10:41 Just a quick follow-up from yesterday. I have been asked what I was doing sharing a golf buggy with John Hunt yesterday morning.

Well first of all we didn’t play a quick 18 holes before racing yesterday …. It is a long time since I swung a club and I am not into ritual humiliation. No it is to do with the car parking arrangements at the Royal meeting.

At normal Ascot meetings the press get to park in car park 2, one of the best car parks, just opposite the west entrance.

At the Royal meeting we are in car park 2F which, on the face of it, sounds line the same car park.

The only common factor is you use the same gate to get into the car park. In reality the F stands for far away, we are consigned to parking in what is known as the donkey field, at the bottom of a steep hill.

So steep that it you arrive late then your car will be parked at an angle of around 30 degrees.

Now with modern technology we do not travel light. My computer bag weighs around 30 lbs. John, was carrying three bags of kit.

So Ascot supply a golf buggy which provides a shuttle service from the car park up to the High Street …. and it is really appreciated. It is also provided after racing but with gravity to assist doing the downhill journey is not so bad.   

10:42 As promised the going stick readings.

Straight course: Stands’ side 9.4, Centre 9.3, Far Side 9.6

Round Course: 9.4

10:54 The biggest news today is I have managed to bag a better desk today, an outside pitch so should avoid being squashed by Big Mac’s and people squeezing by.

13:00 When I arrived home last night I was in trouble for commenting on how elegant Alex Quinn looked, the greeting being “you never comment on my outfits.”

Today Alex isn’t here, so I should be safe and to redress the balance I will comment Luke Harvey looks very dapper in his top hat and tails.

So as an act of contrition fewer glamour shots today.

Here are some scene setters and if any attractive women happen to have gotten in the way of the camera it is purely coincidental.

(Tomorrow is Ladies Day so normal service will resume then)

OK that's it for today because not everyone can dress up.

For some it is the quiet life or just studying the form.

Or just eating

And not everyone is in top hat and tails .....

13:23 We have our first non-runner of the afternoon. Harald Bluetooth is out of the Royal Hunt Cup due to the going, so only 29 left for Simon Holt to call home.

Also a going change, going is now Good to Firm, Good in Places

13:39 I just asked John Hunt if it is just coincidence that Five Live are only covering the first three races this afternoon – those with the smallest fields. Meaning he does not have to call the now 29 runner Royal Hunt Cup.

14:17 The Queen has arrived, so let's get ready to rumble.

14:20 Our opening contest is the 7f Jersey Stakes with 13 competing.

Shakespearean was an impressive winner at Epsom recently and the move to Godolphin seems to have done little harm. The manner of his win at Epsom was impressive and there seems to be little reason why he should not follow up here.

Red Jazz made a winning seasonal debut over 7f before running credibly but being outclassed in the 2,000 Guineas. Runner up last time out on possibly unsuited good to soft going. Has a reasonable each way chance.

Field Of Dreams was Red Jazz’s vanquisher in the last named race above. Although he has some Italian winning juvenile form over 5f on good to firm he looks to be the sort better suited by some give in the ground.

Kaptain Kirkup was a disappointing fourth behind Shakespearean at Epsom although it could be argued he did not handle Epsom’s undulations particularly well. Back on a flatter track he should run Shakespearean closer, although whether he will be good enough to reverse the placing is a moot point.

Meezaan is relatively unexposed and has winning form over seven furlongs. Struggled in the latter stages when upped to a mile in the French Guineas, 7f seems to be his optimum distance and if running to his best may well have each-way possibilities.

Rodrigo De Torres beat Meezaan at Doncaster two runs ago and was third behind Field Of Dreams and Red Jazz at Newmarket, like Red Jazz seemingly not at home with some give in the ground, so must come into the same calculations as the others.

14:28 Quarrel is living up to his name and was very much on his toes, to a lesser extent so was Lucky General, who was also getting warm.

Red Jazz was pulling slightly.

14:45 It may be a hot sunny day at Ascot but we had Rainfall in the opener as Mark Johnston’s runner  managed to get the better of a battle with Red Jazz.

The pair shared first and second place throughout the contest and the only real question would be who would win. Red Jazz had the advantage for most of the contest  but Rainfall, the only filly in the field, edged ahead inside the final furlong.

Red Jazz made a battle of it but was unable to get back in front, going down by a neck.

Rock Jock was making good late progress to come home third but 3¾ lengths behind the front pair.

Impressive Epsom winner and favourite Shakespearean never looked a serious threat being a never better third before fading into sixth spot late on. Was this race too soon after Epsom?

The time of the opening race is a new course record.

Trainer Mark Johnston admitted, "I didn't realise she had broken the track record. "Sheikh Mohammed was just saying it was a good race for fillies but I hadn't realised that.

"I'd looked at the race over the last five years and thought this was a tall order, but she's done nothing wrong since she came to us.

"She's taken big jumps from a maiden to a Listed race and then to this. She's very straightforward and genuine to train.

"I wouldn't know where she'd go next, it's all come very quickly for her."

Barry Hills, trainer of Red Jazz, commented, "He's run very well, but drifted to the right and the other horse stayed on.

"He will have his day and it was a good performance as the winner is an improving filly."

14:50 The first of three fillies contests next, the Windsor Forest Stakes with ten running over the straight mile.

14:56 Alsasce Lorraine is a little bit on her toes in the parade ring.

15:01 Quite a few of these are fired up going out onto the track, especially Super Sleuth, Aspectoflove was not much better and almost demolished a rail.

Not quite as bad were Shamwari Lodge and Sahpresa.

15:03 Strawberrydaiquiri is going to the start in her own time.

15:20 Just when we thought it could not get any better than yesterday we had the finish of the meeting (so far) in this contest.

The almost white Strawberrydaiquiri set out to make all under Ryan Moore. She was tracked by Pyrrha and Spacious, with favourite Antara back in fourth.

The drama came in the final furlong when Spacious came upsides Strawberrydaiquiri but no matter how much she tried she could not get her nose in front.

They ran in perfect unison and it looked as though it was going to be a bob finish. Did spacious get her nose briefly in front a few strides from the line?

Whatever Strawberrydaiquiri was not going to give anything away and after consulting the photograph, judge Nick Bostock gave a nose verdict to Strawberrydaiquiri.

So Ryan Moore wins the first two races of the day.

15:29 Our big race, the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, over 1m 2f with 12 facing the starter.     

Allybar was third, beaten a head in the Dubai World Cup when last seen in March. Needs to translate that form back to turf

French raider Byword boasts some reasonable form but it has all been with some give in the ground and the expected going instils little confidence.

Cavalryman, third in last seasons Arc and fifth to Fame And Glory in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, arguably not getting the best of runs. The flatter course should suit and this looks like his best opportunity to get his head in front this year..

Debussy hasn’t always delivered what has been expected of him, although he showed what he can do when winning a Group 3 at Chester last month, that may be more his level and more required to take a hand in this one.

Glass Harmonium has shown promise although was a disappointing third in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes last time out at Sandown, needs to bounce back from that.  

Mawatheeq has not been seen since coming home second in last seasons Champion Stakes at Newmarket. Needed his seasonal reappearance last year.

Presvis is well travelled but disappointed in the Singapore International last time out. Seems to have lost his way of late.

Stimulation is stepping up in trip and little to recommend here.

Tazeez was runner-up in the Brigadier Gerard last month and has found one better on both runs this season. Arguably is more of a handicapper than Group horse and definitely not Group 1 level.

Twice Over was tenth in the Dubai World Cup. Should be better now back on turf but is probably more of a Group 2 horse.      

Weiner Waltzer was third to Goldikova at Longchamp last month. A German raider whose form is difficult to assess.

15:37 Cavalryman looks very impressive in the parade ring.

16:05 Well a French trained winner in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes as the favourite Byword takes the race and giving jockey Maxime Guyon his first Ascot winner on his first ride at the Berkshire course.

Tazeez and German raider Wiener Walzer set the pace with Debussy and Byword settled just behind.

There was very little change in the order for most of the contest but as they lined up for home, however Byword looked best of all and seemed to have plenty in hand.  

A furlong out Guyon made his move and Byword pulled well clear. However there was some excitement to come as Twice Over, like the winner owned by Khalid Abdulla, came with a late charge and managed to get to within half a length of the winner.

Tazeez managed to hold on for third, with Stimulation fourth.

16:09 Next up the commentators and race readers nightmare, the Royal Hunt Cup over the straight mile with 29 runners.

16:21 Ones to note.

Forgotten Voice – on toes and pulling

Balcarce Nov – very relaxed

December Draw – on toes

Mull Of Killough – getting warm

Spectait – very much on toes

Docofthebay – relaxed

16:45 Well the field split but only into two groups, with the majority going far side and a few remaining stands side.

The stands rail runners were headed by Supaseus, favourite Dandy Boy and Stoic.

Leading on the far side were St Moritz and Manassas.

It was soon evident that the far side had the advantage and by two out the stand side runners had drifted across.

Of course this sort of race is set up for late runners and first to make a charge was Lovelace but he hit a wall.

No such problems for Frankie Dettori as rivals parted line the Red Sea allowing Invisible Man (perhaps his rivals did not see him) to thread a way to the front.

Others running on, in order of finishing were Riggins (2nd), Tryst (4th), Proponent (5th) and Noble Citizen (6th).

16:52 Our second fillies contest now, the Queen Mary Stakes over the flying five.

18 face the starter.

17:00 Swiss Dream a negative going to post, pulling quite hard.

Penny’s Pearl was on her toes in the parade ring.

17:16 A good renewal and the far side dominated again.

Irish raider Meow, who front ran on debut did the same here and had a good lead throughout. It looked as though the tactic was going to be successful until the favourite Maqaasid emerged from the pack a furlong from home and launched what proved to be a decisive challenge to claim a neck victory.

Ladies Are Forever was running on well and came to within a neck of the runner-up Meow.    

Moonlit Garden ploughed a lone furrow towards the stands side and she looked to be a serious challenger but that was more an optical illusion than anything else.

Serena’s Pride who was with the pace for most of the contest and Catalinas Diamond both caught the eye.

"They've gone very fast, for two-year-old fillies to go 59.1secs for five furlongs is extremely quick, even with a bit of a tailwind," said winning trainer John Gosden.

"She's very athletic, she got a lead off David Wachman's Meow who is very fast.

"I think she is a six-furlong filly, I think this was a bit sharp for her today and obviously the plan will be to go over six later in the year.

"She's very relaxed but as soon as she sees daylight she goes, she's never been taught that, she just does it.

"My key thing was that being by Green Desert out of a Storm Cat mare was to keep her mentally sound, that's the key thing."

17:19 Our final contest on day 2 is the Sandringham Handicap, another fillies contest, this time over the straight mile, with 17 going to post.

17:21 Catching up with news from the Stewards. William Buick picked up a one day careless riding ban for his ride on Golden Stream in the Windsor Forest.

17:52 Timepiece was touted as a potential top horse for Henry Cecil last year. Accordingly her three runs before today, culminating with a disappointing ninth in The Oaks last time out. Dropping her back to a mile today almost looked like an act of desperation by Cecil.

We should know better – it looks as though she is a mile runner and she won this competitive contest by an impressive 1¼ lengths.

She was held up by Tom Quealy and came with a late run hitting the front inside the final furlong.

Blue Maiden also came with a late rattle to take second spot and favourite Safina was also running on to take third.

17:55 That's it from day two of the Royal Meeting, another great afternoons racing.

Tomorrow is Ladies Day, join us tomorrow.

From Ascot a very good evening.

PS I managed to have a very brief chat with Frankie Dettori after racing and he believed todays races came too soon after their Epsom runs.

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

16:25
22 Harald Bluetooth (going - 12:25)

Results

14:30 Jersey Stakes 7f

15:05 Windsor Forest Stakes 1m

15:50 Prince Of Wales's Stakes 1m 2f

16:25 Royal Hunt Cup 1m

17:00 Queen Mary Stakes 5f

17:35 Sandringham Handicap 1m