16:24 That’s it from the opening meeting of Ascot’s 2009-2010 National Hunt season.

There will be better class racing as the season progresses however the racing this afternoon has been enjoyable.

16:21 It is a long way both in terms of mileage and cultural differences between Newcastle-On-Tyne and Ascot but trainer Karen McLintock will be smiling on the long journey home as her Nodforms Violet justified market support to put in a bold front running performance to win the bumper.

Unusually the order throughout the contest is the order that prevailed as they crossed the line. The only filly in the field, Natural Spring, was second for most of the contest and despite a flat spot two furlongs from home she ran on to take second spot.

Island Jim, running fourth throughout, progressed one place for the minor honours.

16:07 Our final contest is the Broadway Standard Open National Hunt Flat race over two miles.

15:51 Our final race over obstacles was the Byrne Group Handicap Chase over 2m 1f.

Fix The Rib was very keen to make the running and as he increased his lead on his rivals approaching three out it seemed as though the front running tactics were going to pay off.

However the favourite Master Medic had other ideas as he pulled away from the remainder of the field to challenge Fix The Rib two out.

At the second last the loose Oneway did Fix The Rib no favours and it is debatable if the momentary loss of momentum had a bearing on the final result – perhaps not?

Fix The Rib and Master Medic jumped the last alongside one another but in the run-in Master Medic had just enough in hand to record a 1¼ length victory.

15:14 An interesting contest with something of a surprise result.

Michael Flips was sent off the 9/4 favourite but never looked to be a serious threat at any point, even when running on un the closing stages.

Dani’s Girl was the one who came out on top, having been settled almost in rear in the early stages.

She made progress approaching three out, running on to challenge the long time leader Gee Dee Nen and the grey Pascha Bere.

The trio jumped the second last three abreast.

Coming to the last Pascha Bere just had the advantage but Dani’s Girl looked to have more in hand and, sure enough, she opened up a lead on the run-in coming home two lengths clear of the grey.

Michael Flips who was under pressure three out did make some progress later on but was only able to come within two lengths of the runner-up.  

14:51 Race five is another two mile hurdle, this time the WilliamHill.com Handicap Hurdle, a Listed contest, in which a dozen face the starter.

Another contest with nothing of note to report from the Parade Ring.

14:41 In the betting it was impossible to separate You’re The Top and William Hogarth, at the last flight they were side by side but the body language told you there would only be one winner.

That was going to be You’re The Top under the champion jockey who came home the 2¼ length winner, although his rival made him fight for the prize.

Leptis Magna was the pace setter with William Hogarth and Kristallo running side by side for second and Pterodactyl, You’re The Top and Valento following in Indian file.

Going out on the second circuit Kristallo did his upmost to run out at flights four and five.

Coming down to Swinley Bottom Valento was beginning to wave the white flag.

Three out Pterodactyl fell (both horse and rider up OK) and by this point William Hogarth had taken up the running.

Turning  for home William Hogarth still had the lead but McCoy was on his heels and the pair were well clear.

Valento was the least worse of the remaining runners coming home a distance third.

14:20 We are back to the smaller obstacles for race four, the Cushman and Wakefield Novices’ Hurdle over the minimum distance of 2m.

14:09 Scottish Grand National winner Hello Bud is one of those horses who will stay all day and he set out in front to take advantage of his proven stamina in this three mile contest.

He set the pace until three out when the three miles emerged as being too short for him and some running on “speedsters” began to challenge.

The first of whom was Hold Em, who Jack Doyle had settled in about fourth place before running on approaching three from home.

By the time they entered the straight he had a good three length lead but threats were emerging.

The most threatening one being The Last Derby who had plodded around in mid-division before running-on approaching two out. Hold Em was unable to respond and was soon in reverse.

Amigayle who had been second throughout looked to be under pressure three out but rallied in the closing stages, however she was unable to close in on The Last Derby who came home five lengths clear.         

Shining Gale was another making progress in the closing stages along with Seven Is My Number who took third and fourth places.

The favourite Just Amazing was prominent but did not have enough toe in the closing stages, coming home sixth, just behind the fading Hold Em.

13:51 Our feature contest is next, the 3m United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

Sixteen go to post and some seasoned campaigners in the contest and an open betting heat going 13/2 the field.

13:42 Sad to report Sanglote did not survive the fall in the second contest.

13:37 An incident packed contest in which the favourite French Opera and outsider Edgeover set the pace, well clear of their rivals, who were happy to hack along behind.

Cockney Trucker, who had vied for favouritism at one point got no further than the third, when unseating Richard Johnson.

Favourite backers must have had palpitations at the 10th when A P McCoy asked for a short one and the horse didn’t want to play ball – but he must have been wearing Velcro breeches.

Three out Edgeover almost slipped on landing and William Kennedy did well to stay on board but the mishap was enough to allow French Opera to open up an unassailable lead.
Edgeover held on to take second spot.

13:12 Race two is the Ascot Underwriting Beginners’ Chase over 2m 3f in which seven go to post.

The two negatives from the ring were Edgeover who was fighting his handlers and Free World.

French Opera was marginally the best looking.

13:01 It is interesting the two negatives in the parade ring were also the top two in the betting and by the time Zabeel Palace and Vincenzio reached the start both were in a sweat.

Once underway it was Sparrow Hills and Dar Es Salem who set the pace, with Vincenzio settle mid division and Zabeel Palace last.

There was little change in the order for most of the contest.

By the time they turned for home Dar Es Salem had taken up the running from Sparrow Hills, Karasakal was tracking in third and Zabeel Palace had made progress to make if four against the field.

Approaching the last it was Dar Es Salem and Karasakal who were in front with the favourite poised to strike.

Zabeel Palace hit the front on the run-in and it was race over.

Karasakal took second spot with Dar Es Salem third.

12:37 Our opening contest is the Canaccord Adams’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended 2m 3f.

The favourite is Zabeel Palace, however it has to be said he was the paddock negative, with a strange gait, very much on his toes and expending a great deal of energy.

12:08 Another non-runner, Best Actor will not be picking up any awards in the 13:50.

11:41 Good morning from a somewhat overcast Ascot where some more rain this morning has eased the ground and the going is now Good

We have one non-runner and Pugilist will not be fighting it out in the opener.

08:03 After 1mm of rain overnight the going remains Good, Good to Firm in Places

Our selections are:-

20:58 Friday

The advance going report is:-

Going

Good, Good to Firm in Places. Watering 10mm down the hill towards Swinley Bottom again today.
(GoingStick: Chase 8.4, Hurdle 8.6 on Friday at 08:30)

2-3mm rain forecast for overnight and tomorrow morning.

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

Non-runners

12:45
4 Pugilist (going - 11:32)

13:50
6 Best Actor (going - 11:51)

Results

12:45 Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 110yds

1st 8 Zabeel Palace 3/1 fav
2nd 9 Karasakal 6/1
3rd 10 Dar Es Salem 10/1
9 Ran Nr 4
Distances 1 3/4 & 2 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.80
Places £1.80 £2.20 £3.40
Exacta £22.40
CSF £20.76
Tricast £155.30
Time 4' 46.1"

13:20 Beginners Chase 2m 3f

1st 5 French Opera 5/4 fav
2nd 3 Edgeover 33/1
7 Ran
Distances 10
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.20
Places £2.00 £11.90
Exacta £37.80
CSF £35.39
Time 4' 41.0"

13:50 Handicap Chase 3m

1st 15 The Last Derby 33/1
2nd 10 Amigayle 16/1
3rd 2 Shining Gale 8/1
4th 7 Seven Is My Number 15/2
16 Ran Nr 6
Distances 5 & 2
Fav 5 Just Amazing 6/1 (6th)
Tote
Win £103.70
Places £19.40 £4.00 £1.80 £2.00
Exacta £1,422.20
CSF £468.76
Tricast £4,591.72
Time 5' 56.2"

14:25 Novices' Hurdle 2m

1st 2 You're The Top 6/4 jf
2nd 6 William Hogarth 6/4 jf
6 Ran
Distances 2 1/4
Fav's winner & second
Tote
Win £2.10
Places £1.40 £1.50
Exacta £3.40
CSF £3.91
Time 3' 42.9"

15:00 Handicap Hurdle 2m

1st 11 Danni's Girl 10/1
2nd 6 Pascha Bere 16/1
3rd 2 Michael Flips 9/4 fav
12 Ran
Distances 2 & 2
Fav third
Tote
Win £15.40
Places £3.30 £4.20 £2.10
Exacta £321.90
CSF £149.54
Tricast £488.98
Time 3' 41.15"

15:35 Handicap Chase 2m 1f

1st 4 Master Medic 9/2 fav
2nd 5 Fix The Rib 6/1
3rd 2 Lord Henry 13/2
10 Ran
Distances 1 1/4 & 13
Fav winner
Tote
Win £4.70
Places £1.70 £2.10 £2.40
Exacta £11.10
CSF £21.90
Tricast £174.75
Time 4' 05.5"

16:10 NH Flat 2m

1st 10 Nodforms Violet 9/4 fav
2nd 13 Natural Spring 11/1
3rd 8 Island Jim 28/1
13 Ran
Distances 3 3/4 & 4 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.40
Places £1.40 £4.30 £5.70
Exacta £47.10
CSF £28.18
Time 3' 40.9"