17:18 Well that’s it from Ascot’s September meeting and, as usual, it has not disappointed with three days of excellent racing.

Rip Van Winkle’s win in the big race, albeit in a small field, must be the highlight but, in truth, none of the races have been disappointing.

Our next live coverage is in complete contrast to the splendour of Ascot as we visit Sedgefield for some jumping action.

17:16 It is somewhat appropriate Jack Mitchell won the last race. I was in the parade ring before the race and happened to see Jack talking to connections and I found myself thinking he looks so much like a little schoolboy, with a cherub like face. Looks are deceptive though and he has a great future ahead of him.        

16:52 Our final contest is the Brunswick Handicap over the straight mile in which ten go to post.

16:39 A pretty easy race to report at the end of the day.

For the first mile and three-quarters they progressed at a sedate pace in Indian file, the order being Electrolyser, Peppertree Lane, Oasis Knight, Keenes Day, Swingkeel and The Betchworth Kid.

The race effectively became a two furlong sprint and it looked as though Electrolyser would be swallowed up as the field bunched.

Keenes Day ran on into second spot, and Oasis Knight also rallied and looked to be a strong challenger. Ryan Moore asked the favourite for an effort as well but no matter how hard the challengers tried Electrolyser managed to somehow hold on in front, battling on to the line to thwart the challengers under an inspired Phillip Robinson ride.

Osais Knight eventually ran on best of all to come within three parts of a length of the winner with the disappointing Swinkeel a head further back.

16:15 A more sedate pace for our fifth race, the SIS Live Fenwolf Stakes over 2 miles.

Only six go to post but all experienced runners and all look good in the parade ring.

Richard Hills rides Keenes Day as he goes for four out of five.

16:04 The result stands, I will bring news of any ban as soon as I receive it.

16:03 Well Martin Dwyer may well be off the Hills family Christmas card list as his mount Pleasant Day denied Richard Hill a clean sweep.

However there may be a sting in the tail for Dwyer as he drifted to the right and badly interfered with Astonishment, who eventually finished fifth.

Hills set out to make all on Guest Book, who was a well backed favourite. Astonishment was with him most of the way but was arguably beaten when the interference took place.

Pleasant Day was settled in fourth place before being asked for an effort, which proved to be decisive, if not erratic as he drifted from the centre of the course to the far rail.

Keen Bidder made eye-catching late progress to finish third, whilst Farmer Giles was another running on well to take fourth.

15:45 The Brightwells Ascot Sales Nursery Handicap over seven is our next contest and ten go to post.

Richard Hills, halfway to a super six, is on Guest Book, who is the 5/2 favourite and one of the two paddock picks, the other being Astonishment.     

Negatives are The Startboard Bow and Nom De La Rosa both of whom were on their toes and Farmer Giles was attempting to pull his handlers arms out.

15:30 It was at this meeting 13 years ago that Frankie Dettori rode his “Magnificent Seven”, going through the card – nobody is counting any chickens yet but Richard Hills has now ridden the first three winners on this afternoons card.

This time his mount was Sayif and we also saw a change of tactics. Indeed the tactics were very strange in this contest. On Friday the jockeys kept to the far side on the straight course, in this race they nearly all raced on the stand side. I say nearly all as Tamagin ploughed a lone furrow on the far side under Stephen Donohoe.

It was always going to be a competitive race and the field were well bunched throughout.

Two out Sayif, Asset and JJ The Jet Plane had the advantage on the stand side, although the lone Tamagin was not out of it.

Inside the furlong Hills slowly eased Sayif clear of his rivals. Several ran on, notably Mullein and, the favourite, High Standing, however Sayif was clear and not for catching.

Judge Di Clarke called a photograph for second, although it was mainly because Tamagin and Mullein were separated by the width of the course and the lone runner, Tamagin, was given the call by a neck from Mullein.

15:09 Race three is the six furlong John Guest Diadem Stakes.

JJ The Jet Plane is fitted with first time blinkers in an attempt to regain his reputation.

The experienced field all looked reasonably good in the parade ring, a couple were getting a little bit warm but that is not unexpected in these conditions.

14:56 Well we have only had two races and we have a pattern developing.

The Grosvenor Casinos Cumberland Lodge Stakes was another 1m 4f contest and, as in the last race it finished up with the favourite coming with a late run after being held up. The horse this time was Mawatheeq and the jockey was, once again, Richard Hills.

Drill Sergeant was the one who set out to make all and he held the lead until two out, when Campanologist took it up. Dane O’Neill was on board Campanologist this afternoon and it looked like a decisive run as they came inside the final furlong.

Red Rocks ran on but could not make a serious challenge.

Mawatheeq, on the other hand, responded well after Hills asked for an effort and the race was over in a matter of strides.

The Queen’s Kingdom Of Fife also came with a late charge and whilst never threatening the winner, did run Campanologist to within a neck.

14:19 Quite a few warm horses at the start for this contest, amongst them the favourite Record Breaker.

As expected Australia Day set the pace, although it did take a couple of furlongs for him to actually hit the front with Barwell Bridge attempting to set the pace early doors.

Body Gold was another with the pace early on but by the time they were half a mild from home he was tailed off and virtually pulled up.

Barwell Bridge stayed with Australia Day until they turned for home but in the home straight the race proper took shape.

Unleashed and Dansili Dancer both made progress, as doe Kieran Fallon on Waldvogel, although the latter ultimately flattered to deceive.

Australia Day, however, was doggedly holding onto the lead as his rivals, one by one, tried and failed to peg him back.

The final challenge came from the favourite, Record Breaker, who had been held up by Richard Hills before being produced late. The move proved to be decisive as Record Breaker hit the front half a furlong from home and the long time leader was unable to respond.        

Unleashed held on to take third spot with Dansili Dancer back in fourth.

13:58 Our opening contest is the 1m 4f 123Racing Launches In The USA Handicap, in which eleven go to post.

Despite it being a very hot afternoon, Waldvogel came into the parade ring rugged up – he looked very skinny. By contrast Body Gold, who has not been seen for 713 days, looked big – built more like a three mile chaser, not sure how much of the bulk is condition and how much is muscle.

13:36 I make no apologies but when I see a raceday described as a family or, even worse, family fun day, my heart drops and I know the day will be anything but fun.

Invariably there will be irresponsible parents who see the afternoon as an excuse to let the beloved fruit of their loins run amok unsupervised.

Of course the racecourses do not help, generally providing a single bouncy castle as a distraction.

Today is Family Day at Ascot but here I have no qualms. Being Ascot they do the Family day malarkey with aplomb and provide enough distractions to keep the children amused.

The most innovative I have just seen in  a stroll around the course is a circus school – where the kids are having great fun spinning plates, balancing diablo’s and learning to juggle.

12:58 Good afternoon on yet another sunny Ascot afternoon as the Indian summer continues.

Day three of the September Festival and, arguably, the best Sunday afternoon flat racing on offer this season.

09:48 A flurry of non-runners in the last half hour, details on the right.

09:04 Two non-runners so far, Strike The Deal who will be in the morning papers, assuming your Sunday paper deems it worthwhile to print racecards, and Seeking The Buck - both have cet's certificates.

08:28 It has been a dry night and the sun is shining at Ascot, the going remains Good to Firm.

The overnight going report is:-

Good to Firm (GoingStick: Standside: 8.6, Centre 8.6, Farside 8.9. Round : 9.3 on Saturday at 08:00)

Stalls

Straight Course - Centre

Dry overnight. Dry, sunny weather through the weekend.

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

14:05
8 Seeking The Buck (lame - VC 08:59)

14:40
3 Ajhar (lame - SC 09:40)

15:15
11 Strike The Deal (bad scope - VC 10:08 Sat)

15:50
7 Quaestor (temperature - VC 09:25)

17:00
5 Webbow (lame - SC 09:36)

Results

14:05 Handicap 1m 4f

1st 5 Record Breaker 11/4 fav
2nd 4 Australia Day 10/1
3rd 2 Unleashed 9/1
11 Ran Nr 8
Distances 3 3/4 & 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.80
Places £1.50 £2.80 £3.50
Exacta £35.30
CSF £31.89
Tricast £224.65
Time 2' 28.16"

14:40 Stakes (Gp 3) 1m 4f

1st 9 Mawatheeq 7/2 fav
2nd 1 Campanologist 9/2
3rd 7 Kingdom Of Fife 9/2
12 Ran Nr 3
Distances 2 1/4 & neck
Fav winner
Tote
Win £5.00
Places £1.80 £1.60 £2.60
Exacta £17.00
CSF £18.55
Time 2' 27.33"

15:15 Diadem Stakes (Gp 2) 6f

1st 14 Sayif 11/1
2nd 12 Tamagin 12/1
3rd 15 Mullein 33/1
14 Ran Nr 11
Distances 2 1/2 & neck
Fav 5 High Standing 5/2 (4th)
Tote
Win £13.90
Places £4.20 £4.30 £10.10
Exacta £182.40
CSF £133.23
Time 1' 12.57"

15:50 Nursery Handicap 7f

1st 5 Pleasant Day 15/2
2nd 8 Guest Book 15/8 fav
3rd 11 Keen Bidder 16/1
10 Ran Nr 7
Distances 2 & 1/2
Fav second
Tote
Win £7.80
Places £2.20 £1.50 £4.10
Exacta £26.50
CSF £22.04
Tricast £225.32
Time 1' 27.42"
Result Stands

16:25 Listed Stakes 2m

1st 1 Electrolyser 4/1
2nd 6 Oasis Knight 7/2
6 Ran
Distances 3/4
Fav 4 Swingkeel 6/4 (3rd)
Tote
Win £4.50
Places £2.50 £2.10
Exacta £23.70
CSF £19.40
Time 3' 31.71"

17:00 Handicap 1m (Straight)

1st 10 Elna Bright 14/1
2nd 2 Alfathaa 9/2
3rd 6 Credit Swap 5/1
10 Ran Nr 5
Distances 1/2 & 3/4
Fav 4 Fanunalter 9/4 (9th)
Tote
Win £19.00
Places £4.20 £2.20 £2.10
Exacta £123.40
CSF £76.85
Tricast £368.04
Time 1' 39.93"