The usual story for Northern Racing – a few drops of rain and start missing out obstacles, as an alternative to adequately spending on ground maintenance, and a hopeless factual inaccuracy, billing the meeting as Bastille Day, despite being four days after the actual date. Still, the place was full of corporate guests who will believe anything that they are told, as long as it’s on a freebie.

From the racing point of view, the dolling off of obstacles made for an awkward chicane around the third last chase fence and a very curved hurdle ‘straight’ that disadvantaged any right handers over the smaller obstacles. Oddly enough, after all the recent abandonments, the three novice hurdles attracted a very uninspiring bunch of runners. There must be some half decent novice hurdlers waiting for a run somewhere.

FWB Products Novice Hurdle [2m]

1: Mr Wiseguy     2: Oldrik     3: Mossman Gorge

Winner owned: Ian Staples, trained: Evan Williams, ridden: Christian Williams

With the best form under his belt, Oldrik was odds-on for this, but his history suggested that he was capable of finding a way to lose it, and when Mr Wiseguy put the pressure on, Oldrik could not offer enough to beat him – although in fairness to the runner-up he did come well clear of the rest. The paddock pick was Mossman Gorge, and he ran as well as he has ever done over hurdles, but that is not winning form. On his last race, Mr Wise Guy was reported as having a breathing problem, and given the paucity of the opposition, he did not prove beyond doubt that it is fixed, despite the win.

John Smith’s Novice Handicap Chase [3m]

1: Blue Sovereign     2: Full On     3: The Wexford Man

Winner owned: TN Siviter, trained: John  Spearing, ridden: Andrew Thornton

Blue Sovereign powers home in front of his delirious fans, whereas Full On readily accepts second for the ninth time in 32 winless races

Denis Elms conditional jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle [2m]

1: Too Posh To Share     2: Freedom Flying     3: Friedhelmo

Winner owned: R Osborne and Miss T Stoneham, trained: David Wintle, ridden: Ryan Cummings

The complexion of the race changed dramatically two out, where Queen Excalibur, who was clear at the time, hit the deck and badly hampered Freedom Flying in the process. That resulted in Too Posh To Share going from rallying bravely but perhaps belatedly, to skipping off into a rather convincing lead. For a veteran, Friedhelmo stayed on gamely enough, but the accidents around Queen Excalibur left him somewhat flattered at the end. In the post race auction, which was conducted farcically slowly by the clerk of the course, those watching were entertained by the unusual sight of the sponsors, advised by a course rep, bidding against the winning connections, with occasional intercessions from an amnesiac in the crowd, who forgot to respond when his bids were topped. After what seemed a life time of suspense, the winner was bought in for 4,000 guineas. It was certainly different.

WBX.com World Bet Exchange Handicap Hurdle [3m]

1: Lazy But Lively     2: Farington Lodge     3: Little Rort

Winner owned: Elizabeth Chatfield, trained: B Forsey, ridden: Wayne Kavangh

Stamina proved critical to the way this unfolded, with the first three all appearing totally out of contention at the third last. Mr Tee Pee, who shaped like the winner for much of the last half of the race, came grinding to a halt between the last pair and dropped back to sixth in the end. As this was happening, more proven stayers with less reliability than ideal suddenly found themselves able to apply their main attribute at the best possible time. Whilst Lazy But Lively has won every now and then, Farington Lodge and Little Rort have less impressive biographies, and took advantage of the limitations demonstrated by the aforementioned Mr Tee Pee and Themanfromfraam. The latter’s trainer is now listed as training in Madley, which has got to be the best location for intimidating any perceived enemies. Say it without shouting like a raving lunatic – can’t be done.

Plumbing Trade Supplies Handicap Chase [2m 5f]

1: Incas     2: Merry Storm     3: Foly Pleasant

Winner owned: DG Pryde, trained: Lucinda Russell, ridden: Peter Buchanan

Two out and stable mates Merry Storm & Robert Thornton (yellow cap) and Foly Pleasant & James White set about each other quite ruthlessly, only to find Incas & Peter Buchanan (blue & yellow) have timed his a slightly more efficiently

Join WBX.com £150 Free Bets Maiden Hurdle (Div I) [2m 4½f]

1: Toni Alcala     2: Shuil An Burren     3: Norman Beckett

Winner owned: BMV Williams, trained: Neil King, ridden: Owyn Nelmes

As suggested above, this was not much of a race, but Toni Alcala could win it no more impressively, galloping the oppo into the ground. He had won seven times on the flat, bit the last came three years ago, and he is not likely to have suddenly improved at the age of eight. Shuil An Burren won a modest Irish point – and lost some other modest races – but this first appearance under Rules did at least show some hope for staying hurdles. On the other hand Norman Beckett is a known quantity and pulls too hard for his own good. Fourth placed Singing Wizard took a step backward from his run at Towcester last time. Ballinvella Queen attracted some interest as she had joined Evan Williams, but her pointing win was only in a mares’ open maiden, and the distance she was beaten here was not exactly oozing with encouragement.

Join WBX.com £150 Free Bets Maiden Hurdle (Div II) [2m 4½f]

1: Sashenka     2: Ayurveda     3: Havenstone

Winner owned: Major HRM Porter, trained: John Spearing, ridden: James Diment

This appeared the weaker division, but it went with the betting market and favourite Sashenka delivered. She has shown promise alongside plenty of inconsistency, such as being well behind Singing Wizard last time. The ground had come in favour of Ayurveda, who battled on gamely enough, at the expense of Havenstone, who needs faster and was held on previous form with the winner. That trio were miles clear of Little Girl, the well named Napalm (by Warcraft, out of Cross My Palm) – “I love the sound of Napalm in the morning, it smells of sixth” does not really tally up as a tag line – and Big John Macarty, who has changed yards and needs three miles to show his modest best.

It might be short on quality, but the runners in the last treat the competition with all due respect, letting Sashenka show the way out front. The chase, in order, comes from Little Girl, Big John Macarty, Napalm, Oohourboo, My Rocket and Ayurveda

Ones to note

Synisterdexter: In line with the newly arrived black comedy ‘Dexter’ on the FX channel, he showed promise but not enough yet to get over excited about, and with pointing experience to his name, might make a mark in novice handicap chases.

Got The Gift: A very modest pointer, he was not knocked about in the opener and may be able to give a present to followers in handicaps eventually.

Mr Tee Pee: Ran better than the result in the 3 miler and looks suited by a bit shorter.

Merry Storm: On a fair mark and showed some overdue zip, but has never been the most predictable creature and some storms may need to be weathered en route to a win.

Shuil An Burren: Probably can do something in staying handicap hurdles.

Ones to avoid

Oldrik: Keeps not quite doing enough

Golden Feather: Three runs ago he was a decent third in a race which saw the first, fourth and a faller all win next time. Since that he has run two utter stinkers, clearly due to an absence of desire rather than ability. Avoid in chases, but it may be worth seeing if he appreciates a return to hurdling