20:45 It sounds like a school playground outside as the teeny-boppers all congregate round the stage awaiting The Wanted. Judging from the huge scream they have just walked on stage.

Cue my exit and from Newmarket a very good evening.

20:37 Something of a difference of opinion in this one as Showboating and Magic Stella stuck to the far rail, with the remainder, headed by Brave Dream, sticking to the centre of the course.

The two on the far side looked to have the advantage for most of contest but by a furlong out they were level with Showboating from the far side and Brave Dream from the centre sharing the lead.

It was Brave Dream who crossed the line first, 1 1/4 lengths clear of Showboating.

Golden Compass who ran on in the final quarter mile was a further three parts of a length back in third.  

20:30 The final contest is the Piper-Feidsieck Rose Sauvage Handicap over sic furlongs with nine off to post.

Whipphound was pulling going to post and Golden Compass was taken to post steadily.

20:11 It can't be that often that Jamie Spencer is screamed home by a hoard of screaming teenagers but that is what happened here as he swept to the front inside the final furlong on Apparel running clear to record a 2 1/4 length victory.

The one he swept past was Mather, who had come from last to first to take up the running two furlongs out.

If the handicapper was happy earlier on he won't be so happy with the result of this contest as the front pair were eight lengths clear of third placed Bright Abbey, who had been with the pace for most of the contest.

The favourite, Band Of Thunder, ran in snatches and had to settle for fourth spot.    

19:58 No more paddock reports tonight as it is getting hard to fight through the crowd of teeny-boppers.

This is our longest race of the evening, the Piper-Heidsieck Champange Handicap over 1m 5f with seven going to post.

Jeu De Vivre was keen going to post.

19:40 Well that must have been a tight finish for judge Dave Smith to call a photograph - it was the sort of finish to delight the handicapper as they crossed the line in a heap.

The verdict went to Dominium, who had been threatening from two out and got the better of a battle with Avon Lady for the prize, recording a short head victory.

Big Noise, who ran on from a long way back, was a neck back in third, with the front running joint-favourite Hacienda having to settle for fourth spot.

There was a late punt for Tariq Too, which was something of a surprise as he was scratchy going down and the support was misguided as he beat only one home.

19:17 Another seven furlong contest, this time the Enjoy Russian Standard Vodka Responsibly Handicap with ten off to the start.

Hot Spark was being sparky in the parade ring, Big Noise was pulling and Frognal was slightly on his toes. Hacienda, like most Mark Johnston runners looked good but an outsider who caught the eye was Saint Pierre.

19:03 You do actually wonder if jockeys engage their brains some days? It takes some doing to get trapped behind runners in a four runner contest yet somehow Kieren Fallon manage to do just that on the joint favourite Mister Music, finding himself with nowhere to go approaching three out.

In the end the race went to his stablemate Crius who recorded a 3/4 length victory.

Second place went to the other joint favourite Jubilance, whilst the front running  Broxbourne came home last of the four.

Broxbourne was allowed an easy lead with the other trio more or less three abreast.

Two out Broxbourne had been joined by Crius and Jubilance, with Mister Music behind, seemingly looking for a gap to appear against the far rail. The gap did not appear and Fallon had blown it.

18:44 Only four go to post for the Russian Standard 'Vodka As It Should Be' Novices Stakes over seven furlongs.

Only four runners but nothing to choose between them in the parade ring.

18:28 Well that was dramatic. First of all Sligo Girl is withdrawn before even getting to the start.

Then at the start Storm Belt reared and unseated Ahmed Ajtebi, although he did remount and did go in the stalls. Not to be outdone Sandbetweenourtoes then began playing up and I'm not sure if his rider Shane Kelly is a complete nob? His horse plays up behind the stalls - what does he do? Give him a backhander which makes the horse even worse. Eventually he was withdrawn, reducing the field to seven.

The race itself was uneventful, taking a similar path to the opener. This time it was the even money favourite Justineo who came from last to first approaching two out, coming home a 2 1/2 length winner?

Go Dutch was a running-on second with Philipstown, who made the early running, finishing third.

Grizzle was a disappointing fourth under Dettori.

18:16 Sligo Girl being a right so-and-so - planted coming out then broke free - now withdrawn

18:09 Race two is the Russian Standard Vodka EBF Myboycharlie Maiden Stakes, fir two-year-olds over 6f.

Debutant Sligo Girl was very nervous and edgy in the parade ring. By contrast Voodoo Rhythm was so relaxed you wonder if he has been on the ganga. Dettori is here for just the one ride on Grizzle, who looked good.

18:00  Top weight Stevie Thunder was conceding lumps of weight to his rivals but he still came home an impressive 4 1/2 length winner of the opener.

Settled in last pace in the early stages he was quickly taken past his rivals by three pound claimer Ryan Clark two out and it was race over.

The favourite Aciano set off in pursuit but it was a vain effort as the winner was never for catching.

Inpursuitoffreedom finished third, three parts of a length behind the runner-up.

Joe Strummer was never a threat and Two Certainties, who missed the break, was another never in contention.   

17:40 The opening contest is the Grants Whiskey Handicap which sees six competing over the mile.

Two Certainties, one of two big horses - the other being Stevie Thunder, was pulling slightly. Inpursuitoffreedom was very small compared to her rivals and was pulling. Aciano is the paddock pick.  

16:59 Magic Cross is out of the last.

16:47 Apparently the girls by the stage were queuing outside the gates early this morning, even though the gate did not open until 16:00.

Food tonight is a very spicy chicken curry.

16:36 The July Course here at Newmarket has to be one of the prettiest in the country.

It must also be the only course where the weighing room has a thatched roof.

16:33 It is well over four hours before the concert starts and all the prime spots are taken. The stage is in the premier enclosure and I have just seen a very tearful young lady, who doesn't have a premier badge, being stopped from trying to get a spot near the stage and being told she will have to wait until after racing to be allowed in.

16:17 Good afternoon from Newmarket where the weather is overcast at with little breeze - as feared it looks as though the place will be swamped with teeny-boppers here to see The Wanted, who are performing after racing.

The non-runner count remains at five.

13:17 The non-runner count is now five.

12:49 The going stick reading at midday was 7.5

11:21 Three non-runners now, details on the right.

07:46 It has been a dry night and the official going is Good to Firm (watered).

15mm of water was applied to the course yesterday. The forecast is for an overcast day with the possibility of a light shower this afternoon.

There is currently one non-runner. 

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

18:20
6 Sandbetweenourtoes (withdrawn)
9 Sligo Girl (withdrawn)

18:55
4 Thecornishcockney (pulled muscle - SC 09:39)

19:30
1 Watch Amigo (lame - VC 10:24 Thu)
4 Marajaa (not eaten up - SC 09:54)
12 Jake The Snake (lame - SC 12:59)

20:05
2 O Ma Lad (lame - SC 13:06)
9 Rasteau (pulled shoe off - SC 18:38)

20:35
6 Magic Cross (ringworm - SC 16:31)

Results

17:50 Handicap 1m

18:20 Maiden Stakes 6f

18:55 Novice Stakes 7f

19:30 Handicap 7f

20:05 Handicap 1m 4f

20:35 Handicap 6f