REVIEW
BROCKLES BROCKLESBY PARK
SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2002

by Dom Bradshaw

Joe Docker and Fiona Needham were the in form riders at Brocklesby on Saturday, each riding a double. 

Docker’s first win came in the Confined on Even Flow, who readily followed up his Ampton win, shaking off his only pursuer, Shanavogh (Richard Hunnisett) from two out with Primitive Streak (Rupert Abrahams) back in third.
Even Flow looks to have appreciated the drop into points and should win more races this season, as should the runner up who will come on for the run.
The Rural Dean (Nibby Bloom) was very disappointing and finished a never nearer fourth. He was never going a yard from flag fall and his jumping left a lot to be desired. This was not his usual form and this performance can probably be written off.

Nautical Lad completed the Docker double getting the verdict by a head from Via De La Valle (Lucy Coney) in a tight finish. The winner, an improving seven-year-old, should be able to step up in class. Via De La Valle lost nothing in defeat and he and his novice pilot should have little trouble of taking a Restricted.
Big Thyne (Simon Walker) was fifteen lengths back from the front pair in third and he too should be able to take a race of this kind.
One for the notebook is Fountain Street, who was never put into the race and given a very quiet ride by Richard Burton before pulling up.

Odds on shot Imperial Dawn followed up last weekend’s Cottenham victory in the Ladies Open, but was unimpressive in doing so, having to be pushed out by Fiona Needham after the final fence to beat Sea Tarth (Hannah Kinsey) by two lengths, with Linlathen (Gemma Hutchinson) a further half length behind in third.
Despite this average performance, the winner is a class animal and should take plenty more races before the end of the season.
Sea Tarth stayed on well to the line and should have a small squeak in this type of race, particularly on a staying course.
This was Linlathen’s best performance since joining the Hutchinson’s from Nick Bell and he’s capable of taking a small race.

The second leg of Fiona Needham’s double came in Division One of the maiden on the William Bethell trained Captain Oates. The nine-year-old son of Arctic Lord looked a potential maiden winner when running Jolly Giant, a subsequent 42,000gns purchase at Doncaster Sales, close here last season. However, this time there was nothing of Jolly Giant’s calibre and he came home three lengths to the good of Bill Warner’s Sparebit (Stuart Morris) with Patagonian Passion (Nick Kent) a further four lengths back in third.
This was a good performance by the Bethell horse and he should be good enough to take a Restricted. The runner up, who has looked a short runner in the past, was given every chance to get the trip by Stuart Morris, but couldn’t match the winner’s turn of foot. She is more than capable of taking a small maiden. The third ran a blinder, as it was his first run since 1998. He’s still only a nine year old and if able to reproduce this sort of form, he will take a maiden.
The Caroline Bailey representative, six-year-old Miss Toski managed to lose Rowan Cope on the first circuit. She looked well enough in the paddock, but appeared very green and may need a little more time and experience.

The Confined produced a good finish with Maitre De Musique (Michael Tate) getting the better of Bowlingher (Richard Hunnisett) by a length. The winner had a good prep race last weekend at Market Rasen and was produced spot on here by trainer Gill Walford. He should win more races this season.
Bowlingher and his rider Richard Hunnisett look to have found some harmony and can take a Confined.
Contingency (Rowan Cope) was a well-beaten third and on this run will need to lower his sights if he is to score, as will the well supported Eddie (Nick Kent) who finished a distant fourth.
The six-year-old John Rich, on his first ever appearance on a racecourse, was behind when unseating Steve Charlton. He looked a really nice young horse in the paddock and may have a chance when campaigned in maidens.

Division Two of the maiden saw both the favourite, Emperor Roscoe (Richard Armson) and the well-backed My Best Buddy (Rowan Cope) fall, leaving the race at the mercy of the Nick Shutts owned Major Benefit (Michael Keel). The winner, a five-year-old son of Executive Perk looks a decent sort and should be able to rise in class. The Bailey second string, Whichway Girl (Joe Docker), couldn’t live with the impressive winner, but still looks a horse capable of taking a race of this calibre. Slodadam (Matthew Mackley) was one-paced in third and seems to get found out by horses with a turn of foot. He needs a real test of stamina.
Both My Best Buddy and Emperor Roscoe both look capable of scoring, but they both need to brush up their jumping.  

The final division of the maiden went to the Bailey yard with Mr Cooney (Rowan Cope) comfortably holding Princess Derry (Chris Cundall) by a length with Crackrattle (Tim Lane) a further four lengths back in third.
The winner has shown promise in the past, but will need to improve if he’s to step up in class. The runner up looks moderate, but may have a chance in a weak maiden or hunt race. The disappointing Crackrattle looks one paced and will need an easy maiden if he’s score.
The Only Option (Fiona Needham) looked promising but ended up on the deck for the second time this season and need to seriously sort out his jumping.

The Hunt race went to the maiden Paddington Jones (Nick Kent), holding off Sunny Lad (Adair Pickering) to win by three lengths.