08:08 It has been a dry night and a hot, humid day is forecast.

The going is as follows:-

Straight Course: Good to Firm, Firm in places.
Round Course: Good to Firm (Watered)

The going stick: Straight 8.7, Round 8.2

The round course rail is positioned 3yds inside from approx 1m 4f start to the bend turning into the straight increasing to 9yds inside up the straight, decreasing to 3yds after winning line to join near 1M 4F Start.

Increasing distances by the following:

2 Mile Start - 25yds
1M 4F Start - 20yds
1M 2F Start - 20yds
Old Mile - 10yds

There is currently one non-runner.

10:12 We now have two non-runners

12:44 Good afternoon from a hot and sunny Ascot where we have a six race card.

We currently have four non-runners, details on the right and we get underway at 14:25.

If you are thinking of coming to Ascot either today or tomorrow, be warned there are roadworks, with delays, the top end of the High Street.

12:51 I haven't given a food update for a while and here at Ascot it is the usual high standard, with a lovely salad buffet - ideal for a hot day like today, including my favourite cold curried chicken.

12:54 Just had a surprise as Gordon Brown has just strolled into the press room (no not the ex-PM but the ATR presenter), he is very rarely seen this far south.

13:54 It is very quiet here this afternoon, I think there is more life in the middle of the Antarctic, which is very disappointing as there is some decent racing here and the weather is almost perfect.

13:59 Our opening contest is the Helical Bar EBF Maiden Stakes a six furlong contest with seven going to post.

We have a jockey change with Jim Crowley taking the ride on Golden Creek.

14:02 There is a big pall of smoke heading towards the course as there is a big fire near Legoland.

It will be interesting to see if it impacts Heathrow as it is immediately below the flight path and the plume of smoke is rising very high.

14:16 Four of the seven two-year-olds are making their debut.

Two of them Golden Creek (whinnying) and Matavia Bay (coltish) are parade ring negatives.

Of the others Dr Darcey is slightly on his toes and Shaabek is already starting to sweat up.

14:21 Poor Matavia Bay is still being coltish and the poor horse is now suffering the indignity of having cold water thrown over his “assets” to try and calm him down – I have a feeling his first racecourse visit could well be followed up by a trip to the vets.

14:39 Matavia Bay continued being coltish at the start – he is definitely off to the vets now … needless to say he never got into the race.

Shaabek was quickly away but soon ceded the lead to Golden Creek, with Dr Darcey also to the fore.

The favourite, The Long Game, was settled just behind the front trio, with the others running in their own time, most notably Oetzi, who did not seem to have a clue what he was supposed to be doing.

Approaching the furlong marker Louis-Philippe Beuzelin asked The Long Game to run on and he passed his rivals, quickly pulling clear, eventually coming home the 4½ length winner.

Outsider Shaabek belied his odds to run on to take second spot with the long time leader, Golden Creek, a further four lengths back in third.

Dr Darcey, promising in the early exchanges was a disappointing fourth.    

14:53 Race two sees our biggest field of the afternoon (13), in the longest race (2 miles) for the ICAP Handicap.

15:22 It may have been a two mile contest run in very hot conditions but racegoers were still treated to a brilliant finish.

As would be expected the bulk of the contest saw little change in the order.

On Terms set off in front, with Urban Poet in close attendance, the well backed duo of Topolski and Dazinski followed in second rank, with Martyr, Epsom Salts and Desert Recluse in next rank.

It was two out the race proper developed as Martyr came through to take up the running, with what ultimately proved to be a decisive run, although he was all out to take the race, eventually coming home three parts of a length clear of the closing cavalry.

And it was indeed a cavalry charge for minor honours.

15:32 Out next race is at the unusual distance of 6½ furlongs as seven line up for the Bourne Capital Novice Stakes, for two-year-olds.

This group was much better behaved than those in the opener.

Slim Shadey was getting a little bit warm and Straight Line had two handlers.

15:52 Once again one of those races which proved you do not need a big field to have an exciting race.

Twist Of Silver set the pace in this contest, with the favourite Dr Green quickly away but soon settling towards the rear.

Falkland Flyer and Straight Line tracked the leader with Slim Shadey next, then the favourite and Custom House, who was slowly away, the whipper-in.

Two out Dr Green came with a run to challenge and had a very narrow lead approaching the furlong marker, but it was short lived as both Straight Line and Slim Shadey launched late runs.

This pair pulled clear inside the final 100 yards and passed the line together. Time for another photo and it was Slim Shadey who got the verdict by a nose over Straight Line.

16:05 Race four is another six furlong contest which sees ten competing in the James Taylor Group Handicap.

Addictive Dream is the non-runner.

Kings Wonder went to post early.

16:22 After the close finish in our last contest there was little doubt about the winner of this one from over a furlong out.

Victorian Bounty and the favourite Joe Packet were the early pacesetters, with Desert Icon and Drawnfromthepast in second rank, although having said that the field were pretty well bunched.

Just after the furlong pole John Fahy asked Joe Packet for an effort and it was a case of race over as he pulled clear with his rivals unable to respond quickly enough.

Gramaercy, who made some progress half way emerged as the main challenger but was only able to get within 2¾ lengths at the line.

King’s Wonder, who saw some market support, was running on well in the final stages and came home third.     

Cape Melody came home a credible fifth after being mullered by Gramercy coming out of the stalls.

16:39 Race five is on the Old Mile course with just half-a-dozen going to post for the London And Regent Construction Handicap.

Baylini was very reluctant to go into the parade ring and Wise Dennis was whinnying was he made his way into the ring. Tinshu was on her toes and swishing her tail.

16:58 A bold front running performance from Kay Gee Be as he pinged out of the stalls and made all to win this mile contest.

Standpoint was second throughout but when push came to shove was unable to pass the long time leader despite having the kitchen sink thrown at him.

The favourite Qanoon looked a challenger three out but was unable to deliver and had to settle for fourth.

17:12 Our final contest is the 1m 4f Delancey Apprentice Handicap, with six after the just shy of £6,500 prize money.

Jawaab is on his toes in the parade ring, Mistoffelees is a little bit warm in the parade ring and Brouhaha is pulling slightly.

17:39 An interesting Apprentice handicap to close this afternoons action.

Brooklyn Spirit and Peintre d’Argent were the pacesetters in this final contest, Jawaab and Sgt Schultz were next rank, followed by Brouhaha with the favourite Mistoffelees deliberately held up in rear.

Apart from Jawaab and Peintre d’Argent swapping places five out there was little change in the order.

Three out the favourite was still stone last and the field bunched up as they lined up for home.

Jawaab was first to run on, whilst Sonia Eaton found a gap against the far rail to put Brouhaha in with a chance and they hit the front inside the final furlong.

Peintre d’Argent then found a second win to take up the running in the closing stages, recording  a 1¼ length victory.

17:46 Well that’s it from a hot and sunny Ascot.

We are back here tomorrow for a seven race card and as well as the racing we have 600 horses taking part in a Ride For Heroes event, raising money for the Help For Heroes charity.

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

16:10
5 Addictive Dream (going - 08:05)

16:45
1 Soccerjackpot (lame - SC 11:45)
6 Red Somerset (pricked foot - VC 09:41)

17:20
Run For Ede's (lame - SC 11:29)

Results

14:25 Maiden Stakes 6f

15:00 Handicap 2m

15:35 Novice Stakes 6f 110yds

16:10 Handicap 6f

16:45 Handicap 1m

17:20 Handicap 1m 4f