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| | English Race Course Gazeteer: Ascot and Newbury |
 | | The establishment of the Ascot course is credited to Queen Anne, who offered a race, Her Majesty's Plate, of 100 guineas, to be run "round the new beat at Ascot Common, near Windsor" on 7 August 1711; the meet began two days earlier with a £50 plate race. |
 | | After her death, in 1714, it wasn't until the inauguration of a Cup race in 1777 that the "Windsor and Ascot Heath Races" were reinvigorated, becoming one of the principal racing venues. |
 | | Ascot is a right-handed track, and the Old Mile is a steady rise, until turning in the 2 furlong home straight, from where it is uphill, until levelling out 100 yards from the winning post. |
| www.tbheritage.com /TurfHallmarks/Gazeteer/GazeteerBerk.html (1818 words) |
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