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Another two winners in week 5

Gavin Wragg's Satchmo was impressive when winning the 13 runner Mens Open race piloted by the owner. Satchmo was qualified with the East Sussex & Romney Marsh as was Lord Euro who provided Alex Merriam with success in the Intermediate race later in the day.

Two winners in East Anglia in week 4

Good to Firm is not a going often seen in January but lack of recent rain meant that Cottenham was running on the fast side for the second meeting there this year. Most races still had a reasonable number of runners but only three lined up in the Ladies Race. Winner of many Fair Exchange started favourite but had to give best to Fiona Coveney on The Grey Baron. South East rider Pippa Hall having 'foaled down' the previous day new 'daddy' husband Phil was still sober enough to pilot Terimon's Dream to victory in the Restricted.

Cedar Chief opens his 2005 account.

In 2004 Lisa Stock's old campaigner Kincora surprised many with an early season win at Ampton. He returned there, at the age of 14, to attempt to repeat the feat but could only manage third. The trophy still came back south - this time to Surrey as Kevin Tork's Cedar Chief led the others past the post. Rider this time round for Cedar Chief was Brea Donnelly. Brea had already been placed at the meeting with a third in the Intermediate Race riding Mike Robert's Teach Altra.

In the second division of the Open Maiden Chris Gordon was beaten into second place on Willy Boy.

Week 2 - and the first South-East winner of the season

Despite all attempts by East Anglians to block the Dartford tunnel to keep the Hickmans out the ploy didn't work. Determined to get to Higham in time presumably Andrew Hickman jumped down from the cab, shovel in hand, and quickly dug another tunnel under the Thames for the private use of their horsebox. Having reached the course in time to line up on the grey Pendle Hill in the Mens Open he then had the minor task of negotiating around the loose horses (more than 50% of the starters in an Open race! - obviously ridden in too many Maiden races at Charing Andrew! ) before scoring the first winner for the area.

The Hickmans didn't open their account until week three of 2004. Last year Stuart Robinson proved that his horses were fit early by opening his account at this meeting in week two. To show that this was no fluke he repeated the feat - this time Shoveontommy doing the business in the Intermediate race.

At Tweseldown the following day Cedar Chief finished second in the Ladies Open - enabling Anna Sansom became the fifth rider to win or be placed on the youngster in the past 12 months.

Week 1

The Christmas decorations are not even down yet - and presumably the South East's horses are still recovering from becoming a year older just two days previously.