The rain had not yet arrived by the time of our second fixture of the autumn, which again suffered from small fields, 37 runners turning out for the seven races. This is a phenomenon not limited to Ludlow; other tracks are suffering from a paucity of runners, especially where their trainers have been unable to prepare properly themselves. The grass gallops at Lambourn for example have seen very limited use.

Honours were widely shared therefore, with no field larger than 8, and several with just three – hardly the makings of exciting racing, and not a recipe for punters (or bookmakers) seeking a decent return.

Jamie Snowden’s is a yard on the edge of breaking into the big time; some might argue he’s there already. He produced his 24th individual winner in the opener, when Tiptoptim made all to win the introductory hurdle. These conditions races for horses that have not run in more than one hurdle race are designed as nurseries for progressive youngsters.

A juvenile hurdle later in the card produced four 3 year olds, all graduates from a summer’s flat calendar. The market told of just two being likely winners, priced at 10/11 and even money respectively for Paul Nicholls and Ben Pauling, and the market was proved right. Freddie Gingell had Treasure Planet up disputing the lead with the McManus – owned Mojito des Mottes under Callum Pritchard, and they matched strides till the fifth, when the latter showed his inexperience, allowing the leader to assert an 18l lead by the line.

Spectators looking for a faster heartbeat had to persevere to the final race for the closest finish of the day, when 8 further juveniles faced the starter in a Juniors Bumper. Charlie Todd made all on the Greenall-Guerriero – trained Crack Ops, but had to get stuck in when joined by Tom Bellamy on Faithful Guardian for Alan King. The two were head to head over the final furlong, before Crack Ops prevailed by 1/2l at the line.

Sam Twiston-Davies rode a double, courtesy of a handicap chase winner for Henry Daly and a Mares maiden hurdle for Anthony Honeyball. Daly is a keen supporter of his local track, but not one to run many on top of the ground conditions. The Good going description was enough for him to run Minniemum, winner of a decent mares handicap at Cheltenham back in the Spring. The 8 year old has found her metier chasing, this 1 1/2l victory over Concetto her third win over the bigger obstacles from just 5 runs.

On Park Princess 30 minutes later, Twiston-Davies was able to secure the mare’s maiden hurdle victory despite hanging left at the final flight, 4 1/2l the margin over Mighty Fleur.

A catalogue of disaster met four of the six runners in the Rix Oakleys Novices Handicap Chase, the only other chase on the card. In a virtual case of last man standing, Callum Pritchard was able to secure a 9 1/2l victory on L’Empire Vert over the only other finisher, Outback Frontiers, after Formel Park fell , and 3 others unseated at the 8th.  Sheila Lewis was recording her third winner of the term, Pritchard his 10th.

Six aspiring amateur riders faced the starter in the last remaining race, an amateurs handicap hurdle over 2m 5f. Evan Williams’ Melton Mossy was sent off the 5/4 favourite, but gave favourite backers a bloody nose, whipping round at the start and refusing to race. It was left to Ocean Conquest, taking a keen hold for Amber Jackson-Fennell, to make the most of the opportunity, reeling in top weight Diplomatie under Victoria Malzard from 3 out, and scoring by 7 1/2l at the line.