The highlight of the day as ever the 3m5f Betfred Classic Chase but backed up by a very strong supporting card that could well throw up some Cheltenham Festival pointers.
Before racing began we had the plseaure of seeing the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander have a racecourse gallop in preperation for his comeback at Cheltenham (fingers crossed) on January 26th.
A weak novice handicap opened procedings before things stepped up a gear with Ruby making it 2/3 over fences in the Edward Courage Cup.
In between the 2nd and 3rd races I had the honour to meet and have my photo taken with the 2012 Grand National winner Neptune Collonges. He lookes magnificent and am sure he will be as successful in his new Dressage career as he was on the track.
A decent novice chasse followed this and the Paul Nicholls trained Rocky Creek easily accounted for the hot favourite Highland Lodge.
The Package went off favourite for The Pertamps Handicap Hurdle but failed to transfer his high class chase form to the smaller obsticals and it was Ely Brown 2nd last year going one better to take the spoils.
Nigel Twiston-Davies's high class novice The New One was a red hot favourite in the Leamington Spa Hurdle and put up a performence of a potential Festival winner making all to win by 17 lengths without coming off the bridle.
The Betfred Classic wasnt quite up to the standard of some years but still a very competive race none the less and produced a exciting finish with the Venetia Williams trained Rigadin De Beauchene getting up near the line to pip Godsemejudge with Pete The Feet prehaps the most improved horse in training running a gallant race to finish 3rd.
Overall a good solid days jumping with The New One without question the star of the show.
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