With conditions getting tougher as the rain persisted at Exeter it was no surprise that the feature three mile six furlong Devon National Handicap turned into a real slog, with exaggerated distances splitting the only five finishers as the rest struggled badly. Returning to form having been pulled up in four of his last five starts Teeming Rain, racing in the green and gold of JP McManus and ridden by retained rider AP McCoy, out stayed his closest pursuer Present M’lord from the last to win by an exhausted 3L’s.

The betting got it spot on in the opener as the 9/4 joint favourites Giles Cross and Our Bomber Harris fought out the finish. Drawing a mile clear of the rest of the pack, with the proven stayer Giles Cross and Christian Williams getting better of the Ruby Walsh ridden Our Bomber Harris.

Always travelling well just behind the leaders the gambled on mare Cool Friend from the J Scott yard, eased to the front straightening for home winning by a controlled 3L’s from the staying on Gan On, with once again exaggerated distance between the other twelve runners. A progressive unexposed mare that looked to thrive in the conditions.

In a Novice Chase with such testing ground that the fences seemed six inches bigger, Picts Hill jumped and ran his seven rivals ragged. More than capable of following up next time expect the Anthony Honeyball 9 yr old, while kept low key, to win under a penalty.

Given a brilliant ride by David Dennis, Mud Monkey put his heart and soul on the line only to get picked up in literally the dying strides by Master d’Or. A heart wrenching performance from the second I only hope he will recover after laying it all on the line.

Thethirdoftheforth, not without his followers, got the better of the gambled on Pearl in the final Amateur Handicap hurdle. Yet another contest in which the conditions took their toll I could not be certain that the winner could follow up off a penalty.