Even allowing for people having their attention directed towards the Costwolds, there was not much going on at this meeting that may have significant implications for the future. No doubt there were some trainers left spluttering in their gin and Frosties as some fair prize money was contested for by horses whose connections would surely be amazed at their good fortune.

Going: Good (Good to Firm places)

Race 1: Robert Case Beginners Chase [3m ½f]

1: Red Scally     2: Leopold     3: Toni Alcala

Winner owned: Mr SA Harris, trained: Richard Guest, ridden: Paddy Aspell

Five lined up, and what encouraging form they had tended to be over hurdles and not recent enough to stimulate any excitement. The best clue to the outcome lies in the performance of the fourth, Celtic Society. Four from home, she was ridden and dropping further behind, but despite not being knocked about once detached, she was closing again quite rapidly in the last furlong or so, which suggests that the others were indulging in a game of 'Who-Can-Slow-Down-Most-Sharply.' Toni Alcala won that game, and so Red Scally won the race.

The runners generally jumped better than may have been expected, although Celtic Society (in narrow lead) does not pull it off totally at the first, giving Leopold that small cause for concern that he loves to fret over. 

Race 2: North Norfolk Radio Selling Handicap Hurdle [2m]

1: Purr     2: Goldan Jess     3: Silvo

Winner owned & ridden: Steve Rees, trained: Michael Wigham

The winner was having his third run in five days, and showed by a gutsy effort in holding Goldan Jess at bay, quite how little he had exerted himself in the previous two. In fact, it had been some considerable time since he had shown much sign of life at all, and the auctioneer did not bust a blood vessel trying to extract a bid. Given his trainer's recent disciplinary problems, there were some overheard mutterings of foul play, but Purr's history shows that he is not easily persuaded to put his best foot forward when he does not want to - which is almost all of the time. There were a few unexposed runners, including a quartet of four year olds. Goldan Jess was the only one to figure in any way.

Race 3: Tim Barclay Memorial Handicap Chase [2m 5½f]

1: Romany Dream     2: Paxford Jack     3: Art Virginia

Winner owned: The Snoozy Partnership, trained: Robin Dickin, ridden: Henry Oliver

This was shaping up to be a great ding dong to the line, but after the second last, Romany Dream suddenly powered clear of Paxford Jack, who tied up a bit more sharply than is ideal when the pressure was on. Apart from that, there was not much to say about the race, other than Art Virginia showed more signs that he is emerging from an extended period of mediocrity. And in his post race interview, Robin Dickin expressed his appreciation of the ginormous trophy his mare had won, plus offered the news that she is off to visit Midnight Legend when in season, so might well run even better in the summer.

Race 4: William Bulwer-Long Memorial Novice Hunter Chase [2m 5½f]

1: Flashy Sir     2: Protagonist     3: Star Double

Winner owned: Mr MS Fentiman, trained: HJ Evans, ridden: Mark Wall

A minor upset ensued here, with Flashy Sir marking his fencing debut with a win. He looked fit after 23 months off, but after jumping well early on, he dived wildly at the third last and was not entirely convincing at the next. With Tallow Bridge disappointing a lot and Protagonist a little, this probably will not turn out to be the greatest challenge of his career. 

Star Double leads Ballyowen and the riderless Fleur De Nikos with a lap to go. The watchers in the distance are, right to left, Flashy Sir, Jewel Song, Sironi and Tallow Bridge. The absence of Protagonist cannot be explained without recourse to Quantum Theory on multiple universes.

Race 5: Totepool Fakenham Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle [2m]

1: Buster Hyvonen     2: Katies Tuitor     3: Amazing King

Winner owned: Simon Gibson, trained: James Fanshawe, ridden: Felix De Giles

When he started out in novice hurdles, Buster Hyvonen had seemed destined for greater things, but connections will be consoled by winning this £12,000 race rather than finishing 20th in the Coral Cup. There were three 7/2 co-favourites and another at 4/1, so the close finish was no surprise. The omission of the flights both third and second from home, meant that it was a test, in the end, mostly of speed rather than technique. Last year's winner, Festive Chimes, stays further and was the one most obviously done for pace when it mattered.

It's all a bit frantic at the first, from front to back, Oniz Tiptoes, Hot Zone, Amazing King, Katies Tuitor, Muntami, Festive Chimes, Kanonkop (whey-oops), Dhehdaah and Buster Hyvonen

Race 6: SPC Holdings Ltd conditional jockeys' Maiden Hurdle [2m]

1: Donaldson     2: Wee Charlie Caste     3: Laconicos

Winner owned: Mr FS Williams, trained: Jonjo O'Neill, ridden: RP McLernon

Already notable for taking a drop in class, Donaldson's price dropped further when Celestial Halo validated his form in the Triumph Hurdle, and he won as he ought to have done, giving out one inkling of hope to the others when he got the third last wrong. As it turned out, the oppo were not good enough to exploit it, although Wee Charlie Caste must have some scope for winning small handicaps somewhere. After setting the pace, Weststern was a bit unlucky to be run out of a place, and might have stamina issues holding him back. A denadgerisration might make a difference. There was a Stewards Enquiry into the running of Mount Usher, who was heavily restrained at the back. As a hard puller of dubious stamina, there is a question over how much better he is actually capable of. Laconicos sets a very modest yardstick for the talents of the alsop-rans.

Plus Points

Paxford Jack (race 3): Even allowing for the late fade, there was a positive to take from the race in that he showed no signs of a hangover from the heavy fall that he endured on his previous race.

Wee Charlie Caste (race 6): A seller or similarly low grade novice handicap will be more suitable for him.

Down Arrows

Leopold (race 1): In a race where they all seemed to considered winning a vulgar and unsporting outcome, he lived up to his poor winning rate by showing great reluctance at the business end.

Desert Tommy (race 1): Uninvigorated by a change of yard, he withdrew his labour from the off.

The field (race 2): Being seen off by Purr, quite easily, is not a good preparation for anything much.

Chaninbar (race 5): Had a sense of humour failure going to post, and delayed the start with some antics, so his eventual fourth is not likely to be a precursor to a winning run