5:15 The finale was the longest race on the card over just short of 1 mile 4 furlongs.
Olimpo set the pace, leading for most of the race before fading two furlongs out.
Fregate Island looked to be the leader as he took up the running three out, however he was thwarted by the fast finishing Brief Goodbye came from out of the pack to take victory by ½ a length, the pair finishing clear of the joint favourite Shela House, who never looked like winning.
4:40 There was “excitement” before the race when Steve Drowne was unseated going to the start. He reported that the already fractious Mooted had been spooked by children playing football alongside the running rail.
The race itself continued the tradition of the afternoon by providing yet another thrilling finish.
The early pacesetter was the favourite Blue Spartan, however he took the first bend very badly, hanging strongly to the left, taking Zaarmit with him, effectively blowing both their chances.
At the business end it was a blanket finish with, believe it or not, the fractious Mooted winning by a neck from Pippbrook Gold, with Acrostic a further neck back in third.
4:10 Redesignation was withdrawn at the start, after the vet had a look and declared him not fit to race. As a result there was a 10p in the pound deduction on all bets.
Although the betting was reasonably tight this ended up being a two horse race with the front running Staying On, ridden by Alan Kirby having a dour battle with Hurricane Hymnbook under Robert Havlin.
In a battle that could have gone either way Staying On did just that to prevail by a neck.
Ellemujie was seven lengths back in third.
Looking at the ease with which the first two cleared from the remainder of the field it is a fair bet to say both will be future winners.
3:40 It certainly is turning into an exciting afternoons racing with yet another exciting finish, this time with the favourite winning and giving the punters something to cheer about.
The early pace was set by Dawn Sky and Nightspot, setting the race up for some late finishers.
The winner, Trans Siberian, launched his bid halfway down the home straight, repelling a late challenge from Aegean Prince, who was running on like a train.
Front runner Dawn Sky held on for third.3:15 Well no surprise - as predicted earlier the going has changed. Now good, good to soft in places.
3:10 Ironically the two non-runners were the only ones with racecourse experience, leaving six debutants to contest the five furlong sprint.
Richard Hannon’s Robin The Till was the uneasy 9/4 favourite, whilst Amanda Perrett’s Inside Knowledge was well backed from 4/1 into 11/4.
The favourite almost fell out of the stalls and whether by accident or design headed straight across to the far rail, effectively losing any chance of winning the race.
On the favoured stands side Roger Charlton’s Fault set the pace in what ended up being a pillar to post victory, taking the race by 3¾ lengths and never looking to be in any danger.
The battle for second place was more robust with Doc Jones getting the better of Love You Louis by a neck.
2:45 Well the betting for this first race was open and this was justified by the race itself where it was impossible to call the winner until the line.
A blanket could have been thrown over the first half dozen and if the race was run again tomorrow I an sure it would throw up a different result.
The grey Witchry and second favourite Equuleus Pictor set the pace but their rivals were queuing up behind.
In the end it was Gay Kelleway’s Punching that grabbed the lead in the final half furlong, fighting off late challenges from Ryday Mount, who will soon be a winner, and the other grey Grey Boy.
If the remaining races are as exciting as this one we are set for a great afternoons sport.
2:20 The runners are in the parade ring for our first - a 14 runner six forlong apprentice handicap - esay!!!
2:00 Good afternoon from Windsor where we have a gloriously sunny afternoon and a large Bank Holiday crowd.
The official going is now good to soft, good in places. Although if the weather stays as it is now I can see the number of good places increasing.
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Very few meetings for a Bank Holiday Monday, however we will be at the best card of the day.
Two non-runners so far, both in the 3:05.