Blue sky, sunshine and Persian Snow for the Budbrooke

Although racegoers were greeted with blue sky and sunshine, the going remained soft after overnight rain and the last fence in the home straight was again omitted,

Six lined up for the second running of the Budbrooke, with Uxizandre, ridden by champion jockey AP McCoy sent off favourite.

He never got into the shake-up as Bennys Mist, bidding for a hat-trick after scoring twice at Wincanton, took the field along at a good pace for in-form trainer Venetia Williams.

But Bennys Mist had nothing left to give when Persian Snow came alongside at the second-last fence, fading out of contention, and it was left to the staying-on Greywell Boy to chase home the winner, who was pushed out by Richard Johnson for an eight-length success.

The meeting got underway at 2.10pm with The EBF Stallions “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle Qualifier and Leicester winner Cogry went off a hot 4-6 favourite.

In a slowly-run race, he did not look too impressive at times, with indifferent jumps at a couple of flights, but having taken the lead at the second-last, was ahead where it mattered, drawing six lengths clear of his rivals.

Thirteen went to post for The Warwick “Hands And Heels” Handicap Hurdle and Dorry K broke her duck over hurdles when leading entering the home straight and holding off the challenge of Walter De La Mare.

With a trip of three miles in front of them, the runners for The Gamble Family Day At Warwick Races Novices’ Handicap Chase needed stamina in abundance and they were well strung out entering the back straight for the second time with Comeonginger going well in the lead.

Barton Gift looked to be travelling strongly when falling five out and, with Comeonginger fading out of contention, it was No Duffer and Mighty Mobb that fought out the finish with just a neck between them at the line.

Three of the runners in The Whitson Bloodstock Juvenile Hurdle were making their debut over obstacles, but it was the most experienced runner in the field, Raven’s Tower, that headed the market, just ahead of Haatefina.

Haatefina has been knocking on the door and looked to be in line for her first success as she jumped the last flight in front, but she was run out of it close home by Raven’s Tower, who won by half a length.

Favourite backers looked like collecting again as Bally Sands came to the last fence in front in the long distance chase, but he was joined and passed by Chepstow specialist Loughalder, who won his first race away from the Welsh course.

With the weather taking a turn for the worse, 16-1 shot Midnight Jazz won a dramatic finale, in which the well-fancied Western Diva slipped and fell on the home bend.