20:50 That’s it from Newmarket, where the rain has just started, as has the concert.

Our next live coverage will be from Newbury on Sunday, until then good evening.

20:49 Well if Pirate’s Song caught the eye going down, he was even more impressive coming back.

In a race where Danzoe set the initial pace before the hard pulling Excellent Thought came through to the lead after a furlong and a half, Richard Hughes settled the favourite behind the leaders but against the rail.

He found himself hemmed in but he didn’t panic and as soon as a gap appeared he accelerated to come up to share the running.

Approaching the furlong pole Hughes asked him to head for home and he showed a second turn of foot to pull well clear of his rivals. To see a young horse accelerate twice in a sprint is impressive.

However one has to ask if he hit the front too soon as the field were closing fast in the closing stages, indeed very fast, and Pirate’s Song only held on by a neck.

Mrs Boss, mid-division throughout, claimed second spot and it was very close for third spot. So close that judge Dave Smith made a mess of calling the result. Dave Smith is known for only resorting to the camera as a last resort – he should have done so on this occasion as it took him three attempts to sort out third place.

Eventually Watch Chain was awarded third spot, with Praesepe fourth, both doing their best work in the closing stages.

20:31 Could not fight my way through the crowds to the parade ring but did watch them going down.

Negative was Excellent Thought who took a very strong hold going to post.

Big positive was Pirate’s Song, an unlucky loser in a slowly run race at Warwick two weeks ago – he moved to post beautifully under Richard Hughes.

20:25 Back to six furlongs for our final contest, the NGK Spark Plugs Handicap with just six going to post.

20:24 Before we go any further it is time for a rant …. now I don’t like criticising commentators , they have a very difficult job, however it does irritate me when they don’t even do their basic homework in advance of the race – it shows contempt for their audience.

This race is a perfect example, throughout the entire race Derek Thompson referred to the favourite, Azaday, as he. She happens to be a filly – OK nobody has died but it makes him look stupid.
Rant over.

The odds-on favourite was my paddock negative and she only once looked like winning.

Cheerfully set the pace with On The Cusp and Highland Cadett in second rank, whilst Ted Durcan settled the favourite well in rear for a late challenge.

There was no significant change in the lead until the field approached two out when Kieran Fallon produced Meetings Man from mid-division to take up the running. At the same time Durcan boughf Azaday into contention without even moving a muscle and the pair were soon clear of their rivals.

Approaching a furlong out Durcan came to life but the filly failed to respond, meanwhile Meetings Man was running on steadily and was pulling away inside the final half furlong to record a 1½ length victory, giving Fallon a treble on the night.

Azaday was a disappointing, but unsurprising, runner-up.

The pair were, however, ten lengths clear of the remainder who were headed by Red Barcelona.      

19:53 Race five is our longest of the evening as seven go to post for the 1m 4f Peta Parkhouse Birthday Stakes.

The likely favourite, Azaday, is our paddock negative, on her toes with two handlers she is beginning to sweat up.

Polebrook is shaking his head like a headbanger and the concert hasn’t even started yet.

19:40 Well I wonder if Kieren Fallon has just said to Frankie Dettori “snap” as he has now ridden a double, producing Nosedive with a perfectly times run to grab victory in the final yards.

There was drama at the start where Requisite completely missed the break and gave ten lengths to her rivals.

Meanwhile Desert Icon and Skyfire both broke well to take the field along.

Desert Icon held a narrow advantage until Skyfire eased ahead two out, leading a bunching field.

Skydive looked to be dourly hanging on – that was until Fallon launched his drive and Nosedive didn’t so much dive as flew over the final furlong.

Skydive held on to claim second spot with minor honours being fought out by the running on pair of Quasi Congaree and Joe Packet, the former being awarded third after running on from an unpromising position two out.

19:26 Well that almost backfired – a massive queue as the Powters Sausage Stall and too late to go to the parade ring.

So I have settled for a gourmet bacon and cheese burger instead, actually very tasty indeed and it was proper bacon as well and served with a half-decent salad as well.  

19:15 We are half way through the card and next up is the GI Events Handicap over six furlongs and ten go to post with Cheverton being a late defection due to the going.

19:11 Quite a few of these on a learning curve but one of the debutants, the favourite Peter Martins, needed no education, coming home a decisive five length winner.

Settled in third place against the rails by Frankie Dettori the Italian asked his mount for an effort two out and he eased into the lead, soon pulling clear and effectively coming home unchallenged.

Colorado Gold, the most experienced runner in the field, led from five out until headed by the winner. He showed good attitude by refusing to give in but was no match for the winner.

Amwell Point was doing his best work in the closing stages to come home third.

18:49 Another two-year-old contest for race three, this time over seven furlongs and it is the Russian Standard Novices Stakes, with nine going to post.

Claret’n’Blue is the big negative, whinnying in the parade ring, and, at times, fighting his two handlers.

Cadore is ever so slightly on his toes.

18:37 Godolphin’s debutant Janood, subject of good reports from the gallops, was sent off a well supported favourite.

He was to the fore, along with fellow Godolphin runner Busker and Focail Maith made it a line of three up front.

Meanwhile at the rear Owain threw a serious wobbly  at the back, trying to rear and drifting hard right, giving young William Carson a torrid time.

Two out Ahmed Ajtebi sent Busker off for home and it looked as though there was going to be a shock as Frankie Dettori seemed to ask Janood for an effort and he was slow to respond.

Janood did eventually work through the gears but it was only in the final few yards he eased past Busker to record a neck victory.

Red Riverman who had hardly been noticed for most of the contest demonstrated a great turn of foot on debut to take third spot, only three parts of a length behind the front duo and is one for the notebook.

18:19 Race two is a two-year-old contest with 11 going for the six furlong European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes.

It may be overcast but it is also quite muggy and a few of them are getting warm, although not excessively.

Busker is swishing his tail, Hero From Zero is a head shaker.

18:10 Very much a tactical race with You’ve Been Mowed getting an absolute flyer from the stalls, soon opening up a very decent lead.

The main group were headed by Aflaam and Jay’s Treaty and, by contrast Sonny Parkin, a course specialist was held up in rear by Kieren Fallon.

You’ve Been Moved held the lead until approaching two out when he came back to his field, allowing a running on Belgique to take up the running, with Aflaam the challenger.

Meanwhile Kieren Fallon still had not made a move on Sonny Parkin, until inside the final furlong he switched him to the centre of the course and came with the most devastating turn of foot to pass all his rivals and grab a half length victory on the line. This was despite another running on contender Right Rave drifting across him inside the final half furlong, provoking a withering look from Kieren Fallon to Richard Mullen after they had crossed the line.

Right Rave came home second with Aflaam third, likely looking winner Belgique dropped out tamely to finish fifth.

The favourite Sweet Child O’Mine was never in the contest and only beat one home.

17:50 Our opening contest is the Produce Global Solutions ‘eat more mushrooms” Handicap a one mile contest with seven going to post.

Beaver Patrol and Lost In The Moment are the non-runners.

No real positives from the parade ring and very slight negatives for Aflaam (tail swishing) and Sweet Child O'Mine (slightly on toes)

17:10 We have a going change, now Good to Firm

16:50 Good afternoon from an overcast Newmarket for another of their Newmarket Nights, where James Morrison is the paid turn after racing.

Our six race card gets underway in just over an hour with the first race due off at 17:55.

We currently have four non-runners.

The going stick reading is 7.7

11:51 A couple more non-runners to report

09:34 It has been dry overnight and a dry day is forecast and the going is Good to Firm, Good in Places.

Racing today will be on the far side of the course, the first time this ground has been used since the July Festival.

There is currently just the one non-runner and racing gets underway at 17:55.

Tonight's performer after racing is James Morrison.

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

17:55
1 Beaver Patrol (going - 11:26)
3 Lost In The Moment (not eaten up - 10:09)

19:30
5 Cheverton (going - 18:19)

20:05
1 Tuscan Gold (sore shins - VC 10:19 Thu)

20:35
4 The Human League (lame - Vc 13:25)
8 Dovedon Diva (cast in box - SC 18:10)

Results

17:55 Handicap 1m

18:25 Maiden Stakes 6f

19:00 Novices' Stakes 7f

19:30 Handicap 6f

20:05 Handicap 1m 4f

20:35 Handicap 6f