Historically, Hackwood Park has not had the greatest reputation as a track, but it has apparently been worked on in the last couple of years, and came out not too bad. Viewing is imperfect, but not the worst around, and the single track access was also bearable as it leads out onto a quiet side road. The caveat on these observations is that a mixed weather forecast (inaccurate, as it got sunnier as the day wore on) kept the crowd down to an average level, and it may be that the course is more stressful with a huge turnout.

The first five favourites won at odds-on, but with two priced at 1/3 or shorter, and the crowd not appearing to be a punting type, maybe the bookmakers had a satisfactory time taking small change on the beaten odds against types - offering each-way betting on the four runner races is the sort of initiative to generate business that merits a response.

Going: Soft in advance, did not hear or see an official one on the day - it did not look as if it could be much faster than soft

Race 1: Painsmith Solictors Members

1: Dr Flight     2: Gielgud     3: Balsox

Winner owned: Mr & Mrs P Thorman, trained: Victoria Collins, ridden: Rilly Goschen

This was a joint members with the Isle Of Wight, but that hunt's only entry did not turn out, spurning a handsome trophy for simply completing. You cannot beat a bit of silverware. The race itself was split into two - a pair of serious contenders and a pair fighting out third. Dr Flight was the jolly, but with his win having been at 2m 5f, there was a stamina question mark. Gielgud set out at a decent lick to ensure that any limitation would be found, but as the result implies, it did not work.

The amusingly named Balsox (1) upsides Gielgud (5) and chased by Dans Star

Race 2: Suzuki Ladies' Open

1: Carryonharry     2: Saddlers Cloth     3: Move Over

Winner owned: Mrs H Silk & Mr RK Purkis, trained: Emma Leppard, ridden: Cynthia Haydon

As previously reported it takes something out of the ordinary to beat Carryonharry in a point, and there was nothing our of the ordinary here. There was a brief scare, as after the fourth last, the winner was still a length down on Move Over, and in receipt of a reminder. Any sniff of a shock was shot away as Move Over soon received reminders of his own, and Carryonharry gradually extended his lead in what is becoming an accustomed manner. Move Over weakened quite quickly and was run out of second by the staying on Saddlers Cloth.

A small field gets unduly spread out at the first, left to right they are Alpine Slave, Carryonharry, Saddlers Cloth and Beadnell Bay

Race 3: Christie & Co Men's Open

1: Who Else Knew     2: Chaucers Miller     3: Whereareyounow

Winner owned: Mr B Pike, trained: John Dufosee, ridden: Ryan Bliss

This was a bizarre replica of the Ladies' race, with the pace setter (Whereareyounow) laying down a challenge to the favourite (Who Else Knew), failing to eliminate the threat, and weakening late on to lose a second place that had been earned by hard work. In this case Who Else Knew did not give a hint of a distress signal and always had complete control. Whereareyounow scrambled over the last and was out on his feet, allowing Chaucers Miller to overtake him.

Race 4: Cadogan & Company Countryside Alliance Members, Veteran & Novice Riders, 7 year olds and up

1: Rhythm King     2: Jewel Song     3: Dear Deal

Winner owned, trained & ridden: Godfrey Maundrell

The potential trouble with all races for vets and novices is that one horse, usually with a vet on board, totally outclasses all the oppo, especially if the novice riders tend to be on elderly schoolmasters, and that was more or less the case today. Rhythm King notched his 21st career win, which is not to be sniffed at, and should have another year in him at this level of racing, at least. He did not have the race completely in control at the second last, but when effort was asked for, there was plenty of energy in reserve. A word of commendation goes to rider Brian Toomey for engineering second for Jewel Song with a patient ride. He showed plenty of composure as his small, compact partner managed to not jump fluently early on, get hampered a bit when both Galapiat Du Mesnil fell, and not get the clearest run through when trying to pass the fading pack going out onto the last lap. Dear Deal has not won for a while, but plodded on honestly enough.

A certain amount of meandering is unavoidable four out, left to right the lead wanderers are: Dear Deal, Jewel Song, Rhythm King, with Father Jim and Frontenac labouring.

Race 5: Painsmith Solicitors Restricted

1: New Street Express     2: Travellers Lad     3: Balableu

Winner owned: Mr & Mrs P Blagg, trained & ridden: Paul Blagg

A second winner for the south-east, who supplied a decent contingent for what was their nearest meeting of the day. Having run at a higher level, New Street Express was an unsurprising favourite but 2/5 was very short for a horse that had not won since coming from Ireland. For those looking to oppose him, the opposition was equally unpredictable. Balableu had career form of P1PP2. Noble Present had P21P and his rider was Tim Underwood, making his comeback ride after a heart attack. Twice raced Kings Bitter was more promising, but the races he was in did not look that great - won a maiden run in a woefully slow time then second of three in a members. Sounds Good would have sounded good a month or so ago, but has pulled up twice lately and Travellers Lad had won once in thirteen races. So New Street Express inherited the win and Travellers Lad second as a) Balableu made the running but ran out of puff, b) Noble Present was tailed off by the second and when he began to close the gap on the last lap, walked through the fourteenth and pulled up, c) Kings ;Bitter fell at the fifth and d) Sounds Good refused when in third at the second last.

Balableu (red, yellow and no bleu), just edges it from Kings Bitter (dark bleu), Travellers Lad (light bleu) and Sounds Good (green, yellow blinkers). New Street Express was just behind these, but out of shot behind the wing of the fence, as the snapper shows woeful anticipation

Race 6: Oakley Coachbuilders Open Maiden

1: Whataclue     2: Owen's Boy     3: Mr Slipper

Winner owned: Mr & Mrs P Tory and Mrs D Dampney, trained: Louise Alner, ridden: Ian Chanin

This was a very strange race indeed, as six of the eight were still in a bunch three out, and as they turned for home, a game of cat and mouse was still being played as five riders had their cards close to their chest, and only Walter Gee was dropping away. A good jump at the second last brought Whataclue alongside the leader, and the first three home got going after that fence. Mr Slipper lost a length at the last, but rallied on the run-in. Initially Whataclue looked ripe for success, but Owen's Boy fought back well and only went down by a neck, with Mr Slipper hot on their heels.

Plus Points

Who Else Knew (race 3): A young horse on the upgrade, and one to watch next season

Chaucers Miller (race 3): A seven time winner, he pulled up his first three outings of 2008 and seems to be creeping back to form - it is a shame as he is running out of season!

Balableu (race 5): Jumped right most of the way, very badly at the last two, and this might be a clue as to when to expect a good day - courses where that does not do much harm.

Owen's Boy (race 6): Was runner-up several times in Ireland, but did not look dodgy in shaking off a modest UK debut here. This might not have been a great race, but there will be other less than illustrious maidens in the next month.

Down Arrows

Gielgud (race 1): Set off in front, but had occasional reminders and was niggled along often - he is not too old for pointing so the obvious conclusion is that he is not really that bothered any more.

Father Jim (race 4): Experienced, but exposed as an infrequent winner, he appeared disinclined to go the pace in a race that looked to be run at a sensible rate of knots.

Frontenac (race 4): Getting further adrift but not being unduly hassled when he ran out at the third last. After crushing her when he fell at Godstone, rider Michelle Woods could be forgiven for getting a bit paranoid about Frontenac's intentions.

Sounds Good (race 5): Might have pulled himself up at Catsfield, but definitely made his own decision to call it a day on this occasion.

Mr Slipper (race 6): Was favourite on the grounds that one of his completions was the best form in the race, but he was beaten fair and square, and has discouraging form now of U4F3F3.