17:21 That's it from Newbury - small fields, not the highest of quality, but some exciting racing nonetheless.
We're back to Wales tomorrow for some jumping action at Bangor-on-Dee, until then good afternoon from a sunny Berkshire as I face the delights of the A34 on a Friday evening.
17:17 An afternoon for drama as we had another dramatic finish in our closing race a 2m handicap hurdle which provided an, arguably, fortunate winner for the champion jockey AP McCoy.
Dominic Elsworth set the pace on Light Yield and looked to be in with every chance until making a mistake four out. The mistake took the wind out of his sails and he was soon going backwards.
This left Wingman in front with Polyfast (who ended up with the starting tapes wrapped round his legs after a false start) the challenger and McCoy on Secret Tune looming behind the pair.
Secret Tune made a mess of the third last and lost momentum and Polyfast also began to fade at this point.
However Indian Blood was coming with an impressive late run, having been last coming out of the back straight, to challenge for the lead after the second last.
He actually jumped into the lead, looking the winner at the last, but within seconds he over pitched and fell leaving Wingman in front again.
In any other race Wingman would have gone on and won the race but with McCoy in the field it is dangerous to assume anything and sure enough the crowd were treated to another majestic display of McCoy magic as he drove Secret Tune home to record a 1¼ length victory.
Whether he would have one had Indian Blood remained on his feet we will never know but the record book will show another victory for the champ.
16:40 A 3m Hunters Chase for our penultimate contest and what a corker it turned out to be.
Dante’s Storm was sent off favourite to maintain his unbeaten record and he set off in front with an almost faultless jumping performance. The only real concerns being making a horlicks of the 11th and putting in an early one at the ditch, three out.
It looked as though he would be putting a front running performance, however it seems Brer Bear had not read the script and after being settled nearer last than first for most of the contest he made progress in the home straight, taking second approaching the last.
Rachel King then drove Brer Bear on in the run-in to deny the long time leader and take the spoils by a neck.
Herecomestanley held on for third holding off the impressive late challenge of Merchants Friend who was last as they turned for home.
16:05 The final of the Apprentice Hands and Heels series, where apprentice riders are not allowed to use their whips. The finale was a 2m 3f hurdle.
There was drama in the early stages where Monn Royal blundered at the first flight and his jockey lost an iron. He ran out at the second fence but the horse was taking such a strong hold his rider was unable to pull him up for almost a mile.
Meanwhile Arturo Uno was leading a tightly packed field, a lead he held until joined by Tenor De Balme as they turned for home. This pair were tracked by Dastardly Dick and the only remaining runners with any chance were Apocal and Pourdel, the others being well behind.
Tenor De Balme had the advantage at the third last but was soon passed by Dastardly Dick, who looked all the winner. However the new leader made a blunder two out and Edward Glassonbury did well to stay onboard.
Despite almost stopping he soon regained his momentum and ran on to record a 14 length victory from Tenor De Balme who held off a fast finishing Pourdel.
Massini Moon unshipped his rider at the seventh and the filly Katie Kingfisher took a crashing fall at the second last. She was down for some time but did walk back to the stables.
15:29 Our first chase of the afternoon, over 2m 6f, only had seven runners but was eventful nonetheless.
Very Cool set off in front accompanied by AP McCoy on the favourite Oh Braga. The latter giving the champ a torrid ride making several jumping errors before Simon Holt uttered the immortal words “Oh
Braga under the champ seems to have finally got his act together,” before he fell at the next fence.
As he fell he hampered Treasury Counsel who was in third place at the time, effectively ending chance he may have had.
Turning for home Very Cool still had the lead but was under a heavy drive from his pilot and a mistake at the cross fence resulted in him ceding the lead to Picts Hill.
To his credit Very Cool did still try to make a fight of it but Alan Honeyball’s runner, given a good ride by Liam Heard had enough in reserve to record a five length victory. All the more amazing considering he has been off the track for almost three years.
The front pair came home 13 lengths ahead of their rivals who were headed by Hill Forts Timmy.
14:57 Well the betting for our second contest said this would be a quick fire double for Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls with Fistral Beach sent off the 11/10 favourite.
However the stats pointed elsewhere as AP McCoy and Nicky Henderson have a 100% record here at Newbury.
McCoy set off apace on Mr Gardner, almost too fast, engaging in a battle with Alaghiraar.
The pace certainly told on Alaghiraar who dropped out quickly as they turned for home.
Ruby Walsh bought the favourite through into second place and looked to be challenging as they entered the home straight but Mr George did not tire at all and won, by a distance, pulling away.
The favourite took the runners-up spot 12 lengths ahead of Allonby Bay.
14:24 Any doubts about the odds-on shot in our 3m opening hurdle were easily dispelled as Michel Le Bon came home by 21 lengths to record a facile victory over his six rivals.
The very early pace was set by the old timer Coffee Morning, however the favourite never gave him more than a couple of lengths.
Kilvergan Boy settled in third, followed by Run For Moor, The Wedding Horse and All About Trigger (who was very truculent going down).
As they set out on the final circuit Ruby Walsh eased the jolly to the front and was never in any danger.
Coffee Morning dropped out and eventually pulled up.
Run For Moor took second place from the running on All About Trigger who put in his best work at the end.
13:58 Just over ten minutes to our opener and it has to be said not a huge crowd here this afternoon.
A quick look at the runners in the parade ring before the first does not show anything overly inspirational.
Michel Le Bon is a very short price favourite in the opener, trading at 4/9 currently, however some shrewdies believe he is beatable.
12:53 Good afternoon from Newbury where the weather is bright and sunny with temperatures in the low teens. No change to the earlier going report and we still have just the one non-runner.
For those of you interested Simon Holt is our commentator this afternoon.
Here are our selections:-
2:10 3 All About Trigger
2:40 9 Mr Gardener
3:15 4 Very Cool
3:50 9 Speedy Directa
4:25 9 Merchants Friend
5:00 10 Indian Blood
10:16 A non-runner in the last Serhaaphim has injured herself in her box and will not run, self certificate.
08:50 A dry night overnight and the official going is currently Good, Good to Soft in places.
The fields are not particularly large this afternoon, which is disappointing and we currently have no non-runners.
If you are planning to come racing at Newbury this afternoon be warned there are roadworks in the town centre, so allow extra time.
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Non-Runners
5:00
9 Serhaaphim (hurt in box - SC)
Results
2:10 Novice Hurdle 3m 110yds
1st 2 Michel Le Bon 4/9 fav
2nd 5 Run For Moor 8/1
6 Ran
Distances 21l
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.40
Places £1.10 £2.60
Exacta £3.40
CSF £4.27
Time 5' 53.87"
2:40 Maiden Hurdle 2m 5f
1st 6 Mr Gardner 8/1
2nd 5 Fistral Beach 11/10 fav
3rd 2 Allonby Bay 66/1
9 Ran
Distances distance & 12
Fav second
Tote
Win £8.90
Places £2.00 £1.10 £6.20
Exacta £19.50
CSF £17.42
Time 4' 55.5'
3:15 Handicap Chase 2m 6f
1st 3 Picts Hill 5/5
2nd 4 Very Cool 3/1
7 Ran
Distances 5l
Fav 5 Oh Braga 9/4 (Fell)
Tote
Win £5.60
Places £2.50 £2.20
Exacta £18.70
CSF £20.00
Time 5' 37.8"
3:50 Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f
1st 1 Dastardly Dick 4/1 fav
2nd 8 Tenor De Balme 8/1
3rd 5 Pourdel 10/1
11 Ran
Distances 14 & 2 1/4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £4.30
Places £1.90 £2.90 £3.50
Exacta £39.50
CSF £35.92
Tricast £299.83
Time 4' 35.4"
4:25 Hunters' Chase 3m
1st 6 Brer Bear 14/1
2nd 4 Dante's Strom 5/6 fav
3rd 1 Herecomestanley 9/2
9 Ran
Distances neck & 11
Fav second
Tote
Win £19.30
Places £3.00 £1.10 £1.40
Exacta £41.20
CSF £27.60
Time 5' 56.1"
5:00 Handicap Hurdle 2m 110yds
1st 4 Secret Tune 100/30 fav
2nd 1 Wingman 9/1
3rd 3 Red Admiral 15/2
9 Ran NR 9
Distances 1 1/4 & 3 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £4.30
Places £1.50 £3.00 £2.40
Exacta £33.20
CSF £33.51
Tricast £211.57
Time 3' 56.0"
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