17:20 A typically tricky 19 runner Ascot handicap, over the straight mile, to end proceedings this afternoon.              

Mount Hadley was a well backed 6/1 favourite, backed in from 9/1.

Samarinda was the early leader but the favourite kept Pam Sly’s runner in his sights and by half-way the favourite was in front and in a perfect position against the stands rail.

A furlong out it looked as though it was going to be a case of gamble landed, but in a matter of strides his stride shortened. In itself his lead was good enough, unfortunately for favourite backers the stride shortening also coincided with another well backed runner, Trafalgar Bay, emerging from the pack.

In a matter of strides it was all changed as Trafalgar Bay took up the running under Jim Crowley and the favourite had no more to give, going down by 1¼ lengths.

Talayeb, another running on contender, came home third, four lengths behind the front pair.  
It was a close call for fourth with Last Three Minutes just getting the call over Highly Regal in a photograph.

16:42 A six furlong contest was the third of our listed races and we almost had an attack of déjà vu from earlier on when Marine Boy, who was third favourite, almost did not leave the stalls and when he did eventually emerge he had given his rivals a dozen lengths.

Enderby Spirit had the prime No 1 draw and took full advantage leading against the rail, with Jobe for company.

Settled behind the winner was the gamble of the race, Total Gallery.

Two out Total Gallery was bought off the rail by Liam Keniry and mounted a challenge taking the lead one out and looking an easy winner.

However Richard Mullen managed to get some more out of the long time leader and, still holding the rail position, mounted a late challenge. However Total Gallery had enough in hand to hold on by a neck.

The favourite Damien was most disappointing, only managing to finis sixth, in a close battle with second favourite Elnawin. The pair both disappointing.

16:08 Well in our future race, the 2m Sagaro Stakes, we had an odds-on favourite winning as an odds-on favourite should.

Patkai was a comfortable, convincing, winner of the race and, following the disappointing performance of Yeats on Sunday, is now propelled to the head of the Gold Cup betting at the Royal meeting.

Tungsten Strike assumed his usual front running style, tracked by Baddam, Patkai, Mischief Making and Young Mick and that was the order for the first half of the contest.

Approaching the home turn the field had bunched up with only Baddam looking beaten.

Young Mick who ran in snatches was done no favours on the home turn.

Three out the favourite was in front with only Mischief Making being the only challenger. Although to be honest that was a facile challenge as he was beaten nine lengths.

15:34 The first of our Listed races, the Paradise Stakes, over the straight mile.

We saw five go to post but only four return as we had a “Hamlet moment” at the start when Don’t Panic refused to come out of the stalls.

Ordnance Row and Laa Rayb (who was sweating profusely on the way to the start – then again for some inexplicable reason he had a rug on in the parade ring) set the early pace. Tracked by General Elliot and Perfect Stride.

A furlong and a half out they were line abreast, although the favourite looked to be the least likely to win.

Indeed it was the early trailers General Elliot and Perfect Stride ran on and eventually crossed the line locked together. It took the judge, Di Clarke, a couple of minutes to call General Elliot the winner, by just a nose, over Perfect Stride.

The pair came home 2¾ lengths ahead of the other pair, who were also locked together, with Laa Rayb just getting the call on that one.

14:57 As you travel through life you realise it is full of anti-climaxes. You look forward to something only to end up being disappointed.

Our second contest a fillies conditions stakes over the old mile is a case in point.

On paper it looked to be an interesting contest and looking at the runners in the parade ring they looked good.

The race itself was a great disappointment.

The favourite, Rose Diamond had nothing when asked for an effort by Ryan Moore and the well backed newcomer, Arwaah, from the Tregonning yard was equally disappointing and did not live up to her looks in the paddock.

Apple Charlotte ran on for pressure to take the contest by 3¼ lengths but the front running outsider Ahla Wasahl taking second place tells you much about the form of the contest.

14:20 A five furlong sprint to get us under way and with two non-runners we had a very short priced favourite in the shape of Red Jazz.

The favourite did oblige by half a length, but not in the manner of a 1/2 shot.

Fratellino set the early pace although the field were well bunched for most of the contest.

Half way four of the five runners were line abreast for the lead with only the outsider Little Perisher out of contention.

Archers Road drifted across to grab the stands rail and he soon a couple of lengths on his rivals. The only challenger was the favourite who needed to be stoked up by Michael Hills before taking the lead inside the final half furlong.

13:53 I have just been for a walk around the enclosures and it is strange just how forlorn the magnificent stand looks at a quiet midweek meeting.

It is a stand designed for the big occasion and it does not seem quite right at these “quieter” meetings.

From a selfish point of view it makes moving around a great deal easier but, on balance, I think I would rather be pushing through crowds.

12:44 Good afternoon from Ascot where there are a few clouds in the sky on what is a warm afternoon.

Still just the five non-runners on what looks a good card, including three listed races.

10:44 Now up to five non-runners

09:50 ..... and another one bites the dust

09:11 And another non-runner.

08:48 After a dry night the official going is Good to Firm, Good in places.

There are currently two non-runners, details on the right.

Our selections for the afternoon are as follows:-

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

2:10
6 Planet Red (respiratory infection - SC 09:38)
7 Let It Rock (Lame - SC Tue 14:19)

3:20
4 Moyenne Corniche (going - 08:40)
7 Perks (going - 14:27)

16:30
9 Nasri (not eaten up - SC 10:39)

5:05
6 Spring Goddess (abcess - SC 08:55)

Results

2:10 Conditions Stakes 5f

1st 2 Red Jazz 1/2 fav
2nd 1 Archers Road 10/1
5 Ran Nr's 6 & 7
Distance 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.50
Places £1.10 £3.70
Exacta £5.50
CSF £6.66
Time 1' 01.32"

2:45 Conditions Stakes 1m

1st 3 Apple Charlotte 11/2
2nd 2 Ahla Wasahl 33/1
3rd 4 Rose Diamond 15/8 fav
8 Ran
Distances 3 1/4 & 2 3/4
Fav third
Tote
Win £6.10
Places £1.80 £6.90 £1.10
Exacta £239.70
CSF £145.85
Time 1' 43.39"

3:20 Listed Stakes 1m

1st 2 General Elliot 3/1
2nd 6 Perfect Stride 11/4
5 Ran Nr's 4 & 7
Distance nose
Fav 3 Laa Rayb 15/8 (3rd)
Tote
Win £4.00
Places £1.70 £1.70
Exacta £11.20
CSF £11.81
Time 1' 42.53"

3:55 Stakes 2m

1st 5 Paktai 2/5 fav
2nd 6 Mischief Making 14/1
6 Ran
Distance 9
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.40
Places £1.10 £3.60
Exacta £6.70
CSF £7.24
Time 3' 30.23"

4:30 Listed Stakes 6f

1st 3 Total Gallery 11/2
2nd 5 Enderby Spirit 12/1
3rd 7 Jobe 14/1
9 Ran NR 9
Distances neck & 1 3/4
Fav 4 Damien 5/2 (6th)
Tote
Win £6.30
Places £1.90 £4.20 £3.30
Exacta £68.70
CSF £70.84
Time 1' 14.87"

5:05 Handicap 1m (Straight)

1st 8 Trafalgar Bay 8/1
2nd 19 Mount Hadley 6/1 fav
3rd 20 Talayeb 14/1
4th 7 Last Three Minutes 11/1
19 Ran Nr 6
Distances 1 1/4 & 4
Fav second
Tote
Win £10.50
Places £3.00 £2.00 £3.90 3.50£
Exacta £70.50
CSF £55.07
Tricast £692.14
Time 1' 42.03"