17:28 That's it from Bath, not the greatest afternoon's racing but saved by the dramatic finish to the first of the mile handicaps and by Martin Harley's treble.

A couple of days R&R for me and our next coverage will be from Ascot on Friday afternoon.

From a still sunny Bath a very good evening.

17:21 Young Martin Harley will not forget his afternoon at Bath as he brings Fire Crystal home to record a treble on the afternoon, not forgetting three winners for his governor Mick Channon.

Bellaboolou set the pace before being headed by the eventual winner two out. The favourite, Areef, went off in pursuit and although slowly gaining on the eventual winner she was only able to get within a neck at the line.

Out Of The Storm came late to finish third, with the winners stable mate, Crown Ridge, back in fourth.

Bellaboolou finished last of the main group with Street Cred not actually showing any, coming home a tailed off last.

16:56 Our final contest is the one mile Bath Abbey Handicap with six due to face the starter.

16:46 I’m not sure if they are allowed to be smug but if I were the handicapper I would have a very smug smile on my face after that one. Full marks to Richard Hoiles for calling that one, where it was all change inside the final furlong.

Commerce and Tap Dance Way, who was eventually sent off the favourite, vied for the lead with the pulling Dr Wintringham and Jewelled next and Saddlers Bend happy to sit in rear.

Two out Tap Dance Way pulled slightly clear but all her rivals were running on well and by the furlong marker the field were virtually line abreast.

Indeed Tap Dance Way was the first to crack and was soon going backwards, Commerce was next to be beaten but the other trio were locked together.

No surprise it was a photo finish and it proved to be that Saddlers Bend had passed all her rivals to grab a nose victory over the Dr Wintringham with Jewelled a further neck back in third place.

It was one of those races where none of the first three deserved to lose and the contest finally gave the crowd something to cheer.   

16:30 A couple of mile contests to finish the afternoon as five line up for the 200 Years Of Racing At Lansdown Fillies’ Handicap.

Commerce was getting a little bit warm in the parade ring and Dr Wintringham was a little on her toes.

16:16 Not exactly a contest to set the pulse racing, although a reasonable pace ensued as Baddam and Never Can Tell took each other on for the lead, whilst Pat Dobbs settled the odds-on favourite, Saborido, behind the front two.

Nothing of note really happened until they began the turn for home, where Never Can Tell opened up a clear lead and Saborido came firstly upsides then passed Baddam, who was the first one beaten.

Saborido was happy to coast alongside Never Can Tell until inside the final furlong where he pulled clear to record a 3½ length victory.        

15:52 After three sprints we have the 2m 1f Western Daily Press Handicap with just three going to post.

15:50 News from the Stewards concerning the second race Jake Payne picks up a two day whip ban for excessive frequency on She's Real Dusty

15:39 Spic ‘n Span who gave Luke Morris a torrid trip to the start took a flyer coming out of the stalls to lead early on, however he paid for his exertions and dropped out quickly, so quickly Metropolitan Chief almost ran into the back of him.

The favourite Athwaab took up the running but was soon headed by Bateleur, who won by 1¼ lengths, giving young Martin a double on the day.

The favourite came home second with the unlucky Metropolitan Chief a further half back in third.

The Name Is Frank came home a one paced fourth.          

15:25 Our final sprint is the Bath Tourism Plus Handicap, with seven going to post.

15:08 Another odds-on favourite and another workmanlike, rather than flash win.

This time it was Middleton Flyer who claimed victory, not quite all the way this time but she was in the lead after a furlong and was never seriously challenged, coming home 1½ lengths clear of Miss Muga a running-on second, with Mrs Mop the same distance back in third.

Foolscap ran no sort of race, edgy at the start, he ran very wide and looked almost unrideable, the  first time blinkers having no effect at all – will he be off to the vets for a “small op” next?   

There wasa very lively auction with the winner eventually being bought in for 11,500 guineas.    

14:52 The second of three 5f sprints is the Bath Chronical Selling Stakes with six facing the starter.

14:38 A workmanlike rather than spectacular win for the 2/5 favourite Signifer who made all and despite running a tad green in the early stages came home a length winner over Dream Whisperer, who was in second spot throughout.

Indeed there was very little change in the order in the entire race was Steady The Buffs was third throughout.

The only positional change was That’s Dangerous, who unshipped his rider Steve Drowne before entering the stalls, who was in last place until heading Shout For Joy inside the final furlong.

14:22 Just five remain in the opener the 5 furlong HSBC Maiden Auction Stakes.

The short priced favourite Signifer looks the pick but is no real price. That’s Dangerous was the other eye catcher and at a half decent price as well. The three fillies are all on their toes to a greater or lesser extent.

14:08 Neil Callan is not here today, Luke Morris replaces him in the first and last, whilst Haley Turner replaces him in the fifth

13:23 I'm not sure if there is still an official going description of HARD but I think it should be applied to Bath today - a decent growth of grass but underneath it is almost as bad as the tarmac.

12:57 Good afternoon from a sunny but breezy Bath, the wind being slightly behind and I am glad I bought a fleece with me.

08:22 I spoke too soon, we have the first non-runner, details on the right.

07:39 With no significant rain since 5th April the official going is Firm and there are no non-runners.

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

14:30
2 Bajan Hero (going - 13:20)
3 Blackburn (not eaten up - SC 09:00)

15:00
2 Wolfgang (sore shins - SC 10:35)

16:35
1 Sunset Kitty (going - 08:01)

17:10
2 Sarangoo (abcess - SC 10:16)
5 Chilworth Lass (lame - SC 11:10)

Results

14:30 Maiden Sakes 5f 11 yds

15:00 Selling Stakes 5f 11yds

15:30 Handicap 5f 11yds

16:05 Handicap 2m 1f 34yds

16:35 Handicap 1m 5yds

17:10 Handicap 1m 5yds