17:05 That's it from a hot Uttoxeter where we have had a good family crowd and some reasonable racing.
From Staffordshire good night.
16:55 A very competitive bumper to end proceedings and we saw the biggest gamble of the day with Minella Boys being backed from 7/1 into 5/2. However it was to be another case of nobody telling the horse he had been supported as he was never really in the race.
As it often the case in these quality bumpers, it was those with experience who were involved in the finish.
Standing Order had set the pace and had a good lead turning for home with Give A Lot looking to be the only challenger. That was until Seamus Durack launched his challenge on All Three Fables and he left Give A Lot and the long time leader flat footed, running on for a six length victory.
Give A Lot rallied well in the final half furlong to deny Standing Order the runners up spot.
16:30 Two differing finishes here – after the close run finish in the last this 2 mile chase turned into a procession as the almost unpronounceable Laoch Dubh (it’s Lock Doove according to Barty and who am I to argue) set off in front at what looked like a suicidal pace. However if the tactic was to take the sting out of his opponents potential challenges then it certainly worked as by the time the field had run ¾ mile they were strung out like the washing on a windy day.
Colliers Court was the one who tried to keep pace with the leader but by the end of the back straight he reached the end of his tether.
The challenger, if he could be called that, was the favourite Kirby’s Vic - but he was never within 10 lengths of the winner eventually going down by 15 lengths, with Leading Article a further 12 lengths back in third with the remainder coming home in their own time.
15:55 Finally a race where there were several in with a shout as they came along the extended run-in (the final fence had been omitted following damage earlier in the afternoon)
It turned out to be another good result for the bookmakers as 25/2 shot Yoursomethinelse held off the late challenge of Idian Mix and several others to take the 2¾ mile handicap hurdle.
That Man Fox was the hare, a position he maintained until three from home when the field bunched up and there were many with chances.
Nostringsattached and Breaking Storm both flattered to deceive as they attempted to make challenges. However Yoursomethinelse, an Irish raider who has been off the course for 273 days, made his challenge at the last and although many had chances he showed the most guts to prevail.
Trainer Frank Lacy Jnr said he bought the mare over because she was being balloted out of too many races back in Ireland.
15:20 For the second race running we had two runners fighting out the finish, well ahead of the remainder of the field. This time the bookies were smiling as neither of the protagonists were amongst the favourites, although Nod’s Star had seen some support.
Nod’s Star made what looked like a decisive challenge coming out of the back straight, taking a decent lead on his rivals. However as they approached what should have been the second last, which had become the last due to damage first time round, that Baajjij leapt into the lead.
It was a tight battle in the run-in but in the last 50 yards Baarrij, who had run in snatches, prevailed to claim victory by 3 lengths. The pair finishing 17 lengths ahead of the third placed Spiritwind.
Favourite Dr Dream, who also ran in snatches, finished a never nearer fourth.
In the subsequent auction the winner was bought in for 5,200 guineas.
14:45 A very interesting betting heat in our second race where it was initially a two horse race which then became a three runner book with a late plunge on La Estrella, who deposed Brinkmanship for favouritism before the off, with Learning The Blues being the other short odds runner.
It may have been a plunge on La Estrella but it seems nobody bothered to tell the horse as he put in a poor performance finishing a never nearer fifth.
William Kennedy took Fermat into the lead from flag fall and was a position he held well into the final circuit when he ran out of steam in this muggy heat.
As he faded Brinkmanship came from mid division to take up the running on his debut over the large obstacles. In truth he never looked in any danger as is only challenger was
Learning The Blues a never closer 4½ lengths in arrears at the line. These two finished 25 lengths of the third The Saltire Tiger who had made the long journey down from Scotland.
Brinkmanship certainly looks to be a good recruit to chasing and Tim Vaughan looks to have a good horse here. The runner-up also looks as though he will soon be in the winners enclosure in the grade.
14:10 A novice hyrdle to set us off for the afternoon and according to the betting it was a two horse race with the serial runner upper Winter Star going off the well backed 1/2 favourite and the hat trick seeking The Good Guy going of the uneasy 100/30 second favourite.
Although there were nine other runners none of them looked particularly attractive with several of them playing up on the way to the start.
As is his wont The Good Guy under Tom Siddall set the pace, tracked by Royal China, outsider Bleak Friday and Photogenique. The favourite was happy to settle behind the leading four.
By the time the field entered the back straight for the final time the field were well strung out and there had been little change up front and there was little change until they turned for home and Winter Star made his move. At the same time The Good Guy seemed to hit a wall and it was Sumner who emerged as a challenger, albeit briefly as by the second last the result was in little doubt as the favourite was running on as he pleased.
The Good Guy did rally at the end but the stone plus concession to his rivals was too much and he had to settle for third place.
12:45 Good afternoon from Uttoxeter where is is slightly overcast and a little bit muggy.
We have six races this afternoon and, so far, two non-runners.
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