FESTIVAL DAY 3

he crowd for the third day just teetered over the edge of comfort, but the pleasant weather at least meant that those abandoning the stands had no risk of pneumonia or trench foot.

Scot Ads Maiden Hurdle [2m ½f]

1: Midnight Chase     2: Platin Grounds     3: Dundock

Winner owned: Avon Thoroughbreds Ltd, trained: Paul Keane, ridden: Neil Mulholland

A real rarity, with a complete newcomer to racing – no bumpers, no points – making a successful debut. Obviously, Paul Keane did not make the 8,000 mile round trip (estimate) just for the fresh air – although the post race interview suggested that he may have come for the party. In fact, he came all that way for win and have the course manager lambast his dress sense at the presentation. Even looking very fit, well and better turned out than his owner/trainer in the paddock was not really enough to expect Midnight Chase to defy the norm. He managed the luxury of fluffing the last before beating Platin Grounds, the first Twiston-Davies runner of the week to put up a decent showing. Dundock is yet to replicate his bumper abilities over hurdles, but having been held up, he was ridden with no urgency at all when the leaders quickened and charged home when it was all over. He will surely do better upped in trip. Fencote Mystery, unimpressive in bumpers, had a gentle intro but has to improve a lot to make a mark. Initial favourite Lindseyfield Lodge was very weak in the betting and ran down to that omen.

Platin Fields (green) could not hold off Midnight Chase, despite the winner not being 100% slick at the last flight

Stanjamesuk.com Novice Handicap Chase [2m 4½f]

1: Trading Trouble     2: Great Jane     3: Michaels Joy

Winner owned & trained: John Wade, ridden: Paddy Aspell

Trading Trouble completed his hat trick without too much difficulty. He took the race by the scruff of the neck three out and looked quite a way ahead of the handicapper despite the recent successes. Great Jane also came into this off of a win, and she was the last to keep serious tabs on the winner. Michaels Joy pinched third from Billy Bray who got very tired and clambered over the last, losing all the momentum he had left.

Attheraces Free Video Form Novice Handicap Hurdle [2m 4½f]

1: Le Briar Soul     2: Idarah     3: Wot Way Chief

Winner owned: Cape Codders, trained: Victor Dartnall, ridden: James White

Victor Dartnall had two tries in this to make it one win per day, and they rolled in first and fifth. Le Briar Soul went for home approaching the second last and (b)rambled home with Idarah, who probably would not have found the good to soft (soft in places) going ideal, making a brave effort in second. Wot Way Chief, whose wins were on slightly better ground, faded from the last flight, and may not stay this trip when there is even a little bit of cut in the ground. Something happened to fourth placed Lincoln’s Inn at halfway but I cannot read my hand writing, so will assume he stopped for quick kebab. Well beaten in the end, Toulouse Express was not punished when beaten, and could regain his run of good form back at a lower level.

Gala Casino Dundee Novice Chase for the Little Bay Trophy [2m]

1: Echo Point     2: Chief Yeoman     3: Ease The Way

Winner owned: Border Reivers, trained: Nicky Richards, ridden: Tony Dobbin

Another good race, although Echo Point’s blunder at the last made the whole thing closer than might have been expected after he went clear in the straight. Those more familiar with the southern raiders would have not expected a known villain like Chief Yeoman to have grinded out the success whatever Echo Point got up to. Ease The Way appeared to step up a bit to be third, but bear in mind that fourth placed Tipp Mid West is still a maiden after ten runs and has been seen off in some very modest heats. Bold Fire has really gone the wrong way over fences, but today she was not to blame, being badly hampered by a loose horse when she fell at halfway.

Press & Journal Highland National Handicap Chase [3m 7f]

1: Back In Business     2: Rosarian     3: Kausse De Thaix     4: Would You Believe

Winner owned: W Ralph Thomas, trained: Evan Williams, ridden: Paul Moloney

As might be expected on holding ground, the race became a supreme test of determination over any flamboyance. The start was delayed when Bengo had to be reshod and then when Eskimo Pie misbehaved at the start and then briefly ran loose. Patiently ridden, Back In Business was the one who struggled home first, finishing pretty tired, but Rosarian is not often one to exert himself excessively, so the race was in hand with a quarter of a mile to go. Having been prominent early, Kausse De Thaix began to drop out six from home only to get a second wind in the home straight. With Trisons Star never going well, the in form Ferdy Murphy yard was left relying on Lucky Nellerie. He was up there for a long way but stopped quite quickly half a mile out. Afladora came a long way for the race, only to be hampered leaving the collecting area at the start, be left at the back and never get in the race.

Back In Business, having won, sets a 'back in the horsebox' priority

Gillespie Investments conditional jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle [3m 3f]

1: Mumbles Head     2: Oscar The Boxer     3: Overserved

Winner owned: Jill Day, trained: Peter Bowen, ridden: James White

One marathon begets another, and Mumbles Head’s Tuesday win begets another, this time much more easily. Another bidding for a repeat, Prince Adjal, was fourth but did not last out the extra distance as well as Mumbles Head. The two placed horses are both currently in the realms of intermittent wins and occasional stinkers peppering many run of the mill efforts, although Oscar The Boxer seemed a little more at home at the trip than Overserved.

The bum of Mumbles Head, a sight presented to his opponents readily on both Wednesday and Friday of the meeting

Evening Express Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race [2m ½f]

1: Silver By Nature     2: Bold Policy     3: The Representative

Winner owned: GS Brown, trained: Lucy Normille, ridden: Timmy Murphy

The presence of several very bumper friendly stables meant that Silver By Nature, arguably holder of the strongest form and with scope to improve on his debut, went off at a double figure price. He struck the front two furlongs out and only had newcomer Bold Policy breathing down his neck after that. Although The Representative was also making his debut, and the winner had experience to his advantage, Silver By Nature did see off horses from the Nicholls and Henderson yards which is worthy form. Two Trevor Hemmings owned horses caught the eye. Mey Clouds had two seconds to his name and looked nice in the prelims, but possibly struggled to handle the course here, whereas the second colours were on Silver Steel who made an adequate start to his career in fourth.

Ones to Note

Midnight Chase: Might well turn out to be rather decent

Dundock: Shaped like a stayer for the future

Great Jane: Well beaten by Trading Trouble but saw off the rest

Toulouse Express: Is not obviously well treated, but might still be competitive dropped in level

Silver By Nature: Looked a nice type in winning the bumper

Silver Steel: A good opener but failed to land the metallurgical exacta

Ones to Avoid

Chief Yeoman: Can jump but is very timid in a finish

Bold Fire: Not at fault today but things do not seem to go her way in fences

Rosarian: Saves something for himself and is an unlikely one to build on his second

UK-Jumping Selections

Skenfrith: Ran in the Highland National, but the less said about it the better