GOLDEN Boot provided a satisfying conclusion to the 2005 season at Chester Race-course last Saturday.

More than 15,000 racegoers appreciated the one-length success for Tarporley trainer Alan Bailey in the Lindop Toyota Handicap Stakes.

Bailey said: 'I was worried whether he would get the trip on this ground. He's a very genuine improving horse. It's a big jump up but we might aim for the Chester Cup next year.'

A total of 256,591 people enjoyed the meetings held at the Roodee this year.

Chief Executive Richard Thomas said: 'It's been another good season, I'm delighted. We've achieved our aim of providing better levels of comfort for racegoers. There'll be a few changes for next year and we expect the new stable block to be finished for the May meeting.'

The card got under way with the Carlsberg UK EBF Maiden Stakes where the early pace was set by Heads Turn. Inside the final furlong, Willie Supple went for home aboard the 4-7 favourite Mutamarres and kept the challenging Collateral Damage at bay by half a length.

Adrian Nicholls, aboard 17-2 chance Trinculo, was smartly away from stall 11 in the Grant Thornton Handicap Stakes and had sufficient pace to keep Kings College Boy a neck in arrears.

Favourite backers drew again after the running of the totesport.com Henry Gee Fillies' Stakes. Sierra Vista broke well and was making her way home when the 11-8 favourite Indian Maiden made up ground to record a one-and-ahalf-length winning margin.

A head separated the two principles in the Catering Equipment Solutions UK Ltd Nursery Handicap Stakes. Steve Carson brought his mount, 6-1 shot Celebration Song, with a long run to get up on the line and relegate Stain-ley to second place.

'He's got a great attitude to the game, he's very flexible and acts on any ground,' said winning trainer Jamie Osbourne following victory in the European Breeders Fund Conditions Stakes. Mickey Fenton went straight into the lead with Zaal, sent off at 4-1, and held off Bann by one length.

Jockey George Baker travelled to Chester for the Heath-cotes Handicap Stakes after riding a treble at Wolver-hampton. His journey was worthwhile to partner 12-1 chance Charlie Kennet, who scored by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Prelude.

Early morning rain cleared last Friday, providing 2,811 jumping fans with a dry afternoon at Bangor-on-Dee. Etoile Russe raced keenly in the early stages of the Betdaq - The Betting Exchange Juvenile Novices' Hurdle Race (Di-vision One).

However, the 100-30 chance retained a prominent position throughout for Tony McCoy to win by one-and-a-half lengths from the staying on Back-street Lad.

In Division Two of the Juvenile Novices Hurdle, Alan O'Keeffe left his field toiling by 18-lengths as 3-1 joint favourite Shingle Street galloped clear in the home straight.

The result of the Bet Each-way At betdaq.co.uk Novices' Steeplechase was never in doubt for 4-11 favourite Mister Flint, ridden by Richard Johnson.

The seven-year-old had the field in single file a long way from home with In The Frame finishing four lengths adrift in second place.

Entering the home straight, three horses were in a line for the Betdaq 24-Hour Telebet Handicap Hurdle with Murphy's Nails looking the winner. Jockey Wilson Ren-wick brought his mount Michaels Dream between the other two principles and the 9-2 shot quickly opened up a gap of eight lengths.

Again there was a trio of horses in contention two out in the Global Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle Race. Favourite backers had made the correct selection as Kingkohler, backed down to 9-2, came from last to first for Paddy Brennan to score by half a length from Spectrometer.

Timmy Murphy turned the Novices' Hurdle Race into a procession. Always prominent, the 1-2 favourite Cant-geton went on four flights from home and won, easing down by eight lengths from Aces Four.

Fearless Mel, sent off the 5-2 favourite, recorded a second course and distance victory in the Betdaq.co.uk Steeplechase and provided jockey Alan O'Keeffe with the second leg of a double. The winner led five out and Lost In Normandy stayed on to occupy second place.