18:10 That's it from Chester, where the weather has been kind and it turned out to be a good crowd once the football finished.
We're off down south for tomorrows action as we head for Goodwood. From the north west goodnight.
18:00 In the finale a brave run from Offshore Annie saw Tony Hamilton extracate the filly to beat Ballora by 3/4 length in a run that looked to have been lost as they turned for home.
Third place went to the front running Natural Rhythm who took a keen hold early on, was headed three out but regained the lead a furlong from home, after a battle with the runner up.
The winner was boxed in a furlong from home but after being switched right she achieved a clear run and came with a useful turn of foot.
17:25 After our shortest race of the afternoon came the longest, with a 1 mile 7 furlong contest, twice round the Roodee.
Keelung the 7/2 joint favourite was the trailblazer and led, almost from the start, until – yes you guessed it – the home straight when the challengers came and swamped him.
Okafranca , who had been with the pace throughout was the one who let rip and the Willie Muir three year old showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals to win by an increasing eight lengths.
Sir Sandcliff ran on well to take second place, denying the other joint favourite Basalt the runners up spot.
The remainder of the field were well strung out, especially Bocciani who had thrown in the towel even before the first circuit was complete.
16:50 Our only race over the minimum distance produced an absolutely thrilling finish.
Angle Of Attack set the pace, accompanied by the old timer Fire Up The Band who overcame a bad draw to get to the front.
Once again the action happened as they came for home with the well backed Supermassive Muse making a dash for the line with a good turn of foot. However Green Park, under Tony Hamilton, emerged from the pack with an even greater turn of foot to take the race in the final stride by the minimum distance of a nose.
The front running Angle Of Attack held on for third with the favourite Ice Planet finishing a never nearer fourth.
16:15 Our second feature race over 1½ miles only attracted six runners with Godolphin double handed.
Carte Diamond who has recovered well from a serious injury set the pace, which was a steady one.
The best backed of the Godolphin runners, Veracity, and Foxhaven tracked the leader with the second blue runner, Crime Scene, further back. The joint favourite Strategic Mount never looked happy and was never in contention.
Turning for home Foxhaven under Franny Norton challenged the leader and a battle ensued, which the stewards are looking into as they came close.
Foxhaven had the better finishing power to cross the line first by 1¾ lengths with the front running Caret Diamond holding on for second.
In a close battle for third the unimpressive looking Strategic Mount just edged out Crime Scene.
15:40 It was only four days ago that we say the brave mare Angus Newz win in very testing conditions at Leicester – today she stepped up in class to take this afternoons feature race, beating the fast finishing hotshot Look Busy.
Adopting her usual front running tactics Angus Newz set a fair pace and she had a good lead turning for home.
Quiet Elegance had been her closest challenger for most of the race but as they charged down the home straight it was the promising three-year-old and top weight Look Busy who emerged as the main challenger.
As the leader tired the favourite was closing with every stride but the line came in time.
It was trainer Mick Quinn’s 100th career win and it was fitting it was at his favourite course with, arguably, his best horse.
Quiet Elegance held on for third place.
15:10 Another two-year-old event over seven for our second contest, this time a nursery contest.
Night Of Fortune from Sir Mark Prescott’s yard was sent off the favourite in a race in which favourites fare badly and todays renewal was no exception.
Fitzolini set the pace until, yet again, the race proper began on the turn.
Coming for home Lakeman under Tony Hamilton came with what semed to be a decisive run, only to face a challenge from Firebet who had run in snatches. However Anne Duffield’s colt was doing his best running at the end and he snatched victory on the line.
14:37 A two-year-old seven furlong sprint to get us under way and it bought cheer for favourite backers in the shape of Akhenaten, giving some good news for recovering trainer Mick Channon.
Backers may have had some pre-race concerns as the favourite was reluctant to enter the stalls and them became fractious.
Once underway it was Viking Awake from the prime No 1 draw who took them along, attended by another reluctant stalls enterer Lucy Brown.
The favourite was happy to track the front two, accompanied by Paquerettza.
As is often the case here at Chester the race developed in the short run-in
Chris Catlin came with a well timed run taking the lead a furlong and a half out. At the same time the long time leader began to fade, whist Royal defence came with an eye-catching run to take second place but never troubling the winner.
Paquerettza held on to take third.
In a nasty incident four furlongs out Navessence clipped heels and fell, bringing down Antigua Sunrise in the process.
13:45 Good afternoon from Chester where the weather is overcast. The crowds do not seem to be as big as a usual Saturday here, however as Liverpool are playing Man Utd a lot of racegoers are indoors watching the footie.
The non-runner tally is now five.
08:42 Three early non-runners so far.
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Non-Runners
4:40
1 Princess Ellis (Runny nose)
5:15
3 Risk Runner
5:50
2 Riqaab (not eaten up)
3 Taikoo (going)
7 Make Amends
Results
2:30
1st 1 Akhenaten 9/4 fav
2nd 6 Royal Defence 12/1
3rd 12 Paquerettza 16/1
12 Ran
Distances 3 1/2L & 1/2L
Tote
Win £3.60
Place £1.80 £4.30 £%.00
Exacta £38.80
Result Stands
3:00
1st 2 Firebet 5/1
2nd 3 Lakeman 9/2
6 Ran
Distances Head
Tote
Win £5.90
Place £2.10 £1.90
Exacta £32.30
3:30
1st 2 Angus Newz 7/2
2nd 1 Look Busy 6/4 fav
3rd 11 Quiet Elegance 9/2
11 Ran
Distances 1/2L & 1L
Tote
Win £4.90
Place £1.90 £1.30 £1.90
Exacta £8.60
4:05
1st 4 Foxhaven 4/1
2nd 1 Carte Diamond 11/2
6 Ran
Distances 1 3/4L
Tote
Win £5.30
Place £2.70 £2.90
Exacta £24.40
Result Stands
4:40
1st 2 Green Park 9/1
2nd 3 Supermassive Muse 7/2
3rd 8 Angle Of Attack 6/1
9 Ran NR 1
Distances nose & 2l
Tote
Win £9.60
Place £2.40 £1.50 £2.30
Exacta £39.40
5:15
1st 9 Okafranca 4/1
2nd 7 Sir Sandicliffe 9/1
3rd 1 Basalt 7/2 jf
9 Ran NR 3
Distances 8L & 2L
Tote
Win £5.30
Place £1.80 £2.70 £1.70
Exacta £57.90
5:50
1st 8 Offshore Anna 100/30 fav
2nd 5 Ballora 15/2
3rd 11 Natural Rhythm 13/2
8 Ran NR's 2 , 3 & 7
Distances 3/4L & 2 3/4L
Tote
Win £3.20
Place £1.30 £2.70 £1.70
Exacta £28.20
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