Sparse fields made up the seven races on Thursday in soft ground, where the highlight was a double for emerging amateur Toby McCain-Mitchell. Just 35 runners stood their ground – a disappointing result by all accounts.

One man’s loss is another’s gain, and point-to-Point rider McCain-Mitchell is converting 3 seasons of race-riding experience largely around the Midlands and East Anglia, into a higher profile under Rules. After 17 winners between the flags, he is emerging among a fresh generation of young riders under Rules. His 4 1/4l win on One True King for owner-trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies over Fire Dancer in the Bromfield Sand & Gravel Handicap Chase over 2m was a textbook ride. In a fast-run race, the leaders ran out of steam, and having been under pressure to maintain his position, One True King stayed on to lift the spoils, taking the shortest route.

Six faced the starter in the concluding Samco & PRB Horseboxes Hunters Chase to make up McCain-Mitchell’s double. Winner of the Meredith Memorial Hunters’ here in early February, Captain Tommy was handy throughout, and in contrast to his previous ride, took a line on the outer searching for the better ground in the straight. Taking it up at thhe second last, the winner was pressed all the way to the line by runner-up Espoir de Guye to win by 3/4l.

In a red letter day for amateur riders, the senior amateur in the Weighing Room, David Maxwell, recorded his fourth victory of the current term on his own In D’Or, trained by Venetia Williams, in the 2m5f handicap hurdle. After running super-hot in November and December with 35 runners, the Kings Capel yard has fallen into a regular rhythm, this being the fifth winner of the month. Maxwell has horses with a variety of trainers, and puts his money where his mouth is. Our sport could do with many more like him.

The day had begun with a second Ludlow success for 6 year old Go To War in in the Balfours Llp & Lycetts Novices Hurdle over the minimum trip, ridden by Paddy Brennan. A winner here in December, the gelding needed a wind operation afterwards. He will be aimed at the final of this series at Sandown in April.

Another who knows the winning feeling at Ludlow is Malaita, who last passed this winning post in first in a mares bumper back in 2021. She was back in the best possible position in the Omnia Art & EFG Harris Allday Novices Handicap Chase, a 2m 4f event in which she remained in touch with the head of affairs throughout, and showed some speed despite one or two slow jumps, to win by 9l under Charlie Hammond, thus recording Mel Rowley’s  16th winner of the term.

Another mare was back in the winner’s berth in the Mark Wiggin Estate Agent Mares Handicap Hurdle over just the two miles. Ben Poste had to earn his riding fee when taking Dromlac Jury to the front early and holding off the challenge of Brenda’s Asking  and Queshi Bridge, to break her maiden tag.