An unscheduled additional fixture was well received on ground conditions pretty unfamiliar to trainers and riders these past few months. 47 horses set forth in good to soft ground, eight alone from the Skelton yard, which took the lion's share of the spoils with a short-priced treble. But it was hardly competitive fare, with cumulative winning distances of over 70l across 7 races - barely enough to raise the heartbeat.

Skelton Benefit

It's become the norm for a Skelton horse to be sent off favourite, rather as it was for Piggott-ridden horses back in the eighties. This unscheduled fixture provided a lift to the Alcester maestro as he pursues Martin Pipe's record for the most winners trained during a season.

What better way to start your afternoon than with a match race. Beginners' chases have their place, but a 19l success is no way to encourage a vibrant betting market. Emid'io Pepe simply outclassed Warwickshire neighbour Act of Authority, and the contest was rarely in doubt.

Skelton ran four in the maiden hurdle 30 minutes later, and whilst harry chose wisely in 4 1/2l winner Eastern Fire over Oykel Bridge, sharp eyes noted down the third, Mags Ocean, who took a fierce hold, and made steady headway from rear. The gelding won't be sent off at 66/1 next time for sure.

The treble was completed by Lune Brillante, making it two from two over the smaller obstacles, who had only to be shaken up to make a winning distance of 16l over Padre Arthur, 13l further to locker Boum, the remainder strung out like washing.

Mullins bats for Wiltshire

Seamus Mullins is a regular at Stratford, his Basilette a frequent visitor in handicap hurdles this summer, scoring here back in July. the 7 year old mare is very robust, running twelve times since the start of May, winning four, most recently at Plumpton last week and only out of the frame once.

In 10 year old Sheldon, he may have found similar credentials. The gelding launched his autumn season with a pillar to post 16l success over Henry Daly's Petty Cash in the hands of 7lb claimer benjamin Macey.

Mullins is not besieged by wealthy owners with deep pockets, but his horses are well-placed and he punches above his weight.

Keighley autumn success continues

The Keighley yard is not one to hold back on the emotions. it's difficult not to be pleased when you hear Belinda's raucous chuckles from across the paddock.

Still buzzing from a double at Cheltenham's opening Showcase meeting, they continued in something of the same vein here with Bobbi's Beauty, produced by son Freddie to win by the day's shortest margin, just 1 1/2l over Dream Shadow from Fergal O'Brien's.

O'Brien was not to go home empty-handed however. Daughter Fern made all on Molly's Lad 30 minutes later to win the 2m 2f novices handicap hurdle, bringing her seasonal tally to 8, and career best of 32 winners, not bad for a season and a half.

The day wrapped up with a winner for Cath Williams in Zero Tolerance, who made light work of the novices handicap chase. Whatever her personal issues with a husband away serving time, she is holding it together in admirable fashion professionally: hopefully plenty for Evan to return to when he is part of another inevitable early release scheme.