5:15 Well that concludes a good afternoons racing at Ascot, the fields may have been disappointingly small and the weather more winter like than spring like but when you have good quality racing the weather does not matter.
From Ascot good night.
5:10 Well if you watched this race at home on television you probably saw more of it than I did – actually there is no probably about it – all I say was a dark shadow in the gloom.
Having said that, it was the finish was important and we had a convincing run from the favourite Bankable under Frankie Dettori. Happy to track the field, Frankie started his run about two furlongs out and the result never looked to be in any doubt.
It says a lot about how much a runner is considered when it goes off at 11/8 in a 15 runner handicap. The long term aim for the winner is the Hunt Cup
4:55 Well my job has been easy so far this afternoon with nice small number fields making it easy to follow the action.
Now, for the last, fifteen runners charging down the straight mile – great!!
4:40 Well as predicted we have another non-runner in the last leaving 15 runners and reducing each way betting to 1/2/3 only. I must ask Big Mac what he thinks.
4:35 We opened up with three co-favourites in the fifth. Sir Gerry, Prohibit and Tajdeef all opening at 100/30.
One of them, Sir Gerry, drifted out to 9/2 before coming back to 4/1 just before the off.
No prizes for guessing which of the three won the race – yep Sir Gerry under another inspired Spencer run.
Held up at the back, along with Prohibit, Spencer was happy to allow Cathy Gannon set the pace on Edge of Light.
Spencer unleashed his run a bit sooner this time, just before the furlong marker, quickly taking the lead. Although for a moment it looked as though he was going to tire and allow Tajdeef to grab victory. A couple of slaps from the champion jockey re-ignited the leader as he cruised to a two length victory, from Tajdeef with the running on Prohibit in third.
4:00 The Woodcote Stud Sagaro Stakes over two miles was the big race of the afternoon and someone had best dig out the smelling salts.
Why – well a jumps trainer has had the temerity to face up to the top guns of the flat and win.
Shipmaster from the Alan King yard took the race when, in all honesty he lookd beaten.
It is no great surprise to report that a Mark Johnston horse set the pace, this time in the shape of Soapy Danger . The favourite, old timer, Distinction was more than happy to pay his usual waiting game.
Shipmaster was more than happy to keep the leader company for most of the race as they went a steady pace in the testing conditions. (Forgot to mention the going on the round course is now officially soft)
The race proper began in the home straight when Distinction came through beaten horses but never really threatened. Up front Soapy Danger tired and the race was between Shipmaster and the other Johnston runner Peppertree Lane.
When Peppertree Lane hit the front just after the furlong pole it looked to be game over. However Shipmaster had other ideas and bravely fought back to take victory on the line by a short head.
3:45 So much for me boasting about how few non-runners we have here, the total now is eleven and we still have three races to go.
The last race will be interesting. Originally a 20 runner handicap, we are now down to 16 runners - what odds another withdrawal to shaft the 1/2/3/4 each way backers?
3:25 There is a very fine line between glory and ignominy and in this race Jamie Spencer trod that line.
As it happened he emerged with glory. Riding the drifting favourite Cesare he was happy to sit stone last for most of the race, joining the bunch 1½ furlongs out. Almost sitting there teasing his rivals he finally went for home in the last 50 yards to take victory by a length from the well backed second favourite Don’t Panic who, after what seemed to be a long delay, got the better of Mark Johnston’s Drumfire in a photograph for second place.
Despite the knife edge victory and the winning distance of only a length, this was an impressive victory from the Fanshaw runner.
3:10 Royal Oath who was fancied in some quarters is out of the next, leaving James Fanshaw’s Cesare the hot favourite, trading at around evens. The only other one in the betting appears to be Peter Chapple-Hyam's Don't Panic, currently trading at around about 9/4.
2:50 Well another one for favourite backers.
Bramaputra was the one who took them along at a fair pace and for a brief moment one did wonder if she was destined for a pillar to post victory, however it was not to be.
Second favourite Rinterval looked to be a challenger, only to fade badly in the final furlong, eventually finishing last but one.
No such problems for the favourite though. Frankie Dettori was happy to settle his mount mid division before unleashing his attack a furlong out and what a decisive, well timed, run it turned out to be as he took the lead in the final fifty yards to win by ¾ of a length from the brave front running Bramaputra.
It was to be no fairy tale victory for Christine Dunnett as her Applesnap was always behind.
2:35 Brian Meehan’s Rosaleen with Frankie on board is the early favourite in the next – she looked nice in the paddock as well. Second best in the ring is Richard Hannon’s Rinterval at 4/1
2:25 As expected now we have had a race the nun runners are now starting to emerge another three just announced and there are bound to be more.
2:15 Well an interesting race in which the betting told the story. Skid Solo opened at 15/8 but drifted out to 11/4 whilst the previous winner Baycat was backed in from an opening 9/2 into 11/4 joint favouritism.
As is often the case the betting proved to be a good indicator.
Sun Ship made the early running, tracked by Tony Danscombe’s Firth of Fifth, who hung quite badly coming from the stalls. The Newbury winner Baycat was happy to track the early pacesetters.
Soon after the two pole both Baycat and Firth of Fifth launched their challenges, wither side of the leader and it was Baycat’s which proved to be the most decisive.
Many wrote off Baycat’s victory at Newbury as being lucky – perhaps it is time to re-assess that opinion.
The other joint favourite Skid Solo was very disappointing, never in contention and ultimately only beating one home.
2:00 This is one of those races where paddock inspection is not going to help at all.
All seven remaining runners look pretty miserable parading in the persistent drizzle.
I am beginning to think this race may well go to the runner who handles the conditions best of all rather than the best horse – I have a feeling in my waters there may be a shock in this race.
We shall know in about a quarter of an hour.
1:45 Early prices on the first. Skid Solo is the 15/8 favourite, with Sun Ship 4/1 and Baycat 9/2. It's 6/1 bar the top three.
When the top three in the betting met at Newbury almost a fortnight ago it was Baycat who came out on top, now with a four pound pull the other two look set to reverse the form
1:40 Looking elsewhere it looks as though Ascot is getting off lightly with non-runners – so far!!
1:30 40 minutes to the start of the first race and not only are the fields small, the number of punters is low as well, which is a shame for Ascot as this is a lovely course and, as I said earlier, a pretty good card as well.
Yes Ascot did come in for some criticism after it was re-built and I must admit I was one of the critics. However to their absolute credit Ascot took the criticisms on board and they have spent a not inconsiderable sum in rectifying the faults offering racegoers a much better experience.
1:25 Have just ventured outside and it is still raining – I will be surprised if the going on the straight course remains good.
12:45 Have just bumped into Big Mac - is it me or is he looking unwell nowadays?
12:25 Well the rain has arrived and it looks more like a January afternoon than the last day in April.
11:45 Good morning from Ascot where the weather is overcast and showers are forecast.
Some good racing on offer this afternoon, although it is a shame the fields are small.
With the recent trainers protest at Yarmouth over low prize money it is disappointing there is not a better turnout today. By a twist of coincidence Christine Dunnett, who came in for some criticism from fellow trainers for keeping an entry at Yarmouth, has a runner here this afternoon, although it is currently a 50/1 outsider.
The going is good to soft on the round course and good on the straight course.
At the moment we have five non-runners, details on the right.