THE McNeill family from Sonning saw their colours carried to victory at Newbury's race meeting last Thursday when Azzerti won the 11-runner Micky Rawlings Memorial Handicap Chase.

The 8/1 chance they own with Ruscombe-based Prodec Networks Ltd, held on well in the hands of Adrian Heskin to beat Chef D'Equipe by a head at the end of two-and-a-half miles. It was the seven-year-old's sixth win of his career.

The McNeill and Prodec partnership were following up their victory with Mulcahys Hill at Cheltenham last month.

National Hunt racing, however, is full of ups and downs as McNeill found out once again on Monday.

His Djingle, bidding to make it a hat-trick, was lying second approaching the final jump in the Weatherbys Hamilton Graduation Chase at Carlisle, and for a second or two looked set to win when leader Mightnight Shadow fell in front of him. But Max's horse, ridden by Heskin and trained by John Queally, also came down, falling on top of his rival.

So it was a long journey home for Max, but at least he knew Djingle appeared okay after his tumble.

READING FC Women are hoping to attract a big attendance for their Women’s Super League One match with Bristol City at Madejski Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

It is part of the FA's first-ever Women's Football Weekend which is being organised at a time when there is a break in the men's Premier League and Football League programme due to international fixtures.

The FA are calling on supporters to capitalise on the opportunity to back the women's game by attending a match at any level.

It is a game Kelly Chambers' side should win. With a sequence of WLWL, they lie eighth in the table, two places higher than City who are without a victory in five games.

ALONG with many other county associations, the Berks & Bucks FA are supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign, which will run from November 22 to December 8. They are inviting leagues and clubs to show their support for LGBT+ inclusion and fuller details, including how to obtain laces and armbands, are now available on their website.