5:45 The seventh and final race turned out to be another exciting one with the aptly named Slugger O’Toole holding off the late challenge of Meydian Princess with Swift Gift back in third.
In truth it was one of those races where it was impossible to predict the winner right until the line. Although judging from the raucous noise around me (my ears are still ringing) the winner was not unfancied.
5:10 The Pretty Polly turned out to be quite a race despite the small field.
Mick Channon’s Madame Hoi set the early pace and led for the first ¾ of a mile – until the cavalry appeared in the shape of the top two in the market Clive Cox’s Don’t Forget Faith and Barry Hills Cruel Sea.
Saphira’s Fire was in trouble at one point but broke free to launch a last minute challenge down the centre of the course to take the pot by 1½ lengths from Cruel Sea in second and Don’t Forget Faith third.
There was nasty looking incident in the dip where the long time leader Madame Hoi looked to clip heels with another runner and Chris Catlin did well to keep the partnership in tact.
4:35 I think we have just seen a new star in the making in the stanjames.co.uk Maiden Stakes.
Ouqba was the well backed favourite but Finjaan in the second colours of Hamdan Al Maktoum beat the favourite by ½ a length.
His victory is all the more notable when you consider the winner, having his first run, was as green as grass three furlongs out – giving pilot Martin Dwyer a real handful.
Once he cottoned on to what was expected of him it was a different story and the son of Royal Applause won the race well.
He will be winning again, however I strongly suspect it will not be at today’s odds of 10/1.
4:00 A very competitive sprint, as would be expected for the Palace House Stakes.
Last years winner Sakhee’s Secret was sent off the 11/4 favourite, with Enticing and Zidane vying for second favouritism.
After a furlong Zidane was plumb last and pilot Jamie Spencer was throwing the kitchen sink before he finally responded.
Up front we were in line for a blanket finish as the field was almost seven abreast in the final half furlong and everything was under pressure.
The favourite did everything except put his head in front as Captain Gerrard, to the delight of any Liverpool fans, took the spoils by a neck from the favourite with the hard ridden Enticing a further length back in third.
The even harder ridden Zidane was pipped for fourth by Matsunosuke.
3:35 Well not the best of weekends for the Brits. Yesterday the Irish snatched the 2000 Guineas from under our nose.
Today it is the turn of the French to take classic glory as the 11/4 favourite Natagora claimed the 2000 Guineas in a pillar to post run for victory.
The Cheveley Park Stud were doubly represented with the first string and second favourite Infallible, winner of the Nell Gwyn here in April and Spacious.
Infallible looked a likely challenger two out bit it was the supposed second string Spacious who ran on take second place with the fast finishing Saoirse Abu taking third.
Infallible touched off Nahoodh in a photograph for fourth.
Indeed Nahoodh could well be the unluckiest runner in the race. Unleashed with a blistering run inside the distance Richard Hughes had the gap closed on him and was left with nowhere to go. Arguably, granted a clear run, he could have given the favourite more to do.
Winning trainer Pascal Bary was understandably over the moon with the result,
"She has done something fantastic. They all came to her, but she ran to the end.
"She is a fantastic filly. I have dreamed about this since last October.
"She is very brave and she moves very well, even when she is in front she doesn't pull or anything like that."
2:50 The stanjames.com Jockey Club Stakes was one for the punters with the top two in the betting taking the first two places.
The well backed favourite was the French raider Getaway from the Andre Fabre yard and he lived up to his name.
Happy to sit midfield for most of the race he launched his challenge coming into the dip, just as Frankie Dettori on the second favourite Sixties Icon also launched his challenge.
Even they both challenged at the same time the result was never in doubt as the raider romped home to a 3¾ length victory.
The plus from the race is that Sixties Icon seems to have recovered from last seasons problems and he was only beaten by a better horse on the day.
Third place went to Sir Michael Stout’s Galactic Star, the third favourite.
Sixties Icon's trainer Jeremy Noseda was pleased with his charges run. "I wouldn't say he's probably back to his best but we do know we've got him back after two disappointing runs last year.
"He'll no doubt come on for his first race, but we know for sure all the work we've done to him seems to have paid off.
"I'll have a think about where to go."
2:15 A tasty 15 runner heritage handicap got us off and running this afternoon.
Sir Michael Stout’s Gulf Express was sent off the favourite but never really showed.
The pace was set by Andrew Balding’s Oceana Gold who took up the running from Supaseus after a furlong and looked to be heading for victory until Steve Drowne launched Proponent with a perfectly time run to grab victory in the last strides.
The very well backed King Charles, 20’s into 12’s took third and backers of Supaseus will be disappointed as he took fourth but the two non-runners reduced the field to 15 runners.
1:15 Good afternoon from Newmarket where the crowds are already settling in on an overcast but muggy afternoon here at Headquarters.
This afternoon’s feature card may well be the Stan James 2000 Guineas however there is also a very strong supporting card.
We have three non-runners so far – details can be found on the right.
10:15 Day two of the Stan James sponsored meeting sees more high class action promised, woth the highlight being the Stan James 1000 Guineas.
However the supporting card is full of class with a couple of group races, a listed race and some high quality handicaps. We should be in for a good afternoons racing.
After yesterday's 2000 Guineas going across the water to Ireland will the second classic go to a British trained runner - well not according to the betting as the French raider Natagora is the well backed favourite. We will know the answer shortly after 3:20 this afternoon.