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Ascot 15:30
A bumper to finish off proceedings this afternoon. They go without Voice of Reason and Willie Warson, leaving ten to face the judge.
Noble Alan is a popular favourite but it’s the other grey Bertie May who takes them along at first, although there is no great pace.
The favourite is sitting mid-div as they head towards Swinley Bottom and the pace is still sluggish. Only 6 lengths separate the field as they disappear into the mist.
Turning out of Swinley Bottom, Bertie May still leads and there is little going on behind.
Shoreacres joins the leaders 5f from home as the pace starts to wind up, many are in with chances, although Private Eye waves the flag.
In the home straight the favourite looks to challenge but Hold Em takes the lead, with Uffa Fox making a massive charge from the rear and he just prevails on the line in a three way photograph including Shoreacres.
They look unsplittable crossing the line but judge Di Clarke has no hesitation in calling Uffa Fox the winner, ahead of Hold Em and Shoreacres.
1st Uffa Fox 16/1
2nd Hold Em 5/1
3rd Shoreacres 7/1
Dist: sh hd 10 ran
Tote: Win £21.90 Places: £4.80 £2.00 £2.50 Exacta £167.80
Ascot 14:50
Two non-runners in this one, Osako D’airy and Quarry Town, leaving only five to go to post.
Prince De Bersey is the well backed favourite.
Osprey View and Prince De Bersey take them along at a good pace with Lyceum third and as they pass the judge on the first occasion Welsh Guard is already tailed off.
The front two are running stride for stride down the side of the course with Lyceum happy to track them.
It’s nine lengths back to Postmaster and Welsh Guard coming home in his own time.
All change at the first down the back as Osprey View falls bringing down Postmaster.
Prince De Bersey and Lyceum are left to fight out the finish and two out Lyceum jumps into the lead, leaving the favourite seemingly treading water and winning by five lengths. Welsh guard continues at his own pace, two furlongs behind the front two, but picking up the place money.
1st Lyceum 9/4
2nd Prince De Bersey 10/11 Fav
Distance 6l 5 ran Tote: Win £3.00 Place: £1.70 £1.30 Exacta: £5.00
Ascot 14:15
The only race of the day with a full complement of runners as 18 go to post for the big handicap.
Well I spoke too soon as we have a late withdrawal with Kanad coming out due to the ground, rather a late decision I would suggest.
There is a massive plunge on the favourite with Jack The Giant being backed in to 11/4 from an available 9/2 this morning.
Rio De Janerio and Alsadaa are the early front runners as they set off at a reasonable pace. Jack The Giant is sitting in fourth, tracking the leaders.
As they head towards Swinley Bottom, Jack The Giant is sitting in second.
Three out the field is still closely bunched and any one of half a dozen can win this. Alsadaa still leads with Jack The Giant the challenger.
Coming to the last Alsadaa and Jack The Giant jump together, with the favourite taking the lead coming out of the fence. He is stoked up to keep off the challenge of Alsadaa, a valiant display from the four year old in second. They finish well ahead of Kings Revenge and Poquelin in third and fourth.
A very brave win from Jack The Giant for the second week running.
1st Jack The Giant 9/4 fav
2nd Alsadda 20/1
3rd King’s Revenge 33/1
4th Poquelin 12/1
Distances 1l 6l 17 ran
Tote Win £3.30 Places £1.70 £6.20 £6.10 £3.20 Exacta £81.90
Ascot 13:40
9 go to post for the long distance hurdle, with Oscar Park and Sonnyanjoe the absentees. Dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace steps up in trip and looks set to go off favourite. The enigmatic Black Jack Ketchum is second best in the ring with both French raider Kasbah Bliss and Peter Bowen’s Special Envoy both being backed.
Loch Durg sets the early pace as Hills of Aran falls at the first. Hardy Eustace and Black Jack Ketchum settle mid-division. Oscardeal is in second followed by Chief Dan George as they come down the home straight for the first time. The favourites are sitting fourth and fifth. Lyes Green is at the rear looking unhappy.
Coming to Swinley Bottom for the final time it is still Loch Durg from outsider Oscardeal. Hardy Eustace is making progress though and now is third looking ominous, his every move being tracked by Black Jack Ketchum.
Coming into the home turn it is still Loch Durg, with the principles under pressure in second and third.
Loch Durg runs a tactical race to hold off the rest of the field, with Hardy Eustace taking second and Black Jack Ketchum third. Kasbah Bliss was very disappointing.
1st Loch Durg 14/1
2nd Hardy Eustace 5/2 jf
3rd Black Jack Ketchum 5/2 jf
Distances 9l 6l 9 ran
Tote: Win £19.10 Place £2.80 £1.50 £1.40 Exacta £52.60
Ascot 13:05
I Hear Thunder is the non-runner in the second.
Boychuk is the early pace setter, with Madison Du Berlais and Tora Bora amongst the front runners. Favourite Alderburn settles mid-division.
As they pass the judge for the first time there was little change up front with Boychuk in the van, followed by Tora Bora and Madison Du Berlais. Alderburn lies in 6th place.
As the pass Swinley Bottom for the final time Boychuk has a three length lead, Tikram in in second followed by Tora Bora and Madison Du Berlais.
Coming to the home straight Boychuk has run his race as has Tora Bora and up front it is Tikram, however at the second last Vodka Blue puts in a flying leap to take the lead and is never headed. Madison Du Berlais looks to be a very aced second with favourite Alderburn finishing third. Long time leader Boychuk finished in fourth place.
Vodka Bleu, wearing first time blinkers, looked settled throughout and was given a super ride by Timmy Murphy.
1st Vodka Bleu 12/1
2nd Madison Du Berlais 8/1
3rd Aderburn 4/1 fav
Distances 1¾l 3½l 13 ran 13 ran
Tote: Win £15.50 Place £2.60 £3.00 £2.30 Exacta £127.70
Ascot 12:30
Blue Canyon is a non-runner in the opener.
Cossack Dancer ensures a fast pace as he adopts his usual front running tactics. Favourite Ofarel D’Airy was soon receiving strong reminders from jockey Sam Thomas.
By Swinley Bottom Cossack Dancer was being challenged by Celtic Son with the favourite making his way into third place, but only under extreme pressure.
Entering the home straight there were three in contention with Fundamentalist coming onto the scene. Come the second last Cossack Dancer was determined to hold onto his lead and it looked as though he would be heading for a pillar to post victory. Of the three contenders Celtic Son was the first to crack.
Come the last, however, Fundamentalist put in a superb jump and the writing for Cossack Dancer was on the wall as Paddy Brenan’s mount pulled away with plenty in hand.
The favourite was a disappointment and was never in the race.
1st Fundamentalist 7/2
2nd Cossack Dancer 9/2
Dist 3l 7 Ran Tote: Win £4.00 Places £2.10 £2.40 Exacta £18.80