5:25 Ballybriggan was a very smooth winner for amateur Edward Glassonbury - his first victory on his first trip to Wetherby. Once the young jockey took the five-year-old to the front there was never anything that was seriously going to challenge. It also completed a great day for Devon trainer Victor Dartnall who won the Midlands National at Uttoxeter earlier on with Russian Trigger. That ends affairs so, before I get blown away, it's time for a pint of the black stuff.

4:55 It's the lucky last and a 'hands and heels' Flat race. The conditional jockeys, and amateurs, in here aren't allowed to use the whip. They have to drive the horse on using only their, erm, hands and heels. The talented Rhys Flint is riding Sir Mulberry Hawk and, given his growing reputation, it's probably no surprise he is the 11-4 favourite.

4:35 After all of the non-runners and the two horse races, we've just had the most thrilling finish. Whispering Death, ridden by Denis O'Regan, looked to have the race in the bag after clearing the last flight but he was nailed right on the line by the rallying Dancing Dik (10-3). Denis looked like he'd just had his pocket picked. The winning distance? A nose. It was so close, a single stride stopped Whispering Death celebrating victory. The bookies look as unhappy as Denis. There are long queues of people waiting to be paid.

4:15 In Vino sounds like a great Saturday night in the Carroll household and Alan King's horse is the 7-4 favourite in the 26th April is Family Day Maiden Hurdle.

4:05 Well what a surprise. The odds-on shot has come home with nine lengths to spare. That's not to say there wasn't a bit of drama. Striking Article was clumsy at a few fences, particularly the last, and I think a fair number of the crowd had backed the outsider. I swear I could hear some shouting 'fall' as the Howard Johnson-trained horse approached the last fence. And, as all of us who love the jumps game know, that's just not cricket.

3:50 You don't see match races much these days but that's pretty much what we've got in the Bramham Hall For Conferences and Banquets Novices' Chase. Only Striking Article and Linlithgow Lad remain in the race but it's not a contest to have a punt in. Striking Article has been put up at a prohibitive 1-14 with some bookies (Linlithgow Lad is 6-1), which makes this £14,000 guaranteed contest one to watch. The owners of both thoroughbreds will be happy anyway. Thye're going to get a fair few quid in prize money just for turning up.

3:35 Easby Park, trained by Middleham's George Moore, has pulled off a nice win. The six-year-old was getting the best of Presenting Forever even before Howard Johnson's horse fell at the second last and probably would have won regardless.

3:22 Brooklyn Brownie reeled in Rare Society to give Jefferson small consolation following a week of Cheltenham high hopes which weren't realised. The ten-year-old will go for the Grand National - if he gets in - and, interestingly, has won over the Aintree fences before. Half the field has pulled out of the Yorkshire Racing Season Ticket Novices' Hurdle and Presenting Forever is the odds-on favourite.

2:50 The 21st May Is Ladies Day Chase is down to only four runners after One Sniff and Just For Men were declared as non-runners. With the exception of Rare Society, the bookies are finding it hard to split Malcolm Jefferson's Brooklyn Brownie, Top Dressing and Maletton.

2:29 Aldrious (10-1) took the spoils with Knockavilla second. Favourite backers watched Youngstown take a crashing fall down the straight but it looks like both jockey and horse are fine.

2:10 Always Bold might not have done it for Donald McCain in the opener but the punters are sure Youngstown will oblige in the Constant Security Services Handicap Hurdle. He's the clear 2-1 favourite.

1:55 John Quinn had a great day at Cheltenham when Character Building triumphed on Thursday and the Norton trainer has only just missed out on getting the best possible start here as well. Dougie Costello gave Sacrilege a great ride in the Wedding Show's Here on 6th September Maiden Hurdle but just couldn't quite reel in Santo Stefano - trained by County Durham's Howard Johnson.

1:45 It looks like there is a fair crowd here now - despite the blustery conditions. The Irish are out in force for this meeting. You can tell because they're the ones who aren't wearing stupid hats and dressing up as leprachauns.

1:30 They are dropping like flies at the moment. In the second race, Solent and Mud Monkey won't go to post while, in the last, Lindengrove is going back home.

1:22 Sadler's Star is hovering around the 7-4 mark in the first. I know his efforts at Taunton and Sandown are promising but I can't help think his position at the head of the market has as much to do with the fact that he's trained by Alan King as anything else. I am going to put the hoodoo on my own bet now but I've backed Always Boy. Donald McCain's four-year-old has only had one run over hurdles but he was third at Doncaster behind Higgy's Boy. He also won three times on the Flat and, if he is going to be any good at the hurdling game, a Class 5 Maiden at Wetherby is where he's going to have to show it.

1:05 A few non-runners to tell you about. Costa Courta, Layed Back Rocky, Mr Bond and Regional Counsel have ducked out of the first, Pan Pan doesn't go in the 3.25 and Gilsland is out of the 4.25.

12:40 Who needs Cheltenham when you've got the Constant Security Services Handicap Hurdle at 2.20pm?

12:22 The going's a bit complicated today so bear with me. Ready? It's good, good to soft in places on the back straight and good, good to firm in places on the home straight.

12:00 Good afternoon from Wetherby Racecourse. If you're thinking of coming down here today, I'd wrap up warm.

There's a gale so strong, I'm fearing the press room may collapse at any moment around me.

Small children are being buffeted around like tumbleweed round the plains.

If you're staying at home, then let me guide through a seven race card.

You can send me your hints and tips for the day as well - just click on Have Your Say. I want to hear from you.