07:44 A dry night overnight and the official going is good, good to firm in places (watered).

Our selections are:-

08:48 We currently have three non-runners, details on the right.

08:53 It is countryside day today and there are a wide range of entertainment for all the family. The event features a Charity Race for local Huntsmen before the racing starts.

This is complemented in the main display arena, located on the Plaza Lawns, with an array of countryside pursuits including a parade of hounds, a falconry display, a sheep dog display plus ferret and terrier racing.

There is also a family farm where racegoers can meet and feed the animals and a mini beast safari with rats, spiders, snakes and alike.

12:06 We have just had a charity race in which Michael Scott, a Huntsman with the Old Berkshire Hunt, who just arrived back from holiday before the airports closed, on Roodolph beat long time leader Trade Centre by a length.

Scott must have seen McCoy win the National as his celebrations crossing the line were very McCoyesque.

Tony Holdsworth on the runner-up lost 3 stone to take the ride today, so well done to him.11:56 Good morning from a sunny Ascot where, even two hours before our opening contest, we already have a very decent crowd.

12:31 I have just been outside and it is more like a country show than a race meeting – not that is a bad thing, a great atmosphere with plenty of entertainment for young and old alike.

12:48 Right some photographs of these children’s play houses – basically glorified garden sheds.

The smaller ones start from around the £2,500 mark and the larger ones (right hand photo) from the £5,000 mark.     

I’m sorry but even if I were a millionaire I would not buy one for any child of mine (not that I have any), or anybody else’s children either.

12:51 Much more cute ..... I would buy one of these:-

13:21 OK I, of course, made a deliberate mistake earlier on - we have just five non-runners, not six ..... whoops!!

13:42 Our opening contest is the extended 2m 3f Colts & Fillies Club Maiden Hurdle in which twelve line up, following the defections of Don’t Tell Nina (Lame) and Tafika (Going).

13:53 A mixed bag in the parade ring for the opener.

Hadron Collider (oh how I hope he comes with an explosive finish) was very slightly on his toes.

Hellfire Club was pulling. Meet The Critics is a big horse, built more like a chaser.

Rockstown was pulling slightly, as was U B Carefull.

Theologist looked very small behind.

The remainder were OK with no real positives of note.

14:17 A somewhat steady pace in our opener, run 10 seconds slower than standard on fast ground.

Meet the Critics was the early pacesetter with Call It On, Theologist and Hellfire Club forming a tight group immediately behind. Tracking these was Weapon Of War who, listening to the commentary, you were left with the impression clearly Jim McGrath had backed.

Hellfire Club took up the running three out, to be pursuied by Meet the Critics, Theologist and Hadron Collider who had made good progress through the field having been settled near the rear.

As they lined up for home it seemed as though Thologist would be the main threat to the leader but he ended up flattering to deceive.

It was Hadron Collider who was the nearest pursuer, although in honesty he never looked like winning, but Hellfire Club came home the comfortable 3¼ length winner.

Hadron Collider was done for second spot by Meet The Critics who seemed to find a second wind in the final furlong, with Theologist only able to come home a well beaten fourth.     

For some reason we do not seem to have any Tote returns for the opener yet.

14:18 Our first chase of the afternoon sees five face the starter, You’re The Top (Lame) being the absentee, in the 2m 1f HS Group Novices’ Chase.

14:19 We now have the Tote returns for the opener.

14:27 Four of the runners in the second contest look as though they are about to fall asleep the other, Postmaster, is really shaking his head like a rocker.

14:47 One of those races which can be covered in very few words.

So from the top:-

I Have Dreamed – in tracking group, left in second after the fifth fence, beaten into third in closing strides.

King Edmund – made all, never looked to be in any danger after being left alone in front after the fifth.

Postmaster - in third for most of the contest, running on to take second in the closing stages.

Cockney Trucker – sent off the odds-on favourite. Made mistakes at three of the first four fences before falling at the fifth.

Safe Investment – the outsider, who ran like one, coming home in his own time for fourth place prize money.

14:48 Race three, the William & Son Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle, is run over two miles and all eleven declared runners face the starter.

15:04 With the utmost respect to connections I have to say Troubletimestwo is the oddest horse I have seen, he is incredibly squat. It is almost as if somebody has taken a “normal” horse and chopped a foot out of the middle and joined the two ends together again.

Quite a few of these runners are on their toes, including Royal Max, Souter Point (now being ridden by David Bass (7)), Dark Oasis and Corredor Sun.

Blazing Buck was the best looking in the ring.

15:26 Well a much more competitive contest than our last one.

Corredor Sun had the initial honours but by the second flight the favourite Rougham had taken up the running with Fin Vin De Leu keeping him company.

These two were still in front as they swung for home but it was destined to be one of those contests where it was all going to change in the latter stages.

Alhaque, under Jamie Moore, had made steady, almost unnoticed, progress to hit the front between the final two flights. Singapore Reef, who had tracked the leaders also made good progress and looked destined to take second place fromAlhaque.

However Souter Point, on the stands rail, was finishing best of all and grabbed second and coming within 1¼ lengths of the winner.

Singapore Reef held on for third.

Of the front runners Fin Vin de Leu came fourth, finding the pace too hot, Rougham had to settle for sixth, having been headed by the running on Troubletimestwo in the final few yards.

15:27 The Playhouse Company Handicap Chase sees seven take their chance in the extended 2m 5f event.

15:37 If you like white horses then Misty Dancer is the one for you in this contest, although he did just rear when on the far side of the parade ring.

The only mare in the field, Fit To Drive, is slightly on her toes.

Fresh Air And Fun is a big horse, whilst the remainder are rather nondescript.

David Bass picks up another spare ride, this time on Ouste.

15:40 Oh dear, bang goes the diet as three very evil cakes arrive in the press room. I have just taken a slice of Black Forest Gateaux - well it would be rude not to.

16:02 A bold front running performance from the favourite Soulard.

In the early stages the second favourite Fresh Air And Fun tried to make a battle of it up front, the pair being well clear of their rivals.

As they went down the side of the course for the final circuit Fresh Air And Fun dropped out of eth battle for the lead and Misty Dancer came as the challenger as the field compressed.

Ouste, who ran in snatches, was also in contention as they came round Swinley Bottom, although he soon dropped out of contention, eventually taking a heavy fall at the last, where he is still being treated.

As they turned for home it was still Soulard in front with Misty Dancer the challenger.

Fresh Air And Fun briefly found a second win but his revival was short lived.

A more convincing challenge came from Free World who had bene settled last but made late progress.

However Soulard had seen off his rivals and the only real battle was for second spot. In that battle it was Free World who ran on best of all beating Misty Dancer into third spot.     

16:04 Race five is our joint longest race of the day, seeing seven competing in the three mile Independent Newspaper Veterans’ Handicap Chase. The finale of a popular series contested by horses ten years old and over.

William Kennedy now rides Cool Roxy

16:11 Good news, after being treated for 20 minutes Ouste has got up and is walking back to the stables.

16:37 There are many who knock these Veteran’s races, however I think they are great as we still get to see some of our old favourites and watching this group jumping round there is little doubt they are still in love with the game.

We saw a brilliant tactical ride from Leighton Aspell on 12-year-old Briary Fox. Put to sleep in rear for most of the contest he made steady progress from approaching three out.

By the second last he was in third spot and at the last he put in a brilliant jump to hit the front, a jump that would have been brilliant from a spritely four year old, never mind a veteran.

Coming to the fence Oscar Park was in the lead, having taken up the running from Knowhere. The latter is renowned for his iffy jumping but today he hardly put a hoof wrong, hitting the front as they went out on the final circuit.

Bowleaze ran in snatches before eventually pulling-up approaching two out, the only one of the seven not to finish.

Cool Roxy ran well for most of the contest before tiring in the closing stages, a comment that would equally apply to Pretty Star.

16:38 After the three mile chase we have the three mile hurdle, the Fatboy Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle, with ten lining up, the non-runner being the top weight Kawagino (Bruised Foot).

16:49 Lady Jinks is sneezing well in the parade ring, then again so are a lot of humans round her – not sure if it is volcanic ash in the air or pollen from the many flowers in bloom round the parade ring.

17:14 For a three mile contest they set off at a very fast pace, although to be more precise Lady Jinks set off at a very fast pace, it is therefore very impressive that she was still in contention as they jumped the final flight.

Like the last race the contest went to the jockey with the tactical nous and this time it was B Toomey, who produced Ameeq with a perfectly timed run to come into contention in the home straight.

Unlike the previous race he did not have it all his own way when he hit the front between the final two flights and crossing the last there were four in with chances.

Volador, another making late progress, who had hit the front turning for home, Midas Way (who had been thereabouts for some time) and the front running Lady jinks all had every chance.

It was only as they came up the run-in that Ameeq finally prevailed, eventually coming home 2¼ lengths clear of Volador.

There was a right battle for third with Midas Way just prevailing.

Busker Royal was sent off the favourite but fell at the sixth flight.

17:20 For our final race, Ascot’s final national hunt race of the season, we are back to the extended 2m 5f and the Guy Salmon Ascot Land Rover Hunters’ Chase where eleven stand their ground following the withdrawal of Even Homer Nods (Infected Foot).

17:22 Oh dear - I am being a real piggy and having another slice of the gateaux!!!

17:44 A decent Hunters’ Chase to end proceedings with Light Des Mulottes and Jurado Express both battling it out in front but both having to settle for the minor honours as Alan Berry gave yet another demonstration of a perfect tactical ride to produce Bob Hall to take a 12 length victory.

17:47 That’s it from a sunny Sunday afternoon where a decent crowd witnessed the end of Ascot’s national hunt season.

Racing returns here a week on Wednesday for the start of the flat and, as part of the Racing For Change initiative, there is free admission. Just visit the Ascot website – click here

  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

14:00
2 Don't Tell Nina (Lame - SC 08:39)
8 Tafika (going - 08:40)

14:35
4 You're The Top (lame - VC 09:13)

16:55
1 Kawagino (bruised foot - SC 21:10 Sat)

17:30
8 Even Homer Nods (infected foot - VC 10:56)

Results

14:00 Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f 110yds

1st 4 Hellfire Club 11/4
2nd 6 Meet The Critics 40/1
3rd 3 Hadron Collider 20/1
12 Ran Nr's 2 & 8
Distances 3¼ & ¾
Fav 13 Theologist 9/4 (4th)
Tote
Win £3.60
Places £1.70 £6.50 £3
Exacta £120.10
CSF £107.36
Time 4' 44.2" (slow 10.2")

14:35 Novices Chase 2m 1f

1st 2 King Edmund 11/4
2nd 3 Postmaster 18/1
5 Ran Nr 4
Distances 2½
Fav 5 Cockney Trucker 8/11 (fell)
Tote
Win £4.30
Places £2.10 £4.20
Exacta £31.30
CSF £31.89
Time 4' 10.9" (slow 6.9")

15:10 Handicap Hurdle 2m

1st 7 Alhaque 14/1
2nd 6 Souter Point 4/1
3rd 8 Singapore Reef 9/1
11 Ran
Distances 1¼ & 1¼
Fav 1 Rougham 3/1 (6th)
Tote
Win £20.50
Places £4.20 £2.30 £3.20
Exacta £62.30
CSF £69.76
Tricast £547.78
Time 3' 44.6" (slow 9.6")

15:45 Handicap Chase 2m 5f 110yds

1st 1 Soulard 2/1 fav
2nd 5 Free World 4/1
7 Ran
Distances 4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.90
Places £1.10 £3.50
Exacta £8.00
CSF £10.72
Time 5' 17.7" (slow 6.7")

16:20 Handicap Chase 3m

1st 4 Briery Fox 11/4 fav
2nd 3 Oscar park 11/2
7 Ran
Distances 1¾
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.30
Places £1.90 £3.70
Exacta £17.80
CSF £17.81
Time 6' 03.7" (slow 15.7")

16:55 Handicap Hurdle 3m

1st 4 Ameeq 25/1
2nd 3 Volador 7/2
3rd 6 Midas Way 7/1
10 Ran Nr 1
Distances 2¼ & 3¾
Fav 5 Busker Royal 5/2 (fell)
Tote
Win £32.20
Places £6.40 £1.80 £2.50
Exacta £194.20
CSF £109.30
Tricast £702.33
Time 5' 46.3" (slow 6.3")

17:30 Hunters' Chase 2m 5f 110yds

1st 1 Bob Hall 5/2
2nd 2 Jurado Express 8/1
3rd 11 Light des Mulottes 66/1
11 Ran Nr 8
Distances 12 & 7
Fav 12 Loita Hills 6/4 (5th)
Tote
Win £3.20
Places £1.20 £2.40 £11.70
Exacta £24.40
CSF £20.45
Time 5' 22.4" (slow 11.4")