The meeting was handed the go-ahead after overnight frost had come out of the ground, and riders in the first reported the going to be good.

This was a very modest event with which to open proceedings. The pace was sound and the race concerned only three from a long way out. THE SMALL FARMER, a winning pointer in 2005, was a never-nearer seventh on his return to hurdling at Towcester two months ago but proved good enough to break his duck under Rules, the longer trip and better ground evidently the deciding factors. Always up with the pace, he had two rivals snapping at his heels from the third last but was always holding them at bay. He was dismounted after the finish but there did not appear anything too seriously wrong.

Bar Gayne was in the van all the way but was just unable to get past the winner. Winner of a classified hurdle over course and distance in January, he clearly stays very well and had no problem with this faster ground.

Star Time, back over hurdles for this first run for two months, was under pressure with well over a circuit to run but plugged on to claim a remote fourth at the expense of Safe To Blush, who was without the cheekpieces or tongue strap she wore last time.

Trainer David Thompson reported that Perfect Balance was unsuited by the ground.

Jim Old reported that Pip Moss had a breathing problem.

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