09:26 Good morning from a very sunny Royal Ascot where, depending on your preferences, it is Gold Cup day or Ladies Day.
The going remains Good to Firm, Good in Places.
The going stick at 08:00 was Standside: 9.9, Centre 9.8, Farside 10.0, Round Course: 9.2
The course has been watered overnight 6mm Straight, 4mm Round course.
We currently have five non-runners.
10:29 Don’t know about you but I think finding winners is getting progressively harder as the week progresses.
After a stonking start on Tuesday with four winners and two places, yesterday was just one winner and two places and I have little confidence today.
11:15 OK our first stroll round the enclosures.
  
Meanwhile in the Silver Ring life is much more relaxed .... move a table to the rails in the Grandstand Enclosure and you will be shot.
Stop somebody moving a table in the Silver Ring and you will be shot.
 
The rails position is soon taken
And back in the main enclosure
  
11:33 I have just had a most terrifying experience. You know how it is when something goes down the wrong way and you have a choking fit – well it has just happened to me when standing next to Tommo. For a terrible moment I had this vision of him having to give me the kiss of life. Thank you to the young lady who provided some water.
12:05 For anybody who thinks Royal Ascot is all Top Hats and formality I suggest they visit the Silver Ring. There is still glamour and elegance but it is so much more relaxed and friendly.
This picture sums the enclosure up perfectly.
Of course the food available is pretty good too.
 
Meanwhile back in the "main" enclosure.
 
 
 
12:19 Disaster, all my looking around the enclosures and I come back and find all the food has gone. I'm glad I managed to grab a cheese and onion sandwich for breakfast.
13:03 A quick look at Paddy Power’s market movers.
In the second Eldalili has attracted some support 10’s from 12’s.
In the Gold Cup there has been some support for Ask now 4/1 and Age Of Aquarius is weak in the market now out to 6/1.
Purple Moon has attracted some each way support 20/1 from 25/1.
In the cavalry charge Hypnotized is 7/1 in from 11/1 and Ransom Note is also 7/1 in from 9/1.
In the last Bay Willow is now 10’s from 16’s.
14:15 The Queen has arrived for Ladies Day.
14:19 Our opening contest is the Norfolk Stakes a 5f contest for 2-year-olds.
14:28 Stone Of Folka was on his toes here two days ago and he is even worse this afternoon, even managing to unseat Kieren Fallon coming out of the parade ring.
The favourite Dinkum Diamond and Dubawi Gold were both on their toes and Excel Bolt was pulling.
14:48 Something of a shock in our opener as the two well backed runners were both soundly beaten.
 It was very much a bunch for most of the race with Dubawi Gold, Zebedee, Black Moth and Reckless Reward sharing the work in the main group, with Excel Bolt ploughing a lone furrow on the stands rail.
A furlong out it looked as though Excel Bolt may have had the advantage, whilst in the main group Approve was launched with a run by Eddie Ahern and he was soon in front, running on to record a 1¼ length victory.
Reckless Reward took second spot, with Excel Bolt on the stands rail getting third.
Stone Of Folca was, once again fourth, and again running far too freely.
Zebedee was fourth and favourite Dinkum Diamond sixth.
Winning jockey Eddie Ahern comment "It was nobody's fault when we were beaten at Epsom. We were just badly drawn and he finished fourth, it was a good run.
"We were drawn two today, he was the first one out and I didn't mind if I had to make it.
"I wouldn't go any further than six furlongs with him."
14:53 Next up we have the Ribblesdale Stakes in which three fillies who competed in The Oaks take part and this is our first 1½ mile contest of the afternoon.
Acquainted is unexposed and was a good second to Gertrude Bell in the Cheshire Oaks on seasonal debut before going on to win a Haydock maiden, decent each-way price.
Another unexposed type is Eldalil winner of a 7f maiden at Newmarked back in April. Is worrying she has not been seen since but breeding suggests she will be suited by this trip.
A third unexposed filly is Principal Role. Third in the Nell Gwyn andwinning a listed contest over 10f at Haydock last time out. Looks as though the extra two furlongs will not be an inconvenience.
As mentioned earlier Gertrude Bell won the Cheshire Oaks and then went on to be fifth in the Oaks, not bad as she did not seem to like the spin into Tattenham corner. Should be happier on this flat track and has a chance provided she has got over Epsom.
Hibaayeb has the best form in the field, however that is at one mile. She ended last season taking the Fillies Mile and was third at Longchamp just over three weeks ago. If she can translate her mile form to the mile and a half she would have to be respected, however the upping in trip is a leap into the unknown.
15:00 The fillies all look nice Gallic Star and Principal Role were both slightly on their toes but not too bad.
15:23 A fast run contest for the Ribblesdale and it was almost anybody’s race until a certain Italian rider made his move.
 Dettori had settled Hibaayeb just behind mid-division until moving to track the leaders as they turned for home.
Approaching the furlong marker Dettori asked Hibaayeb for an effort and it was race over, she showed a brilliant turn of foot to come home 3¾ lengths clear and eased in the process.
Eldalil who had been well supported this morning also made good late progress to take second spot, with Gallic Star, another running on filly, taking third.
Principal Role, sent off joint favourite with the winner was unable to respond when asked to quicken and she came home fourth.
Middle Club who shared the early pace with Acquainted came home fifth.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said, "She was really disappointing in the Guineas where she didn't really run a yard.
"We were pretty surprised by that so we decided to go for the Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp and she ran really well to finish third.
"We could have gone for the Oaks after that but we felt that would be tough so soon after France, so we decided to wait until Ascot and now we'll try our luck in the Irish Oaks."
Dettori commented, "I think she relished the mile and a half and she won the Fillies' Mile here in the autumn so she likes the track.
"The further we were going, the further we were going to win.
"I had a good pitch and I could move out when I wanted to, so she gave me a fabulous ride."
15:40 The big race next the Gold Cup over 2½ miles with 12 going to post.
A race dominated by Yeats in recent years and a new star looks to be in the ascendance.
Henry Cecil’s Manifest is turning into a very decent stayer and his win in the Yorkshire Cup, where he made Purple Moon look very ordinary, was most impressive. Will take all the beating here but this will be reflected in his price.
Ask has been off for 233 days but should not be a problem as he does run well fresh. Has form at 2m and it is unlikely connections would not run him if they thought the extra half mile was not in his compass.
Bannaby has winning form at 2½ miles, but that was two years ago. Has been running at around 1¾ as late and his last win was at a much lower grade than this.
Kasbah Bliss, just as likely to be seen at Cheltenham as Royal Ascot , will have no trouble with the trip. He does, however, have trouble getting his head in front and seems to be suffering from seconditis.
Purple Moon is highly regarded but has trouble winning. The thrashing at the hands of Manifest does not bode well and it takes a great leap of faith to imagine the tables being turned here.
Rite Of Passage is another seen more over obstacles than on the flat. Is unbeaten on the flat but this is different class. However 22/1 is a tempting each way price.
Age Of Aquarius from the stable of the great Yeats is unexposed and progressive. He will need to be progressive to take this, but a race his stable really want to win so you can be assured he will be fit for this.
If Kite Wood can make the step up to 2m 4f from 2m and easily disposed of Kasbah Bliss over 1m 7f at Longchamp last time out.
16:10 A cracking finish to the Gold Cup with the two Irish challengers having a battle royal in the home straight.
 Akmal set out in his usual front running performance, with Age Of Aquarius in close pursuit.
They were followed by Rite Of Passage, Darley Sun, Ask and Purple Moon. Favourite Manifest was settled just behind the leading group.
There was little substantive change in the order for the first mile, apart from Manifest making some progress into third.
It was half a mile out that Johnny Murtagh sent Age Of Aquarius to the front and as soon as he was headed Akmal thre a sulk and dropped back.
Rite Of Passage set off in pursuit of Age Of Aquarius but the latter looked as though he had made a good tactical move.
However a furlong and a half out he began to show some signs of tiring and Rite Of Passage was soon upsides. The question was would he run on and the answer was yes.
Age Of Aquarius did not give up and the pair battled to the line with Rite Of Passage recording a neck victory.
Purple Moon was running on one paced in third, with Spanish raider Bannaby a good fourth, looking a serious threat before fading inside the final two furlongs.
Favourite Ask finished fifth and the other fancied runner, Manifest, came home a disappointing 10th.
The winning time of 4' 16.92" is another course record.
Ryan Moore has said the ground was too firm for Ask.
Winning trainer Dermot Weld said, "The plan was hatched a long time ago. It's a race I've always wanted to win and two previous runners, Vinnie Roe and Vintage Crop, finished second so I thought it could be third time lucky.
"We had a good draw and obviously we discussed it with Pat, he's a world class rider and I totally left the decisions to Pat how to ride the horse."
Winning rider Pat Smullen added, "I was very happy with how the race unfolded. I was very confident he would stay but he's got speed as well. I got a lovely position just behind the leaders all the way round and got the gap when I needed.
"He quickened up well and it takes a very good horse to win how he did.
"Johnny is not an easy man to get the better of, so it's always nice when you beat him.
"It was a tremendous race and a great spectacle and I'm just pleased we came out on top of it."
16:24 Next up is the Britannia Stakes, one for your Granny’s hat pin, 28 runners charging down the straight mile course … Richard Hoiles has drawn the short straw commentary wise.
16:27 Knights Templar has been withdrawn at the start.
16:36 Sorry no report on the Britannia (for the second year running), the result can be found on the right, suffice to say the well backed Ransom Note took the spoils on the far side.
Second, third, fourth and fifth were all on the stand side, once again questioning the draw "bias".
16:47 The Hampton Court Stakes, over 1¼ miles, next sees 15 going to post, Prompter being the non-runner.
Another pin-stickers contest.
16:59 Quite a few of them on their toes, most notably Alrasm, Critical Moment and Dubai Miracle.
Fair Trade and The Queen’s Quadrille are both getting a little warm.
17:15 Our first bob finish of the day as Afsare ridden by Kieren Fallon just beats The Queen’s Quadrille by a short head but with more drama to come as the Stewards are now holding an enquiry.
Critical Moment set the pace and held on to the lead until approaching the final furlong.
Lion Mountain was settled in second with Quadrille just tracking the first pair, along with The Rectifier.
Further back Champagne Style was really running out of control and interfered with several of his rivals.
Quadrille hit the front first but was accompanied by Afsare and the pair battled to the line …. It was a classic bob finish where, had the line been five yards either side of where it is then the result could have been different.
Indeed on live viewing it looked as though Quadrille had held on.
Film Score made late progress to finish third, with the long time leader coming home fifth.
17:18 The result stands
17:29 The final race of day three is the 1½ mile King George V Stakes, with 18 taking part.
Berling won a decent contest at Newbury last time, despite running green in the closing stages. The form of that race is working out well. Will need to get his act together and if he does then will the thereabouts.
London Stripe is unexposed and won a Newmarket contest with plenty in hand. The handicapper has given him a decent chance this afternoon.
Dandino is an improving sort, winning a 10f contest at Epsom. Looks as though the step up in distance will not inconvenience. However on Wednesday those who won at Epsom all did badly.
Tactician is yet another lightly raced colt. Has got the hang of things and stable has apparently had this race in mind for some time.
Agent Archie has been unbeaten after a debut which he needed. The way he was finishing last time suggests he is crying out for 12f and a similar profile applies to Christopher Wren.
17:35 Pat Smullen has picked up a four day careless riding ban for his ride on Rite Of Passage in the Gold Cup and Kieren Fallon has picked up a two day ban for his ride on Afsare in the last race.
17:54 Dandino came here upped in class once again and chasing a four timer and he pulled it off in grand style taking the contest in grand style.
I watched the race with Luke Harvey who commented “that horse really wants to win” and that sums it up perfectly.
With the pace throughout he looked outpaced as they turned for home but ran on again to challenge London Stripe who had taken up the running approaching two out.
London Stripe did not go down without a battle but once in front Dandino was not going to be denied coming home three-parts of a length clear.
The pair came home two clear of Caucus who got the better of a three way photograph from Bay Willow fourth and the favourite Berling fifth.
Bay Willow was the early pace setter before dropping back with half a mile to go.
Berling was given plenty of cover and when Eddy Ahern wanted to make a run his way was baulked, so arguably unlucky not to be placed.
17:56 Well that’s it from day three of the Royal meeting, just two remaining.
The sun has shone on Ladies Day, which is good for those here to enjoy themselves but too hot for the rest of us.
We will be back here again tomorrow – join us then.
From Ascot good evening.
Return to race archive:
|
