TAUNTON VALE FOXHOUNDS
KINGSTON ST MARY
EASTER MONDAY 24TH MARCH 2008
REVIEW
by Brian and Gill Armstrong
Saint Romble won a fascinating Ladies Open at Kingston St Mary, leading early on and then fighting back under Katherine Hobbs, making her reappearance after breaking a collarbone at Buckfastleigh in mid-February. “This is his 11 th win for us”, smiled Sarah Hobbs afterwards. “He’s one of our very favourite horses, and certainly would never go hunter chasing – he’s much too valuable to us for that”.
Rachael Green reached the 14-winner mark on the impressive Express Leader, who led before halfway and turned the young horse Maiden into a procession. “He’s my first horse and first winner”, beamed Lorna Squire, “but my co-owners John George and Richard Metherell owned [Aintree Foxhunter hero] Torduff Express, and hence his name”.
Giles Hawkins, 16, recorded his second career success on Ri Na Realta, who just got the better of Sulawacee (Rachael Green) in the Confined after the pair had jumped the last two fences upsides. “Credit to all my family”, said Giles afterwards. “Mum [Trudi] and Dad [Andrew] own him, and my brother Richard, 18, helps Dad with the training. Dad said not to hit the front too early, and hopefully we got it just about right”.
Witham Friary (near Frome) owner/trainer Norman Crouch, who is in his eighties, received a fine reception when welcoming back General Blackthorn and Robert Lee, who made virtually all in the Men’s Open.
General Blackthorn (Robert Lee) wins the Men's Open
Owner Norman Crouch with the Challenge Cup after General Blackthorn's win
After a frustrating weekend – he had finished second or third on six occasions – Sam Allwood finally entered the winner’s circle on Dandooley, who made all in the Restricted. “Sam’s ridden him well, Julie [Pocock] trains him well, but first-time blinkers have certainly helped him today”, said the horse’s owners Andrew Pope, Roger Plowright and Chris White.
Enmore trainer Charlotte Budd was all smiles after Michael Wear’s Perewsal (Tigga Barnes) took the older horse Maiden. “He always tries his best, whatever he’s doing, and I absolutely adore him”, she smiled afterwards.
Ha Ho Magregor and Suzy Berry made all to retain their unbeaten partnership in the hunt race. Runner-up Arvakur (Ian Chanin) rallied at the bottom of the hill, but Ha Ho Magregor readily forged clear again after the second last.
The Taunton Vale Invitational Charity Race, which has already raised over £2,500 for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, went to Lucinda Amor aboard River Indus, who led entering the straight and readily held off Bright Approach (Bridget Burbidge), Black Castle (Richard Mitford-Slade), and Royal Axminster (Johnny Sumption).
River Indus and Lucinda Amor win the Charity Flat race
Hunt Members, 12st5lb (3 Runners) – Eight lengths – Seven minutes:09
HA HO MAGREGOR (IRE) Miss S. Berry, EvensF
ARVAKUR (IRE) I. Chanin, 7-4
Open Maiden 56&7yo, 12st (10 Runners) – 12, dist – 7:01
EXPRESS LEADER Miss R. Green, EvensF
RANGE ROVER N. Scholfield, 5-2
MISTER LEGEND D. Cook, 20-1
Confined, 12st (5 Runners) – 1, 8 – 7:06
RI NA REALTA (IRE) G. Hawkins, 10-1
SULAWACEE Miss R. Green, 7-4
WESTOVER LAD S. Allwood, 6-4F
Ladies Open, 11st (3 Runners) – 3, 12 – 7:00
SAINT ROMBLE (FR) Miss K. Hobbs, 2-1
RYE BROOK Miss R. Green, 4-5F
GEMSTER Miss J. Carr, 3-1
Restricted, 12st (10 Runners) – 1, 8 – 7:08
DANDOOLEY S. Allwood, 10-1
MIDNIGHT QUEEN J. Barnes, 7-2
MAN OF THE MOMENT R. Lee, 7-4F
Open Maiden 8yo&up, 12st (5 Runners) – ¾, dist – 7:30
PEREWSAL (IRE) J. Barnes, 2-1JF
DELOUGHTANE (IRE) J. Ford, 4-1
FINE ENOUGH (IRE) S. Ellis, 100-30
