18:01 Well that is it from day one of Royal Ascot 2009 and, despite the result in the last, it has been a day for the punters over the bookmakers.

Paco Boy confounded his doubters in the first, whilst Godolphin’s terrible run was clearly underlined.

Scenic Blast was an impressive winner of the Kings Stand and we will have to wait to see if he reappears on Saturday in the Golden Jubilee.

Mastercraftsman and Delegator fought out the finish of the day in the St James’s Palace Stakes and it was a shame either had to lose.

Canford Cliffs had to be the most impressive winner with a devastating victory in the Coventry, whilst the marathon Ascot Stake produced its usual exciting finish.

Well day one is done and dusted, just four more to go and fingers crossed the weather remains as kind as it has been today.

From day one at Ascot a very good evening.  

17:52 Time to catch up on the final comments of the day

Trainer of the Ascot Stakes winner, Australian born Jane  Chapple-Hyam said: "This has been a six-month plan and it has worked out, thank goodness. It's a great day for the Aussies.

"It's Royal Ascot and you can't get any higher than that. The owner would like to aim him at the Melbourne Cup but I'm not so sure and I think the Northumberland Plate could be the one for him."

Rider Richard Hughes added: "I've never had five better rides in one day. He's so good this horse and I had luck on my side coming round the bend. It does make all the sweating every day seem worth every minute."

Trainer of the winner in the last, Wesley Ward, said, "I think this just proves if you get a horse right on the day it doesn't matter if they are running in Australia or China or anywhere, as the Australian horse  proved earlier today.

"I would have preferred to have won a Group One race but this is a great day for us and hopefully my better two-year-olds can be competitive later in the week.

"He's unbeaten this horse, and he will go back to America now. I think he can do something really special on turf."

17:47 I think we are going to have to ban these foreign raiders from our sprint contests at Ascot.

After the antipodeans taking the Kings Stand once again the home team had some hope in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

It wasn’t to be and to rub salt in the wounds it was a terrible result for punters, although as one bookmaker just said to me it was too little, too late after three favourites and the Pricewise all coming in.

Robert Winston got an absolute flyer on Fratellino and he soon had a few lengths on his rivals.

However his lead did not last for long as the American Challenger Strike The Tiger was soon flying as if he had a rocket up his backside.

These two were soon clear and although the well backed Mister Manannan tried to mount a challenge these two had the race between them.

The American challenger was starting to tie up towards the end and Fratellino was challenging strongly but Strike The Tiger held on to record a neck victory over Fratellino, both at 33/1. To add to the misery of the punters 25/1 shot Di Stefano ran on to take third spot.

17:23 Some reaction now to the Coventry Stakes.

Winning trainer Richard Hannon was understandably delighted, "I love this horse. He was a very good looking horse at the sales and had a lot of character. He is the sort of horse you would look at and think 'if I could afford him I'd have him'.

"He is very relaxed at home and walks down to the canters like an old horse.

"We might look at the July Stakes and we can't forget the Doncaster Sales race, but we'll have to think about it. This horse wants looking after, he could be next year's horse."

Son-in-law Richard Hughes added: "I rode him a few canters and I liked him a lot. I thought he would be ready in July, he was a bit leggy and a bit long.

"I gave him a half-spin one morning and I've never ridden anything like him in my life. I told the boss we had something serious here.

"I've never known a horse pull that hard and win a race. He's the best I've ridden by far. He's a freak."

17:19 Our longest race of the day the 2½ mile Ascot Stakes with plenty of runners from jumping stables.

Typically it turned into a tactical affair with everything changing in the final stages.

They set off at a generous pace and when the field finally settled down it was Kayf Aramis and Ermine Sea who set the pace and they held the lead until just before they turned for home.

Actually just before the turn there was a potentially nasty incident when Kayf Aramis cut across Ermine Sea and effectively ended the latter’s race. It was interesting after the race that Kayf Aramis’s rider Johnny Murtagh seemed to go out of his was to go across to Ermine Sea’s rider Martin Dwyer to seemingly apologise. I suspect the stewards may want to discuss the matter.

As it happened it did not impact the final result as Kayf Aramis was swallowed up in the closing stages.

First to challenge was the favourite Keens Day, however his run came to nothing as he flattered to deceive.

Next up was the second favourite, the well backed Judgethemoment and he ran on really well to record a half length victory, although he was being challenged by both Sesenta and Royal Rationale who were both running on really well in the closing stages.   

16:41 Reaction to our third contest now.

Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "It was unbelievable, a great performance. He's an amazing horse with speed, stamina, and all ground comes alike to him.

"If he steps up to a mile and a quarter I don't think he'll have a problem with that."
Rider Johnny Murtagh admitted, "I committed him early enough, he's a bit lazy when he hits the front.

"When Delegator came to him you could see my horse had his head was down and he was really trying, he never knows when he is beaten."

Trainer of the runner-up, Delegator, Brian Meehan said, "I was very pleased with his performance and 50 yards out it looked like he had his head in front.

"It was a hell of a run and it pours ice on all the people who knocked him in Ireland.

"I'll have to take him home and sleep on it before deciding where he goes next."

A delighted Karl Burke, trainer of Lord Shanakill, commented, "Today he's proved he gets the mile and that he's trained on. He'll have an entry in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly (July 5)."

16:36 Wow – what else can be said after Canford Cliffs absolutely destroyed the opposition in the six furlong Coventry Stakes, giving trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes a double on the day.

He broke well but by halfway had been joined by No Hubris and Red Jazz and it looked as though the favourite was possibly going to be beaten.

However Hughes was quite calm and two out he asked the question and the answer was decisive.

The further they ran the further he pulled away, eventually coming home six lengths clear of his rivals and probably value for more.

The other two front runners were swallowed up by the runners on and the next few runners came home in a heap with Xtension running on best of all to grab the runners-up spot with Rakaan taking third.

A bobbing finish for fourth saw the well backed Moran Gra edge that position from Treadwell.

16:11 Reaction to our second contest now.

Winning trainer Dan Morton said, "I couldn't be happier, everything went to plan it’s just been fantastic.

"I was very happy where he was during the race. Steven knows him well and rode him perfectly.

"We knew we had a very good horse which is why we are here, but with all the travelling and the rest of it, it's a big thing to get through and still compete when you're here, but luckily enough everything went to plan."

Jockey Steven Arnold added: "That was a super effort. He travelled really well and I actually got there too soon and was going too well.

"I probably should have waited a bit longer, I got there quite early, but he was quite strong. At the two-furlong marker I thought it was now or never."

16:06 We had to wait for the third race but we have had our first really exciting finish of the meeting in the St James’s Palace Stakes, over the Old Mile course.

Mastercraftsman was sent off the odds-on favourite with his old rival Delegator attracting some support in the betting.

As expected the O’Brien pacemaker Set Sail set the pace, although he took a while to get there.

He was tracked by his two stablemates Born To Be King and the favourite, until Mastercraftsman took up the running turning for home.

As Mastercreaftsman set off for home under Johnny Murtagh, Jimmy Fortune tracked his every move on Delegator and the pair were soon joined in battle.

Lord Shanakill tried to make it a three way battle but soon realised it was an unequal battle.
In the final furlong it was a battle royal as Delegator briefly managed to get his head in front.

However Mastercraftsman is nothing but a battler and he edged in front again.

Delegator wasn’t going to go down without a fight however and began to battle back once again, however as they approached the line Mastercraftsman seemed to know where the line was and he stuck his head out one more time to record  a neck victory.

Delegator was a gallant second.

Lord Shanakill belied his odds to come home third, 1½ lengths behind.

Evasive came home a one paced fourth, whilst Godolphin had another disappointing run, this time from Orizaba.

15:30 Some reaction from the opener.

Trainer Richard Hannon, trainer of Paco Boy turned on his critics and said, “I think that has put a few old jokers to bed. If he didn’t stay a mile today, then he stayed it better than the others anyway.

“At Newbury he wasn’t right and came back with an infection in his foot.

“I don’t know what the plan is now. We have the Prix de la Foret. We were going to go to the July Cup if things had not worked out today, but we will have to rethink that one now.”

Saeed bin Suroor, perhaps stating the obvious, commented the Godolphin runners “ran disappointingly.”

Ahmed Ajtebi, rider of Gladiatorus, said, “He was not half the horse he was in Dubai. He seemed a different horse.”

15:24 Our feature race of the afternoon and we really must stop these colonials coming over and stealing our top races.

Once again the King’s Stand prize goes back to Australia , this time in the hands or rather hooves of Scenic Blast. I have to say the horse was by far the most eye catching in the parade ring, really muscular and looking to be the perfect sprinter.

Last year’s winner Equiano (running for Spain then, now running for the home team) set off in front, with Rievaulx World and the ultra consistent Borderlescott in pursuit.

Steven Arnold, on the other hand, was happy to settle Scenic Blast near the rear.

Two out Equiano still had the advantage with Borderlescott his challenger. However Scenic Blast was beginning to make steady progress in the centre of the course, taking up the running inside the final furlong and arguably hitting the front too soon.

Last years third, Fleeting Spirit, was running on well in the closing stages and was wearing down the leader but failed by three parts of a length.

The filly Anglezarke came home third at 33/1 and the running on Captain Gerrard just edged Borderlescott out of fourth.

14:48 It is a painful thing to say but how do you stop the best rated horse in the world from winning – put him in Godolphin blue.

Gladiatorus who was sent off the 9/4 favourite for the mile Queen Anne Stakes set off, as usual, at a blistering pace up front. By two out he was under pressure and by one out he was well beaten.

Stablemate Alexandros was even worse, never in the contest and coming home second last.

As they came out of the stalls Gladiatorus set off in front, whilst Richard Hills did a solo act, bringing Aqlaam to the stands rail. Iy must have been a good idea as the others had joined him after two furlongs.

Gladiatorus held a good lead of about four or five lengths, although by three out he was coming back to his field.

Cesare, Aqlaam and Paco Boy (about whom there were some stamina doubts) all challenged and by a furlong out Paco Boy, under Richard Hughes had the advantage and looked to be staying on well.

Both Cesare and Aqlaam tried to close in but Hughes had enough in hand and Paco Boy came home 1½ lengths clear of his rivals.

Cesare ran well in second and although Aqlaam was closing the line came in time.   

14:14 For those having a bet on such things, The Queen is in yellow today. A yellow jacket with a yellow and white floral dress.

The Princess Royal looks nice in an orange number.

13:45 It is very hot outside, something you don’t appreciate in the air-conditioned media centre.

One must feel really sorry for the band of the Irish Guards who are entertaining the crowd in the parade ring, prior to the arrival of the Royal Party.

Crowd wise it is quite comfortable out there, plenty of room to move around and a nice relaxed atmosphere.

One obvious impact of the recession is the disappearance of the centre course hospitality area. It does mean we will have an unobstructed view of the racing.

13:23 Some betting news, layers are reporting a mixed response to Gladiatorus in the opener. Coral are reporting significant support at 5/1, whilst Matt Doyle at Skybet says “We can’t give away Gladiatorus.”

Money is coming in for the supposed Goldolphin second string, Alexandros, currently 7/1 but that is likely to disappear.

In the Kings Stand it is Scenic Blast and Amour Propre who are being supported. The former has been backed into 3/1 favouritism. Amour Propre is generally around the 4/1 mark.

In the St James’s Palace Stakes Mastercraftsman is the hot favourite but some support is coming in for Evasive.

In the Coventry there is across the board support for Moran Gra. Generally available at 20/1 this morning now around the 14/1 mark.

11:42 It may well be almost three hours before the first race but the crowds are already flocking in.

The ground is interesting, it certainly is on the firm side of good but with the lush layer of grass it should have plenty of bounce.

I have to say if I fancied a runner who has the word "soft" anywhere in its preferred going I would be worried.

10:49 Good morning from Ascot where the sun is shining and the gates have just opened. If you are coming to Ascot and have not set off yet I would not hang around – the M25 is certainly not playing ball today.

08:04 Day one of the Royal meeting and it is a sunny morning at Ascot. Last nights storms managed to miss this part of Berkshire, so 4mm of water has been added overnight.

The official going remains Good to Firm.

We have just the one non-runner so far. Walkingonthemoon is out of the Coventry because of the going.

Our selections for this afternoon are:-

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

4:20
13 Walkingonthemoon (Going - 08:01)

Results

2:30 Queen Anne Stakes 1m

1st 9 Paco Boy 100/30
2nd 4 Cesare 11/1
3rd 2 Aqlaam 10/1
9 Ran
Distances 1 1/2 & 1/2
Fav 6 Gladiatorus 9/4 (6th)
Tote
Win £4.50
Places £1.70 £3.10 £3.10
Exacta £47.20
CSF £37.04
Tricast £271.66
Time 1' 39.31"

3:05 Kings Stand Stakes 5f

1st 8 Scenic Blast 11/4 fav
2nd 11 Fleeting Spirit 7/2
3rd 15 Anglezarke 33/1
15 Ran
Distances 3/4 & 2 3/4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.60
Places £1.70 £2.20 £8.80
Exacta £15.40
CSF £10.29
Tricast £259.01
Time 59.54"

3:45 St James's Palace Stakes 1m

1st 6 Mastercraftsman 5/6 fav
2nd 2 Delegator 4/1
3rd 5 Lord Shanakill 20/1
10 Ran
Distances neck & 1 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.80
Places £1.10 £1.60 £5.20
Exacta £4.60
CSF £3.99
Tricast £35.71
Time 1' 39.21"

4:20 Coventry Stakes 6f

1st 3 Canford Cliffs 7/4 fav
2nd 14 Xtension 20/1
3rd 10 Rakaan 28/1
13 Ran Nr 13
Distances 6 & 3/4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.60
Places £1.40 £5.20 £8.50
Exacta £52.90
CSF £48.10
Tricast £773.88
Time 1' 13.64"

4:55 Ascot Stakes (H/C) 2m 4f

1st 11 Judgethemoment 13/2
2nd 10 Sesenta 10/1
3rd 20 Royal Rationale 20/1
4th 7 Gala Evening 20/1
20 Ran
Distances 1/2 & 3/4
Fav 5 Keenes Day 6/1
Tote
Win £7.10
Places £1.90 £2.60 £5.70 £6.40
Exacta £44.40
CSF £59.78
Tricast £1,274.27
Time

5:30 Windsor Castle Stakes 5f

1st 18 Strike The Tiger 33/1
2nd 7 Fratellino 33/1
3rd 6 Di Steffano 25/1
22 Ran
Distances neck & 1/2
Fav 1 Angels Pursuit 4/1 (upl)
Tote
Win £20.70
Places £4.80 £10.20 £8.40
Exacta £1,294.50
CSF £858.94
Tricast £24,446.54
Time 1' 01.28"