We're off! It's the start of Royal Ascot today but not as we know it as a traditional festival of champagne, fashion and top quality racing.

Even The Queen, a big racing fan and racehorse owner sent a message saying:"I send my best wishes to the thousands of racing professionals and enthusiasts who will join me in celebrating this year's Royal Ascot."

Teddington Nub News is trying to bring you a taste of the fun and the excitement by signing up NICK LUCK (what can possibly go wrong with a name like that!) who is an award-winning writer and broadcaster, who lives in Teddington and has joined us as The Teddington Tipster for the big week.

He is offering up his expert tips for the five days but you may fancy a flutter with a particular horse name which strikes a chord with you, or a favourite jockey or simply the colours of the silks.

Our efforts have also been supported by the top bookies Betfred with a special charity bet of £100 a day and any winnings which will be donated a local community charity in Teddington.

BY THE TEDDINGTON TIPSTER (Nick Luck)

It's not that I love wearing a top hat, and the sweaty headache that goes with it, but I'll confess to having slight pangs of withdrawal that it stays in its box this year as Royal Ascot braces itself for an altogether more spartan experience.

A plain suit it is, offset with matching disinfectant-blue PPE and pocket square. Still, racing can count itself incredibly fortunate that it has had the behind-closed-doors sporting stage largely to itself this last fortnight, that it has been able to run smoothly with new bio-security protocols, and that it has enjoyed unprecedented TV exposure.

While I have been very grateful to have Kempton and Sandown up-and-running on the doorstep, escaping beyond the M25 this week will feel like a rare luxury: even the cavernous, echoing Ascot grandstand will be a comfort.

And, although you might say what's the occasion with no occasion, you were never paid out on the identity of the Queen's guests in the carriages, never earned a penny singing at the bandstand, and couldn't get richer by the Champagne bar.

Royal Ascot At Home is upon us, and - over the next five days - this column hopes to bolster the coffers. If it fails, I'll be the one still wearing a facemask in Bushy Park this time next year.

So here goes with Day One.

1.15 Buckingham Palace Stakes

A tricky way to start with two dozen runners. I am recommending keeping stakes small and backing the old boy Greenside each way. He ran a career best here at Ascot last autumn, and his apprentice jockey Marco Ghiani is a young talent to watch this season.

1.50 Queen Anne Stakes

One of the great marquee races of the week, named for the founder of Ascot in 1711. Circus Maximus will be a popular choice here, and should run well, but I prefer Mustashry, who has the highest official rating, yet is over five times the price. I'll be backing Billesdon Brook each way as well.

2.25 Ribblesdale Stakes

It won't be long before Frankie Dettori joins the party. He rides Frankly Darling here, who looks a very exciting prospect. She's a short priced favourite, but very hard to oppose.

3.00 King Edward VII Stakes

I like Frankie again - this time on the supposed second string from Aidan O'Brien's powerful stable, Arthur's Kingdom. He has loads of stamina in his pedigree and could end up in the Derby on July 4th.

3.35 King's Stand Stakes

Battaash is the best sprinter around by far, but he's never won at Ascot and there might be some mileage in taking him on by playing [.B]Liberty Beach each way. She is unlucky not to be unbeaten and will appreciate this drop back to five furlongs. As a three year old filly, she receives all the weight allowances.

4.10 Duke of Cambridge Stakes

Jubiloso is very well fancied by her top yard, and should be very competitive if returning to her best form from last year.

4.40 Ascot Stakes

You need a thorough stayer and Dubawi Fifty, second in this two years ago, has the right profile.

Nick Luck is a broadcaster and writer. A seven-time Horseracing Broadcaster of the Year, he presented Channel 4 Racing until 2016. He now divides his time between Racing TV, where he has a weekly free-to-air show Luck on Sunday, and NBC Sports, for whom he covers all major US races in addition to Royal Ascot. Nick is also the BBC's equestrian commentator. He lives in Teddington with his wife Laura, a professional singer, and their three daughters.

TO SEE TODAY'S FULL RACE CARD AND MAKE YOUR OWN SELECTIONS CLICK HERE