Ascot races recap: A big deal for Andrews in Challenge Stakes

Read the latest on the racing at Ascot on Saturday which was headlined by the Listed Challenge Stakes.

TRAINER

Grant Williams was lavish in his praise of Axeman’s Jazz. It wasn’t pretty, but highly effective when coming from a long way back. After being sidelined for 510 days, the Dundeel gelding has gone back-to-back and looms as a country cups horse in coming weeks. It set up the first leg of a treble for team Williams with raging favourite Eccentric Nature scoring-just and Watch Me Rock picking up from where he left off last campaign with a return win.

JOCKEY

Order restored. William Pike is back. Fresh from a Belmont double on Wednesday, be boots home Essentric Nature and Watch Me Rock.

Chris Parnham produced the perfect ride and Antique Miss did the rest. The versatile mare had to pull out plenty in the Detonator Stakes, but she rarely lies down and was up for the fight when it mattered most against Red Sun Sensation and Own The Queen. Bunbury and Pinjarra Cups are being thought about.

WIN OF THE DAY

Classy win from Deel Her In, who continues the amazing 2025 run of Peter Morley and Belhus Racing Syndicate. The improving Dundeel filly, trained by Trevor Andrews and ridden by Shaun O’Donnell, went back to last, but was first past the post, rounding them up with a big finishing effort in the Listed Challenge Stakes.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

No vulnerability first up over 1200m for Watch Me Rock.

Trapped wide, hit a flat spot in the straight, but All Grunt kicked again to finish third in the Challenge Stakes.

That was better from Memory Parade. Beaten a lip by Axeman’s Jazz when charging late.

Off a freshen up, Sail Session kept Essentric Nature very honest.

FASTEST 600M

Cessation ran 33.69secs when grabbing Jaz Session in a head-bobber.

BEATEN FAVOURITES

Cawarra, Here For Cheques, Deferred & Flower Of Gold.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Olympic Park, who ran last when resuming in the Challenge Stakes, was showing signs of lameness.