09:18 Good morning from an overcast Ascot and from a selfish point of view that is good news as it was uncomfortably hot here yesterday.

The official going remains Good to Firm Good in Places.

The going stick readings at 08:00 are:-

Straight: Stand Side 10.2, Centre 10.0, Far Side 10.2
Round Course: 8.8

We currently have five non-runners.

09:43 Finally, after four days, I have found somewhere to get breakfast here. One of the stalls is doing bacon rolls at £4 a throw and I am getting some envious looks here in the media centre.

10:10 Today’s quiz question.

Who is the broadcaster who has received a text from a female ‘admirer’ (also a broadcaster) saying “you brighten up my day. lol”

The fun part being he thinks lol means ’lots of love’.

10:26 Another non-runner.

11:14 I have just been chatting to a bookmaker in the Silver Ring and like most bookmakers he was complaining.

Tuesday was a killer day, as it was for most layers but he said yesterday was a disappointment.

The Silver Ring was packed and business was brisk but most of the bets he took were £2.50 or £5 each ways.  His two biggest bets of the day were one for £100 and one for £250

11:17 The Silver Ring is much quieter than it was this time yesterday.

11:17 It may be early but Tommo is already mugging the punters. These guys work in the City, they may even be as rich a Tommo.

11:19 Ladies Day may well have been yesterday but there are still some interesting costumes. (how on earth can she walk on those heels?)

11:21 Just to show I don't just snap the racegoers, there is a fair amount of sculpture here at Ascot.

11:27 Not forgetting the now iconic stand.

11:30 Back to the reason we are here and this mornings market movers from Paddy Power.

In the 2:30 Margot Did is 9/1 from 12/1 and Wave Of Applause 12/1 from 14/1.

In the 3:50 Lillie Langtry is 4/1 from 5/1 and Jacqueline Quest is 7’s from 8’s.

In the 4:35 the top weight Kingdom Of Fife has been supported from 14/1 into 10/1.

The 5:00 sees support for Mikhail Glinka (11/4 from 3/1) and Aldbury (14’s from 16’s)

In the last Himalya us been backed into 9/1 from 12/1.

12:18 Good news, with fewer hacks here today there was plenty of food left so I had a chance to eat.

Cold meats, poached salmon and baby boiled potatoes.

13:10 I have just been for another stroll around and it is so, so quiet compared with yesterday but nothing compared with tomorrow, which is now the busiest day of the meeting.

Even though the weather is overcast it is still very muggy here.

Much rejoicing here in the media centre with the news Germany are 1-0 down in the football.

13:15 More betting news and Himalya continues to be backed in the Buckingham Palace, now 8/1 from 14/1 with Totesport.

Also with Totesport, Montery is 16’s from 25’s in the Queen’s Vase, whilst Mikhail Glinka is now into 5/2 with Paddy Power.

13:29 Two runners in the Coronation Stakes, Gile Na Greine and Lady Of The Desert will be ponied to the start.

14:14 The Queen has arrived and she is in blue today.

14:18 Day four gets underway with the 6f Albany Stakes . not only does Richard Hoiles have to call 23 rrunners over the straight six furlongs, he also has to face a horse called Radharcnafarraige.

14:26 Crying Lightening and Hortensia are both getting warm.

14:48 The Ascot track conundrum continues with the winner and second coming on the stands side this time.

The field again split into two with Tiz My Time, Hortensia and Ladyanne setting the pace on the stands side and Grandmas Dream heading the far side.

As they came to the furlong marker it was clear the near side had the advantage with the very well backed Margot Did leading the charge for home . Richard Hughes launched a late charge on Memory and with perfect timing hit the front in the closing strides to record a head victory.

American raider Tiz My Time under Kieren Fallon led the remainder home, 2½ lengths behind the front pair.

14:53 The King Edward VII Stakes over 1m 4f is next with 8 facing the starter.

At First Sight almost pulled of a big shock when coming second in The Derby.

1½ miles is certainly within his compass and today is the chance to show his Epsom run was no fluke. However it was only 13 days ago and it was a hard race. Also the stable seems to have hit a flat spot at the moment.

Arctic Cosmos won a 1½ mile contest at kempton last week but this is a massive step up in class.

Bullet Train disappointed in The Derby looking impressive until turning for home. If that run is forgiven and this race is not too soon then in with a chance.

Buzzword another Derby contender and his poor performance at Epsom suggests this will also probably be beyond him.

Green Moon is progressive and no indication to suggest the improvement is tailing off. A better prospect than the Derby runner-up.

Monterosso has performed well in handicaps and deserves a shot at this level. Slight worry over stamina.

Togiak, exposed and outclassed.

Waseet was promising as a juvenile but does not seem to have trained on.  

15:02 At First Sight is not keen going to post.

15:22 As he did at Epsom almost two weeks ago At First Sight set the pace, although not pulling as hard as he did at Epsom. Jamie Spencer sat on his shoulder on Green Moon.

Second rank was Bullet Train and Monterosso, then Arctic Cosmos and Togiak with Buzzword and Waseet in rear.

That was the order until two out when the complexion of the race changed Johnny Murtagh asked At First Sight to run on but he did not respond, Monterosso, by contrast, did respond whan asked by Frankie and he soon hit the front pulling clear.

Tom Quealy asked Bullet Train for a run but he had nothing left in the tank and it was left to Arctic Cosmos to set sail after Monterosso.

However Monterosso, once in front, never looked to be in any danger and came home a comfortable 2¼ length winner over Arctic Cosmos.

There was a fantastic battle for third with At First Sight looking booked for that spot but Buzzword was flying like a rocket and grabbed third in the dying strides, to finish best of those who ran in The Derby.  

Winning trainer Mark Johnston explained, "That day at Ripon when he won a handicap was the day we really saw the class.

"He was in an impossible position. It was all credit to Royston (Ffrench) to keep him trying, but he won and we saw a good horse that day. It told us to start stepping up in class.

"You could see what a green horse we had then. He really didn't know what his job was. He's a completely different animal now.

"Frankie was full of confidence. He said to me he loved the horse and he had said after Newmarket that he really didn't think trip was an issue that this horse had the speed for a mile but the aptitude for a mile and a half.

"We haven't discussed future plans at all. Obviously the owners need to be consulted and we'll talk to them.

"I did hear Frankie mention the Irish Derby to Sheikh Mohammed, so that's maybe something to think about."

15:25 Our feature contest next with the Coronation Stakes, a fillies contest over the old mile course.

Thirteen line up.

Anna Salai was just touched off in the Irish 1000 Guineas, which looked to be a better contest than the English version. If reproducing that form then she must have every chance here.

Chachamaidee looks to have trained on well, improving on her 2-year-old form. A good winner a listed contest at York last month. She will need to step up again to take this.

French raider Evading Tempete has won some group contests back in France. Asking much more on her British debut.

Gile Na Greine was third, but probably flattered, in the 1000 Guineas. Well beaten in the Irish version and that is more a reflection of her ability.

Jacqueline Quest was first past the post in the 1000 Guineas. If she reproduces that form then she may just have chance here.

Lillie Langtry was a good juvenile, arguably an unlucky 5th in Irish Guineas on seasonal debut. Stables current poor form a concern though.

Music Show progressive as a juvenile and shown she has trained on this year, third in Irish Guineas.

15:26 News from the Stewards Room. Jimmy Quinn has picked up a three day careless riding ban for his ride on Emma's Gift in the opener.

16:08 After a poor week by their own high standards Ballydoyle have finally come good as Lillie Langtry wins the Coronation Stakes by 1¼  lengths, an appropriate winner for King Edward VII day.

Johnny Murtagh settled her in around 5th pace in a race where the pace was set by Jim Bolgers Gile Na Greine.

Tabassum, pulling hard, and Puff were settled in second and third place.

By two out Gile Na Greine had a clear lead but Murtagh had eased his filly into contention.

Launching his challenge he hit the front inside the final furlong and once in front looked under no threat. The delight on Johnny Murtagh’s face told it all as he crossed the line.

Gile Na Greine held on for second and Jacqueline Quest, running on well, took third spot.

Music Show was another making late progress to come home fourth.

A  delighted Aidan O'Brien said: "We always thought she was a very good filly.

 "She was a very good filly last year, she had a little injury at the backend and it's all credit to everyone for getting her back.

"She was off all through the winter. We started her off in the Irish Guineas and she ran a lovely race there - we were delighted with her and were looking forward to coming here

"She has the option to step up to a mile and a quarter in either the Pretty Polly or the fillies' race at Goodwood.

"We'll have to decide whether she stays at a mile or steps up to a mile and a quarter."

16:12 Frankie Dettori has picked up a two day careless riding ban for his winning ride on Monterosso.

16:14 The Wolferton Handicap sees 15 going to post for the 1¼ mile contest.

Kingdom Of Fife would be a popular Royal winner but he is quirky, top weight is not going to help.

Fiery Lad was a winner at Epsom but has a 5lb rise for only a ¾ length victory – will have to run to career best.

Rainbow Peak was unbeaten as a three year old after missing juvenile season. Excuses for second on his seasonal debut and must be on the shortlist.

Eastern Aria chalked up seven wins last year but is yet to fire this season.

Kings Gambit has Grade 1 winning form in South Africa, started this season with a win but well beaten at Grade 3 since.

Salute Him was third in this race last season. Runner up in Dubai earlier this year and has had a recent outing over hurdles. Carries 4lb more this year.

Tartan Gigha is still progressing and seems to do only just enough to get his head in front. A brave battler but raised another 4lbs for his Epsom win.

Beauchamp Xerxes won a Listed contest at Goodwood last month and not discredited when fifth in a Group 3 last time out. Has a chance now dropped back to Listed company.

16:21 Albaqaa and Kings Gambit were both on their toes coming out of the parade ring.

Eastern Aria looked very nice indeed.

16:39 Cheer for favourite backers as Rainbow Peak takes the Wolferton Stakes.

Indian Days set a good pace, having a good lead by half way, but the principals were biding their time.

Three out The Queen’s Kingdom Of Fife hit the front to great cheers but the move was tracked by the relatively short priced favourite Rainbow Peak and the jolly was soon contending and in front as it looked as though Her Majesty would once again have to settle for second.

16:52 Race five is the Queen’s Vase, a two mile contest with a dozen facing the starter.

Chink Of Light is progressive and was third in the Chester Vase. Looks as though the step up to 2n will not inconvenience.

Corsica is a very progressive and has won three decent handicaps this season and a credible third giving lumps of weight away last time out. Stable has an superb record in this contest winning half the renewals this century.

Icon Dream has put in some good runs this season. Second in Chester Vase to Jan Vermeer although there are stamina doubts.

Mikhail Glinka second in a Group 1 in France last season is the unknown in this contest. Only raced up to 1¼ miles but running style and pedigree suggest stamina should not be an issue. Stable has been out of luck so far this week.

Total Command was an impressive winner at Goodwood, winning with plenty in hand. Pedigree suggest 2m should be no issue. Is unexposed and will improve.    

17:21 Well they do nothing all week then they win two races but, oh boy, what a finish. The closest of the week.

Mikhail Glinka gave Aidan O’Brien his second winner of the day but it was the closest of close bob finishes as he crossed the line locked together with Theology.

Mark Johnston’s Corsica set the pace, although Magic Prospect would not allow him a big lead. Chink of Light and Mikhail Glinka were settled behind the front pair.

Five out Chink Of Light took up the running, Corsica remained in second spot and Mikhail Glinka settled in third.

Turning for home Total Command came with a challenging run and by two out was in front. Theology came from further back and approaching two out it looked to be between Mikhail Glinka, Total Command, Corsica and Theology.

In the end it came down to a battle between Theology and Mikhail Glinka and it will be interesting to see how the in-running punters played it. It was even impossible to be fully sure of the result watching the replay.

Total Command came home third with Corsica fourth.

Winning rider Johnny Murtagh said, "It was a bit of a Mickey Mouse race - stop start, stop start. "I wanted to get a nice run so I pushed him out to the middle of the track and he stays well.

"He’s a big classy sort but quirky, very lazy at home. He can stop when in front so needs to be produced late.

17:23 We end the day with the National Lottery, officially known as the Buckingham Palace Stakes over 7 furlongs, with 26 runners going to post.

17:34 Prime Exhibit is being pushed behind the stalls by half a dozen stalls handlers. Essential as they need to join the stalls.

This race was introduced in 2002 and has never been won by the favourite.

17:53 They were split by the width of the course as they crossed the line but this time it was, again the far side who prevailed, much to the delight of the bookmakers.

Treadwell was the winner, coming home half a length clear of the very well backed Himalya, who was on the stands rail.

It was difficult to judge what won with the naked eye but the replay clearly showed the far side had prevailed by half-a-length.

Imperial Guest was running on well on the far side to take third, a neck back.

It was very close for fourth with Hajoum just getting the call over Webbow.

Third and fourth really helped the bookies both coming home at  50/1.

It was an emotional win as the horse is part owned by Kath Walwyn, widow of the legendary trainer Fulke.

Winning trainer Jamie Osbourne said he did not even spot his runner until he launched his very late run and he was worried what he was going to tell the owners.

18:00 Well that is four days down and one to go and from a working point of view tomorrow is the hardest day as we have big fields and the biggest crowd, so getting around will not be easy.

It may have been generally overcast here but still very muggy.

From Ascot a very good evening.

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

14:30
17 Primo Lady (sore - SC 11:16 Thu)

16:25
13 Cloudy Start (off colour - SC 10:15)

17:35
5 Suror (going - 08:50)
9 Advanced (lame - VC 17:58 Thu)
16 Flipando (inflamation - VC 08:30 Thu)
21 Vrown Choice (bad scope - VC 10:14 Thu)

Results

14:30 Albany Stakes 6f

15:05 King Edward VII Stakes 1m 4f

15:50 Coronation Stakes 1m

16:25 Wolferton Handicap 1m 2f

17:00 Queen's Vase 2m

17:35 Buckingham Palace Stakes 7f