16:50 That's it from a great afternoon's racing here at Ascot.
Two highlights for me today. Lough Derg's battling performance in defeat once again illustrated what a brave hore he is and how much he loves Ascot.
Voy Por Ustedes performance in the Betfair Ascot Chase confirmed his place at the head of the Ryanair betting.
Our next live coverage, as always weather permitting, will be from Market rasen on Monday.
From Ascot a very good evening.
16:36 A better than average bumper for our finale.
Western Leader, a raider from Ireland and trained by John Joseph Hanlon, was sent of the favourite and set out to make all under Barry Connell. It was a good pace and only Abey M’boy and Jau were the only ones to go with him inidially.
Russian Song and Vino Griego were not far off the pace with the others further behind.
Indeed as they approached Swinley Bottom the field were well strung out and only these five had any realistic chance.
Coming down the side of the course Western Leader was still the leader but Vino Griego was on his quarters as the main, indeed only, challenger.
In the straight it was a two horse race with the front two well ahead of the next pair Russian Song and Jau, who were well clear of the remainder.
Inside the final furlong Jamie Moore eased the reigns and Vino Griego opened up a gap to come home by six lengths from Western Leader with Russian Song a further ten back in third.
16:05 Our final contest over obstacles, a 2m 1f chase saw the most exciting finish of the afternoon so far.
The well backed favourite Baseball Ted set off to make it a pillar to post run and, apart from a mistake at the sixth, he put in a good round of jumping.
Keepthedreamalive kept close tabs on the leader, whist Consigliere, from the Pipe yard, tracked the front pair.
There had been some whispers for Venetia William’s Coach Lane but after twice trying to get rid of Aiden Coleman the jockey called it quits and pulled up before the sixth.
Turning for home they by-passed the second last and as they cleared the artificial elbow, Consigliere sneaked cheekily up Baseball Ted’s inside and it was race on.
Coming to the last the pair were stride for stride with Consigliere putting in the better jump.
However Baseball Ted was no going down without a fight and in the run in got his head back in front again.
Next it was Consigliere’s chance to fight back and he managed to get his head back in front where it mattered.
A cracking finish.
15:33 A 2m mares novices’ hurdle for our fifth contest, which turned out to be another result for favourite backers as Santia gave Robert Thornton and Alan King a double on the day.
Theft set off in front in an attempt to steal the race (sorry), tracked by Pelican Point with the jockey wearing some of the brightest silks I have seen in ages. The racecard showed pale green colours, in reality they were a dayglow, fluorescent green. Nonetheless they did not help him win.
Three out there were four in contention with Venetia Williams Kahsabelle looking the likely winner, with the favourite tracking it.
The pair jumped the last together and a decent battle ensued with the favourite getting teh better of the Williams runner by ¾ length.
15:02 Q. When is a race not a race?
A. When it is the 2:45 as Ascot.
It was one of those races where the tape went back and the runners stood firm, going nowhere, well all of the runners apart from Wendel under Noel Fehily.
By the first flight he was a good ten lengths clear, apart from there being no pace whatsoever.
As they passed the judge for the first time he was a good twelve lengths clear and it was at this point that Jack Doyle on Chariot Charger decided to do something about it. In setting off from the pack he stealthily closed the gap on Wendel until, approaching the turn, he was within a couple of lengths and looking to be in a good position. The front two were still ten lengths ahead of their rivals, headed by Dreamy Sweeney.
As they swept round the home turn Jack Doyle asked Chariot Charger for an effort and there was no response at all from the horse.
Looking over his shoulder Noel Fehily slipped an inch of rein and Wendle increased his lead winning by an easy 11 lengths. He now has a 20/1 quote for the Ballymore, from 40's.
Chariot Charger stayed on for second.
Dreamy Sweeny looked booked for third before taking a tired fall at the last, gifting third spot to the French raider Doctor Pat.
Dreamy Sweeny was on the ground for a while but as soon as they started putting the screens up he jumped to his feet – again to a large cheer from the concerned crowd.
14:29 They say that emotion and betting do not make good bedfellows, however I must confess more than a passing affection for Voy Por Ustedes.
Although today I did not back him because I was concerned about the going, after the race I feel rotten with myself for doubting him.
Indeed today is the best I have seen him perform. Keen throughout, so keen Robert Thornton was having to restrain him. His jumping was faultless, unlike the front running Tamarinbleu who, although not making any great howlers, seemed to take plenty of liberties with his fencing.
Outsider, The Sawyer, was always behind, whilst Ruby Walsh rode a tactical race on Gwanako, who looked really iffy in the parade ring – coughing and spluttering.
Turning out of Swinley Bottom Tamarinbleu was still in front but Voy Por Ustedes was on his quarters. Gwanako was ten lengths behind.
Before the turn for home Tamarinbleu had run his race and Gwanako had run on to sit on Voy Por Ustedes quarters to see if there were any chinks in his armour.
Indeed there were not – the further they went the happier Voy Por seemed, winning by 14 lengths.
Two big questions were answered. Yes he does get 2m 5f and yes he was OK in the going.
Stan James have cut him from 5/1 to 7/4 for the Ryanair.
13:53 If there was a prize for the horse which shows the most guts and determination then the prize must go to Lough Derg.
Giving over a stone to all his rivals he set off in his usual front running style and when the challengers came on all sides he still battled all the way to the line, going down by a head in a blanket finish.
Taking nothing away from his rivals he was the star of the race.
Victory went to Peter Bowen’s Serabad, settled mid-division by Paddy Brennan before gaining ground before they turned for home.
Lough Derg was still in front at the last, but was under attack from both sides. Serabad on his right and Dancing Tornado on his left, indeed the latter may even had got his head in front but Lough Derg still battled on to get second.
Mamlook, who had been to the fore took fourth, whilst Chief Yeoman was possibly an unlucky fifth, looking to be short of room as they battled home.
For a 2m 3f race in the mud the finish exemplified what racing is all about.
13:20 Only four runners for the opening Novices’ Chase in which Breedsbreeze was defending his unbeaten run this season.
According to the betting his only other rival was Carruthers, with Ballyfitz and Turkish Surprise his only other rivals.
As usual Carruthers set off with a front running performance, albeit at a steady pace.
The other three happy to settle off behind with Breesdbreeze and Ballyfitz vying for second and Turkish Surprise always behind.
By Swinley Bottom for the final time there were three left in the race itself, with Turkis Surprise 20 lengths behind the others.
Next to crack was Ballyfitz, who never looked to be that happy.
Coming down the side of the course Breedsbreeze was within a couple of lengths of the leader but as they turned for home Ruby Walsh was having to give Breedsbreeze reminders, whilst Carruthers still looked a fresh horse.
Carruthers cleared the last like a fresh horse, whilst Breedsbreeze took a crashing, tired fall at the last, handing second place to Ballyfitz.
Breedsbreeze was down for a couple of minutes but got up to his feet to a loud cheer from the crowd.
12:25 The ground staff have dispersed to various parts of the course – prodding their forks, as is their wont.
There are a handful of jocks and trainers walking the course, looking for the better ground and deciding tactics.
Robert Thornton is strolling down the course talking to clerk of the course Chris Stickels, whist Alan King is out there chatting to Graham Dench of the Racing Post.
11:49 Once again here are some suggestions of what to back, or lay, this afternoon.
1:05 3 Carruthers
1:40 5 CHief Yeoman
2:15 3 Tamarinbleu
2:45 2 Wendel
3:20 4 Santia
3:50 6 Baseball Ted
11:40 Good morning from Ascot where it looks like they are planning to jump the last fence.
However, on a slightly more worrying note there are a large number of groundstaff, 29 of them at the moment, working the run in with forks.
I think they are very lucky to be racing here, the flat course which is more in the shade than the jumps course certainly would not be raceable.
Three non-runners at the moment, details on the right.
09:52 Racing goes ahead on heavy going.
The second last fence is being omitted and a decision about the last fence will be made before racing.
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Non-Runners
1:40
2 Whiteoak (running elsewhere)
2:15
2 Knowhere (bad scope - SC)
2:45
Captain Americo (running elsewhere)
3:20
6 Silk Affair (not eaten up)
4:25
9 Peachy Moment (going)
Results
1:05
1st 3 Carruthers 7/4
2nd 1 Ballyfitz 4/1
4 Ran
Distances distance
Fav 2 Breedsbreeze 5/4 (fell)
Tote
Win £2.70
Exacta £10.50
CSF £8.43
Time 6' 14.1"
1:40
1st 3 Serabad 16/1
2nd 1 Lough Derg 17/2
3rd 7 Dancing Tornado 20/1
14 Ran NR 2
Distances Head & ½
Fav 10 Belcantista 5/2 (7th)
Tote
Win £19.90
Place £5.20 £3.10 £4.10
Exacta £148.20
CSF £144.75
Tricast £2,755.66
Time 4' 52.9"
2:15
1st 5 Voy Por Ustedes 6/5 fav
2nd 1 Gwanako 3/1
4 Ran NR 2
Distances 14
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.90
Exacta £3.60
CSF £5.17
Time 5' 26.5"
2:45
1st 2 Wendel 11/8
2nd 1 Chariot Charger 6/5 fav
7 Ran
Distances 11
Fav second
Tote
Win £2.30
Place £1.60 £1.60
Exacta £4.00
CSF £3.24
Time 4' 58.0"
3:20
1st 4 Santia 11/8 fav
2nd 8 Kahsabelle 4/1
7 Ran NR 6
Distances¾
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.30
Place £1.60 £2.30
Exacta £8.00
CSF £7.47
Time 4' 04.1"
3:50
1st 2 Consigliere 6/1
2nd 6 Baseball Ted 11/8 fav
6 Ran
Distances neck
Fav second
Tote
Win £3.90
Place £2.30 £1.60
Exacta £9.20
CSF £15.21
Time 4' 25.6"
4:25
1st 10 Vino Griego 3/1
2nd 3 Western Leader 9/4 fav
3rd 5 Russian Song 14/1
9 Ran NR 9
Distances 6 & 10
Fav second
Tote
Win £3.70
Place £1.70 £1.70 £1.50
Exacta £8.20
CSF £9.89
Time 3' 52.0"
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