17:40 That’s it from a now chilly Newbury, where the groundstaff are laying covers on the take-off and landing sides of the fences ahead of tomorrow’s meeting.

It looks to be a cracking card but we will be at Kempton’s NH meeting, so until tomorrow afternoon it is a very good evening from Newbury as I now do battle with the A34.

17:35 Polly Gundry, for many years the top lady rider in the pointing world can also train as her Fort View holds off the even money favourite Ornais to win the final contest by a length.      

Mandingo Chief was the pacesetter, with Darkness and Ornais happy to track the leader, whilst Fort View was settled in rear.

Overlut was also an early pacesetter but only managed to get as far as the third before unshipping his rider.

Ornais made a mistake at the first in the back straight, enough to briefly send him back a few places, albeit briefly.

At the next the earth really did move for the rider of Earth Moving as Robert Hawker was the next to be unshipped.

Six out the long time leader Mandingo Chief was the next to unship, leaving Fort View, who had made steady progress, in front.

Ornais, now recovered from his early mistake, set off in pursuit of Fort View, although the leader was still well clear at the last, seemingly having the race at his mercy.

On the run-in, however, Ornais seemed to find a second wind and was closing fast on Fort View but the leader was aware of the danger and had just enough in hand to retain the advantage.

17:14 Did not get to paddock for the last. Ornais looked good going down as did Darkness. Lisadell King pulling on way to post

17:04 Our final contest is the Rickety Bridge Hunters’ Chase (in aid of West Berkshire Mencap), an extended 2m 6f contest with eleven due to face the starter.

17:00 Well it was to be no fairy-tale return for Ruby Walsh as he only beats one home aboard Don’t Turn Bach, who was also sent off favourite, albeit probably a false one as it attracted the emotional money. More importantly he got round in one piece.

16:35 The Elle Security Novices’ Handicap Hurdle takes on a bigger significance than it probably would normally as it sees Ruby Walsh returning to the saddle after four months off with a broken leg.

A dozen go to post for the extended two mile contest.

Nothing of any note from the parade ring.

16:20 Yet again another favourite shows he cannot jump, this time Kingsmere, who made a blunder at the first and never seeming to recover, although he did complete another circuit before Richard Johnson finally waved the white flag.

At the other end of the field, Handtheprizeover  and General Kutuzov were setting the pace, with River D’Or on their quarters.

By the time they were facing the final few fences Handtheprizeover  and General Kutuzov were still in the van but Richard Johnson, who had ridden a patient ride on Meet The Critics, was in a challenging position.

It was such a well timed ride he hit the front at the last and he was not going to be headed, although General Kutzov did his best to make a fight of it.

16:00 A 2m 6f chase next with nine due to face the starter in the Arkell’s Brewery Novices’ Handicap Chase.

15:59 Big Mac is sitting in front of me and hasn't said a thing about Zacharova in the last - it is tempting to light blue touch paper

15:51 Another beaten favourite, this time in the form of Wessex King who seemed to forget he needs to jump the fences. He made a few mistakes until one four out really put paid to his challenge and he was pulled up before the next.

There was drama at the start as first of all we had a false start when Zacharova was not with the field, then at the second attempt the same runner planted himself and refused to race.

Babe Heffron set the pace, along with Fiftyonefiftyone, both of whom put the favourite to shame in the jumping department.

By the time they turned for home Babe Heffron was in reverse, whilst Baseball Ted had moved into a challenging position.

By the last Baseball Ted had a good advantage over Fiftyonefiftyone but as they came down the run-in Baseball Ted began to tire and Fiftyonefiftyone was closing the gap, however the pursuer did not have enough momentum to chase down Baseball Ted, who held on for a 1¼ length victory.       

15:27 Babe Heffron is keen to post and is having to be restrained by his rider

15:25 Our first chase of the afternoon is the Securon Handicap Chase (in aid of West Berkshire Mencap) (For the Geoffrey Gilbert Trophy) and by the time commentator Richard Hoiles reads that one out the eight runners will have jumped the first fences in this 2m 1f contest.

15:12 Very much a novices’ hurdle, with some iffy jumping, most notably from the second favourite Dixie Bull, who put in some poor jumps culminating in failing to deploy his landing gear properly four out. AP McCoy did well to stay on board and it was no surprise when he pulled-up before the next.

Four runners shared the running with Our Father, Abitofargybargy, Victoria Rose and Dixie Bull all there or thereabouts.

There were still four, albeit with a different combination, in contention three out with Victoria Rose and the favourite Our Father having been joined by Handy Andy, who had been settled in rear, and Forlovenormoney, who had been behind the winners.

Sol D’Estruval was also looking to join in the actionut fell two out.

By the last it was down to two with Handy Andy and Our Father joined in battle in what looked like being a battle to the line, however Handy Andy had more than enough in hand to pull 3¾ lengths clear.

Victoria Rose was a further six back in third.      

14:49 Race two is the 2m 5f Berry Bros & Rudd ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle with 13 going to post.

I had to double check my racecard as this looks more like a field of chasers, some very big horses here. Both Soir D'Estruval and Our Father are head shakers, Victoria Rose is jig-jogging nicely and Dixie Bull has a very sweaty mouth.

14:31 Well round one to the bookmakers as the odds-on favourite Moose Moran is comprehensively beaten, coming home a tired looking fifth.

Barry Geraghty set the pace on the jolly but once headed by Omaruru after two out he seemed to sulk and down tools.

Coming to the last it looked as though Omaruru would be the decisive winner but Two Kisses, who had been prominent throughout, rallied on the run in to make a challenge.

Omaruru had the advantage of the stands rail and held on by a neck.

Magis Prospect came home third, twelve lengths behind the front duo, with Battleoftrafalgar fourth, another tiring after looking to be in a challenging position turning for home.

14:17 Our opening contest is the extended two mile Emma Lavelle Racing Juvenile Hurdle, with nine going to post.

The two entire runners were the pair most on their toes with Battleoftrafalgar pulling and Missionaire jig-jogging.

Eurythmic was getting a little bit warm.

13:58 The only remaining evidence of last months tragic events here is a fresh strip of turf where the cable was removed.

13:49 The final hurdle is closer to the finish this afternoon, leaving a run-in of just one furlong.

13:40 Have just walked the final half mile on both courses and whilst the hurdles course is softer than the chase course I would call both good to soft, perfect jumping ground.

The going stick reading are now available Hurdle 5.3 and chase 6.6.

12:48 Good afternoon from a lovely sunny Newbury.

Still only the one non-runner and still no going stick reading.

08:55 Still waiting for the all important going stick readings. The highlight of this afternoon is the expected return of Ruby Walsh.

Newbury are reporting the rails on the hurdle course have been moved out 4m.

08:05 Western Berkshire has seen a dry 24 hours and the forecast is for it to remain dry but overcast.

The official going is soft, good to soft in places on the hurdle course and good to soft, soft in places on the chase course.

The six race card gets underway at 14:20 and there is currently one non-runner.

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

16:40
13 Valid Point (bruised foot - SC 11:02 Thu)

Results

14:20 Juvenile Hurdle 2m 110yds

14:55 Novices' Hurdle 2m 5f

15:30 Handicap Chase 2m 1f

16:05 Handicap Chase 2m 6f 110yds

16:40 Handicap Hurdle 2m 110yds

17:15 Hunters' Chase 2m 6f 110yds