3 minute read

The crowds were back -10,000 of them, and the weather was kind.

Together that produced a great atmosphere for the Ascot autumn showcase day.

It started off with Trueshan continuing on from his great run in the Cadran two weeks previously to take out the Long Distance Cup.  Stradivarius had no luck in the race and finished third when 50/1 shot Tashkan had the cheek to get between the two staying stalwarts,

Creative Force won the Sprint for Appleby-Buick with Glen Shiel on 22/1 second and Minzaal third on 16/1 and Art Power fourth.  However the win wasn't enough to get Buick the jockeys championship and it went to Oisin Murphy.

Eshaada trained by Roger Varian won the F&M in a close photo finish with Albaflora and Snowfall ran out of gas and finished third.  She's better than her recent finishes so maybe it's time for a holiday.  The win was the first of a treble for Jim Crowley with horses racing in the colours of the late Sheik Hamdan.

There was a great battle between Palace Pier and Baaeed in the QEII which finished up as a win to Baaeed by a neck.  Lady Bowthorpe was third home and we hear she is to be retired.

The Champion Stakes saw the French raider Sealiway under Mikael Barzalona salute after starting at 12/1, two weeks after finishing 5th in the Arc.  Dubai Honour was supplemented for the race and returned the favour finishing second again two weeks after winning the Prix Dollar, and may now go to Hong Kong for the Internationals in December.  Jim Bolger's Mac Swiney collected the third money with the three top picks in the race following this trio of interlopers!