08:16 It has been dry overnight and the official going is Soft, Good to Soft in places.

There are, currently, two non-runners - details on the right. 

09:42 A few more non-runners.

11:57 Good afternoon from Towcester where we have broken cloud but it is terribly windy with a near gale fore wind, right to left relative to the home straight.

13:00 Our opening contest is the Haygain Hay Steamers - Clean Healthy Hay Novices' Hurdle a 13 runner contest over two miles.

Venetia Williams has just said she sees Emperor's Choice more as a chaser. Edlomond is a big horse but is a little on his toes.

13:15 I don't know how windy it was at Wincanton yesterday but conditions here are not at all pleasant.

However the conditions did not seem to bother Native Beauty who came home a 2½ length winner, having taken over from the long time leader and odds-on favourite Bygones Sovereign, who held on for second spot.

It wasn't a race for  classic Towcester, come from behind, finish with Financial Climate and Speed Steed filling the next two places, both of whom had been with the pace throughout.  

13:34 Division two of the Haygain Hay Steamers - Clean Healthy Hay Novices' Hurdle is next with 11 off to post.

Engai was slightly on his toes, Loose Chips was quite jig-joggy. Clear eye-catcher was Record Breaker.

13:45 Loose Chips comes home the confortable winner of Division Two of the Novices' Hurdle as the field come home well strung out.

Always to the fore along with Volcan Surprise he was well clear as they swung for home.

The front running Majorica King finished third.  

14:06 Race three is our first chase of the day, the Haygain Hay Steamers - Clean Healthy Hay Handicap Chase over the extended two miles.

Kinkeel is running in his 100th chase this afternoon. The only paddock comment is Dr Anubis who was a little bit on his toes.

14:15 Call the police as Drom stole that race, setting off in front and opening up an unassailable lead which was just as well as he tired in the closing stages but had a sufficiently good lead to hold off Billy Murphy to record a 3¼ length victory.

It was 12 lengths back to third placed Kinkeel who was not able to win in his 100th chase but was not disgraced. 

14:32 We have a going change here - it is now Good to Soft all round.

Eleven are in the parade ring for Clare's Birthday Novices' Hurdle a three mile hurdle.

14:50 Red Rocco did his utmost to make all and led until approaching the final flight where he was passed and made to look flat footed as Miss Milborne powered up the hill to the delight of favourite backers, recording a nine length victory.

 Red Rocco had to settle for second spot but was still 14 lengths clear of third placed Kilmacowen who was running on well and will come on for the run.

Miss Milborne

15:12 The first of a brace of extended three mile chases coming up as seven go to post for the oddsanywhere.com Handicap Chase.

15:23 Another poached winner as, this time, Ukrainian Star makes all to take the spoils, beating the favourite Spot The Ball who was only able to get within seven lengths as the winner crossed the line.

It was one of those races which turned out to be more of a procession than a race with very little change in the order throughout.

Spot The Ball looked poised to strike as they turned for home but was unable to make teh decisive strike.

15:44 Just four off to post for the extended three mile gg.com Alerts Beginners' Chase.

15:54 If you are of a sensitive disposition I apologise but the only way to describe this race is that Universal Soldier absolutely pi$$ed up recording a 52 length victory and he was heavily eased at the finish.

The weak favourite Chartreux set the pace early pace but was ponderous with his jumping. When passed by Universal Soldier at the twelfth fence he seemed to sulk and eventually came home last of the four, 105 lengths behind the winner.

The other two were never in the race itself, having their own battle thirty lengths behind the front pair for most of the contest.

For the record Gritti Palace came home second.  

16:12 The Grafton Hunters Chase concludes the card with 17 running in the 2m 6f contest.

16:25 We had to wait until our final contest for a "proper" Towcester finish in an eventful Hunters' Chase.

The first incident was at the third fence where Humbel Times and Ringsend Rose both came to grief. The horses and one of the riders were quickly on their feet but Humble Times rider, Freddie Tett, was still being treated as they came round on the second circuit, resulting in the fence being by-passed. Tett did eventually walk to the ambulance.

The race itself went to Lorikarad who swept into the lead as they swung for home with what looked like a decisive run but Mister Teddy had other ideas and set off in pursuit.

The long time leaders Galway Jack and Penny Dock, who opened up a huge lead at one point were swallowed up by the cavalry charge on the turn for home.

There was a good battle up the run-in with Lorikarad coming home a fast diminishing half length winner.

There was a 12 length gap back to third placed Palypso De Creek.

16:44 Here ends a  windy and chilly afternoon at Towcester. A front runners-day by and large with a good size crowd braving the elements.

One consolation for those staying after racing is a very pretty sky.

From Towcester a very good afternoon.

 Return to race archive:

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

13:10
3 Casco Bay (not sound - SC 09:10)

13:40
9 Ripoff (not eaten up - SC 10:27)

14:40
1 Tarbeck (lame - VC 12:49)
3 Ballycracken (swelling - SC 09:33)

15:15
7 Hever Road (going - 09:36)
9 Huckleberry (Off Colour - SC 12:35)

15:45
2 Farmer Gunner (lame - SC 09:40)

16:15
4 Bradley (colic - VC 08:53)

Results

13:10 Novices' Hurdle (Div 1) 2m

13:40 Novices' Hurdle (Div 2) 2m

14:10 Handicap Chase 2m 110yds

14:40 Novices' Hurdle 3m

15:15 Handicap Chase 3m 110yds

15:45 Beginners' Chase 3m 110yds

16:15 Hunters' Chase 2m 6f