07:42 There has been 4mm of rain overnight and the official going is good.

The course are reporting that all bends have fresh ground.

There are, currently, no non-runners.

13:28 Good afternoon from a wet Stratford where the precipitation count is now 10mm and the going is now Good, Good to Soft in Places.

14:06 The opening contest is the Pat Coldicott Memorial Handicap Chase over the extended 2m 1f with five off to post.

No clues in the parade ring with all five looking a bit sorry for themselves in the rain.

14:29 The weather is going to play a part this afternoon and it certainly seemed to put pay to the chances of the favourite Pumboo, who was prominent early doors but dropped out quickly.

Bay Central who was sharing the running was left on his own in front. By the time they reached the end of the back straight he had been joined by Petito who took up the running turning for home.

Petito still had the advantage clearing the last but was tired on the run-in but had sufficient advantage to hold off the running on mare Daneva by three parts of a length.

Pumboo was eventually pulled up.

14:57 Dire conditions out there although some respite for favourite backers as Erdeli got the better of a battle with Snowdrop, prevailing by half a length.

Five Out Of Five set the pace for the first circuit before dropping out tamely and taking a tired fall three out, when out of contention.

Fool's Wildcat then took up the running but the challenge soon came from Flowerbud, who had been stone last on the first circuit and Flowebud took up the running as they turned for home in what looked like a decisive run.

However Erdeki was plugging on steadily and by the final flight the duo were upsides but on the run in Erdeli showed more determination.

It was 27 lengths back to Fool's Wildcat who came home third, with Marc Aurele and Herschel the only other finishers.

15:18 This next race will not be pretty as eight go to post for the 3½ mile J H Rowe Memorial Handicap Chase.

15:29 As expected it wasn't a pretty race as the four finishers came home well strung out.

The race went to last years winner Runshan, who was left clear in front when the long time leader Inishrush unseated at the twelfth fence. Indeed the further they went the further he pulled clear, eventually recording a 41 length victory.

Lost Glory came home second holding off a late "surge" from Dusty Dane, whilst the doughty Notabotheronme was the only other finisher.

The favourite, Power Pack Jack, made it as far as the sixth at which point he decanted his rider into the mud. 

15:45 Race four is the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF National Hunt Novices' Hurdle over the extended two miles with seven off to post.

Bach On Tow was a bit of a headshaker, Shuil Royale had a little whinny whilst walking round. Dirty Bertie was slightly on his toes. Johns Spirit looked nice and it is still raining persistently here.

The official going is now Good to Soft

15:58 A very slow pace in the early stages which set the race up for a "sprint" finish although in these conditions the term sprint is used figuratively rather than literally.

Dirty Bertie set out to make all but as they turned for home they were lining up to take him on, with Shuil Royale, Johns Spirit and Hes Our Lad all poised to strike.

Lining up for the last it was a four way go, although Shuil Royale looked as though he wanted to duck out. Hes Our lad had a narrow advantage coming out of the flight but Johns Spirit ran on best of all and putting a good jump at the last he ran on to record  a six length victory.

Hes Our Lad took second spot with Shuil Royale a further 3¼ lengths back in third.

The front running Dirty Bertie had to settle for fourth. 

16:15 Just four line up for the 2m 7f Jenkinsons Caterers Beginners' Chase.

Five Star Wilsham wasn't too happy to have his rider on board and started bucking. Total Victory was pawing the ground like a bull about to charge

16:30 We finally had something approaching a decent contest with the top two in the betting Sybarite (4/5) and Five Star Wilsham (6/4) having a great battle in the final stages.

The field of four were closely bunched for the first part of the contest with Sybarite, Five Star Wilsham and Total Victory all taking a turn to lead.

However into the final circuit it was the top two who were in contention. Sybarite, whose jumping improved the longer the race went on, opened up a lead but by the time they were turning for home his rival was on his quarters.

Five Star Wilsham jumped into the lead at the last but Sybarite was not going to go down without a fight but was only able to get within three-quarters of a length of the winner.

I've Been Frames came home a never nearer third, some 29 lengths behind the front two, with Total Victory a further eight lengths back. 

16:45 Our biggest field of the afternoon sees 13 off to the post for the extended 2m 6f Stratford Annual Members' Maiden Hurdle.

Themilanhorse is the paddock negative, very much on his toes and giving his handler a hard time.

17:00 The favourite, Golden Call, attempted to make all in this contest and held the lead until headed by Tour Des Champs as they turned for home.

Although Golden Call tried to fight back Tour Des Champs had enough left in the tank to come home a 3½ length winner.

Themilanhorse, who ran in snatches, was a further 20 lengths back in third.

Bevnott made some eye catching progress but could only finish a never nearer fourth.

Debutant Pericoloso made a couple of mistakes early on but made progress late on and will come on for the experience.

17:15 The final race of the day and, indeed, Stratford's final race of 2011 is the bordeaux-undiscovered.co.uk Handicap Hurdle, over the extended 2m 6f with only seven going to post following three defections.

17:29 The best finish of the afternoon and what looked, at one point, a very unlikely winner.

As they came into the back straight Mission Complete looked to be in reverse and well beaten but Richie McLemon managed to get a second wind out of him and turning for home he was one of three in contention, along with Orion Express and Sleep In First.

Orion Express had the advantage at the second last and still had a narrow advantage clearing the final flight however McLemon managed to kick Mission Complete on to record a half length victory over Orion Express, with Sleep In First a further 1¼ lengths back in third.

The front trio were well clear of REbel Flag in fourth and the pace setting Nono La Sage, who came home fifth.    

17:40 That's it from a miserable afternoon, weather wise, which did not help the racing but there was still a brave crowd defying the elements as the curtain comes down on Stratford's 2011 season.

Tomorrow we are back on the flat as we go to Newmarket for their eight race card.

From a very wet Stratford a very good afternoon. 

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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

Results

14:20 Handicap Chase 2m1f 110yds

14:50 Selling Hurdle 2m 3f

15:20 Handicap Chase 3m 4f

15:50 Novices' Hurdle 2m 110yds

16:20 Beginners Chase 2m 7f

16:50 Maiden Hurdle 2m 6f 110yds

17:20 Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f 110yds