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THE HAYES GOLDEN BUTTON CHALLENGE POSTPONED

31 December 2008. Today's races did not take place owing to frozen ground conditions.

1 January 2009. Louise Daly, Entries Secretary,has advised that the races will be run on

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY

EARLIER

David Redvers Golden Button is back for the third time. It is believed that he has his maximum number of entries (40), plus possibly a waiting list.

Last years 3 mile, 24 fence course has been reversed. It is pretty well a straight line along the banks of the River Severn going into a squiggle six fences from the finish. One veteran of last year observed: "its a fantastic course... a bit flat and suits Thoroughbred horses too much... needs a few questions (rivers, road crossings, twists and turns) to slow those jockeys up."

This year there is a minimum weight of 11 stone 7 lbs which will be approved by those who think of the Challenge as a hunt ride. Professional jockey Eddie Ahern's win last year on World Wide Web , which itself had recently raced under rules, provoked some comment that the hunting /thoroughbred cross fraternity would be discouraged from taking part.

World Wide Web will be there again on Wednesday , with James Ridley up. So will be former Cheltenham Festival winner Frenchman's Creek ridden by Panda Christie. Sarah Myhill, 2nd last year,plus the cream of the hunt riders will be the real challengers. Zoe Gibson,3rd last year and fresh from winning the Melton and the Harborough this year, will be there with Piper. Ashley Bealby and Richard Walker, 2nd and 4th in the Melton, are entered. Patrick Millington, who was 3rd in the Melton, is expected, having come 4th in the Golden Button last year.

Other familiar figures will be your host, David Redvers, Richard Mason, 5th last year, Jonty Evans, 6th last year, Harry Wallace on a King's Troop gun-team horse, Clare Bell, Cottesmore Hunt Secretary, William Grant, who came 9th last year, and Oliver Morrison , who came 10th in 2007. Colin Thompson hopes to win the Heavyweight Button on Murphy and Huw Evans Bevan, 7th last year, and Philip Gough are expected.

Sadly, Yvonne Goss, who won two years ago, has withdrawn as her horse, Haxton, was lame after a recent excursion with the bloodhounds.

Be there, at Forthampton, on Wednesday 31 December. The Golden Button starts at 11.00 and is followed by the JCB Diggers Inter Hunt Challenge. Go to our links page to access the excellent Golden Button Website.