After the excitement of the previous weeks' opening meetings at high profile tracks Cheltenham and Aintree, the National Hunt season has taken its place front and centre in the focus of horse racing and another high quality weekend of racing was all set.
The prestigious Bet365-sponsored Charlie Hall meeting is seen as Wetherby's highlight of the season and is used as a perfect venue for returning stars to begin their season with bigger and brighter targets in their sight. The West Yorkshire venue is often well supported by all trainers thanks to its close proximity to the A1 motorway which overlooks the racecourse. The course itself provides a fair test as it predominantly flat and galloping. The fences are relatively easy to navigate and plenty of former Cheltenham and Aintree Festival winners have visited the course during their careers. 
The main focus point of the whole meeting was the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase which provided the first major clash of the staying division. Bravemansgame, so impressive as a novice over hurdles and fences, lined up for trainer Paul Nicholls and bumped into his old rival once again. Ahoy Senor, the pride of Scotland and trainer Lucinda Russell, held the measure in their mini head-to-head battle at two-one and they went to war once again with the Joe Tizzard-trained Eldorado Allen adding extra spice to the lineup. For an in depth look at the race, follow the link below to find out how the race turned out. 

The undercard of the meeting was full of interesting events and worthy of being standout races in their own rights. The Grade Two Bet365 Hurdle, formerly known as the West Yorkshire Hurdle, saw the first big race in the staying hurdlers division. This year's renewal was a throwback to last year as three of the first four home lined up again, they included Indefatigable who was looking to defend her Wetherby crown and she took on last year's runner-up Proschema and fourth home Thomas Darby. Completing the six-strong field were the pair of classy chasers Threeunderthufive, a Grade Two novice chase winner last season, the quirky but very talented handicap chaser Oscar Elite for new trainer Joe Tizzard and Sporting John, who had finally delivered on his promise last season for trainer Phillip Hobbs and owner JP McManus.
The race would see Proschema go one place better than last year to land the prize. Always travelling sweetly, the former flat racer turned hurdler has a soft spot for Wetherby having won here before. Arriving at the final hurdle alongside Thomas Darby, Proschema simply ran away from them to score by ten lengths. 
Elsewhere on the card, the listed Bet365 Mares' Hurdle was another throwback to last year as defending champion Molly Ollys Wishes returned to Yorkshire to face four rivals. The Dan Skelton-trained mare bolted up twelve months ago and further behind that day was Maries Rock who would progress into a Grade One winner at Cheltenham and Punchestown. This year's event wasn't as strong on paper, but included the talented Lucy Wadham-trained Martello Sky with Bryony Frost onboard, Irish interest in the form of Island Mahee for trainer Stuart Crawford and perennial runner up Nina The Terrier for the Alan King stable. The race would repeat history as Molly Ollys Wishes made it back to back victories in the race. The five runner race threatened to be tactical, but the Harry Skelton ridden mare used her talent and tenacity to battle hard for the win over Martello Sky in a brilliant finish. 
Competitive handicaps and intriguing novice events completed the days' racing to send the crowd home happy. In the opening novice hurdle, the first three home were all long prices, but all showed vast talent. The four year old Hall Lane defying inexperience to win on just his second career start and fought hard for the victory over the Wadham and Frost combination of Hurricane Bay. The handicap chases provided two exciting finishes which typified the heart and soul of jumps racing. In the two mile and a half mile chase, a last fence blunder by Deyann de Carjac left the door open for Ladronne to rally back at him and overhaul his rival on the line in a rousing finish and in the three mile handicap, the lightly raced Tango Boy ate up the ground in the closing stages to deny long time leader Cash To Ash. 
The closing race was run in near darkness due to the time of the year but two young prospects shined bright in the finish. The unexposed Rocky Man had been highly tried last season and returned to handicaps on this reappearance. Travelling supremely well throughout the race, he came clear of the field with fellow improver Findthetime in a great finish to complete a hat-trick for the Skelton operation. 
The rain didn't dampen spirits as the spirit of jumps racing was clear to see. High class racehorses giving their all in battle and impressing everyone with their jumping qualities. A passionate crowd roaring the horses home in close finishes to warm the atmosphere. 
A very enjoyable afternoon. 
Race Winners:
Race One: HALL LANE - Tom Bellamy - Alan King - (8) - Mount Nelson x Cashalass
Race Two: MOLLY OLLYS WISHES - Harry Skelton - Dan Skelton - (1) - Black Sam Bellamy x September Moon
Race Three: PROSCHEMA - Harry Skelton - Dan Skelton - (4) - Declaration Of War x Notable.
Race Four: BRAVEMANSGAME - Harry Cobden - Paul Nicholls - (5) - Brave Mansonnien x Genifique. 
Race Five: LADRONNE - Sean Quinlan - Tjade Collier - (8) - Linda's Lad x Worldeta.
Race Six: TANGO BOY - Tom Scudamore - Neil Mulholland - (7) - Flemensfirth x Hello Kitty.
Race Seven: ROCKY MAN - Harry Skelton - Dan Skelton - (8) - Doctor Dino x Lady Speedy.