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Once again racing fans turned up in their thousands to defy the elements and visit some of the 30 racing yards that were open to the public at the annual Lambourn Open Day on Good Friday.

Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard was a firm favourite with the visitors together with Carl Llewellyn at the historic Weathercock House, former home of the legendary Jennie Pitman.

With the new flat season just getting underway there was plenty of interest shown in Barry Hills yard at Faringdon Place where racing pundits were keen to see some of the ammunition lined up by the top trainer for the Craven Meeting at Newmarket coming up shortly.

Visitors to Jamie Osbornes yard saw some of the trainers string on the gallops and at Harry Dunlop's Windsor House Stables could watch horses swimming in the hydrotherapy pool.

Kingswood Stud and Rehabilitation was also open to the public and also proved popular.

In the afternoon an exciting array of events took place with top jockey's APMcCoy, Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh,Timmy Murphy,Eddie Ahern, Dominic Elsworth, Alan Daly, Channel 4's John Francome and a host of other well know jockeys giving displays of schooling horses over hurdles and taking part in the Mounted Games Competition.

Due to the blustery wind the Bungee Jumping was cancelled no doubt much to the relief of trainer Tom Dascombe who admitted he couldn't climb a ladder or look out of a plane window without breaking into a cold sweat.

Trainer John Hills Upper Lambourn stables won Corney Barrow Challenge Cup for the best turned out yard.

Organiser Mark Smiley said : " We are all delighted it was another successful day, there was a remarkably good attendance considering the weather, all of the events took place in the afternoon except the Bungee Jumping which had to be cancelled because of the wind.

"Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, all the yards were very popular this morning and no doubt a few names were added to notebook for the new flat season.

"The silent auction proved to be very popular, among the lots was dinner for two with Tony McCoy at the Pheasant public house, Dinner with Carl Llewellyn at the Malt Shovel, a morning on the gallops with Noel Chance and a champagne breakfast hosted by trainer Jamie Osborne."

Real winners on the day was the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Trust who collected the proceeds from the day.

Looking ahead to this weekends action supporters of both racing codes are catered for with flat meetings at Doncaster, Kempton and Wolverhampton and over the jumps at Newbury, Stratford and Bangor On Dee.

Flushed with success after selecting the first winner of the flat season, Sally's Dilemma 7/1, in the two year old event at Doncaster last weekend this columns selections at the same venue this weekend are Capable Guest in the first race on the card. Former Manton trainer Peter Chapple- Hyam would look to have some of his string in early season form and Brave Prospector could be worth a bet in the Maiden Stakes.

Feature race on the card the Doncaster Shield could go to the John Dunlop trained Munsef, the mount of Jimmy Fortune.

At Kempton, the Richard Hannon trained Cordell could follow up his recent victory by going in again in the one mile handicap.

In the Listed Magnolia Stakes Great Hawk could provide Sir Michael Stoute with his first winner of the new season and in the Rosebery Stakes, a Heritage Handicap, trainer Mark Johnstone's Eradicate could land the spoils.

At Wolverhampton's evening meeting Casablanca Minx could win the Selling Stakes.

Nearer home the jumping fixture at Newbury gets underway at 1.50 with the Greatwood Juvenile Novices Hurdle, the Charlie Mann trained Shavansky would look to be worth an interest while later in the afternoon Theatre Diva and the locally trained Lady Bling Bling could have each way chances.

11:01am Thursday 27th March 2008

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