A WONDERFUL new half-mile track just outside Craven Arms, found by the Ludlow committee, provided some of the best action of the season so far for the Mid-Wales and Border Counties Harness Racing crews.

The camera man was kept busy throughout the afternoon with many of the races needing his expertise to confirm the result.

The Saddle race was one of the close finishes with Forest Gump (Duggan Llangunllo), ridden by Rebecca Williams, just getting up to beat Purple Connection (Williams Llanwern) on the line in front of Tommy the Dealer (Bevan Llanddewi).

The impressive partnership of Bridget Lewis and her mother’s Wellfield Wally (Barton Clunderwen) repeated their heat win to take the Novice final as they came home in front of Arctic Prince (Gwatkin Evenjobb) and Beacon Sorcerer (Bevan Llanddewi).

A big favourite with the crowd, as well as the competitors, is the Junior race and the experience of Anna Lewis paid off as she partnered Brywins Jo Jo (Jones Ammanford) to first place, with Too Hot Today (Jones Merthyr) and Ellie Tromans in second while Sydney Mason on Bon Hasty (Collingwood, Huntington) was third.

The Grade B final saw C U Choteau (Thomas Llanbister), on her first appearance in open racing, repeat her heat win with Mark White in the seat. They came home ahead of the rejuvenated Blackfield Buddy (Barton Clunderwen) with For One Night Only (Wilson Llanfihangel ar arth) claiming third.

The Consolation had a full complement of nine runners, with another close finish seeking photographic confirmation, the result going to the striking Blackies Boy (Prosser Libanus) in the hands of his trainer Rhun Wilson from Lawrenny while Forest Surprise (Miles Merthyr) was second and Ithon Gypsy (Jones Llanbister) ran on to be third.

The final race of the day was the Grade A final and it provided a fitting finale. The iconic grey Scoobys Dream (Moore Llangorse), with trainer Andrew Hardwick at the controls, just got up to snatch victory from Saorlas Glory (Nevile/Price Guilsfield), with Meadowland Hasty (Price Brecon) third.