DAVID CARR

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Turning clock back with match races on the Flat

It was just like the olden times here at Southwell this afternoon, with a match race on the Flat, Spruce against Iverstar over 1m3f.

It could almost have been King Charles II and one of his aristocratic mates challenging each other on Newmarket Heath back in the 17th century.

Except they would have been running on grass not Fibresand and they would not have been contesting a 61-75 maiden handicap for four-years-old and upwards.

And that's what did for Southwell today. If you are a Flat horse of four or older and you are rated 61 or above the chances are that you should have been able to win a race by now, so potential candidates were always going to be thin on the ground. Only eight were entered and although three were declared, Dr Valentine was taken out as he had apparently not eaten up.

Iverstar is also due to run tomorrow but he was allowed to take his chance today as well. The race was watched by only a handful of racegoers as much of the crowd had decided it would not be a spectacle worth delaying their departure for - good judges they were too, as there was never a remote chance of an upset at any stage of the contest and the 2-13 favourite Spruce came home fully 25 lengths clear.

Morals were fairly loose back in Charles II's day - as Newmarket celebrate by running the Nell Gwyn Stakesevery April - but I am sure even the so-called 'Merry Monarch' might have blushed at taking on a horse owned by the 'Sexy Six Partnership'.

But that syndicate were doubly represented in the 2.20 and they had first and second with Sandy Toes and Turf Time.

Unfortunately none of the successful sextet was present so it was not possible to form a judgement on whether or not the owners were aptly named.

King Charles II would doubtless have loved the gamble landed by The Blue Dog in the 4.20 and the exuberant celebrations of trainer George Baker, who had laid the horse out for this, who could be seen jumping up and punching the air on the steps in front of the press room as the winner passedthe post. The money was clearly down.

This was the third day's racing in a row here but the chef is not flagging - sausage and pasta in a chili sauce was ideal for the chilly weather.