Blue makes his point with easy win in Ascot's Bengough

According to the jockeys, the ground was riding soft on the round track and good to soft up the home straight. It was very noticeable on the straight track that all the winners over the two days came down the centre or on the far side.

Shady McCoy
Winner, 7f handicap, Ascot, Friday, October 6
This seven-year-old appreciated the drop in grade and produced a cracking effort to win from stall 17, helped by a masterful ride from Ryan Moore, who gradually manoeuvred his mount from one side to the other. This seven-year-old looked in decent shape considering it was his tenth start of the year and he may well be able to strike again at York on Friday.

Hajjam was the paddock pick as he was glowing with health. Held up in midfield, he came with a sustained challenge and looked set for victory, but he could not withhold the winner’s surge. In this sort of form he may well win another race before the season is over.

Another Boy, who won at Sandown in July, returned to something like his best with a good run in third.

Custard The Dragon, Moonraker and Alaadel all looked quite well given the time of year, but I was not taken by Fox Trotter, Plant Pot Power or Crafty Madam.

Zwayyan
Winner, 1m handicap, Ascot, Friday
This chestnut gelding by Pivotal appreciated the drop in trip and
first-time blinkers. Well placed from the moment the stalls opened, he travelled into the lead looking full of running, but things got a little tight in the closing stages and he perhaps holds a bit back for himself. On the other hand, he is still quite lightly raced for a four-year-old and may be a slow learner with more to offer.

One Word More ran an honourable race in second, but he never seems to run two races the same.

The well-made Sibilance ran reasonably well considering she was starting to go in her coat.

Golden Goal was disappointing given he could not have looked any better. He may be better on Polytrack and clearly loves Chelmsford.