The course has been subject to the usual close season tinkering, this time in three ways. Some messing about with the balance of the bars and betting shops, including the removal of the dedicated Tote Credit room. Money spent, but no significant difference. The winners enclosure has been moved, to be a sort of blister on the parade ring, which reduces the amount of space around the parade ring, but does free up access to the exit after the last race. The fun fair and guff had been moved closer to the top of the track, improving the view, but some marquees have been erected half way down the straight, rendering one decent view from the small stand totally inaccessible, and blocking almost everyone's view of the second last hurdle - which is the usual Northern Racing stupidity we know and can do nothing about.

Good fun was watching the number of people who tripped over the step in the Nickel Coin bar, including Leighton Aspell Fan Club guru John Fairbrother, who really has been here enough that he ought to know better. Phew, things change, but Leighton Aspell still manages a mention here...

Michael & Margaret Harrington Golden Wedding Juvenile Hurdle [2m 2½f]

1: Tension Point     2: Rainbow Flame     3: Correy

Winner owned: Mr RER Williams, trained: Evan Williams, ridden: Paul O'Neill

This was not an especially strong race, but the erratic Tension Point made it three from seven over hurdles, which is not to be scoffed at, even though he looks a hairy betting prospect. Despite a big weight on his back, he just held off the powerful finish of Rainbow Flame, who was ordinary on the flat but shapes as if staying hurdles will bring out his best in time. Despite being only diddy, Correy showed plenty of heart, and she had won on the flat, if only a seller, and she tried hard to hold off the attention of Laragh Hill. The comedy act came from Barney's Dancer, who went down early, bolted riderless and delayed the start for a while until jumping off begrudgingly. Connections will no doubt explore headgear options - visor, cheekpieces, fez... Tilly Shilling had the beating of the winner on literal form interpretation, but she ran a stinker, and stamina was not an issue.

Tension Point (1) and Correy (11) battle it out, and take so much mutual account that Rainbow Flame (7) almost exploits it

Check Out The New betbrokers.com Handicap Chase [2m 2f]

1: Abutilon     2: Kind Sir     3: River Amora

Winner owned: JP McManus, trained: Brendan Powell, ridden: Sam Jones

A ferocious pace prevented quite a few of these ever getting in contention, and Sam Jones rode a composed race to reel him in without forcing his youthful (4 year old) partner into too much stress. This was a good step up on his exceptional chase debut at Huntingdon. Kind Sir loves to bowl along in front, but can wilt when crowded, and today he was able to cling on for a place, aided by the fact that only one rival ever got there to try and bustle him. After a longish rest, River Amora ran well enough in third, but he is not especially well handicapped to build on it. Hot on his heels were Queen Excalibur and Lord Ashfordly, with woeful and no chase form respectively. In fairness, Queen Excalibur had looked in previous chases if getting off the ground was a real achievement (form PPF), so this was a definite improvement. What remains to be seen is if she can repeat it without the extra tender handling experienced today. The signs that we may be moving from summer to autumn came as the in-form duo of Norseman Cateline and Ah Yeah were a long way adrift.

Play 123sport.com to Win Real Money Claiming Hurdle [2m 4f]

1: Masjoor     2: Mapilut Du Moulin     3: Chunky Lad

Winner owned: Greenacre Racing Partnership Ltd, trainer: Keith Goldsworthy, ridden: Timmy Murphy

If ever a race was primed for an upset this was it, although the surprisingly short price of Masjoor reduces the shock value. Fait Le Jojo was at 11.30am about 7/4 on the betting exchanges, but started 6/1 before finishing a surly fourth. Obvious rival 1, Atlantic Rhapsody, refused to race and obvious rival 2, Pro Dancer, sadly took a fatal fall at the second. The first two home had met just over a fortnight ago and Mapilut Du Moulin posted a much better run, but it was Masjoor who prevailed adding to his one glorious previous victory, at Tramore. Paddock pick Chunky Lad had his best ever run before at Fontwell, in a seller, but any recommendation must consider that he ran out when doing well in a race at Taunton - a one-off or have his riders been performing miracles to keep Chunky Lad on the straight and (not so) narrow.

Masjoor, in full plod mode, still has too much for Mapilut Du Moulin

Winner Plant Hire Handicap Chase [2m 6f]

1: Cape Stormer     2: Borehill Joker    3: Keltic Lord

Winner owned: Marcus Gorman, trained: Nick Gifford, ridden: Timmy Murphy

He may be twelve, but Cape Stormer, since graduating back out of points, made it three from three under Rules, with the assistance of some co-operative handicapping. He led, had a breather four out, and then scooted clear again off of the last turn without Mr Murphy getting overly exerted. Very much best of the rest, Borehill Joker had a good day, but you can never be entirely sure what you will get with him. Having run on the flat as a juvenile in 1998, hurdled as three year old and won a seller as early as 2000, the first of twelve wins, it would be supremely churlish to begrudge him an off day every other race. Keltic Lord did not run like he was on the verge of a win. In fourth was ex-French maiden Guerabad. He ran in snatches - not as bad as his countrymen against Argentina two days earlier - and might do better on softer ground.

Westfield Dancer and Borehill Joker make the pace, Cape Stormer keeping them in his sights

Mackley Construction Handicap Hurdle [2m 6½f]

1: Red Echo     2: City Breeze     3: Matt The Thrasher

Winner owned: Terry Neill, trained: David Pipe, ridden: Tom Scudamore

Every so often, a minor event unfolds with an impending sense of agony, and that was the case here. City Breeze and Red Echo has led early, but the latter began to struggle four out, just as Byron Moorcroft kicked ahead on City Breeze. That horse was soon clear and running on gamely, keeping ahead of the pursuit up until the last, as He's The Gaffer's challenge came and went. Matt The Thrasher was staying on in one pace, but Red Echo had got the most gusty of second winds, and as a tired City Breeze drifted left on the run-in, Red Echo showed why he was a four miler in chases, pinching the lead back in the last couple of yards. A brave win, but an equally brave runner-up who deserves to break his maiden soon, but gives the impression that he could do this again. After a prolific summer, Terramarique, who was ridden much more patiently than usual, had a real off day. Signs of a busy summer or a resenting of the tactics?

May Paton Memorial Novice Hurdle [2m 2½f]

1: Cape Greko     2: Eldorado     3: Salford City

Winner owned: Holistic Racing Ltd, trained: Brendan Powell, ridden: Timmy Murphy

As has been much touted this summer, Salford City has adapted fairly well to hurdles, without eliminating the thought that he had done enough for a career when he was fifth in the 2004 Derby. Timmy Murphy was not going to let him have his way and however fast Salford City went, Cape Greko matched him. Two from home, the favourite cracked, but Eldorado, well backed despite tow very poor hurdle runs so far, had led the pack who went round at a more sensible pace. This meant that he was reeling the leader in hand over fist, but just did not get there in time, with Cape Greko proving more resilient that expected. At face value, he could win a small novice but the odd way that this was run makes the form unreliable. Fourth placed Ophistrolie had missed nineteenth months after two moderately promising runs. Where he goes from here depends on the not easily predicted whim of John Manners, but keep an eye on him in sellers and claimers. Debuting for Peter Bowen, Particle, flat rated 80, showed no enthusiasm, but looked to finish a little sore and might do better.

Portsmouth News Handicap Hurdle [2m 2½f]

1: Go Free     2: Count Kristo     3: Equilibria

Winner owned: Pete Smith Car Sales, trained: John O'Shea, ridden: Johnny Farrelly

Despite the hat trick of Timmy Murphy, this was the most eye-catching ride of the day, as when the field passed the stands with a lap to go, the though about this conspicuous grey was that either the jockey was extremely confident or the horse was extremely not trying. The former proved true, as from four out he made smooth progress under no pressure, led at the last and cruised clear. Count Kristo plugged away honestly but he had bitten off more than could be chewed on the day, just holding off Equilibria and Ramvaswani. Ghaill Force ran a hard race in the vanguard, but was beaten when he took a fall two out, having deserved a bit more for his effort.

Ones to Note

Rainbow Flame: Might need time, but the sooner he can step up in trip, the better.

Laragh Hill: No great shakes on the flat, not any shakes, in fact, but this was better and he looks to have some scope to improve

Kind Sir: Back on a workable rating when he can get an uncontested lead - small fields help]

City Breeze: Hard luck story of the day, but posted good enough form to win a race

Ophistrolie: Some promise on his comeback in the sixth race

Go Free: Inconsistent, but well in when he is up for it

Ones to Avoid

Fait Le Jojo: Is that French for make a monkey (of punters)?

Atlantic Rhapsody: Stood and waved goodbye to the field at the start

Guerabad: Give him a chance on softer going, but another in and out display should ring alarm bells

Salford City: Sourford horse?