Though there were only four runners in the 2m 4f hurdle that began the card, it was a puzzle that was by no means easy to solve. Simply The West went for home early in the straight and when Anteros (13/8) blundered at the penultimate flight the latter's chance seemed to have gone, yet he ran on again strongly to take the lead after the last and Paul Moloney guided him to a three-quarter length victory. Sophie Leech trains the winner in Gloucestershire.

Mr Burbridge (9/4 fav) made all the running in the 2m handicap hurdle. With Kayf Blanco laying down a stern challenge, he put in a bold leap at the last and pulled out a bit more on the run-in to fend off his rival by half a length. The runner-up was beaten the same distance into second place here two weeks ago. Mark Quinlan rode the winner for Neil Mulholland.

Two went off fast in the 2m4f chase, which set the race up for Brody Bleu (15/8 fav), who was achieving his third win in a row for trainer Robert Walford and jockey Felix de Giles. He waited until the fifth last before taking the lead, and although joined by Chestnut Ben three out he outstayed his opponent after the last to win by four lengths.

Three of the four favourites failed to complete in the 3m hurdle. The Kim Bailey-trained Ballyknock Lad (14/1) eventually appreciated the step up in distance, for his jockey David Bass was hard at work most of the way up the straight. He responded to pressure by leading approaching the last and going away in the final furlong to win quite convincingly. Magheral Express was four and a half lengths away in second.

The fifth race was the Dunraven Bowl, a good quality 3m chase for novice hunters. The strongly fancied Desertmore View (5/4 fav) was already in front and going easily by the fourth last, when Patricktom Boru's departure left him in a clear lead. Heavily eased by Mr John Mathias, the winning margin of two lengths could have been much more. Kimora finished second, who, like the winner, hails from the Pembrokeshire yard of Marc Barber.

Conditions were becoming increasingly murky by the next, a 3m2f chase in which the two 9/4 joint favourites came to the fore. Charming Lad took the lead from Clubs Are Trumps three out and despite a clumsy jump at the next fence he stayed on well under Mr Danny Burton to win by five lengths. This was a first course runner – and winner – for the small Leicestershire yard of Anthony Day.

The Colin Tizzard stable took the last, a 2m maiden hurdle with the hitherto-disappointing Third Act (2/1). He outclassed a weak bunch to lead after the last in the back straight. Without needing too much encouragement from Brendan Powell he went 14 lengths clear of Born To Succeed.