17:01 That's it from Southwell where we have had some reasonable racing with some decent size fields, witnessed by a good crowd.
I think it is fair to say we haven't seen any future champions this afternoon, but the racing has been good to watch nonetheless.
Tomorrow we are back on the flat as as we set off for evening racing at Nottingham.
16:55 Racing is a funny game – our third 2 mile 1 furlong hurdle race couldn’t have been more different than the other two.
Sonic Anthem under Mr D R Cook(7) ensured there was a strong pace as he and Pilca led the field a merry dance, in what was a very tight betting heat.
By the time the field started the final circuit the two had a commanding lead.
Of the duo, Pilca was the first to wave the white flag, losing ground and finishing well down the field.
Sonic Anthem, on the other hand, was determined to try and make it a pillar to post run as turning for home both Divine Gift and Truly Fruitful launched strong challenges.
We will never know how Truly Fruitful would have finished as he fell two out but I’m sure he would have had a say in the outcome.
However coming towards the last Sonic Anthem paid the price for his front running exploits as when Divine Gift challenged he had no more to offer. Despite an untidy jump at the last
Richard Johnson won the race as he pleased, with the front running Sonic Anthem
comfortably holding second place and Muntami running on through beaten runners to take third.
Neither of the joint favourites Truly Fruitful or Sea Venture were in contention at any point.
16:25 One for the favourite backers in our second hurdle as the odds-on favourite Mizen raven took the prize in a workmanlike, rather than flash style.
Tracking the leaders on the first circuit Richard Johnson took the favourite to the front as they passed the judge for the first time, tracked by El Coto and Fresh Air And Fun.
Coming to the second last the three were in line and the possibility of an upset sprung to mind but as they approached the last Johnson had enough in hand and with a good leap at the last the result was not in doubt.
El Coto took the runners up spot and, in a mini-shock, the 100/1 outsider Haroum ran on to take third, from Lady Traill, who looks set to improve, and the fading Fresh Air And Fun in fifth.
Yawmi took a heavy fall at the sixth but walked into the horse ambulance.
15:55 A rather eventful hurdle for our fourth race where Kingscourt Lad led everywhere, apart from on the line, where Sualda came with a late rally under William Kennedy.
Missouri was prominent with the leader for most of the race and was in contention for a place before pulling up sharply after the last with looked like a bad leg injury. The gelding was taken away for treatment in the horse ambulance.
Unfortunately the prognosis was not so good for Escobar who took a crashing fall two out and had to be euthanised.
Poliglotti, who finished third, looked to be the most eye catching of the field, being settled mid-division before running on in the closing stages.
Favourite El Dee finished a never nearer fourth and the other well backed runner, Shalati Princess, was never sighted.
15:20 Our final chase of the afternoon was over 2 miles and 1 furlong and eleven went to post, the non-runner being the top weight Notre Cyborg, who had not eaten up.
Stratford winner Inmate under Seamus Durack made the early running, setting a strong, arguably too strong, pace. Once headed as they passed the judge for the penultimate time he quickly faded out of contention.
Taking up the running was the new top weight Kirby’s Vic and the Nigel Twistan-Davies charge was soon in control of the race under promising claimer David England.
A few runners looked to challenge, including the Tony McCoy ridden favourite Charge It, but he never looked a winner and any chance of a place diminished as he faded two out.
If there was to be a challenger then it looked to be Chigorin but he flattered to deceive getting within a length or two before the winner ran on again.
I think the winner looks to be a good prospect and I will be surprised if he does not visit the winners enclosure again.
14:50 Only seven runners in the second but it was a competitive heat nonetheless, with three runners vying for favouritism and the favourite flip-flopping on more than one occasion.
In the end Osprey View was sent off the 100/3 jolly. The gelding led briefly, was in contention throughout the second circuit but was pulled up quickly after the twelfth.
At this point Insignia under Tony McCoy had taken up the running and looked to be at ease with himself. Zilcash, once again, ran in snatches and was never a serious contender, even with the application of first time blinkers.
As they came to the second last it looked as though McCoy was going to atone for his defeat in the first, but Ballybough Jack had other ideas and was running on well between the final two flights to challenge Insignia and a brilliant leap at the last ended the race as a contest, with Christian Williams driving Ballybough Jack on to win by a comfortable six lengths.
Tritonville Lad acquitted himself well on his chasing debut and will probably pick up a reasonable race at some point in the future.
Of the others Dasher Reilly was prominent for a long time but may be better over shorter.
14:25 An “easy” little sixteen runner handicap chase to get us under way with Granite Man under Tony McCoy sent off the well backed 3/1 favourite and it was almost a good start for favourite backers.
I say almost because Granite Man was just touched off by the 14/1 shot Royal China. It must be said that had the favourite not put in such a bold jump at the last then he may well have prevailed.
The winner ran a tactical race with Mark Bradburne happy to settle mid-division before making a run in the home straight.
Most of the race was dominated by the front running pair of Armoury House and Reasonable Sure, who managed to hold on to take the minor honours.
Disappointment of the race was the original favourite Got The Gift who was never in the race and finished a very disappointing eighth.
13:45 Good afternoon from Southwell where the weather is overcast for a rare jump meeting at the Nottinghamshire venue.
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Non-Runners
2:45
8 Whatdoidowiththat (lame)
3:15
1 Notre Cyborg (not eaten up)
3:45
10 Sean Og (other)
Results
2:15
1st 16 Royal China 14/1
2nd 14 Granite Man 3/1 fav
3rd 5 Reasonably Sure 12/1
4th 9 Armoury House 8/1
16 Ran
Distances Ahort Head & 1 1/2
Tote
Win £14.70
Place £3.30 £1.10 £3.40 £2.40
Exacta £95.40
2:45
1st 2 Ballybough Jack 11/2
2nd 4 Insignia 4/1
7 Ran NR 8
Distances 6L
Tote
Win £6.40
Place £3.50 £2.60
Exacta £29.00
3:15
1st 2 Kirby's Vic 4/1
2nd 5 Chigorin 15/2
3rd 12 Runshan 33/1
11 Ran NR 1
Distances 5L & 2 1/2
Tote
Win £5.80
Place £1.90 £3.10 £7.70
Exacta £32.50
3:45
1st 12 Sualda 6/1
2nd 1 Kingscourt Lad 10/1
3rd 9 Poliglotti 15/2
15 Ran NR 10
Distances 1 1/2L & 9L
Tote
Win £5.20
Place £2.10 £3.80 £3.10
Exacta £91.30
4:15
1st 1 Mizen Raven 56/ fav
2nd 4 El Coto 9/2
3rd 6 Haroum 100/1
14 Ran
Distances 1 1/2L & 2L
Tote
Win £1.70
Place £1.20 £1.60 £20.60
Exacta £4.80
4:45
1st 5 Divine Gift 9/1
2nd 4 Sonic Anthem 13/2
3rd 6 Muntami 13/2
13 Ran
Distances 9L & 7L
Tote
Win £15.50
Place £4.60 £3.10 £1.90
Exacta £64.70
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