Huge relief as all three horses have come home safely - The racing was incredibly competitive and the ground although safe was plenty quick enough so thank goodness, as I am afraid there were a few that were not so lucky.
There was 19 runners in the novice riders and Craig did a clear round avoiding the carnage. He jumped beautifully and it was the first time Ben has completed with him so they did really well and will both come on from the run. Fourteen runners in the restricted and both Budge and Cloud didn't get the best of starts but Cloud soon caught up and was lying third when she got pushed out wide and lost a lot of ground before finishing like a train and finishing around 6th or 7th. Budge went with them but was jumping to the right and Scott pulled him up around four from home as he was worried about him. He had got kicked on his hind leg during the week and we thought he had recovered but he was clearly still feeling it so Scott wanted to be on the safe side.  Had it been Cloud who got kicked it wouldn't have bothered her but Budge doesn't need much of an excuse and we think it is time to call it a day with him and let him enjoy life as a happy hacker.
We were delighted with all three of our novice riders though as they all looked really stylish and just need slightly less competitive races (and better horses!) to get that win.

Cloud pushing her way to the front

Sadly Kerrie Squire who worked for us about three season ago and now works with Fran Nimmo had a nasty tumble and has been taken to Bath hospital. Our thoughts are with her.