ASCOT Racecourse stewards were kept busy with two dramatic incidents during last Saturday's meeting – the first involving two runners from the same stable and the other concerning a member of the ground staff, writes Dave Wright.

The fourth race on the card, the Class One Byrne Group Handicap Chase, saw the Paul Nicholls-trained pair Diego Du Charmil and Capeland leading the field as they approached the final fence together.

With a riderless horse in close attendance, Diego Du Charmil, ridden by Lorcan Williams, ducked violently to his left, taking Capeland, the mount of Bryony Frost, off his intended line.

But he still managed to clear the wing of the fence and went on to pass the post in front, half-a-length ahead of Clondaw Castle, while Capeland had gone between the fence and the plastic wing and was fifth to cross the line.

After a lengthy stewards enquiry 13/2 shot Diego Du Charmil was allowed to keep the race as he had taken the correct course, but Capeland was disqualified as he had not jumped any part of the fence.

Earlier, Nicholls and Frost had landed the GL Events UK Novices' Hurdle with 11/10 favourite Ecco by six lengths from the German-bred Neff, ridden by Joshua Moore for his father, Gary.

There was another enquiry following the sixth race, the Class One Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap.

A groundsman was still forking the turf as the runners made their way around the bend turning out of Swinley Bottom on the final circuit.

Jockeys shouted out a warning and the man, who was wearing a hood, managed to scramble under the running rail to safety at the last second.

He was later called into the stewards' room along with a groundstaff leader to be shown a recording of the incident.

After considering the evidence, the stewards said they would refer the matter to the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.

The race was won by 2-1 favourite Vinndication, ridden by David Bass for Kim Bailey, who had just returned from a holiday in Australia.

It was a day to remember for young Dubliner Cillin Leonard as he marked his first visit to the Berkshire track by winning the Gardiner & Theobald Conditional Jockeys Novices' Hurdle race on Mason Jar, trained by Dr Richard Newland. The 11/4 favourite, making it three wins in succession, finished seven lengths clear of runner-up Dorking Boy, ridden by Stan Sheppard.

Another doctor to visit the winner's enclosure was Doctor Dex following the Ascot Underwriting Chase. Ridden by Jonathan Burke and trained by Tom George, the 9/2 shot had two-and-a-half lengths to spare over On The Slopes in the hands of Tom Cannon.

The Sodexo Handicap Hurdle went to Gumball (11/2) with Ben Jones in the saddle, just holding on by a neck to beat the strong-finishing Red Force One with Frost aboard.

There was a surprise result to the last race of the afternoon, with 25/1 shot Where's Tom, the mount of Marc Goldstein, winning the Millgate Standard Open NH flat race.

Racing returns to Ascot on Friday and Saturday, November 22 (first race 1pm) and 23 (12.20pm).