Magnificent seven wow the Fontwell crowds

As well as the National Spirit Hurdle Race, which always attracts top horses, the track had plenty to offer racegoers.

Prior to racing, local jockey Philip Hide, in conjunction with commentator Simon Holt, took racegoers through the card with their own tips for races, and there was a bird-of-prey demonstration and a stand featuring sponsor The Racehorse Sanctuary at Cowfold.

Top trainer Paul Nicholls fielded nine runners at the meeting but he certainly did not have everything his own way.

He came away with just two winners: Alfie Sherrin in the opening novice hurdle, and Royal Auclair, whose presence in The Fuller's London Pride Foxhunters Trial was undoubtedly responsible for the low entry of only six runners in this amateur riders' event.

The former Grand National contender, when trained Under Rules by Nicholls, put in a flawless performance to qualify for the Cheltenham Foxhunters Chase.

In the novice steeplechase, the Nicholls entry, Kicks For Free, failed to perform on the tight Fontwell track and finished last of three runners, to the delight of racegoers, who chose to bet on the outsider. Oliver Sherwood's Mount Sandel, well ridden by Sam Jones, jumped and galloped his way to an excellent 11-1 victory.

Highlight of the day was the National Spirit Hurdle Race, for which Fontwell is renowned. Here, the David Pipe-trained Lough Derg made it two wins in a row in an exceptionally courageous run with jockey Tom Scudamore again on board.

The nine-year-old was a firm favourite with the crowd and he plugged on to hold off Pierrot Lunaire of the Paul Nicholls- Ruby Walsh partnership.

Straw Bear, trained at Findon by Nick Gifford and ridden by Tony McCoy, had looked a big danger, looming up around the bottom turn and a major contender approaching the final flight, but appeared to tire on the uphill run to the finish.

Scudamore, who has ridden Lough Derg to eight of his 12 victories, said: "He keeps improving and has won twice away from Ascot this season.

"He's a credit to himself and the team and it's a pleasure to ride him. He's a freak who loves racing and loves life.

"The crowd were great. He has become very popular. Even at Ascot, when he was second, he got a bigger cheer than the winner.

"He reminds me of a Kenyan distance runner who runs a marathon and after a quick drink of water they are ready to go again.

"He's in the Coral Cup and the World Hurdle but I think if it's really heavy the owner wants to go for the Champion Hurdle."

Straw Bear's run was encouraging. He has had a month's rest in Ireland after finishing fourth over hurdles in Grade I company at Kempton on Boxing Day. That run had been his first for some time after a spell over fences.

At Fontwell he showed all his old ability and grit. There was also a consolation prize, as he and his handler, Carol Double, won best-turned-out award.

Josh Gifford was saddling up at Fontwell for son Nick and sent out Latin American to win the bumper race.

Nick was at Towcester, where he followed up on two second places there (Push The Port and Neil Harvey) with a win by Gentle Caribou. On Friday he had a winner with 11-1 shot Cathedral Rock, blinkered for the first time, and his string is in good form at the right time, with Cheltenham looming.