RACEGOERS dug deep into their pockets at the recent Worcester meeting, donating generously to Macmillan Cancer Support, and raising a fantastic £5,335.

Throughout the year, racecourses and racegoers together, raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for a wide range of charities.

The feature handicap chase on the day was a very competitive affair.

Seven of the 11 horses declared for the race had previously run over the course and distance and five were former Worcester winners including last year’s race victor, Nearest the Pin.

The David Pipe-trained, Purple N Gold came out on top, following up his August Worcester win and seeing off the Sam Twiston-Davies’ Benefit Cut by 3¼ lengths.

With the unofficial start of the winter jumps season being staged as a two-day meeting at Chepstow this weekend, we are all looking forward to seeing how Barry Geraghty’s new position as first jockey to JP McManus progresses.

Geraghty, who has only ever had five rides at Worcester came to Pitchcroft to ride four Jonjo O Neill-trained horses at the last meeting.

Unfortunately, he was out of luck with all four mounts on that occasion but I am sure he won’t be out of the winner’s enclosure for long.

As a permit-trainer, when you travel 347 miles to Worcester from Malton in North Yorkshire, to run one of the few horses you own and train in a selling hurdle, it is extremely unfortunate to have to go up to 14,500 guin - eas to buy your horse back in the subsequent auction.

This is exactly what hap - pened to Neville Ender, trainer of Grey Monk. The horse beat previous Worcester sell - ing hurdle winner, Marju’s Quest into third place.

The runner-up, Wind of Hope, is trained by Lucinda Russell in Scotland. Russell was the under bidder by tel - ephone, which must under - line how she rates her own horse. The quality of horses running was above the usual selling hurdle standard.

The Worcester staff enjoyed a team building day at Southwell’s jumps meeting last week, but it was a long way to go to watch Worcestershire trainers win three of the six races on the card!

Youm Jamil, trained by Tony Carroll at Cropthorne, ran at Worcester in 2012 and 2013 and won the opening handicap chase.

Claines-based Richard Newland sent Cut the Corner to the Nottinghamshire course to go one better than the three second places at Pitch - croft this summer.

The Big Dipper, trained at Hanley Swan by David Den - nis, also bettered his third place at Worcester by winning the handicap hurdle.

We look forward to another afternoon of competitive racing at Worcester tomorrow when gates open at noon.