The card at Stratford opened with two maiden hurdles
The opening division went to the Alan King trained favourite, Your Amount, who tracked the leaders, running on well between the last two.
The second division winner, Kingscape, in the famous JP McManus gold and green colours adapted broadly similar tactics, although he began his challenge a bit sooner. Coming into the home straight the two market leaders, (Poliglotti had disputed favoritism) were in contention. However between the last two hurdles kingscape had more to give and the race was won.
The novice chasc may have had the smallest field of the afternoon with only five going to post, however it will thrilling nonetheless. Josea and the favourite Manhattan Boy had vied for the lead throughout, until they both fell independently at the final fence, although it can be argued they were probably both beaten at the time. Honours eventually went to the second favourite, Daryal giving trainer Alan kind and jockey Robert Thornton a double on the afternoon.
German raider Allez Frank was the subject of strong support in the ring before the novice hurdle. However he flattered to deceive finishing a never nearer sixth. Another disappointment was Mickmacmagoole who clearly still remembers the fall he took two runs ago. The Philip Hobbs trained Warsaw Pact, who put in a brave front running performance to take the prize money.
The cocditional jockeys long distance mares hurdle saw Happily Ever After sent off the 9/2 favourite with Lily Tara the well backed Second favourite sent off at 5/1. The favourite only managed to get us fan as the fourth before falling. Lily Tara, having her first run since May, finally lost he maiden tag, with Midnight Ocean, Pochard and Madam Blaze fighting out a three way photograph for the minor honours.
The 2½ mile chase almost became a national hunt flat race. With the ditches already being omitted due to ground conditions, the low sun led to the first fence in the home straight being omitted. Although they did still jump the new water jump in front of the stands. Consequently only eight of the planned 14 flights were jumped. The race itself was muddling and coming out of the back straight it looked as though the favourite, Storm Of Applause would oblige favourite backers. However any Arsenal fans would have been happy when Wenger stayed on dourly to prevail by 2¾ lengths in what became a half mile run in.
The Paul Nicholls trained 3/1 shot, Eight Palms took the bumper.
Arguably the biggest attraction of the afternoon came after racing, when Black Jack Ketchum, ridden by Tony McCoy did some work on the course much to the delight of the large number of racegoers who remained behind to watch and, more importantly to the delight of connections, who declared themselves delighted.