and the first Royal meeting took place in 1768, with the coveted Gold Cup run in 1807.

2 This is the first time in its history that the meeting, which usually attracts 300,000 racegoers, will not be open to spectators. Instead fans will have to watch on the telly via ITV

Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

3 Trainers and jockeys will be allowed into Ascot this year, but not horse owners. Top rider Frankie Dettori, top left, who has had more than 60 winners at the event, will be aiming to ride Stradivarius to a third consecutive victory in the Gold Cup on Thursday.

4 The Queen, top right, who attends every year and traditionally takes part in the meeting’s Royal procession, will also miss the event – but some of her horses may still take part. Her nag Estimate won the Gold Cup in 2013.

5 Royal Ascot is famous for its flamboyant hats, dresses and suits – but this year armchair fans are being encouraged to dress up at home and post pictures of themselves with the hashtags #Styledwiththanks and #Royalascot. There will even be DIY hat-making tips online.

6 People are also being urged to donate £5 for a fundraising campaign to support four frontline charities.

7 Other activities to help people celebrate at home will be downloadable bunting sets, quizzes and streamed jockey fitness sessions. See ascot. co.uk/royal-ascot-at-home

8 Celebrity chefs will be sharing recipes to make the perfect afternoon tea. The event normally sees 250,000 finger sandwiches and 120,000 scones eaten at the course, along with 56,000 bottles of champagne and 174,000 pints of beer guzzled.

9 This year Royal Ascot will feature 36 races, not 30. There will be seven races for the first four days with an eight-race card on the Saturday.

10 However, prize money has been slashed from around what would have been a record £8million to £3.6m.