NEW FOREST
LARKHILL
sUNDAY 16TH March 2008
REVIEW
by Brian and Gill Armstrong
Droop trainer Louise Alner and stable jockey Ian Chanin grabbed the headlines with a double at windswept Larkhill on Saturday.
Louise and Ian kicked off with Braeroy, who led throughout the last mile of the opening Confined race. “He did that well and as I look after him at home, it’s even more enjoyable”, beamed Ian afterwards. “I’m quite impressed with that run”, said Beaminster owner Bill Dupont. “He’s jumped beautifully and never made a mistake. We’ll find an Intermediate for him now, and keep progressing through the grades”.
Ian employed virtually identical tactics on Northern Pitcher, who led going into the final dip and forged 15 lengths clear of his Maiden race rivals. Bred by the Alners from winning pointer Columcille, Northern Pitcher races for Tarrant Hinton’s Keith Hooper and Trent-based Penny Tozer, who have leased the horse for the season.
Northern Pitcher and Ian Chanin are well clear at the last
Louise and Ian came close to a treble with Trade Off, who was prominent throughout the Mixed Open, but had no answer when Spuddler’s Dream (Rachael Green) surged clear after the second last. Off the course since splitting Double Honour and Let’s Fly in a high-class Ladies’ Open at Wadebridge in December 2006, Spuddler’s Dream ran well when reappearing at Charlton Horethorne the previous weekend. “He’s travelled well and jumped brilliantly – apart from the open ditch where he took off far too early on both circuits”, reported Rachael.
Nathan Wilmington breathed a sign of relief when finally getting off the mark – “after about 10 seconds, I reckon” – on debutant Duke Of Miskin in the 2m 4f Maiden. Trained at Woolminstone by Ros Newman, Duke Of Miskin may now transfer to her son-in-law, Nigel Hawke, to run in a Newbury bumper in a fortnight’s time.
Nolan Byrne rode his fifth career winner when Winsley made all the running in the Novice Riders’ race. “All my wins have been on Winsley, though the previous four were all at Tweseldown”, said Nolan. “He got a little bit tired at the end, but he’s won well and he loves going right-handed”.
El Troubador earned the day’s biggest cheer when taking the restricted race for owner David Cowie, the Joint Master of the South & West Wilts Hunt. The win was also a welcome boost for rider Ryan Bliss, who had five stitches inserted in his upper lip after being kicked in Mr Slipper’s Cothelstone fall the previous day.
Confined, 12st (9 Runners) – 3 lengths, distance – Six minutes: 26 secs
1 BRAEROY I. Chanin, 11-10F
2 DESAILLY G. Humfrey, 2-1
3 PEDINA (IRE) J. Barnes, 33-1
Open Maiden 456&7yo, 2m4f 12st (12 Runners) - 6, 4 – 5:40
1 DUKE OF MISKIN N. Wilmington, 7-1
2 DR FLIGHT Miss A. Goschen, 3-1F
3 ORIENTAL GENTLEMAN G. Walters, 5-1
PPORA Club Members (Nov Rdrs), 12st (5 Runners) – 12, 5 – 6:44
1 WINSLEY N. Byrne, 2-5F
2 DEAR DEAL Miss C. Davis, 14-1
3 HARBRIDGE S. Matthews, 3-1
