17:54 That’s it from day two of the three day meeting – the highlight has to be Sir Michael Stoute’s 1-2-3 in the big race.

A good crowd and the weather Gods have been kind this afternoon.

Standing in the parade ring before the big race one couldn’t help but be impressed by the magnificent stand and all the vantage points taken by racegoers.

A six race card tomorrow and we will be her bringing live updates again.

This evening’s post racing concert is Supergrass – I think I will give that one a miss.

17:50 We had to wait over an hour for our final contest but those who did stay were treated to another good finish in what turned out to be a tactical contest.

Eight went to post for the mile and a half handicap and the pace was nothing, if not, leisurely.

Stanstill and The Queen’s History Lesson almost fought it out not to lead, with the Johnston horse, Dialogue, tracking the front two.      

Even as they turned Swinley Bottom there was still no great pace, nor was anyone keen to take on the leaders.

As they turned for home Stanstill held the advantage still, and watchers were waiting for a challenger.

The Fonz did emerge, but never seemed to want to hit the front.

Approaching the furlong marker History Lesson threw in the towel. The Fonz was still the main challenger to Stanstill and the two began to draw clear.

Nom Dom finally realised this was a race and began to make late progress as the pace finally quickened.

Somehow Stanstill managed to hold on to win the contest, with The Fonz a cool runner-up and the closing Nom Dom taking third.

History Lesson eventually came home last.

The favourite Solar Graphite was settled mid-division, remained mid-division and finished mid-division.

17:25 A postscript to the big race Ryan Moore picked up a three day ban for his ride on Conduit.

17:09 Racing has been interrupted by an Arab race - why they stage these novelty races in the middle of a card is beyond me.

Full marks to commentator Richard Hoiles who managed to call the winner, Nayef Al Khalidiah, without inflicting serious damage to his vocal chords.

16:49 Hold the front page - Ryan Moore was smiling during the presentation.

16:48 Wow – there were those who before the race were sounding off about the quality of this years renewal of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

It was a classic.

As expected Rockhampton set off as pacemaker but again begged the question why? He set off so fast in front that none of the others, including his stablemates, who he was supposed to be helping, went with him.

The two other O’Brien runners Golden Sword and Frozen Fire, did settle in second and third, with the three Sir Michael Stoute runners sitting behind them.

Turning for home the pacemaker had rejoined the field and Golden Sword took up the running for the Irish raiders. His lead was short lived as the three Stoute runners advanced, led by Ask but tracked by Tartan Bearer and Conduit.

Ask led briefly but Conduit was running best of the three and had his nose in front as they passed the two pole.

A furlong out Ask was the first beaten as Conduit and Tartan Bearer fought out the finish.

Conduit was running on best of all under Ryan Moore, justifying his decision to choose Conduit over Tartan Bearer.  He did drift across his two stablemates, prompting the Stewards to take a look, but he ran on to record a 1¾ length victory.

Ask was nothing but brave and he came back to have another go at Tartan Bearer, failing to do so by a head.

Alwaary ran on to take fourth place and Golden Sword was the best of the O’Brien runners, coming home fifth.

After the Stewards Enquiry the result stands.

16:27 Our feature race next, the sixth because of TV.

The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, sponsored by Bertfair has nine going to post.

Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien have three each.

In the race we have the winner of last years Irish Derby, British Oaks and St Leger.

One of the O’Brien contenders, Rockhampton, is obviously here as the pacemaker.

Over £1,000,000 in prize money and the runners were late into the parade ring.

16:07 I don’t know about you but when I buy a new pair of shoes they, more often than not, rub and hurt first time out.

It clearly is not the same with horses as Al Muheer, who delayed the start by having a new shoe fitted, romped home in this 21 runner, seven furlong contest. Springing a 40/1 shock in the process.

Launched with a late run by Seb Sanders he hit the front inside the furlong marker and held off a late challenge from Secret Society who came with a late challenge under Hayley Turner, who failed to peg back the leader by half a length.

15:49 A delay to our next as Al Muheer, surprisingly not a filly, has decided to get a new shoe and is being re-shod by the farrier.

15:33 The result stands

15:30 Another good little contest, where all the action came in the closing stages as the late finishers came to the fore.

The Johnston runner, Pride Of Kings, was not allowed to dictate, with Johnmanderville and Roar Of Applause fighting him for front running honours. These three held the advantage until two out when Sri Putra, who had been settled in rear, and Peking Prince both came with rattling late challenges.

It was Sri Putra, under Philip Robinson, who got the first run and that proved to be decisive as he managed to get a big enough lead to thwart the running on Peking Prince, winning by a diminishing half length.

Another running on contender, Espiritu, was also closing and got to within a neck of the runner-up.

These three had plenty of daylight between themselves and their rivals, with Fullback taking fourth and the favourite, Desert Creek, a never nearer fifth.

15:08 A mile handicap for our next contest, with eleven facing the starter.

A three year old contest but seasoned campaigners all. The only minor negative in the parade ring would be Fullback who is swishing his tail like a windmill.

14:54 Some news from the opener and Katie Walsh, rider of the runner-up Golden Desert, picked up a two day ban for excessive use of the whip.

Nideeb, close winner of our second contest, will probably return here in September, possibly for the Royal Lodge Stakes.

Tom Danscombe, trainer of the very narrowly beaten Party Doctor, will eventually be stepped up to a mile, although his next outing will be over seven at York.

14:50 Well the near packed house here this afternoon is being treated to some pretty decent racing.

OK the finish was not as close as the previous race but it was a race where the lead changed several times and half way it was almost impossible to call the winner.

High Spice was the early hare, almost running like a pacesetter and dropping out like one halfway.

This left Sand Vixen and Lady Of The Desert in front although the well backed Full Mandate and Jira also looked to have every chance.

However it was the favourite Lady Of the Desert who eventually had the supremacy and took the prize with a length and a half in hand.

Full Mandate who had been well supported at each way prices looked to be a handful but Richard Hughes managed to get a good late response out of her. It was too much to catch the winner but enough take the runners-up spot off Sand Vixen.

Jira who looked promising half way was one paced in the final stages, coming home fourth.

14:33 A six furlong listed race for fillies next, with nine going to post.

Nomination for the naughty step must be Jeanie Johnston, who is auditioning for a job at the rodeo. I couldn’t see here trainer, Karl Burke, in the parade ring.

There is a great deal of support in the ring for Full Mandate 6/1 in from 10/1, although this was another on her toes in the parade ring.

Lady Of The Desert was getting a little warm.

14:17 This was the sort of race ideal for first time racegoers – it may not have been a big field but you could not ask for a more exciting finish.

Jack My Boy and Navajo Chief were the early pacesetters, tracked by Missionaire and Invincible Chief, with the favourite Lamh Albasser along with Nideeb and Party Doctor tracking their rivals.

Two out the complexion changed with Richard Kingscote asking second favourite Party Doctor for an effort, for which he had an electric response and soon hit the front.

Ryan Moore on Nideeb immediately responded and the pair were locked together in a Titanic battle.

So close they were even nodding their heads in unison, almost like Siamese twins.

The passed the line absolutely locked together and Alistair Stewart (not the newsreader but out judge) immediately called for a photograph. It would have been little surprise had he called a dead heat but he somehow managed to separate them, awarding the contest to Nideeb by the minimum of margins.

It was one of those races neither deserved to lose.

The pair finished nine length ahead of their rivals, headed by Navajo Chief, with the disappointing favourite Lamh Albasser coming home fourth.

Ted Durcan asdked the favourite for an effort three out and he initially responded, however once the other pair swept past he almost seemed to accept his fate as his effort petered out.

13:53 Another seven furlong contest for our second, although a much smaller field, only seven going to post.

13:44 This contest is the highlight of the season for lady riders and once upon a time the winning rider used to pick up a nice little sparkler.

As such it tends to be a very competitive contest and this renewal looked to be no different – until the final stages anyway.

We lost another runner before the start when Agente Parmigiano was withdrawn for being unruly in the stalls.

Arthur’s Edge was quickest away but several other runners were with him and he never managed to get a convincing lead.

Katie Walsh settled the favourite, Golden Desert, towards the rear.

It was three out that the race developed when Vicky Fahey asked Castles In the Air for an effort and there was soon daylight  between the pair and their rivals. Katie Walsh asked the favourite for an effort as well and although this pair also pulled away from most of her rivals she was unable to gain on the free running Castles In The Air, who came out an easy 4½ victor.

The favourite easily took the runners-up spot, whilst the early front runner Arthur’s Edge held on for third spot.

Each way-backers cashed in on King’s Cash who was running on well to take fourth spot.

13:25 A seventeen runner lady jockey’s handicap over seven furlongs and a late withdrawal for odd reasons.

Halsion Chancer has been withdrawn because he jockey could not get here in time and there were no suitably qualified alternative jockeys at the course.

No great eye catchers in the parade ring but a couple of negatives. Agente Parmigiano was sweating up. A couple of “head shakers” most notably Middlemarch and King’s Colour, the latter having two handlers.

On the positive front Desert Dreamer looked good in his coat.
  

12:00 Good afternoon from Ascot where, in contrast to 24 hours ago, the sun is shining and a big crowd is expected for out eight race card - seven thoroughbred and one Arab race.

09:17 It has been a dry night overnight and the going remains Good.

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

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

1:35
10 Samarinda (sore shins - SC 07:40)
14 Halsion Chancer (no suitable jockey - 13:18)

3:50
22 Jeninsky (not eaten up - SC 08:33)

5:35
7 Ascendantl (lame - VC 10:54 Thu)

Results

1:25 Handicap 7f

1st 7 Castles In The Air 9/1
2nd 2 Golden Desert 5/1 fav
3rd 15 Arthur's Edge 12/1
4th 19 King's Colour 28/1
16 Ran Nr's 10 w/d 11 & 14
Distances 4 1/2 & 1 1/2
Fav second
Tote
Win £12.00
Places £2.50 £2.00 £4.00 £9.30
Exacta £69.00
CSF £44.84
Tricast £554.78
Time 1' 28.89"
No rule 4

2:00 Listed Stakes 7f

1st 6 Nideeb 11/2
2nd 7 Party Doctor 9/4
7 Ran
Distances nose
Fav 3 Lamh Albasser 15/8 (4th)
Tote
Win £6.10
Places £2.90 £1.90
Exacta £17.30
CSF £16.98
Time 1' 29.28"

2:40 Fillies Stakes 6f

1st 6 Lady Of The Desert 5/2 fav
2nd 2 Full Mandate 7/1
3rd 8 Sand Vixen 7/1
9 Ran
Distances 1 1/2 & 1
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.50
Places £1.50 £1.90 £2.70
Exacta £21.40
CSF £20.55
Time 1' 14.95"

3:15 Handicap 1m (Straight)

1st 1 Sri Putra 12/1
2nd 10 Peking Prince 4/1
3rd 3 Espiritu 7/1
11 Ran
Distances 1/2 & neck
Fav 4 Desert Creek 3/1 (5th)
Tote
Win £15.30
Places £3.70 £1.90 £2.50
Exacta £82.40
CSF £57.93
Tricast £366.08
Time 1' 14.59"
Result Stands

3:50 Handicap 7f

1st 8 Al Muheer 40/1
2nd 19 Secret Society 5/1
3rd 6 Redford 10/1
4th 13 Genki 20/1
21 Ran Nr 22
Distances 1/2 & 1 1/2
Fav's 9 & 12 9/2 (upl)
Tote
Win £53.30
Places £9.60 £1.70 £2.40 £4.50
Exacta £597.40
CSF £217.54
Tricast £2,281.98
Time

4:25 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 1m 4f

1st 2 Conduit 13/8 fav
2nd 5 Tartan Bearer 7/9
3rd 1 Ask 9/1
9 Ran
Distances 1 3/4 & Head
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.50
Places £1.10 £1.60 £2.20
Exacta £5.60
CSF £7.24
Tricast £37.94
Time 2' 28.73"
Result Stands

5:00 Arabian Race 1m 2f

1st 7 Nayef Al Khalidiah 4/1
2nd 3 General 11/10 fav
3rd 9 Raked 5/1
12 Ran Nr 7
Distances 3/4 & neck
Fav second
CSF £11.49

5:35 Handicap 1m 4f

1st 2 Stanstill 9/2
2nd 4 The Fonz 7/1
3rd 8 Nom Dom 15/2
8 Ran Nr 7
Distances 3/4 & 3/4
Fav 9 Solar Graphite 2/1 (4th)
Tote
Win £
Places £ £ £
Exacta £
CSF £36.63
Tricast £232.90
Time 2' 34.77"