WIND and rain made visibility poor at the beginning of yesterday’s meeting (18th November), but conditions improved halfway through the afternoon. The going was changed to heavy after the second race.

Two divisions of a 2m maiden hurdle began the card. In the first the 33/1 shot Never Equalled surprisingly retained the lead all the way until the last flight, when Nansaroy (evens favourite) overhauled him for a hard-fought length and a quarter victory. Both were running round erratically in the closing stages but the Evan Williams-trained winner finished up on the rail, which undoubtedly helped jockey Paul Moloney.

In the second division the odds-on Champagne At Tara travelled well and had taken a narrow advantage only to make a crucial mistake at the last. This allowed Maxanisi (11/2), under an all-out drive from Adam Wedge, to take the initiative on the run-in and win by a neck, furnishing Evan Williams with a quick double.

The 2m mares’ hurdle resulted in an easy victory for Barry Leavy’s Helamis (8/1) who, after being held up early, joined the leader four out and gradually went further and further clear under Harry Challoner. Poetic Presence came in 11 lengths behind.

In the 3m chase Smart Exit appeared to have made a decisive move four out but reckoned without Big Society (7/1), who wasn’t going particularly well until starting to improve a mile out. His jockey Gavin Sheehan could then afford to wait before making his challenge at the last fence. He took the lead on the run-in and stayed on well for a two and three quarter length success. Harry Whittington was the winning trainer.

South Glamorgan trainer Phillip Dando notched his second ever success in the 3m hurdle with Rainbow Haze (3/1), ridden by Mr Byron Moorcroft. Prominent early, he dropped back a mile out before rejoining the leading group entering the straight, going easily. He led at the third last and soon went clear, running out a comfortable seven length winner from Moon Trip.

Not for the first time, Winston Churchill (13/2) led by example. Sophie Leech’s dour stayer led throughout the 2m4f chase, jumping well for Killian Moore. Up the straight he kept pulling out a little more to deny the persistent efforts of Tolkeins Tango and Quite By Chance by almost three lengths. The latter suffered interference and was promoted to second after a stewards’ enquiry.

All seven in the 2m4f conditional jockeys’ hurdle had chances turning into the straight. Mountain Of Mourne (10/1) had disputed the lead all the way, and from three out he went clear with Bassarabad. After a prolonged tussle between the two Conor Smith drove him ahead in the last 50 yards to score by three quarters of a length. This was a welcome winner for Devon trainer Linda Blackford.