ON a sunny Grand National day (Saturday 11th April), Chepstow staged an eight-race card, with the going good, good to firm in places.

The first race, a 2 mile novices' hurdle, proved straightforward for Harry Whittington's Arzal (4/9 fav), who was dropped markedly in class.

He made the running and took a clear lead going along the far side. The others drew up to his quarters at the third last after jockey Paul O'Brien had given him a breather, but he was still travelling well and after a bold jump at the last pulled six lengths away from Global Thrill.

The second was a 2m4f chase. The Philip Hobbs-trained Bincombe (5/2) jumped well for Conor Smith for a four length victory from Kyles Faith, who ran on late for second.

Next came a brace of tough-to-solve 2m4f hurdles. In the first division the mare Flemensbay disputed the lead turning into the straight and fought out a good duel with Who Am I from the second last.

On the run-in she seemed beaten, only to rally and regain the lead in the last few strides. The winner, the 33/1 outsider of the party, was trained by Richard Philips and ridden by Sean Quinlan.

In contrast the second division saw a gamble landed in the form of Modeligo (9/2). He made stealthy progress to take second place at the penultimate flight. Stan Sheppard, riding for his father Matt, nudged him into a narrow lead and a bold jump at the last sealed victory by three and a half lengths from Dan's Quest.

All four runners in the 3m chase had chances turning into the straight but then Silver Commander (5/2) came up to dispute the lead, and without Thomas Cheeseman asking him for a serious effort he was well in command by the third last.

Shaken up on the run-in to go eight lengths clear of Sin Bin, this gave trainer Philip Hobbs his second winner of the afternoon here in addition to one at Aintree.

Attention then switched to the Grand National at Aintree where the crowds saw Many Clouds win.

Racing at Chepstow resumed with a 2m hurdle in which Brave Helios (8/1) shared the lead from the outset until the home turn, when he dropped back.

Nevertheless he kept plugging away for Daniel Hiskett, even after Kayf Blanco looked the winner between the last two.

Gamely he regained the lead well inside the final furlong, to supply Richard Phillips with a double.

Alberobello (4/1) and Mighty Mobb contested the lead for much of the 3m chase and it was the former who moved four lengths ahead four fences out. Before long the outcome of the race was in no doubt.

Jeremy Scott's course winner stayed on well under Matt Griffiths to score by seven lengths.

In the bumper, After Hours (14/1) took a narrow lead half a mile out and was all out to hold off Kerrow.

James Davies drove the Henry Oliver-trained point-to-point winner to a half length success.

They survived a stewards' enquiry into what appeared to be minor interference a furlong and a half out. The runner-up ran in the colours of Trevor Hemmings, the owner of the Grand National winner