08:34 Thanks to the deployment of frost covers racing has survived the overnight temperatures of -5 degrees.

The going is Chase: Soft and Hurdle: Good to Soft, Soft in place

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

11:22 Good morning from a chilly Warwick but, what the heck, racing goes ahead.

This photo shows how effective the frost covers were.

11:50 I have just walked the home straight and although there are a couple of crusty spots on the surface, the track is in good nick considering the overnight temperatures.

12:43 Our opening contest is the two mile Betfred Goals Galore Novices' Handicap Hurdle with 15 off to post.

Monkey Milan was being a monkey, shaking his head and fighting his handler. Somewhatinevitable was also a head shaker and slightly on his toes. Easydoesit was also a bit edgy.

12:48 Easydoesit decants his rider on the way to the start

12:57 First question of the day - did Easydoesit's antics at start cost him the race?

Running on well in the closing stages he was closing on the winner Roll The Dice, getting within 1¼ lengths as they crossed the line and very much coming from off the pace.

Indeed with the exception of Easydoesit it was the front runners who dominated the finish.

A group of four headed the field with Up To The Mark being the pace setter, with Rigid, Monarch's Way and Roll The Dice also prominent.

Turning for home Up To The Mark and Monarch's Way held sway with Roll The Dice a few lengths back in third.

 It was approaching the last that Roll The Dice took up the running, with the challenge coming from Easydoesit.

Up To The Mark came home third with Monarch's Way fourth.

13:21 Race two is the Betfred 1350 Shops Nationwide Novices' Chase over the extended three miles with seven off to post.

13:36 A good front running performance from Frascati Park who ran his opponents into the ground, the decisive move coming when he upped the pace coming down the hill and slipped his field.

Alfie Spinner who had been his nearest rival throughout came home second.

There was a good battle for third spot with the favourite Court Victory just edging out Connak, although the former did pull up lame and was taken back to the stables in the course ambulance.

Golden Chieftan was quickly pulled up coming down the hill on the second circuit.

13:53 Race three is our first handicap chase of the day, the Betfred The Bonus King Handicap Chase, for the Edward Courage Cup.

Eight line up, Tara Royal was slightly on edge, Educated Evans was a head shaker. I liked the look of Back Bob Back 

14:07 Another all the way victory, this time Marodima making all and holding off a steely challenge from Gracchus in the closing stages.

For most of the race it looked as though Marodima was putting in a suicidal front running performance as he was near on twenty lengths clear as they turned out of the home straight.

Invariably he came back to the field and it looked as though he was going to be subsumed by his rivals but he seemed to find more.

Back Bob Back was a lively challenger but seemed to run out of petrol as they turned for home. Gracchus was the one who emerged from the pack and he was closing on the winner getting within 1¾ lengths.

Tara Royal was held up before running on late to take third, five lengths further back.

Educated Evans was soon toiling in rear and was pulled up before the fifth. 

14:24 Raceourse announcer Tim Peters has just told us the next race is over "three miles, two hundred metres" - covering all options there!!!

In real talk it is the 3m 1f Pertemps Handicap Hurdle, with 16 off to post.

14:40 Well that was a good tactical ride from Paddy Brennan on Thehillsofuisneach who seemed to come from absolutely nowhere to take this competitive contest by a length.

Ely Brown came home the runner-up, beaten only a length.

Barwell Bridge came home third a further 4½ lengths back with joint favourite Water Garden taking the final each way place.

The other joint-favourite, Safrab Se Cotte came home a most disappointing 11th.

15:05 The Neptune Investment Management Leamington Novives' Hurdle is next, a 2m 5f contest with eight off to post.

Fintan was really on his toes in the parade ring and Cotton Mill was pulling slightly

15:13 I have a feeling the Stewards may be taking a close look at that race because side on the whip use looked bad as Cotton Mill and Ambion Wood battled to the line, with Cotton Mill getting the call by half a length, the pair having been well clear from the home turn.

Highland Lodge had set the pace before tiring on the turn for home, although another question for the Stewards is could his rider, Jack Doyle, have tried harder to keep third place having lost it to Same Difference.   

Nothing else in the race really impresed with the field coming home well strung out.

15:19 Our feature contest next as 13 go to post for the 3m 5f Betfred Classic Chase, a recognised Grand National Trial.

On Borrowed Time and Bench Warrent both carry 1lb overweight

15:53 He may have carried top weight but it did not stop Hey Big Spender taking our feature contest, holding on by three parts of a length from the fast finishing Fredo who came home like an express train and would probably have won in a few strides.

Strongbows Legend came home third a further length and a quarter back.

14 year old Hello Bud put in a great front running  performance, only to fade as they spun for home.

Blazing Bailey was disappointing although he probably needs a more galloping track.

16:08 Le Bec was the pick for my guest paddock watcher with Head Spin needing to be gelded again he was so on his toes

16:20 A bit of an upset in the Betfred Goals Galore Bonus 'Newcomers' Standard Open NH Flat Race as the 16/1 shot Starving Marvin beats the favourite Le Bec by two lengths.

Hugo Drax and Herbert shared the pace, although the latter paid the price and finished well tailed off.

The eventual winner was settled behind the front duo, narrowly taking up the running as they swung for home.

Le Bec was settled mid-division before making progress as they swung for home and was in a position to win if good enough - he can have no excuses.

Head Spin took a while for the penny to drop but was running on well late on do finish third and will learn from the experience.

Hugo Drax came home fourth. 

16:28 Another bumper Warwick Saturday crowd were treated to some decent racing this afternoon and, again, full credit to the course for actually staging the fixture and deploying the frost covers.

A quiet day at home tomorrow then, frost permitting, it is the annual visit to Plumpton on Monday.

From a chilly Warwick 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

12:50
9 Shinko Moon (cast in box - SC 07:26)

14:30
5 El Dancer (running in 1st pref race - 11:53)
14 Lightning Strike (running in 1st pref race - 11:54)

15:40
8 Fortfication (lame - SC 08:31)

14:10
7 Hidden Fox (pricked foot - SC 11:31)

Results

12:50 Handicap Hurdle 2m

13:25 Novices' Chase 3m 110yds

14:00 Handicap Chase 2m

14:30 Handicap Hurdle 3m 1f

15:05 Novices Hurdle 2m 5f

15:40 Handicap Chase 3m 5f

16:10 Open NH Flat 2m