Siegfried applies to become attending vet at Darrowby racecourse - but the position comes with conditions, and he is torn between his ambition and his loyalty to the practice. Tristan collects the debts owed to the surgery, but ends up losing all the money and resorts to placing a risky bet to cover up his mistake. When the favourite to win on the race day is diagnosed with a inoperable condition, James has his first painful experience of having to put an animal down - only to end up being threatened with legal action by the owner.

James is appointed as attending vet at the Darrowby Show - but Siegfried and Tristan warn him that the job is a poisoned chalice and expect him to quit after the first day. Mrs Hall has more faith in him, however, and makes a wager with the Farnon brothers. James finds himself surrounded by pushy farmers offering bribes to help them cheat their way to victory and faces a dilemma when the Aldersons desperately need his help in securing the sale of their prize bull.