19:58 That's it from a lovely evening here at Kempton Park. We are evening racing again tomorrow with more national hunt action, this time from Towcester.

Until then a very good evening.

19:58 A large number of racegoers left before the final race – if they watch a replay they may well be kicking themselves.

An exciting finish and a race with plenty of action.

The first “excitement” came as they left the home straight to begin their final circuit. Fred Kennet cocked his jaw and decided he would rather return to the stables than run another mile and a half – end of race for him. Unfortunately he interfered with a few of his rivals in the process.

Proud Presence opened up the 2/1 favourite but drifted out to 4/1 at the off, with Makhzoon vying for favouritism at one point. Certainly the latter looked more likely to win.

Makhzoon set the early pace leading for the first couple of furlongs before being headed by Henry Hook  who led until half way before dropping back through rivals.  

In the home straight it looked as though Makhzoon was going to claim a victory as he and Proud Presence had the lead and the former was running on much better.

In running backers had Makhzoon unbeatable but Very Edgy emerged as a challenger then, even more surprisingly Henry Hook found a second wind and came like a bat out of hell to grab the spoils by a neck on the line with Very Edgy then doing Makhzoon for the runners-up spot.

What a finish to the evening!!

19:27 Well gamble landed in the first division of the bumper as Lush Life took the contest by 3¼ lengths.

Having said that backers must have been worried as he did run in snatches and looked a most unlikely winner as they entered the back straight. All credit to Barry Geraghty for plugging away and once in front he ran on well.

19:02 Lush Life who has been the well backed favourite for the first division of the bumper was swishing his tail like a windmill in the parade ring.

18:50 Our final chase of the evening was the longest, over three miles – indeed our final contest over obstacles as our last two races are bumpers.

Noel Fehily set Emma Lavelle’s Fire And Rain off in front and all that can really be said is he was never headed and never really threatened at any point.

Oniz Tiptoes kept him company for a circuit and a bit before fading and leaving the favourite well clear.

Free Gift looked to be the challenger towards the end of the back straight, at one time coming within three lengths of the leader but that was the nearest he came.

In the home straight the only danger were the fences and the thirteen length victory from the tired Free Gift says it all.

It wasn’t all positive for the winner as he showed a propensity to jump left.      

18:24 Our second chase was another 2½ mile handicap, although this time we had ten go to post.

Sam Thomas on the favourite Ice Bucket decided he wanted to go for an all the way victory setting off at a fair pace. The Spieler and Royal wedding made sure he was not left on his own in front and kept him company, not allowing the jolly a decent lead.

There was little change in the order until they turned for home at which point Royal wedding increased the pressure on the leader, jumping into the lead.

Space Cowboy, who had been settled second last, ran on well to chase the front pair but was never a serious threat.

17:50 Our first chase, over 2m 4f, saw eight go to post and only five finish.

Muhtenbar set the early pace with Manmoon, although Cave Of the Giant got no further than the first.

Or Bleu tracked the front pair along with Au Courant.

Manmoon took up the running coming down the back straight and, once headed, Muhtenbar seemed to lose interest.

Manmoon held the lead until three out where he was joined by Au Courant, whilst the favourite Or Bleu was swiftly going in reverse.

17:20 A good little race although in the end four of the runners came home well clear of the field.
Ballymorn was the early pacesetter but dropped out as they turned for home.

This left the pair who had been tracking him Dover’s Hill and Mollys Garden fighting it out in front with Polyfast and Buffalo Bob the vain challengers.

Coming to the second last either of the front pair could have won but despite making a blunder Dover’s Hill had more in hand and came home from the battling Mollys Garden.

Polyfast did look booked for third but seemed to run out of stamina in the final furlong, allowing Buffalo Bob to grab third.

Charlie Bear took a fatal fall at the last.    

16:56 A 2m 5f handicap hurdle for our second contest. The favourite, Mollys Garden is no Monets Garden but he was the paddock pick for me.

16:37 A 4:30 start to racing and it isn’t even an all weather meeting, a sign that summer is on the way and a good start for favourite backers.

Nicky Henderson’s You’re the Top has been one of the best backed runners here and he did not disappoint supporters, taking the opening novices’ hurdle by two lengths.

The proximity of 16/1 shot The Black Baron in second pace tells much about the quality of the race, as does the betting which saw seven of the runners priced at 100/1 or higher.

Barry Geraghty settled the favourite in about sixth place in the early stages before making progress as they reached the end of the back straight, eventually challenging for, and taking, the lead two out.

Cossack Prince was the pace setter but faded as they broached the home turn.

16:19 The runners are in the parade ring in our opener.

Not a great deal of good looking talent, It’s My Day is really sweating and is very much on his toes. Pugilist still has some of his winter coat. Uffa Fox and Cossack Prince are both gnashing their teeth.

The favourite You’re The Top is slightly on his toes, as is Miss Cruisecontrol.

15:31 Good afternoon from Kempton where the weather is actually overcast, although it is still warm and muggy.

The going is still officially Good - it will be interesting to see if it is still the same after the first. The feeling here in the press room is the word firm should appear in the going report somewhere.

12:13 Another non-runner to report.

09:21 It is an evening meeting over obstacles at Kempton today. The early going is Good and the forecast is for a dry, warm day with temperatures predicted to reach 18.

We currently have two non-runners, details on the right.

Our selections for this evening are:-

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

6:05
3 Roofing Spirit (cut leg - SC)

6:35
6 Zanzibar Boy (sore - VC)
9 Neltara (withdrawn)

7:10
4 Double Target (lame - SC)

Results

4:25 Novices' Hurdle 2m

1st 3 You're The Top 8/11 fav
2nd 12 The Black Baron 16/1
3rd 6 Factotum 11/1
18 Ran
Distances 2 & 3/4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.50
Places £1.10 £2.70 £4.80
Exacta £20.70
CSF £14.21
Time 3' 52.0"

5:00 Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f

1st 4 Dover's Hill 6/1
2nd 8 Mollys Garden 9/2 fav
3rd 12 Buffalo Bob 7/1
4th 5 Polyfast 5/1
18 Ran
Distances 4 1/2 & 7
Fav second
Tote
Win £6.50
Places £1.70 £1.50 £2.80 £3.40
Exacta £36.50
CSF £30.90
Tricast £204.60
Time 5' 02.66"

5:30 Novices Chase 2m 4f 110yds

1st 3 Au Courant 9/2
2nd 5 Hill Forts Timmy 6/1
3rd 7 Manmoon 9/1
8 Ran
Distances 10 & 2
Fav 2 Or Bleu 11/8 (4th)
Tote
Win £5.30
Places £2.00 £1.10 £3.00
Exacta £30.70
CSF £29.22
Time 5' 07"

6:05 Handicap Chase 2m 4f

1st 6 Royal Wedding 7/1
2nd 2 Ice Bucket 7/2 fav
3rd 9 Noble Billy 14/1
10 Ran Nr 3
Distances 13 & 5
Fav second
Tote
Win £7.80
Places £2.20 £1.90 £6.40
Exacta £25.60
CSF £33.11
Tricast £339.76
Time 5' 10"

6:35 Handicap Chase 3m

1st 2 Fire And Rain 10/11 fav
2nd 5 Free Gift 7/1
5 Ran Nr 6
Distances 13
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.80
Places £1.20 £2.70
Exacta £8.40
CSF £7.54
Time 6' 09.5"

7:10 NH Flat 2m

1st 13 Lush Life 10/11 fav
2nd 5 Fidelis 33/1
3rd 6 Hong Kong Harry 14/1
13 Ran Nr's 4 & 9
Distances 3 1/4 & 6
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.00
Places £1.10 £7.90 £3.90
Exacta £44.40
CSF £52.24
Time 3' 53.9"

7:40 NH Flat 2m

1st 4 Henry Hook 7/1
2nd 8 Very Edgy 6/1
3rd 5 Makhzoon 5/1
15 Ran
Distances neck & head
Fav 7 Proud Presence 4/1 (5th)
Tote
Win £8.60
Places £2.80 £2.80 £2.50
Exacta £71.30
CSF £46.49
Time 4' 01.3"