Despite the damp conditions, Countryside Day provided racegoers with plenty of noteworthy performances in November 2025. The feature race of the day came in the Yorton Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Listed), with last season’s William Hill Hurdle winner Joyeuse bidding to get off the mark over fences at the first time of asking. Going conditions remained Soft throughout the afternoon.

Race 1 – Crest Environmental Services 25th Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 7f)

Taking Donald McCain’s course record to 244 wins, Skuna Bay (9/2) came home in fine style to take the opening race by 7 ½ lengths, quickening away with ease to land the spoils under Theo Gillard. Keen to take a prominent position from the outset, Theo Gillard pushed his mount forward to take the lead in the early stages, holding a slender advantage over Pragnell (6/1) for much of the way, with market leader Jacks Parrot (5/2F) close behind. Travelling much the best after negotiating three-out, Skuna Bay extended his lead to a couple of lengths rounding the home turn and with no challenges coming from behind, the leader readily came clear under firm handling in the final furlong, ridden out to the line to secure a sixth winner of the season for Theo Gillard.

Race 2 – Paul Ferguson Jumpers To Follow Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m 4 ½f)

A solid campaigner over hurdles in recent years, Fine Casting (9/2 JF) finally put it all together to score on his sixth attempt over fences in Race 2, keeping on by 1 ½ lengths to score for Ben Jones and Ben Pauling. Always to the fore, Fine Casting was never too far away from the lead through the first circuit, sitting a couple of lengths behind Magaret’s Legacy (9/2 JF) who set a modest tempo out in front. Jumping well and really catching the eye after the third last, Fine Casting made his move around the home turn, switching wide of Margaret’s Legacy as the leading pair stretched well clear of a staying on Il Va De Soi (8/1) back in third. Taking the initiative on the approach to the second-last, Fine Casting readily quickened away from the opposition in the home straight, settling the score with a couple of giant leaps before coming clear to score impressively.

Race 3 – Yorton Mares’ Novices’ Chase (Listed Race) (For The Richard Aston Memorial Trophy) (GBB Race) (Class 1, 4yo+, 2m 1 ½f)

Notching a quickfire double for Jones and Pauling, Diva Luna (7/4) well and truly stamped her class to score by a whopping 19 lengths on chase debut in Race 3, jumping with aplomb and accelerating clear in taking fashion. Jumping stylishly throughout, Diva Luna was never out of the lead under Ben Jones, setting a steady pace from the front ahead of talented hurdlers Queens Gamble (9/2) and Joyeuse (11/10F), with recent

course winner Finest View (18/1) bringing up the rear. Hopping over the fences in the back straight with the minimum of fuss, Diva Luna travelled powerfully around the home turn, keeping Queens Gamble at bay as the trailing duo struggled to get on terms. Extending her lead to a couple of lengths over two-out, Diva Luna settled the race in a matter of strides on the run to the last, and after another tidy leap, the runaway leader readily came clear to score in the style of a mare that could take high rank this season.

Race 4 – Weatherbys And Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2, 4yo+, 3m)

Last seen landing a Grade 3 handicap hurdle on Grand National Day, Deep Cave (11/1) showed the fires were still burning when taking the fourth race by 2 ½ lengths, ridden out under a determined Jack Tudor for Welsh trainer Christian Williams. Waited with in rear division, Deep Cave was kept of harm’s way for much of the contest, only really making ground on leader Le Milos (17/2) towards the final three fences. Latching onto the coattails of market leader The Doyen Chief (7/4F) over three-out, Deep Cave travelled strongly around the home turn, moving with purpose as The Doyen Chief took over at the head of affairs. Pushed along but still in with a chance, Deep Cave stayed on determinedly down the straight, sticking with The Doyen Chief over the final two fences and toughing it out in the final 100 yards to claim the spoils under a well-timed ride.

Race 5 – Crest Asbestos Solutions Celebration EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4, 3yo, 2m ½f)

Rewarding late market support in no uncertain terms, Milou De Chenet (2/1F) ran out an impressive winner of the fifth race, jumping well on hurdle debut to score by 5 ½ lengths for James Bowen and Warren Greatrex. In a share of the lead with Here’s Rodney (16/1) for much of the way, Milou De Chenet helped to set a very sedate pace at the head of affairs, the field crawling along through the opening mile and a half. Jumping well in the main, Milou De Chenet moved sweetly down the back straight, taking over the lead after the third-last and readily moving a couple of lengths clear as many in behind began to struggle. Nimble over the second-last, it didn’t take long for Milou De Chenet to put the race to bed, kicking clear impressively after another smart leap over the final flight, leaving a tired Diamond Jim (13/2) to fill the runner-up spot.

Race 6 – Christopher Shinton Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div I) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)

Looking beaten over the second-last, Shabalko d’Herm (11/10F) pulled out all the stops under Sam Twiston-Davies to land Race 6, holding on by a determined neck for the in-form Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies team. Keen to set the pace, Shabalko d’Herm

led the way from the outset, racing around five lengths clear of Filibustering (5/2) in second, with Count Of Vendome (2/1) a further couple of lengths back in third. As the majority of the field in behind began to toil, Shabalko d’Herm still held sway towards the home turn, his advantage now reduced as Filibustering and Count Of Vendome made their move. Joined by both pursuers over the second-last, Shabalko d’Herm looked to be out of luck on the approach to the last. However, rallying under pressure having been switched to the outside, Shabalko d’Herm found his second wind in the final 100 yards, rallying gamely to steal the lead back in the shadows of the post.

Race 7 – Christopher Shinton Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m ½f)

Providing another winner for Champion Jockey Sean Bowen, Orderoftheday (4/6F) jumped nicely to land Race 7 for trainer Olly Murphy, keeping on well to score by 1 ½ lengths at the finish. Keen to race up with the pace, Sean Bowen kept Orderoftheday in close proximity to early leader Fresh As A Daisy (13/8) through the opening mile and a half, the leading pair maintaining a slow gallop through the rain-softened ground. Moving up to challenge for the lead around the home turn, Orderoftheday came under firm pressure with a couple of flights to jump, ridden along as Bohemond Antioch made ground approaching the second-last flight of hurdles. Joining the lead over it, Orderoftheday readily stamped his authority in the final furlong, sticking on well before flying over the last and seeing off a gallant Bohemond Antioch in second place.

Race 8 – Greenhous DAF Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2, 3yo+, 2m 3 ½f)

Rounding off a good day for favourite backers, Lud’or (11/5F) put in the most impressive performance of the day in the finale, sauntering clear by 27 lengths to take home a good pot for Caoilin Quinn and Tom Symonds. A keen-going sort, Lud’or travelled strongly throughout the final race of the day, maintaining a lead of around a length for much of the way with Party Vibes (8/1) and Malicash (15/2) his nearest pursuers in second and third place. Stretching further clear over four-out, Lud’or was soon in a world of his own as he led the field towards the home straight, many of the opposition unable to land a blow as the runaway leader galloped on with purpose. Now fully in the ascendancy, Lud’or simply had to hop over the final three obstacles to avoid defeat, and after doing so with consummate ease, victory was never in any doubt for the 5-year-old gelding.

Race report by Adam Perkins