Denali Highway puts on executive show to claim Warwick feature

Although there were only three runners for the £10,000 Executive Hire Show Handicap Chase, it was a close affair with favourite Denali Highway proving too good for outsider Have You Seen Me after the two had jumped the final fence together.

Punters who like to back grey horses were spoilt for choice in the opening MHM Plant Maiden Hurdle Race, with three of the ten runners qualifying for selection.

Unusually, they filled the first three places, with 16-1 shot Cloudingstar, trained by Jonjo O’Neill and ridden by Richie McLernon, leading approaching the final flight and drawing away from Boss In Boots and Rigolo Ville.

Disappointment of the race was ex-French flat horse, Lone Ranger, who had every chance coming into the home straight, but found nothing extra, finishing a well-beaten fifth.

Dont Do Mondays and Tom Scudamore set out to make all the running in the second race but Red Courtier, who had been off the course for 573 days, looked a real threat going over the second-last hurdle.

Fitness told in the end as Red Courtier faded and Dont do Mondays ran out the winner by four-and-a-half lengths.

Just four went to post for the Brandon Hire Group Handicap Chase and there was little between Power Pack Jack and Loughalder at the head of the betting.

After disputing the lead for the first circuit, Power Pack Jack fell out of contention as Loughalder took up the running down the back straight. But, after looking the likely winner, his stride shortened going to the final fence and 25-1 outsider Emma Soda came with a storming run to snatch the spoils close home.

Flat racing returns to the track on Easter Monday with a circus-themed raceday, for which the action get underway at 2.20pm.