Racegoers enjoyed a feast of action at Plumpton’s Southern Cranes Raceday today, writes Emily Gailey.

Spectators gathered under clear skies, enjoying the perfect weather, setting the stage for some remarkable performances.

An expert panel, led by Colin Brown, gave attendees tips, horses to follow and informative pointers for the season ahead. Once Richard Hoiles, Nico De Boinville and Josh Moore got everybody’s tastebuds tingling for the winter months, a brilliant seven-race card commenced with a prize pot of £118,000.

There were a whopping number of entries caused by other abandonments last week, but the Plumpton ground remained Good to Soft thanks to the hard work of the grounds team. The card was packed with local representation as well as entries from big stables further afield.

This day kicked off with A Tickatickatiming and Marc Goldstein, who battled on gamely when challenged after the last. They took the win in the Southern Cranes & Access Ltd Mares’ Maiden Hurdle for trainer Sheena West and owners, The Bull Boys.

West Orchard and Sean Bowen jumped well to comfortably claim the Roger and Jenny Farrant Diamon Wedding Novice’s Handicap Steeple Chase for Joe Tizzard and Orchard Racing.

The Plant Movements Ltd Novice’s Hurdle saw Emailandy and Bryony Frost take the win for Paul Nicholls on the gelding’s debut over hurdles. Owned by The Brooks and Stewart Families, they led before two out and went clear before the last.

It was a brilliant three-way battle in the feature race, the Mannok Build GB Handicap Hurdle. Forever William and Tom Cannon led from five out and took a game win for trainer Alan King and The Barbury Lions 6.

Blade Runner backed up his recent Chepstow win for owners Holman, Widdows, Banks, Lloyd by taking the Littlehampton Welding Handicap Steeple Chase with Rex Dingle for Chris Gordon.

West End Boy and Freddie Gingell took the sixth race, the SCA 26-year anniversary Handicap Hurdle race for Joe Tizzard, helping owners, the Coral Racing Club celebrate their first birthday in style and the Southern Contract lifting Handicap Hurdle saw Baddesley and Freddie Gordon win for father, Chris Gordon.

Plumpton’s next race day is on November 20. Visit: plumptonracecourse.co.uk.