Britain may have basked in a brilliant heatwave during the previous week, but the forecast reverted to its' usual bank holiday self with plenty of cloud cover and much more bearable temperatures. The popular May Day bank holiday family day at Beverley would take place on the Westwood and a healthy crowd was expected for a seven race card. With plenty of exciting action on the track and activities for all ages, it would be another fun day at the East Yorkshire venue.

Race One: The EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes - 2-Y-O Only - Class Four - Five Furlongs - Runners: 12
The action would begin with this fairly valuable maiden for juveniles, which has been given an injection of prize money under the GBB/Ire Incentive, encouraging owners to source horses bred in the country. Beverley usually provides an above average winner of its novice races and the uphill and testing nature of the track is a tough learning curve. Twelve months ago, this race went to Call Me Harswell from the Roger Fell stable, who built on a promising debut over course and distance on previous start.

This year's lineup would be a very interesting one and it would be headed by the first of the newcomers, Mick Appleby's Faithful Dream. He would be related to plenty of multiple winners in his family and the stable can ready one first time out. Another newcomer would be Golden Haze from the Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood stable. He has already been gelded ahead of his debut, but comes from quite a useful family. Travelling up from Newmarket would be Greek Gold for the Harry Eustace yard. The colt could be one for the future with a high class pedigree, but could only manage fifth on his recent debut. Last year's winning trainer Roger Fell would have plenty of runners to choose from for this contest. The first would be Harswell Calling, who made his debut in the Brocklesby Stakes in March but was well beaten by an exciting prospect in a better contest when last seen. Kevin Ryan has already saddled a newcomer winner at Beverley this year and was looking to provide more with The Caddy Master. The distant relative to top class Soldier Hollow has already been gelded ahead of his racecourse debut however. Craig Lidster's horses are running well of late and his Ubetterseethis marked himself as a nice prospect this year with an agonisingly close defeat on debut at Pontefract, where he saw out the uphill finish nicely. Ivan Furtado took over the Eboracum Stables earlier this year and has made a good start already. He would be represented by the newcomer Crystal Aurora, who is a filly by first season sire Alkumait. Another stable with plenty of success at Beverley is the David O'Meara yard and they would introduce Gillali Lass on her debut. She would have a mix of speed and stamina in her pedigree but made automatic interest given her connections. The Brian Ellison yard also does well in these sort of races at Beverley and would saddle Homestrait, another newcomer. She too would have decent claims on paper and was expected to well prepared by her trainer. The only runner for Tim Easterby would be Lope Y Linda, who gradually faded away on debut when fifth, but has some classy sorts in her pedigree. Another trainer who is capable of saddling newcomer winners is Ollie Pears and he was represented by Maldetta Minerva. She would be speedily bred, but has some pattern class horses in her distant family. Nick Bradley Racing were leading owners here last season and were looking for more success this year with the promising Saucy Jane. She would look professional on debut when caught close home into second at Pontefract, but wouldn't need to improve a huge amount here. A second debutante for the David O'Meara yard would be Willowinghurn, who is a half sister to a talented horse who won at this distance, she would complete the field in the opener.

Winner: SAUCY JANE (#12) (Lope Y Fernandez) - S. James - J. Morland

The race would lose one of the predicted leading contenders as Greek Gold was deemed a non-runner on the morning of race day, but it would still leave an informative field of twelve youngsters.

The contest would get underway to a relatively even break and such is always the case at Beverley, a prominent position can define winning or losing. From the widest stall on the track, Saucy Jane made a quick getaway and began to move across the track towards the inside rail. Whilst doing this, she came across too quickly and hampered a few of her rivals on the inside; Ubetterseethis and Harswell Calling would be most affected. Once the race settled into its flow, Saucy Jane led the field along under Sam James with Homestrait running in a close second. Ubetterseethis was shuffled back a few positions and suddenly had ground to make up as Lope Y Linda, Harswell Calling and Gillali Lass all jumped past him in the queue. Out towards the rear would be Maledetta Minerva, The Caddy Master and Golden Haze who were all slow to leave the stalls. Making their way up the hill towards the finish, the order had barely changed. Approaching the final furlong, Saucy Jane began to leave Homestrait behind and soon built up a big lead. She would continue to surge towards the line to pull almost five lengths clear, shaping like a classy filly in the process. It would be a good start to the afternoon for owners Nick Bradley Racing as they landed a one-two at their local track. Homestrait would make a very promising debut while the unlucky Ubetterseethis lost his chance in the early scrimmaging. Gillali Lass would then complete the first four home in a race that should produce horses to follow.

It would be a sparkling success from the filly Saucy Jane, who became the first winner for the Jack Morland and Nick Bradley Racing partnership. Morland is one of the newest names of the trainers roster and caught the eye during last winter when his horses were winning constantly. Saucy Jane is a half sister to the talented Seasett, who won twice on the flat and twice over hurdles. The filly made her debut at Pontefract a month ago where plenty of things were against her. Drawn wide and held up that day, she finished strongly into a close second. With that experience, she looked a class above her rivals and given her connections, she will be in better company sooner rather than later. A trip to York at the end of next week for the Marygate Stakes was mentioned before aiming at Royal Ascot for the Queen Mary Stakes in June. 

Race Two: The We Love A Bank Holiday Handicap - Class Five - Five Furlongs - Runners: 11
The action would remain over the shortest trip of five furlongs with this competitive looking handicap for three-year-olds only. The class five contest would attract plenty of runners who will improve now they have they found their level, while some continue to find that elusive first win. Last year, the Owners' Group syndicate were celebrating a win in this race as Julie Camacho's Brummell put his best foot forward and won stylishly. 

This year's contest would see Cape Sovereign carry top weight for the Kevin Ryan yard. The gelding hit the post on a few occasions last season and went closest to winning on his most recent start at Chelmsford when second. This would be his first handicap start. The lightly raced Monetize would line up for the Bryan Smart team. She would show promise last year, but fluffed her profile slightly by racing too keenly here in August when last seen. One with plenty of previous experience would be Larchill Lass, who is now trained by Mick and David Easterby. She would be making her twelfth career start, but has finished second on her previous visits here. Last year's winning combination of Julie Camacho and Ryan Sexton would combine this year with Thousand Caps. The gelding would should up well over six furlongs, but dropped to this stiff five furlong trip for his seasonal comeback. The Nigel Tinkler stable does well in these sorts of races and would saddle Jeany May here. The filly got off the mark at the eighth attempt last year, but ran well recently to finish a close up fourth at Catterick. The Ivan Furtado-trained Bella Love placed five times last year and one of her best runs came here last summer. She would shape with promise on her recent comeback at Catterick and could be open to progress. Tim Easterby's Lunar Force finished in the top four in all her starts to date and looks certain to win races sooner than lately. She would be another to have run well at Beverley in the past. Paul Midgley is another trainer with plenty of sprinters in his care and would saddle Get Up Everybody here. The gelding is related to some very speedy winners and produced his best effort last time when fourth in novice company at Ripon. This would be his first go at five furlongs. A second runner for the Nigel Tinkler yard would be El Cobre Fuego, who made his debut on turf. The gelding has improved with each run and finished in the placings on his most recent runs on the all-weather. Beerwah lined up for the John and Sean Quinn stable, but doesn't appear to possess the talent of some of his more established stablemates. After a promising debut last year, the gelding's form has gone backwards of late. The gelding Solar Biricz joined the Brian Ellison yard last summer and placed here which led to a first success at Musselburgh. He would be another to disappoint slightly on his return to action at Catterick.

Winner: HUNDRED CAPS (#4) (Showcasing x Castle Hill Cassie) - R. Sexton - J. Camacho

As the gates opened, plenty of runners would swerve to their left instead of going straight, which led to a bit of bumping and barging. Once the field settled down, it would be Bella Love who nosed in front from her wide draw and raced down the middle of the track. She would be kept occupied by the nose banded Cape Sovereign up front as the keen going Jeany May came next. The group was well packed throughout the race as Larchill Lass and Solar Biricz came next. Monetize was hesitant to leave the stalls and lost all of her chances at the start, racing a good four lengths behind the second last horse. As the race began to heat up, the field fanned out across the track. Bella Love quickly faded away while Cape Sovereign would hold the overall lead. Thousand Caps nipped up the inside and into contention, but drifted to her left; carrying Cape Sovereign into the side of Solar Biricz who was also making headway. The trio regained their balance and continued to fight out the finish, but it would be Thousand Caps who did just enough to hold off Cape Sovereign and win by just under a length. Solar Biricz ran a better race into third while Get Up Everybody was another to make eye catching progress from the rear.

It would be a case of history repeating itself as the Julie Camacho stable landed this race for the second year running. This year it was with Thousand Caps who in turn landed his first career victory. The son of Showcasing is bred to be talented as his dam Castle Hill Cassie showed a liking for unique tracks by winning a listed race at Pontefract during her career. After finishing down the field on his debut last year, Thousand Caps began to improve over six furlongs with experience and finished off 2024 with one placing at Thirsk. Making his seasonal comeback here, the gelding showed enough pace to cope with the drop back to five furlongs before staying on best of all at the finish. Given the ability of his trainer with sprinters, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Thousand Caps go on to win more races this year around this sort of level. This win would also extend the perfect record of Julie Camacho runners at Beverley, where they have now saddled five winners from five runners. 

Race Three: The Yorkshire Trailers Ifor Williams Dealership Handicap - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 7
The action would ramp up a gear with the first of two class four handicaps on the card, which looked to be pretty classy for the grade. Racing over just further than seven furlongs, this three year old's only race will be a test of stamina given the uphill finish. Twelve months ago, the race would go to Princess Alex, who made all the running and bravely held on to win for the Karl Burke yard. 

Top weight would be carried by the Marco Botti-trained colt Spirit Of Leros. He would bring a bit of class about him with two wins last season, but was found out in pattern company twice. He was last seen in action out in Dubai, where he suffered a couple of heavy defeats before returning to Britain. The David O'Meara-trained We Dare To Dream is another with a good record so far with four seconds and a win. He has found one too good recently in a pair of good quality handicaps. Charlie Johnston's Hot Property landed his first win last summer in stylish fashion before finding an Ebor Festival handicap too warm. He would return to action over course and distance where he gave plenty to work on for this race. Another in form sort would be Frankies Dream, who continued his excellent year so far with a fifth success at Doncaster ten days ago. Jennie Candlish's tough gelding has finished out of the top three just once this year. Jachin would make his seasonal return and is now under the care of Ivan Furtado. The newly gelded chestnut broke his maiden tag at Catterick in October before appearing to not handle the all-weather on his final start. The field would be completed by Lauren's Dream from the Mick and David Easterby yard. The filly enjoyed a profitable spell during the autumn and winter last year but has struggled for consistency lately.

Winner: WE DARE TO DREAM (#2) (Dark Angel x Vestavia) - D. Nolan - D. O'Meara

This looked to be an up to scratch race for the class four description. With numerous in form runners and others dropping down in grade, it would be a race worth watching for future reference. 

As the gates opened, We Dare To Dream was just a shade too slow upon leaving but quickly regained his position at the head of the field. He would be kept in close company by Jachin, Last Shamardal and Frankies Dream as Jo Mason was already at work pushing along Laurens Dream in the opening furlongs. The pace would look just an average one which led to Hot Property racing keenly as the pack rounded the bottom bend and towards the grandstands at the top of the hill. We Dare To Dream began to unwind in front and kicked on into a clear lead under David Nolan. Spirit of Leros had raced prominently throughout but was caught flat footed once the pace increased and lost a few lengths. From slightly further back, Frankies Dream began to rally up the hill and looked a big threat to We Dare To Dream. Frankies Dream continued to bridge the gap under Paul Mulrennan and it looked likely that his brilliant consistency would continue this year. He would get no further than a neck to We Dare To Dream as the pair crossed the line with victory going to the long time leader. The first two pulled a yawning five length gap to Last Shamardal in third while Spirit of Leros made only minor progress back into fourth.

It would be a great finish between two very consistent and progressive geldings, with victory going to David O'Meara's three year old We Dare To Dream. This would be his second win in six starts, but more impressively, he has finished second in all his other races. The son of Dark Angel landed his first win at the third attempt last summer before chasing home Pellitory in a good quality nursery handicap at Doncaster. That form would be boosted as Pellitory went on to land a conditions race at the Craven meeting in Newmarket last month. Making his seasonal reappearance in April at Musselburgh, We Dare To Dream would finish best of the rest when chasing home a runaway winner over a mile. This would be a game performance, but it will be difficult to keep his first and second finishing record up for the rest of the year. However, with the strength of his trainer in handicaps around the region, We Dare To Dream will likely have his races well planned out.

Race Four: The Brian Dixon Memorial Fillies' Handicap - Class Five - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 7
The action would remain at the intermediate trip of seven and a half furlongs with this class five event that was restricted to fillies. These sort of races can often attract a competitive field for the level and twelve months ago, the Michael Herrington-trained Powdering turned the race into a procession with a wide margin victory.

The Mick Appleby stable often does well at Beverley and would be represented by the consistent Noisy Music. She was in decent form when last seen with a handful of frame finishes on the all-weather. Last year's winning stable would be looking to repeat the feat with The Real McKay. She would win twice for previous connections last year, but has raced mainly over six furlongs. This would be a test of her stamina limits. Another to be returning to turf racing would be the Michael Dods-trained Emily Post. She has run well at Beverley in the past and seems to like undulating courses, but she has been kept busy on the all-weather of late. She would be joined by Vixey from the Simon West yard. The five year old has finished out of the top three on turf just once and is currently enjoying an in form spell on the all-weather, gaining her latest win at Southwell in March.  The Tim Easterby yard would be represented by Queens Road Revue here and the four year old is also a course and distance winner in the past. She is seemingly coming back into form with close up finishes so far in 2025. John Wainwright's Elettaria ran well on a few occasions last year and would make her first start on turf for a while at this venue. She would be successful once again at Newcastle in February this year. The Mick Appleby yard would have plenty of interest in this race as Starsong would also line up here. The six year old has raced mainly over shorter trips, but produced a better effort when third at Leicester recently, her first turf race for quite a while. 

Winner: VIXEY (#4) (Cable Bay x Valonia) - A. Brookes - S. West

With such a tightly bunched field in terms of ratings, the betting markets would provide the biggest clues. Favourite backers would endure a nightmare start to the race as Emily Post fly-jumped spectacularly in the stalls and lost a large amount of ground on her rivals. With the race all but reduced to six competitors, it would be Starsong who led in the early stages under Frederik Larson. Next up came The Real McKay as Vixey, Queens Road Revue and Noisy Music all came next with Elettaria bringing up the rear of the main pack. Emily Post would continue to race, albeit solo and five lengths tailed off. As the race entered its closing stages, Vixey had travelled nicely to this point and moved alongside the leader Starsong. She would then take over in front and held a comfortable lead. It would be a lead that she held onto for the remainder of the race and made a successful return to turf. Starsong had done all of the donkey work but had to settle for second, one place ahead of Queens Road Revue who plugged on into third. Fourth would go to Elettaria, in a race which not many were able to get involved in.

It would be a third win of Vixey's career, but it didn't come out of the blue. Strong late support in the betting market saw her price crumble into second favourite and she won fairly easily in the end. With her original trainer Chris Fairhurst, the five year old mare made a bright start to her career with seven top three finishes. She began to lose her way slightly, but since joining current trainer SImon West, her form has seen a revival. Winning as recently as March this year at Southwell, she continued to run well on that surface with two more placings. With the all-weather season now finished, there is more opportunities for Vixey to find more victories and increase her likeable profile. 

Race Five: The Yorkshire Trailers Spares And Servicing Handicap - Class Four - Five Furlongs - Runners: 14
The focus would switch to the speedsters with this good looking class four handicap over the flying five furlongs. The sharp and testing nature of Beverley can be marmite to some horses and often produces course specialists. The draw over the minimum trip is always imperative, so any horse drawn low will have their chances improved.

Topping the weights in this feature contest would be Sanat, representing the Mick Appleby yard. He possesses plenty of natural speed and has enjoyed a small break since his latest win at Southwell in February. Tiriac won at York just under a year ago for Jack Channon, but has now moved to the shrewd Paul Midgley stable. The five year old competed in some valuable races last year, but looked in need of his return at Ripon recently. The Michael Dods-trained Emeralds Pride seemingly loves the Westwood and has won three times in the not too distant past. She was last successful in August and then ran another good race in defeat when last seen in action. Another local stable that does well here is the Bryan Smart yard and they would saddle Castan in this contest. The six year old was in good form on both sides of the New Year, completing a hat trick on the all-weather, but had excuses for his last two poor runs. Tim Easterby would be represented by Stash The Cash here, and the four year old won three times last year. He would show up well on his recent comeback in quite a competitive handicap at Musselburgh. A second runner from the Paul Midgley stable would be Frank The Spark, who really found his form once at an appropriate level. The five year old won three times last year, including at Beverley, and has run well in his prep races on the all-weather this year.  The Ollie Pears-trained Keldeo won on just his second career start here two years ago and seems to like this venue. The four year old would bravely hold on for the win at Pontefract on his latest start last month. Yet another from the Paul Midgley yard would be Rock Of England, who is still on a long losing streak, but has gone close a few times. He shaped with promise on seasonal debut at Southwell, but was fairly poor last time out. The Midgley runners would keep on coming, this time with Hover On The Wind. The five year old hasn't been at the yard for long, but shaped with promise when fourth last time. This would also be a rare start over five furlongs having raced over further. The Nigel Tinkler-trained Tickyboo has shown plenty of potential in the past, but often fails to produce it. The largely frustrating sort could only manage a midfield finish here on his comeback recently. The Roger Fell-trained Glory Hyde built up quite a likeable profile last year with a liking for Beverley as she won here during the summer. Her races this year have been pleasing enough to suggest there is more to come from the four year old. Ann Duffield's Runninwild has a habit of winning at big prices, but is a smart type when it all falls his way. After winning twice at Carlisle last summer, his form began to tail off. Ruth Carr has yet to get the best out of South Shore just yet, but the four year old could bounce back to somewhere near his best in the near future. He has shown flashes of potential so far for his new yard. The field would be completed by another speedy sort, Glendown from the Tim Easterby stable. The five year old looked ready to return to winning ways when second at Leicester on comeback, but failed to back that run up last time out at Doncaster.

Winner: HOVER ON THE WIND (#9) (No Nay Never x Casila) - P. Mulrennan - P. Midgley

The only other non-runner of the afternoon came in this race as conditions were deemed too quick for Tim Easterby's Stash The Cash, but the remaining thirteen would still produce a competitive contest.

With a couple of natural front runners, the pace was always predicted to be decent and from the word go, Hover On The Wind was first to break from the stalls; joined by Castan in the early stages. Just behind the two leaders would come Keldeo, the keen going Emeralds Pride and Glendown, who also provided Duran Fentiman with his first ride back from a horror injury seven months ago. The pack charged their way past the furlong markers and were soon within sight of the finish line. Castan nosed in front for a few strides, but Hover On The Wind wrestled back the advantage under the full drive of Paul Mulrennan. The eye was drawn to Sanat, who travelled sweetly whilst waiting for a gap to open but as soon as it did, the gelding hung badly to his left and became unsteerable. As his chances evaporated, it was left to Hover On The Wind to bravely stick his neck out with Castan as Frank The Spark made rapid late headway from further back. As the line approached, Hover On The Wind had gamely held off all comers to win, just under a length to his fast finishing stablemate Frank The Spark with Castan in third and Keldeo back in fourth.

Races of these nature are usually dominated by the Malton based yard of Paul Midgley, who regularly has multiple horses entered. This contest saw four runners from the yard and they were rewarded with a one-two finish. The five year old gelding hasn't spend much time with the yard having arrived earlier in the year from the Chris Dwyer stable. For the majority of his career, he has raced over six furlongs; including on previous starts for the Midgley team where he finished a weakening fourth. Now dropped to the minimum trip, he used all of his stamina and determination up the Beverley hill and held off all challengers. There are plenty of races at this level throughout the remainder of the year so it will be likely that Hover On The Wind is kept busy from now until the end of the season and should pick up more success along the way. 

Race Six: The Support Independent Racecourses Handicap - Class Six - One Mile - Runners: 8
The first of two low grade contests would signal the start of the end for this bank holiday meeting. Taking place once again on the back straight at the mile starting point, this class six handicap would lack in quality but make up for it with a good turnout for the level. The race last year was won by the short priced favourite She's Got Bottle, who landed the prize in cosy style.

The six year old Island Of Skye seems to go best after a break and won on his debut for the Mark Walford yard last June before his form faded away. This would be his first start since August last year and he carried top weight. Right Now swapped the flat for hurdles throughout 2024 and picked up a small race win for previous trainer Rebecca Menzies, but he has returned to the flat under the care of Paul Midgley. He shaped better on his latest start when sixth here over a slightly longer trip. The Tim Easterby-trained That's My Boy Lukey has hit the post a few times already and produced another near miss when chasing home Two B Tanned over course and distance last time. The five year old Ballsbridge began his career at Ballydoyle, although his stay there was short lived. Now trained by Jennie Candlish, he showed decent form at this level without winning. Ruth Carr's veteran nine year old Copper And Five last won during the summer last year and would continue to run with credit ever since. This would be his first experience of Beverley however. Craig Lidster would saddle the maiden Triple Force here and he would be making his return to action for the first time since the start of this year. He has run well on occasions to suggest he is capable of winning. The small stable of Wilf Storey would be represented by Going Underground in this contest. The eight year old was winning for just the second time in his career last July and has been hit and miss with his form since then. The Simon Whitaker-trained Mr Heinz is a regular at this level on both the turf and all-weather. The six year old ran well to be third here recently, albeit well held by the winner. 

Winner: COPPER AND FIVE (#4) (Paco Boy x Peachez) - J. Mason - R. Carr

The sun finally broke out from behind the clouds and gave the paying crowd a break from some chilly temperatures out in the open. 

This would be another tricky contest to solve as many of the runners in this basement level handicap would be closely matched on paper. The race would get underway along the back straight with Copper And Five and That's My Boy Luke going forward and disputing the lead. They would come together and make slight contact, but it failed to put either of them off their stride. That's My Boy Luke eventually won the argument and became outright leader as Copper And Five settled into second place. Mr Heinz and Island Of Skye would come next in the order, ahead of Triple Force, Ballsbridge and Going Underground further back, ahead of Right Now who brought up the rear. As the field approached the rising ground for the run home, the order remained mostly the same. Copper And Five still held on to a narrow lead as That's My Boy Luke was given plenty of encouragement from his rider. Triple Force emerged as the latest threat inside the final furlong and gained on the leader with each stride, but it would be Copper And Five who had enough in hand to cross the line in front. Triple Force narrowed the gap to just half a length at the finish as That's My Boy Luke faded away into a well held third. Right Now would complete the frame by passing beaten rivals into fourth.

It would be a sixth career win for the popular nine year old veteran of Ruth Carr's yard, who is now four short of a half century of race starts. At the peak of his powers, Copper And Five finished fourth in a class two events some three years ago, but his form has gradually weakened as time has gone by. His most recent win came almost twelve years ago, but everything fell into place this time around as he showed a good attitude to take this prize. 

Race Seven: The Racing Again On Tuesday 13th May Handicap - Class Six - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 12

The finale of the afternoon would see another class six handicap take place, but this time around a full circuit of the Westwood. Last year, the race was run over ten furlongs as opposed to twelve this year and saw the Ollie Sangster-trained Spartan Warrior  send punters home happy with a nice win for favourite backers.

Now open to older horses, the field would see top weight carried by Remarkable Flight from the Jennie Candlish stable. The filly was successful over hurdles in March and would revert to the flat with match sharpness on her side. The Charlie Johnston stable are regularly associated with staying types and would be represented by the filly Mon Etoile. The four year old landed a belated first win in September last year and shaped with encouragement on her recent comeback on the turf. The mare Spring Chorus gained her only career win to date at this venue nearly a year ago, but her form has been a mixed bag since then. Now making her debut for the Michael Herrington stable, connections will be hoping she will enjoy being back here. Another to make their first start for new connections is Arch Legend for the Ruth Carr yard. The four year old comes from a decent family and won twice at the start of the 2024 season. His new handler should be able to eke more out of him this year. A handicap newcomer at this lowly level would be Haafapenny, from the Mark Walford stable. The filly was sent off at huge odds in all three starts over the winter and now makes her seasonal return as one of the less exposed runners. The eight year old Pearless Percy has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and has a better record on the all-weather. Olly Williams's runner spent a short spell over hurdles last winter and would return to the flat for the first time in two years. The modestly rated Dubai Venture has yet to live up to a decent family and has so far been well beaten in all starts so far. He is now trained by Tina Jackson, who tends to do well at this track. The five year old Daring Leader has placed here in the past so could appreciate the return to the Westwood. He would be making his debut for the Chris Kellett stable having achieved little with Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. The Tracy Waggott stable enjoyed a massive winner recently on All Weather Finals day recently and would saddle Bamboo Bay in this much more modest contest. The seven year old enjoyed a mini revival last summer but is generally campaigned over longer trips. Cookie Queen ran poorly on three starts on the turf last season before improving slightly on the all-weather. She has yet to place so far, but Brian Ellison's filly reverted to grass in better form this time around. It has been almost two years since Rajawail's career best finish of second at this venue and the five year old has been beaten by wide margins regularly. There was slight encouragement from Brian Rothwell's gelding on his latest start at Catterick when fifth. The field would be completed by Victoria Legend, from the John Wainwright stable. The four year old has been largely disappointing on track, but has finished closer to the front with each of his last three starts, so the penny might be dropping.

Winner: SPRING CHORUS (#3) (New Approach x Joys of Spring) - S. Gray - M. Herrington.

The field of stayers would get away to an even break as the sun began to set on the Westwood. Passing in front of the stands for the first time, Rajawail would tow the field along, with Remarkable Flight and Spring Chorus racing just behind the front runner. As the pack made their way past the paddock and out into the countryside, Arch Legend would race with enthusiasm in his central position, along with Victoria Legend, Mon Etoile and Bamboo Bay. The pace would be just a steady one set by Rajawail, but they soon began the climb back towards the finishing line. Spring Chorus had held onto Rajawail's tail for most of the race but was given the green light to advance, responding with a swift change of gear which saw the mare burst clear inside the final furlong. Bamboo Bay had given brief chase, but he began to weaken as Daring Leader and Dubai Venture made up ground from the back. It would be a one horse race as Spring Chorus was given the luxury of strolling home to a five length victory and back in second it was much closer as Dubai Venture gained the upper hand over Daring Leader for second and third placings respectively. The horses would finish at wide intervals as Bamboo Bay was a long distant fourth at the finish.

The well bred mare Spring Chorus hasn't lived up to her pedigree, but days like these show that she has ability when the cards fall right. The half sister to winning handicap chaser Line of Descent began her career under the care of leading owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum, but never made it to the track during her spell with Richard Hannon. Moving north to the Ivan Furtado stable, she looked to have limited ability and moved once again to Jess Macey's yard in Doncaster. It would be here where the mare gained her first race almost a full year ago; incidentally in an identical contest over course and distance by a wide margin. Making her debut for yet another trainer, this was a comfortable return to winning ways for Spring Chorus and the Michael Herrington stable often do well at this venue, so there is a chance for more Westwood wins.