16:09 Well that’s it from Ascot where we have seen some surprise results and some sublime performances.

Possol was impressive in the opener but most impressive of the lot was Zaynar in the Ascot Hurdle – a brilliant performance. A special mention to the first two home in the bumper, both of whom could be decent prospects.

Albertas Run rolled back the clock to put in a good performance in the Amiln 1965 Chase. Whilst the disappointment was Voy Por Ustedes whose jumping seems to have gone to pot.

Straw Bear once again disappointed – what do they do next with him?

Our next live coverage will be tomorrow although where is to be decided. Weather permitting it will be from Aintree, where there are two races over the National fences, if not we will be at Towcester.

Check here tomorrow to find out which one.

16:00 Whilst the four with experience, and none of them were muppets, dominated the betting in the bumper, there was always a chance one of the newcomers could spring a surprise.

Well that is exactly what happened. One of the newcomers, This Masquerade, set off to make all tracked by debutant Scampi Boy and the favourite Lush Life.

This Masquerade managed to hold the advantage until they turned for home at which point AP McCoy took the favourite into the lead and he looked home and hosed.

However Richard Johnson, for whom McCoy has been a nemesis, wasn’t going to let the favourite have an easy time of it. Luckily Johnson’s mount Dunraven Storm twigged what was required late on, having run green in the early exchanges.              

Soon McCoy went from confident leader to fighter as the debutant came upsides and then edged in front. Of course McCoy is not known for going down without a fight and there was a dour battle to the line.       

Unfortunately for favourite backers this was one battle that was to go Johnson’s way as Dunraven Storm came home the half-length winner.

Another with experience, Any The Wiser, was seven lengths back in third.

15:41 Hills King George betting is 11/10 Kauto Star (no change), 5/1 Imperial Commander (was 14), 10/1 Madison Du Berlais (was 5), 12/1 Albertas Run (20’s), 14/1 Cooldine, 14/1 Nacarat, 16/1 Voy Por Ustedes (14)

15:36 William Hill’s prices for the Ryanair are interesting.

Imperial Commander, who only just lost out to Kauto Star, is the new 7/2 favourite. Voy Por Ustedes is now 6/1 from 4/1.

15:34 Just the bumper left which to give it its full title is the Colin Parfitt 42 Years At Ascot Standard Open NH Flat Race – a two mile contest.

Just as well there are no obstacles as it is now very bleak here at Ascot

15:28 Albertas Run was once a good horse but one who had seemed to hit the doldrums – until this afternoon, when the Albertas Run of old re-appeared to take the Amlin 1965 Chase with some ease under AP McCoy.

Always to the fore he kept Monet’s Garden company in front until the grey tired five from home, leaving McCoy in front. Gwanako emerged as the challenger at this stage but was, once again, let down by his jumping, unseating Christian Williams two out.

This left Planet Of Sound, the favourite, in second place and although he mounted a spirited challenge he never looked like troubling Albertas Run.

Voy Por Ustedes is known for making the odd mistake in his jumping but on the whole he is a reliable jumper. Today was a complete reversal, he made far too many mistakes – there were certainly more poor jumps than clean ones and that undoubtedly took away any chance he may have had.

15:08 At Haydock Park Kauto Star is very lucky in just getting the verdict over Imperial Commander in a bobbing finish.

14:59 Will our big chase match the last race – we will have to see.

The Amlin 1965 Chase over 2m 3f features eight top horses including Monet’s Garden who won the Old Road at Aintree last month, multiple festival winner Voy Por Ustedes, not to mention Gwanako, Schindlers Hunt from Ireland, Panjo Bere, Albertas Run, Planet Of Sound and Medicinal.

14:55 Wow – what a race, what a horse as Zaynar (friendless in the betting drifting from 5/4 this morning to 9/4) confounded his critics by taking the Coral Ascot Hurdle by six lengths and making his rivals look average.

When you consider his rivals included Karabak, sent off joint favourite but coming home six lengths behind in second and Katchit, it shows just how good this four year old is.

As usual Lough Derg set out in front although he was not allowed to dictate, perhaps more significantly Tom Scudamore was not on board today and Scudamore and Lough Derg do have this affinity which seems to make them almost invincible.

Lough Derg led until  four our but even when headed he tried to fight back.

It was Zaynar who headed him at the fourth last and once in front was never headed and, once Lough Derg finally had enough turning for home, was never threatened.

Well clear two out he was pulling away from his rivals. Katchit dropped out two out and it was market rival Karabak who attempted to make a race of it but to no avail.

Zaynar powered up the run in and all AP McCoy could do on Karabak was see his rival pulling away to a six length victory.

Red Moloney, who did nothing wrong, was a further 17 lengths back in third.

14:33 It has started raining

14:31 The first of our feature races is the Coral Ascot Hurdle over 2m 3f, starring, if that isn’t too much hype, Lough Derg, who loves it here at Ascot and who must be one of the bravest runners in training.

The same cannot be said of Straw Bear who, by contrast, must be one of the most untrustworthy runners in training.

Of course Lough Derg is a nine-year-old now and there are plenty of young pretenders around, including Nicky Henderson’s four-year-old Zaynar.

14:20 Finally a front running winner as the favourite, Fix The Rib took the handicap with plenty in hand, recording  a 4½ length victory.

It may not have been such an easy victory had his main market rival, Master Medic, not hit a flat spot mid-race before making progress in the closing stages. Indeed Master Medic was easily finishing best of all but Robert Walford was left with too much to do as he tried to close in on the favourite.

Cornas was another making late progress but only crossed the line six lengths behind the runner-up.

14:01 The final handicap before our feature contests is the 2m 1f Carey Group Handicap Chase in which nine face the starter.

No negatives from the parade ring. Santa’s Son and Cornas both look as though they could do with a decent feed.

Enlightenment, one of the outsiders, actually looked nice.

Master Medic was the best looking of the lot though.            

13:50 When it came to the betting moves before the race one was correct the other wrong.

In terms of the favourite, Ravello Bay, the drift seemed to be justified as she tracked the leaders until the eighth before dropping out of contention, eventually pulling up and being dismounted approaching two out. Although looking to be walking relatively freely she was bought back in the horse ambulance.

By contrast those who backed the well supported Zafarella knew their fate early on. Third approaching the first flight, she jumped badly and was fifth coming out of the fence. At the second her jumping was even worse and she went from fifth to almost last and in the end I gave up counting her jumping errors.

She did make some late progress, but only past beaten horses, to eventually come home fifth – however Lucinda Russell needs to seriously work on the mares jumping.

Ambrose Princess, on the other hand, put in an impeccable display of jumping as she attempted to make all. Indeed she was still in front as they broached the final flight, however the big whit faced
Easter Legend had been given a patient ride under Aiden Coleman. Being settled last before making steady progress in the final mile.

A shake of the reigns on the run-in and Easter Legend made steady progress, coming home a comfortable 1¼ length winner over the long time leader.

13:29 Interesting betting Ravello Bay is on the drift out to 11/4 whilst Zaffarella is now 11/2 from 7/1

13:23 This is a one horse race according to the betting with Nicky Henderson’s Ravello Bay trading around the 2/1 mark with the remainder being 7/1 or bigger.

13:21 Race three is the 2m 6f Kleenex Mares’ Handicap Hurdle in which eleven face the starter as they go without Caoba who has knocked a joint.

13:17 Well this was one of those contests where a horse that looked to be a clear winner then attempted to do everything possible to lose the race, more on that later on.

Pure Genius, Senor Shane and River Ripples were the trio who set the pace, whilst Flaco was far from keen to even partake.

As they passed halfway they had settled into a rhythm with Senor Shane and Pure Genius sharing the lead with River Ripples and Knighton Combe just behind along with Plein Pouvoir, who had deposed Noakarad De Verzee as favourite shortly before the off.

Coming out of Swinley Bottom Pure Gens was the first of the leading group to crack, leaving Senor Shane in the lead with River Ripples in second spot.

Four out and Pure Genius called it a day, whist River Ripples was coming under pressure and going backwards.

Knighton Combe emerged as the challenger to Senor Shane with Skippers Lad in third and Flaco making good progress into fourth place.

Turning into the home straight Senor Shane and Knighton Combe were locked together, indeed they were so close they cannoned into one another at the second last. It was six of one and half a dozen of the other but the long time leader certainly came off worse, losing momentum.

This left Kinghton Combe well clear of Skippers Lad, Falco and Plein Pouvoir coming to the last and all he had to do was jump it to claim the spoils.

Well he did manage to cross the fence but he managed to go through it rather than over it and Daryl Jacob did well to stay on board.

This opened up the race and what looked like a facile win approaching the last became a battle to the line.

12:50 Race two is the BAM Construct UK Novices’ Chase over three miles.

No real positives in the parade ring with River Ripples looking just about the best.

Aldiruos and Skippers Lad were both pulling.

12:38 A nice little handicap to get us under way in which Qianshan Leader and Peachy Moment shared the running for most of the contest with the favourite, Possol, happy to track the front pair.

As they turned into Swinley Bottom for the final time Andrew Tinkler took Possol to the front and Qiuanshan Leader stayed with him, the pair going a few lengths clear.

Turning for home Qiuanshan Leader dropped out quickly as Arkose, another who had been tracking the lead, emerged as the challenger. Back Exit was running well and South Leinster was making strong progress from the rear of the field.

Approaching the last Possol looked to be under pressure as Arkose gained ground on the leader, the pair well clear of their rivals.

Possol put in a good jump at the last to opened up a lead again and it was Arkose’s turn to hit a flat spot.   Possol ran on well to record a nine length victory over Arkose.

The excitement in the race came in the battle for third in which judge Di Clarke was unable to separate Back Exit and South Leinster. The latter looking to be a good prospect.

12:15 Possol is currently the 7/4 favourite with Grangeclare Gold the 3/1 second choice and Arkose 9/2 and it’s 8/1 bar the three.

12:12 Nothing spectacular to report from the parade ring, where it is very breezy.

Origami Imp is a head shaker. Back Exit looks a little unfurnished.

12:01 Our opening contest is the Barrett Steel Novices’ Hurdle over 2m 6f in which nine face the starter.

11:36 Some betting moves from Sky Bet.

In the 14:05 some support for Fix The Rib (7/2 from 4/1) and  Cornas (4/1 from 9/2).

In the Ascot Hurdle Lough Derg has attracted some each way support 14’s in from 16’s. Zaynar is a slight negative 11/8 out to 7/4, whilst Katchit was come in a point from 11/2 into 9/2.

In the big chase Planet Of Sound is the best backed 4/1 in from 11/2.

Meanwhile at Haydock Buena Vista has been well supported in the 14:20, 18/1 in from 33/1.

In the big race Kauto Star has seen slight support to a shad of odds-on.

11:30 Good morning from Ascot where it is currently overcast and the going remains Good.

We now have two non-runners, full details on the right.

09:14 Just 0.5mm of rain overnight and the going remains Good. We have one non-runner so far, details on the right.

Our selections are:-

19:20 Friday

The advance going report is:-

Going

Good (GoingStick: Chase 7.6 Hurdle 8.4 on Friday at 08:00)

Dry Friday evening and night. Rain due again from Saturday 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

13:30
3 Caoba (knocked joint - VC 10:09)

15:10
8 Striking Article (not eaten up - SC 09:13)

Results

12:25 Novices' Hurdle 2m 6f

1st 8 Possol 11/8 fav
2nd 2 Arkose 7/1
=3rd 4 Back Exit 18/1
=3rd 9 South Leinster 10/1
9 Ran
Distances 9 & 7
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.40
Places £1.10 £2.10 (4) £1.60 (9) £1.10
Exacta £11.00
CSF £11.43
Time 5' 18.6"

12:55 Handicap Chase 3m

1st 1 Knighton Combe 25/1
2nd 5 Skipper's Lad 5/1
3rd 6 Flaco 10/1
11 Ran
Distances ¾ & 1¼
Fav 2 Plein Pouvoir 9/2 (4th)
Tote
Win £29.10
Places £7.30 £1.90 £4.30
Exacta £125.80
CSF £145.21
Tricast £1.353.19
Time 6' 09.6"

13:30 Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f

1st 1 Easter Legend 7/1
2nd 7 Ambrose Princess 11/1
3rd 6 Gold Reef 12/1
11 Ran Nr 3
Distances 1¼ & head
Fav 2 Ravello Bay 5/2 (PU)
Tote
Win £8.10
Places £2.60 £3.40 £3.40
Exacta £104.70
CSF £81.35
Tricast £916.44
Time 5' 20.2"

14:05 Handicap Chase 2m 1f

1st 4 Fix The Rib 3/1 fav
2nd 2 Master Medic 4/1
3rd 1 Cornas 7/2
9 Ran
Distances 4½ & 6
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.80
Places £1.60 £1.80 £1.60
Exacta £8.40
CSF £15.68
Tricast £42.33
Time 4' 08.9"

14:35 Ascot Hurdle 2m 3f 110yds

1st 3 Zaynar 9/4 jf
2nd 4 Karabak 9/4 jf
3rd 7 Red Moloney 16/1
8 Ran
Distances 6 & 22
Fav winner & second
Tote
Win £3.30
Places £1.30 £1.40 £3.40
Exacta £9.30
CSF £7.12
Time 4' 34.2"

15:10 Amlin 1965 Chase 2m 3f

1st 9 Albertas Run 7/1
2nd 4 Planet Of Sound 10/3 fav
3rd 2 Voy Por Ustedes 7/2
8 Ran Nr 8
Distances 2 & 4
Fav second
Tote
Win £7.10
Places £1.80 £1.50 £1.60
Exacta £21.30
CSF £28.92
Time 4' 42.0"

15:45 Open NH Flat 2m

1st 4 Dunraven Storm 12/1
2nd 2 Lush Life 6/4 fav
3rd 1 Any The Wiser 3/1
12 Ran
Distances ½ & 7
Fav second
Tote
Win £15.20
Places £3.20 £1.20 £1.60
Exacta £35.50
CSF £29.73
Time no time taken