The action returned to Town Moor once again and many of the day;'s runners were keen to make up for lost time. This midweek meeting bore resemblance to the previous meeting here which would be abandoned minutes before the first race due to a heavy snow storm. Thankfully, the weather was not as extreme and it would be take two for the trainers. Just like the last race meeting, there would be qualifiers for the Go North Racing Series over a range of distances and obstacles. The races were well supported with plenty of sizable fields. 

Race One: The SBK EBF National Hunt Maiden Hurdle - Class Four - 2 miles, 3 furlongs - Runners: 15

The opening contest would provide an opportunity for competitors to gain their first win over obstacles. There may not be too many Cheltenham clues in the contest, but it would be a good reference for the future of all the runners. The Grade Two placed Hurricane Bay landed this race easily last year, beating this season's useful novice chaser Scrum Diddly in the process.

The Trevor Hemmings colours were worn by Best Life for trainer Mel Rowley, but the horse looks likely to be a longer term chasing prospect. Christian Williams sent up Cave Article up from Wales for the Coral Racing Club. The gelding would make his debut under rules after finishing second between the flags. Cave Bleu was another to start the season off well with a placing but has since gone backwards for trainer John Mackie. The yard of Stella Barclay is usually seen in flat races, but the Preston based stable saddled Point-to-Point winner Clatterbridge for his debut under rules. Leading trainer Dan Skelton was a high profile name on the racecard as he ran Entity of Substanz who plugged on into a midfield finish on debut recently. Nicky Henderson was another leading yard in the mix and he ran Gentleman's Relish, who looked talented when winning a bumper, but disappointed on hurdling debut over Christmas. Ginger Jonny won his only point start but was too keen on his hurdles debut back in October. The Owners Group representative Grand Albert had placed in a bumper before finishing third on his first attempt at hurdles recently. He would have to improve on his jumping technique though. The most well bred horse in the race would be Nicky Henderson's newcomer Jukebox Fury, a half brother to Grade One winner Don Poli. Kentanddover made a promising debut on this course two years ago and didn't race again until recently. Jonjo O'Neill would be hopeful for his runner to deliver following his absence. Ben Pauling enjoyed a memorable treble at Ascot on the previous weekend and ran Leader In The Park, a winner of a point by a massive margin. The six year old ran well in a pair of Ascot novice events. He is also a half brother to highest level winner Benefficent. Henry Daly's Mythe Bridge made his debut under rules having finished no better than fifth in point to points. Paris Cercy had a few attempts in point to points and subsequently failed to improve over hurdles last time. The Dark Edge has appeared to be a longer term prospect with no immediate promise shown so far. Noel Williams's Cotoneaster has a stout jumping pedigree, but has shown little on the track so far.

Winner: LEADER IN THE PARK (Walk In The Park x Supreme Breda) (#12) - B. Jones - B. Pauling

The rain that had fallen throughout the morning thankfully relented by the time of the first race, but it left the ground very testing for all involved. Punters began to weigh in on the favourite Leader In The Park and he would be sent off odds on in what looked an informative maiden. 
Supporters of the gamble will have been pleased to see the yellow silks of Leader In The Park bounce out in front and dictate the pace from the outset. To his outside, Gentleman's Relish raced handily and carried the famous patchwork silks made famous by Might Bite. Grand Albert was another to be in a handy position alongside The Dark Edge and Mythe Bridge as the pace would be just ordinary. Turning for home, the race began to heat up. Leader In The Park turned the screw as Gentleman's Relish quickly began to flap in the heavy ground. Grand Albert would be the only other horse to give Leader In The Park and the pair moved clear of the third horse. Always travelling powerfully, Leader In The Park produced some quick leaps to settle the argument and despite Grand Albert's best efforts, he was unable to get with four lengths of the smart winner. There would be a huge gap back to Best Life, who posted a career best at huge odds as well as Mythe Bridge who finished even further back in fourth. The likes of Kentanddover, Ginger Jonny, Jukebox Fury and Gentleman's Relish were all disappointing but they can be forgiven on account of the very testing ground.

It would be plain sailing for Leader In The Park who got off the mark at the third attempt. He split a pair of previous winners when second on debut at Ascot back in October and he would be hounded for the lead next time when he returned to the Berkshire course. This was much more like it and he went some way to justifying his 250,000 Guinea sales tag. The winner of his only point to point start by over fifty lengths, Leader In The Park is held in some regard. He is a half brother to Benefficient, a Grade One winnin chaser in Ireland and that could be where the future lies for today's talented winner. A prospect to follow. 

Race Two: The GetSBK.com Handicap Chase - Class Four - 2 miles, 3 furlongs - Runners: 9

The first chase of the afternoon would be part of the Monet's Garden division of the Go North Series as this qualifier helped to determine the finalists for Carlisle's April Finals day. Run over the intermediate distance of two and a half miles, the race featured progressive types and others dropping or stepping up in distance.

Snowy Evening would have been a topical runner at the last meeting which was snowed off, but the Greenall & Guerriero-trained gelding has enjoyed a great season so far; winning here twice. Fearless had finished placed in his previous three starts before crashing out on his latest run just after New Year's Day. Jazz King was a wide margin winner on his latest start, but that was almost a year ago and he has since joined the Alistair Ralph yard. Charlie Longsdon's Maninsane has won less races than he should have based on talent, but has regularly run well in defeat. Fete Champetre gained an overdue first win over fences by maintaining his good record at Musselburgh. Sue Smith's Valence d'Aumont looked to be a progressive chaser in the North before missing two season. He has been well beaten three times since his comeback. Rath Gaul Hill looked to have a good future when winning on his national hunt debut at the end of 2022 but has been disappointing ever since. William Of York won three in a row last year and has since joined the Rebecca Menzies yard where he has continued his good form. Minella Choice finished third on his chasing debut and is another lightly raced sort with improvement in the locker. 

Winner: WILLIAM OF YORK (Kayf Tara x Shady Anne) (#8) - R. Chapman - R. Menzies

The conditions would prove key to the outcome of the race as it paid to race close to the lead. It would produce a one sided finish as the field came home in intervals.
The course and distance winner Snowy Evening was keen to hold a forward position under Toby Wynne and took up a narrow lead in the early stages. The pair would be kept on their toes by William Of York, Valence d'Aumont and Maninsane until the first named horse took over at the head of proceedings turning away from the stands. There would be little change in the order at the front for the majority of the race, but a few would start to feel the pinch of the conditions. Ross Chapman kicked forward around the final bend and faced up to the home straight with a good lead. The pair continued to jump well over the remaining four fences and they would cross the line in isolation, some eleven lengths clear of Rath Gaul Hill who did best of those held up. Initial leader Snowy Evening produced another solid performance and took third. 
It would be a first win for William of York since his recent stable switch. Retained by his owners, the new scenery of Rebecca Menzies' Sedgefield base has perked his interests and in the process, landed a first win over fences at the fourth attempt. Last spring, the eight year old completed a hat-trick over hurdles and this would be one of his best displays to date. The first time cheekpieces clearly worked as they were supposed to and it will be interesting to see how further William Of York can progress.

Race Three: The SBK Handicap Hurdle - Class Three - 3 Miles - Runners: 10

The feature race of the day would be the class three hurdle for stayers worth just over £5,500. It would also be a qualifier for the Challenger Stayers' Hurdle Final at Haydock later in the season. Last season's renewal saw an exciting finish between Midnightreflection and Lepashe. 

The top weight Pounding Poet would be a strong contender after his second in Grade Three competition at Aintree last season, but has endured a season to forget so far. The Mark Walford-trained  Johnson Blue was a very progressive in the spring of last year and won a qualifier for the Pertemps Final along the way. After a mishap last time out, he would be looking for a return to form. Come On Teddy was another smart handicapper a few years ago before injury intervened. He has run only averagely since his return. The eleven year old Storm Nelson has enjoyed plenty of success down the years but has struggled in stronger races recently. Jane Williams' Moka de Vassy had some nice form at a higher level and gained an overdue first win at the end of 2023. He produced a lesser effort recently however. Nicky Henderson saddled Fable for the Owners Group. The mare is very talented on her day but remains a lightly raced sort. Another experienced sort in the lineup would be Romeo Brown for Sue Smith. The ten year old has done his connections proud down the years. The one high point in the recent career of Bridge North saw him win a small field chase last year, but has struggled for form since his younger days. Time To Tinker had a bright future at the start of his career for Paul Nicholls but has since struggled and is now trained by Gary Hanmer. Sam Drinkwater's Blue Ridge Hill had caught the eye on a regular basis over a shorter distance and this would be his first attempt at three miles. 

Winner: JOHNSON'S BLUE (Westerner x Annimation) (#2) - J. Hamilton - M. Walford

The classiest race of the day would see a dramatic ending, but would eventually be won by a horse with the potential to rank even higher. 

The fight for the early lead was well contested as Moka de Vassy, Bridge North, Romeo Brown and Johnson's Blue all taking turns up front in the first few furlongs. There would be differing opinions from the jockeys on the ground as they took different routes on the Town Moor course. Cieran Gethings took the wider line on Moka de Vassy, Nick Scholfield stayed in the centre on Romeo Brown while Jamile Hamilton and Brian Hughes took the inside route on Johnson's Blue and Bridge North. Entering the home straight, a handful of runners weakened quickly out of contention before pulling up and it left just two with a real chance. The tactical games continued as Brian Hughes switched to the inside rail as Jamie Hamilton kept to the opposite side of the track. It made for an exciting finish as Bridge North travelled powerfully into the lead and looked to have the win sealed. Jumping the second last, Bridge North crashed out of the race with a tired fall, but thankfully got back to his feet. That left Johnson's Blue with a huge lead and he took advantage to land the prize. Come On Teddy came home best of the rest along with Storm Nelson and Pounding Poet who were the only other finishers. 
Despite a stroke of luck, Johnson's Blue would not be winning out of turn. A highly progressive sort last season, he won seven times over hurdles in the space of the year, culminating in a valuable class two handicap in February. The Mark Walford-trained gelding would then try his hand at fences this season, but unseated his rider when held by the winner. Reverting to hurdles, the eight year old was much happier and bounded clear up the run-in. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Johnson's Blue line up at a big festival such as Cheltenham or Aintree in the coming weeks. 

Race Four: The SBK Handicap Chase - Class Four - 3 Miles - Runners: 7

The action remained at the three mile starting point, but this time over fences. This race would be a qualifier for the Red Rum division of the Go North Series and provided another good opportunity for all connections.

The top weight Horacio Apple's won impressively at Bangor in December before finding the track at Sedgefield too sharp last time out. Stringtoyourbow was an emphatic winner on his only race at this trip in 2022 before missing a chunk of time off the track. Charlie Longsdon's Almazhar Garde has arguably better form over marathon distances and the nine year old has a hit and miss profile. Big Blue Moon entered the race with a totally unexposed profile as he made his debut over fences. Tom Lacey's seven year old has raced only six times and went close on his most recent start in March. Alan King's Betterforeveryone has done well over fences so far this year and chased home an improved sort over slightly longer trip last time out at Doncaster. The legend of Ursa Major Racing, Event Of Sivola, has been in the form of his life with victories at Hexham and Catterick but stepped up in grade here. The lowly rated  of Roxboro Road completed the lineup for trainer Mike Sowerby, but the eleven year old was badly out of form and made up the numbers. 

Winner: BETTERFOREVERYONE (Cokoriko x Lady Emily) (#6) - T. Cannon - A. King
Following the overnight rain and heavy ground, this decent looking contest wasn't going to be one for the faint hearted and so it proved with a gruelling endurance race in which just three of the seven runners completed the race.

Stamina was going to be the main order in this handicap and the guaranteed stayer Almazhar Garde was soon in front under Paul O'Brien. There would be some early scrimmaging behind the leader in the opening stages as Betterforeveryone collided with Event of Sivola, but both would continue. The pace was sensibly steady as the jockeys were keen to save every last drop of stamina. The experienced handicappers jumped well on the whole with only minor mistakes by a few. The well supported favourite Big Blue Moon was one of the first to feel the pressure and he would be the first to pull up and exit the race. He would be joined by Roxboro Road as the remaining five continued. Almazhar Garde continued to bowl along in the lead, but Betterforeveryone had his every move covered. It would be a matter of time before the lead changed hands and at the second last fence, Tom Cannon's mount produced the race winning leap and began to pull clear. Event Of Sivola and Stringtoyourbow would be next to cry enough and they were next to pull up. 
Betterforeveryone kept up the gallop and came home eleven lengths of a tired yet brave Almazhar Garde, who deserved his second place. Even further back, Horacio Apple's walked across the line to finish last of three. It would be a first win over fences for the Alan King-trained Betterforeveryone. Enjoying the use of a visor, the seven year old finished a good second over two furlongs longer than today's race and that stamina came into good effect here. He has plenty more improvement in the locker and he could be one for a race such as the Scottish Grand National in the future. 

Race Five: The SBK Novices' Hurdle - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners: 9
Next would be the turn of the younger and more promising sorts in this novice hurdle over the minimum distance. The race has a history of producing horses to follow and last season, the four year old Shared landed his second win in this race. Harry Derham's gelding would then go on to win a valuable handicap hurdle at the start of this season. Back in 2020, Nicky Henderson's Allart bolted up in this contest before finishing a respectable fifth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. 
Rebecca Menzies' Mister Moodles used his experience to defeat the talented Sea Grey here last month and lined up here with a winner's penalty to carry. Paradias ran in big festival handicaps on the flat last year and made an impressive winning hurdles debut in November. Garitsa Boy has looked to be a longer term prospect for Ian Williams and the Christian Williams-trained Montys Soldier made his debut for the yard is related to some talented sorts. Clare Dyson's Scout Master showed ability by finishing a close second twice in point to points, but was well beaten on his debut under rules. Selwan won three times on the flat in France but has struggled since joining the Alan King stable; he pulled up on both hurdles starts to date. Skiffle Man is related a capable sort and managed a midfield finish here on his debut last month. Support Act looked a nice prospect when winning impressively at the end of last season in a bumper, but was a beaten favourite on his debut over obstacles in November. The grey Ravanelli ran well on debut to finish third in a bumper before tailing off on her first start over hurdles in January. 

Winner: SUPPORT ACT (Affinisea x Carrigbuck) (#9) - H. Bannister - T. Lawes

Before the tapes were released, the returning Mister Moodles was keen to get on with it and once the race was underway, the last time out winner led the field of nine on their tour of the track. In behind, Support Act kept things simple under Harry Bannister by sitting in a clear second and the well fancied Paradias, Montys Soldier and Skiffle Man all raced further back. The order would change very little throughout and approaching the home straight, the two leaders had those in behind hard at work. As Mister Moodles, Support Act, Selwan and Paradias pulled clear, the eye was drawn to the favourite Support Act who was travelling with ease. Mister Moodles was joined at the second last hurdle by Support Act, but it would be the Toby Lawes-trained Support Act who stayed on dourly to win by a widening ten length margin. Paradias plugged on at the same pace but the stamina test was too much this time. Montys Soldier came from a long way back and kept on eye-catchingly into fourth, shaping like a stayer. 
Support Act would be showing his better side here following a below par hurdling debut at Lingfield in November. A runner up in the point-to-point scene, Support Act trounced his rivals in a Wetherby bumper where he had the subsequent listed hurdle winner Booster Bob in behind. A half brother to the strong staying chaser Street Value, winner of this season's Porterstown Handicap Chase, the future looks bright for the six year old who looks to be another promising chaser in the making. 

Race Six: The At The Races Expert Tips Handicap Hurdle - Class Five - 2 miles, 3 furlongs - Runners: 12

The action returned to the starting point of the day's opening contest with this handicap hurdle which would provide more qualifiers for the Cab On Target Go North Series. 

The weights were headed by Martin Keighley's Redbridge Rambler. The six year old ran his best race in October when second before taking part in some tough handicaps at a higher grade. The Ben Pauling-trained Harry's Hope won at the third attempt in point to points and was another to run in handicaps for the first time in this contest. Ushuaia Dancer ran well at the end of January to come home runner up at Newcastle over slightly further for Justin Landy. Peter Bowen sent Pilgrims Lady up from Wales and the two time winner has come back into form recently. David Dennis' Libor Lad has turned the corner this season and has improved quickly. November's Uttoxeter winner has run well at this distance recently. The Gary Hanmer-trained Streamsforth Lad ran his best race since his debut when finishing fourth on bottomless ground at Uttoxeter. Five year old Matoury placed twice in the summer of 2023 at big prices, but was outpaced on his comeback a few weeks ago. Baghdad Central finally gained his first win last year but his jumping fell to pieces on his latest start in December. Mike Sowerby's Magna Moralia has plenty of experience in the flat and national hunt disciplines and posted a better effort at Doncaster in November. My Friend Sean came into this race with a trio of tailed off finishes in novice company and made his debut in handicap company for Tom Lacey. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Jaxonne has been beaten a long way in most of his starts and hopes were pinned on improving in handicaps. On the other end of the age spectrum, four year old Catboy was more unexposed for Christian Williams and was another handicap newcomer. 

Winner: LIBOR LAD (Passing Glance x Sonic Weld) (#6) - B. Hughes - D. Dennis 

Despite the class five status, this handicap was well contested and had an open look to it. There would be plenty of horses keen to make the running and the grey Magna Moralia won the race lead the field to the first hurdle. Jumping the first hurdle, Libor Lad, My Friend Sean and Streamsforth Lad were all close up in a tightly bunched field. The race begun in earnest on the home bend as Magna Moralia forfeited his position. The handicap debutant My Friend Sean was in the process of running much better and led narrowly over the third last hurdle. The challengers lined up one by one on the heels of My Friend Sean, none more so ominous than Libor Lad under Brian Hughes. The six year old cruised into contention, but on the far side, Pilgrims Lady took a solo path. The three leaders pulled a long way clear of the rest and Libor Lad moved into an outright lead. His pursuers refused to back down, but with a spring heeled leap at the final hurdle, Libor Lad extended his lead by up to ten lengths. Pilgrims Lady settled for second best , just ahead of the tiring My Friend Sean while Jaxonne picked off beaten horses and took fourth place on the run in. 
It would be a second win of the season in a purple patch for Libor Lad. The David Dennis-trained six year old was successful at Uttoxeter in an identical race on the same conditions and showed how capable he is on this sort of ground. An improved sort, he would need the rain to continue for the rest of the season. 

Race Seven: The Sky Sports HD Virgin 519 National Hunt Flat Race - Class Four - Two miles - Runners: 7

The action would finish with an interesting looking bumper with some well bred sorts, well regarded types and previous winners in attendance. The race has a habit of producing an above average type and the previous winners list of this race includes Black Op, Adrimel, Skytastic and Two For Gold.

The class of 2024 was topped by Off To Alabama, who caused a huge shock at Wetherby by making a winning debut for John Mackie at odds of 100-1. He would saddle a penalty for the win however. Tom Doniphon was the second previous winner in the lineup after narrowly making a winning debut under rules for Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White. The Toby Lawes stable was represented by I Play County, who won his only point to point start before making a satisfactory first run here in January. Ben Pauling's team have been in red hot form recently and ran the twice-raced Monty Bodkin who showed promise on his debut. The small stable of Ella Pickard has the potential to unearth a smart bumper horse based on previous years, but her runner Ronster Monster had been well beaten on both starts to date. Tarbuck would make his racecourse debut for the Clare Dyson stable in a tough contest and the field was complete by Rebecca Menzies' Masterpiece, who was starting his first ever race and was related to some talented sorts on the Flat.

Winner: MONTY BODKIN (Walk In The Park x La Segnora) (#4) - B. Jones - B. Pauling

The finale would take place on the worst of the ground as the turf was badly chewed up from the earlier races. It would take a lot of stamina to land this contest and it produced a good prospect as the winner. 

The long priced outsider Ronster Monster set off in front under Harriet Tucker but the pace was only ordinary. The pair of Tom Doniphon and Monty Bodkin were close behind and the likes of I Play County, Masterpiece and Off To Alabama were held up as the field crossed the Rose Hill section of the track. Ronster Monster's race was quickly over as he was left behind by the rest which left the smooth travelling Monty Bodkin and Tom Doniphon to fight it out. I Play County made a brief challenge before the conditions took their toll. The two leaders galloped on resolutely and went eye-to-eye along the whole straight. In the final furlong, Monty Bodkin finally began to nose ahead and would finish on top, but the runner up Tom Doniphon also won some plaudits. A huge gap followed back to the third placed I Play County while another big gap went back to Tarbuck in fourth.
The win would bookend the meeting for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones as they completed a double. Just like his stablemate Leader In The Park, the gelding is by Walk In The Park and looks to possess plenty of stamina. A son of the French Grade One winner La Segnora, Monty Bodkin showed he had a big engine which will come in handy once he races over hurdles. Another smart prospect for the future would be revealed here.