Having been dissuaded from hopping off to Towcester by the snow (the course was bathed in sunshine on television), it was Plumpton as plan B, but the climate prevented the crowd from being uncomfortably large. Alas, as far as the racing was concerned, there were not too many future clues as the race conditions, especially in the handicaps, were designed for the lesser performers.

Going: Hurdles: heavy, Chases: soft (heavy places)

Race 1: Toteplacepot Novice Hurdle [2m 5f]

1: Hinton Thunderbolt     2: Ambrosinni     3: Turbulance

Winner owned: Mrs Nicola Moores, trained: Venetia Williams, ridden: Aidan Coleman

There seemed to be a spectacular finish in the offing when the three previous winners in the field took the third last in a line, but it did not unfold thus, as Hinton Thunderbolt saw out the trip on testing ground much, much better than his rivals. This was an improvement on his modest effort at Folkestone last time, but with Ambrosinni not certain to relish the ground and Turbulance again looking a bit of a plodder, perhaps Hinton Thunderbolt was not as challenged for the win as might have been the case.

Newcomer Exit To Side really attacks the second hurdle, whereas the more experiences Ambrosinni (purple with star and spots) is more circumspect. The horse between them is probably Hinton Thunderbolt. Big Paddy (orange cap), Turbulance (the grey) and Electric Baloo (black and red) let the others spring any booby traps.

Race 2: Toteexacta conditional jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle [2m 5f]

1: Hill Forts Henry     2: Lightening Fire     3: Wondersobright

Winner owned: Mrs JC Scorgie, trained: Seamus Mullins, ridden: Wayne Kavanagh

The toughest race of the day produced the tightest finish, but at the end of the far straight Hill Forts Henry would not have been especially high on anyone's list of potential winners. The four who were clear at that stage all tied up dramatically, as did Relative Hero, who had been the first to come into contention from well off of the pace. Although unproven on the ground, Hill Forts Henry had won a couple of stayers races a two years ago, and that stamina came in rather useful alongside a slightly more energetic effort. The well backed horse of the race was The Mystery Man, but approaching the third flight some not entirely obvious problem caused his rider to be dashed to the ground and get a good shoeing from the pack for his trouble.

On the rail turn the only possible winner of this race were Wondersobright (yellow, cheekpieces, now third), Gracialina (orange and blue, now fifth), Lightening Fire (pink blinkers, now second) and Secret Divin (dark blue and white, now fourth). The first to threaten to break their hegemony was Relative Hero (purple and yellow, now sixth) and this point, about 20 yards from the line, was the first time Hill Forts Henry (no. 6) seemed a possible winner.

Race 3: Totequadpot Novice Handicap Chase [2m 1f]

1: Carly Bay     2: Littleton Aldor     3: Forfeiter

Winner owned: Mr AO Ashford, trained: Gerry Enright, ridden: Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson does not visit Plumpton often, and when he does it rarely goes well for him, but this was as close to an armchair ride as he could have wished for in a 0-105 novice handicap. Carly Bay's cause was helped by front runner Littleton Aldor jumping right, Forfeiter copying him, Nacja De Thaix also playing follow the leader and not travelling especially well, and chase debutant Sailor's Sovereign not improving for the step up to the big fences. Whilst this chaos reigned around her, Carly Bay jumped straight and well, leaving her free to open her chase account. The prize went to the best jumper on the day, and for reasons unknown, she also got the most rapturous reception.

Race 4: Melvyn Vinall 50th Birthday Celebration Classified Hurdle [2m]

1: Ede's     2: Dance Hall Diva     3: Brilliant

Winner owned: Ede's (UK) Ltd, trained: Pat Phelan, ridden: Harry Skelton

The trick in these races is usually to find a mare at the top of the ratings ceiling, so she is getting weight from comparable horses, but the three mares in this were not in tip-top form, which allowed Ede's a facile win, his fourth on the spin, and bringing his career record at Plumpton to five runs and four wins. Those with an inexplicably fond recollection of Wang Chung might have latched on to Dance Hall Diva for the exacta.

Race 5: Totesport.com Novice Handicap Chase [3m 2f]

1: Top Dawn     2: Victree     3: Elbow Lane

Winner owned: Mr Will Gaskins, trained: Matt Sheppard, ridden: David England

Due to a chronic labour shortage, I did not actually see this race, but Top Dawn ran out a pretty convincing winner having led most of the way. The ground was certain to suit, but he had been unproven beyond two and a half miles other than winning a maiden point - not always rock solid evidence.  The race for the minor honours changed dramatically at the last where History Master fell (tired and winded, but eventually seemed OK) and Venice Road refused.

Race 6: Totesport 0800 221 221 Handicap Chase [2m 4f]

1: Premiership     2: Master T     3: Running Hot

Winner owned: JE Wilson & TJ Wilson, trained: Michael Scudamore, ridden: Alan O'Keefe

With plenty of hurdle wins in the French provinces to his name, Premiership had not yet clicked in this country, but everything went his way today. He loomed up alongside the leader going very well on the railway turn, and once Running Hot cried enough, there was little danger. Master T, on the wrong going but with Philip Hide on board, was gradually narrowing the gap, but not fast enough, when he blundered at the last. Despite the uncontested lead that he enjoys, Running Hot gave in fairly tamely once Premiership headed him. There was market support for Ballybough Jack, but he set off at the back and more or less stayed there until pulling up.

Race 7: Totesportgames.com Maiden Hurdle [2m]

1: Qulinton     2: Moncada Way     3: My Monna

Winner owned: Third Time Lucky, trained: David Pipe, ridden: Johnny Farrelly

In the end, Qulinton was an impressive winner on his UK and hurdling debut, but what he beat remains open to question. Moncada Way, returning from a seventeen month absence, was ridden as if he was not expected to be better than second, and My Monna seems a game, but not wonderfully quick, trier. Pace setter Pebrock threw in the towel a bit too readily when headed. In Qulinton's defence, he did win very easily, so even if the others prove ordinary, their was a degree of merit displayed.

Plus Points

Big Paddy (race 1): Looked set to stay on into a place until he fluffed the last two flights, and as this was only his second run since Spring 2006, he seems to be gradually finding the plot.

Portrait Royale (race 1): Her yard has not been in great form, but she has shown bits and pieces of encouragement for a future in modest handicaps along the way.

Dance Hall Diva (race 4): Was easily seen off but showed a bit more life than in her couple of recent runs.

Top Dawn (race 5): Appreciated the step up in trip and has no problems with the mud.

Moncada Way (race 7): Posted an adequate comeback under an unambitious ride.

Down Arrows

Turbulance (race 1): Just does not seem to finish his races with much conviction

The Teuchter (race 2): Won a staying chase to open his account last August, but had reminders before the first and seems to have decided that one win was more than enough for a lifetime

Venice Road (race 5): Did not jump especially well and eventually called it quits on his own initiative

Running Hot (race 6): After a run of good form earlier in the season he today looked to be both in less good order and in the grip of the handicapper today.

Pebrock (race 7): Has done nothing blatantly dodgy, but since his bumper win on his debut, he has not convinced that he is totally straight forward.