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16:21 That’s it from Leicester, an average afternoon’s racing.

Once again apologies for the lack of live updates for most of the afternoon – totally out of our control I’m afraid.

16:17 Dormouse squeaks home by a nose in the Leicester finalé after a good battle with Bromhead in the closing race, the two mile Chieftan Handicap Hurdle.

Rushwee took up the running going out on the final circuit and was still in front two out. However he landed fairly steeply at two out and gave Matt Crawley little chance as his rider flew over his head.

This set up what appeared to be a typical finish here this afternoon.

Bromhead, a winner at Southwell last week and the favourite, Dormouse, under AP McCoy were left to battle it out.

McCoy was driving hard when he lost his whip approaching the last and they jumped the last together.

McCoy managed to pull clear as they came up the run-in but Leighton Aspell battled back on Bromhead, under a 7lb penalty.

It was desperately close at the end and Judge Nick Bostock had to have a good look before declaring the favourite the winner.

Also in keeping with the format of this afternoon the front pair were well clear of third placed Whereveryougoigo, nine lengths in arrears.

15:50 A distinct smell of burning fingers as some in-running punters collect on Topsham Belle at 990/1.

The mare was settled in last place for almost the entire contest before coming into a challenging position on the run-in. Even then it looked as though Teddy’s Reflection had stolen the race, having hit the front approaching the last.   

The odds-on favourite Phidippides set off in front with Sandynow the challenger. The latters chances were not helped by some sketchy jumping.

Teddy’s Reflection looked to be the biggest threat to Phidippides as he harried him going down the back straight for the final time.

Turning for home Phidippides, Teddy’s Reflection and Sandynow were line abreast with Topsham Belle behind.

Sandynow was the first to crack, with Teddy’s Reflection still harrying  Phidippides.

Teddy’s Reflection hit the front approaching the last but could not hold off the winner.

15:24 Just the four line-up for the Leicester Annual members Novices’ Chase, an extended 2m 7f contest.

15:12 Money talks and a late plunge on Featherbed Lane paid off as he came home 4½ lengths clear under a patient McCoy run.

The Cockney Mackem, who was well backed this morning and opened 11/10 favourite on-course before drifting out 6/4, looked as though the race was his as he went clear turning for home.

However McCoy was making stealthy progress and, as has been the pattern here this afternoon, the pair jumped the final flight together but McCoy was looking the most menacing.

He didn’t have to work that hard in truth as he pulled clear of his market rival.

Also in keeping with most of the other contests this afternoon the front pair were well clear, 13 lengths, of the third placed horse, who was Art Broker on this occasion.

Fifth Sea Lord set the early pace but faded coming out of the back straight, eventually beating only one home.

The time was on a par with Division One, being just half-a-second slower.

14:54 Division Two of the Nomad Novices’ Hurdle next with nine facing the starter in the two mile contest.

The Cockney Mackem is easily the paddock eye-catcher, Art Broker the negative, trying to pull his handlers arms out.

14:42 A decent contest time wise, well relatively speaking it was, with a time just 8 seconds below standard.

Although looking at the winner I suppose you have to question the standard of the contest.

The race went to Anquetta who managed to win despite making a bad mistake at the sixth and swishing her tail like a windmill on the run-in where Bedarra Boy made a battle of it, going down by 2¾ lengths.

It was, again, the standard pattern here this afternoon as two runners jumped the last together with the race being decided on the run-in.

The favourite, Red Rouble, came home in third spot, eight lengths in arrears, running on but never threatening the front duo.

Iona Days was a further 16 lengths back in fourth, having been prominent in the early stages.     

14:27 Out second chase is the Groby Novices’ Handicap Chase, a two mile contest with just nine taking their chance, following three defections.

We have a jockey change as Rhys Flint now rides Shalamiyr.

14:14 The ground here is clearly riding worse than it walked.

Another slow motion finish in a race where the runners were so well strung out the fence attendant nearly got knocked over with some runners who were so far behind the others but still competing.

Abstract Art did his utmost to make all but by two out the favourite Laborec was slowly closing on him and for the third time in three races the race was decided on the run-in as Laborec pulled clear, recording a ten length victory.

Abstract Art plugged on for second with Pocket Too just failing to grab second by half-a-length.

You needed binoculars to find the remainder with Earth Magic coming home fourth, 38 lengths behind the first three.

In a lively auction the winner was bought-in for 5,000 guineas.

11:56 Race three is the extended 2½ mile Dove Selling Hurdle, with eleven going to post.

Hoh Viss, Pocket Too and Verasi all pulling slightly. Deep Reflection is starting to get a little warm

13:46 Ajzal set off in front, leading until weakening quickly after four out, eventually pulling up.

Killfinnan Castle then took up the  running, after being held up early on, however he was not going to have it all his own way as Phar Again, who had been prominent before taking a breather, was running on again.

Phar Again took up the running on the run-in, coming home three lengths clear of his well strung out rivals.

Killfinnan Castle came home second with Red Law a running on third, a further 9 lengths in arrears.

The favourite One More Dinar was with the pace when unseating at the 8th fence.

13:25 Race two is the Hose Thorns Handicap Chase, an extended 2½ mile contest with ten facing the starter.  

Two negatives, Ajzal pulling hard and beginning to get warm. Killfinnan Castle is pulling slightly.

13:13 They came home well strung out in this opening contest and it turned out to be a slog home.

Bit Of A Clown set out to take the contest from the front but had to cede the advantage approaching two out when Clowance House took up the running, with Nom Dom closing steadily.

By the final flight Nom Dom and Clowance House were locked together but it was Nom Dom who had sufficient in hand to pull clear and record a 3¼ length victory.

Bit Of A Clown held on for third spot.

Any Given Moment caught the eye in the parade ring and going down but was hopeless on the track, eventually beating only one home and that was Mandalay Prince who was tailed off virtually from the start.

12:47 The wind is now picking up.

12:46 Our opening contest is Division 1 of the Nomad Novices’ Hurdle, a two mile contest with 11 due to face the starter.

Peqeno Diablo has an odd action in the parade ring. As well as being on his toes he is walking as though he has discomfort in his nether regions.

Clowance House is pulling slightly.

Ezdiyaad is a big horse and, by contrast, Bit Of A Clown is very diminutive.

The paddock positive is Any Given Moment.

12:00 Good afternoon from Leicester, where it is overcast, with light winds.

I have just walked the course (well the home straight) I would suggest the hurdle course is nearer soft than heavy, it is certainly better than Towcester was yesterday.

07:38 A fair amount of rain overnight, with 6mm falling from the skies and quite a change to the going.

Chase Course: good to soft, good in places, heavy on the flat course crossings (7.6)
Hurdle Course: Heavy, Soft in Places (5.9)

There is currently one non-runner, although with the going change that is bound to change, details on the right.

The action gets underway at 13:00.

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

14:30
8 Colonel Arthur (not eaten up - SC 09:13)
9 The Darling Boy (bruised foot - SC 09:24)
12 Roc De Guye (going - 09:11)

15:00
1 Harvest Song (going - 13:47)
10 Salut Honore (cast in box - SC 07:16)

16:00
3 Carrig An Uisce (going - 13:12)

Results

13:00 Novices' Hurdle (Div 1) 2m

13:30 Handicap Chase 2m 4f 110yds

14:00 Selling Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds

14:30 Handicap Chase 2m

15:00 Novices' Hurdle (Div 2) 2m

15:30 Novices' Chase 2m 7f 110yds

16:00 Handicap Hurdle 2m