In the wake of an abandoned raceday due to the chilly embrace of winter, Plumpton Racecourse emerged from the frosty setback thanks to talks with the BHA enabling a new fixture, writes Emily Gailey.

With three days’ notice, Plumpton managed to create a triumphant return to racing, thanks to all the raceday staff who enabled this fixture to happen.

Harry Cobden guided five-year-old Sweet Fantasy to a debut victory over hurdles in the 2023 RCA Groundstaff Champions Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle for trainer James Owen and owners The Gredley Family.

Tom Cannon took a double by riding DuHallow Tommy, trained by Toby Lawes, to Victory in The Book Easter Festival at Plumpton Now Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase for owner Mr John Terry, and it was hats off for Larry, trained by Gary Moore and owned by the Galloping On The South Downs Partnership in The Plumpton Racecourse Heart of The Community Handicap Handicap Steeple Chase.

It was an impressive run from Idy Wood in The Thank You to All Raceday Staff Novices’ Hurdle. Ridden to victory by Gavin Sheehan for trainer Jamie Snowden and owners Mr Erik Penser and Mr G Lennart Perlhagen.

I’m A Starman and Tom Bellamy took the fifth race, The Plumpton Racecourse Meeting and Event Spaces Handicap Hurdle.

It was a first win in almost three years for this family horse, who is owned and trained by Mark Rimell, and bred by his mother.

The lucky last, The Book Season Finale at Plumpton Now Handicap Hurdle, was won by Nickelforce and Harry Bannister for trainer Ben Case and owners Lovell, Massey, Meads, Smith and Walsh In the end, Plumpton Racecourse proved that even in the face of chilly adversity, the warmth of racing can thaw any frost.