Weekend Round-up
26th & 27th January 2008
by Peter Mansell
photos by Graham Fisher & Peter Mansell

FAMILY DOUBLE FOR THE WATSON’S AT HIGHAM

Six weekend meetings seemed to provide plenty of winning opportunities for local stables, but unfortunately the dice did not fall in our favour, so instead of hitting the jackpot our runners had to settle for minor places, which resulted in a very frustrating time for local enthusiasts.

The Watson family had cause for celebration following the success of Hannah and Jack Watson during Sundays North Norfolk Harriers meeting at Higham.

Hannah has progressed up through the Novice Riders ranks and is now one of the Area’s most accomplished riders, but on Sunday afternoon she had to share to headlines when her younger brother Jack after he rode his first winner.

The Worcestershire based rider has struck up a good partnership with High Rank this season and they had been placed second on their previous run at Ampton.

The 19-year-old steered High Rank to victory in the Novice Riders but it was a very close finish and Watson’s mount had just a neck to spare over El Viejo. Later in the afternoon his older sister Hannah made it a double following Dimadic’s 10-1 victory in the Ladies, but this time the margin of victory was a comfortable 2-lengths.

Lord of Illusion scored an impressive win in the Mens Open at Sundays Albrighton fixture at Weston Park. Connections tried to sell the horse during the summer but had been unable to find a buyer - which could have been a blessing in disguise. The last of 18 finishers in the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup now looks as though he is back to his old self and it will take a useful horse to lower his colours in this company.

Trained by Tom George under Rules the horse is now the responsibility of his wife Sophie and was partnered on this occasion by Charlie Dailly. Jumping immaculately throughout this combination made smooth progress to pass Merry Path at the end of the back straight and was soon 4-lengths clear of their rivals. The favourite Reflected Glory was sent off in hot pursuit but was unable to make any impact as the winner strode home for a comfortable victory.

With Dick Baimbridge’s stable reduced to just a handful of horses, Claire Allen is keeping her Championship hopes alive by picking up some useful outside rides and with two winners over the weekend she remains in contention for the Title.

Heaven is Above was made favourite for the West Street and Tickham Ladies Open on Saturday afternoon. Three horses held chances at the final obstacle but Heaven is Above got home in a driving finish to win by half a length.

Kim Smyly took Noakarad De Verzee down to Detling but the Stanton trained gelding came up against a formidable opponent in Honourable Spider. David Maxwells mount had a chance approaching three out but despite making a mistake at the last, the winner had 6-lengths to spare as they passed the judge.

The Smyly stable had close ties with Harry Dowty who died in such tragic circumstances last week and connections were wearing black armbands as a mark of respect. A minute’s silence was requested and meticulously observed at Larkhill on the same afternoon.

Miss Allen followed Saturday’s success by steering Bravery Scotch to victory over Cottage River in a hot Restricted at Thorpe Lodge the following day.

Mike Parr’s youngster had caught the eye at Ampton but was facing a major challenge from another useful youngster in Julie Houldey’s Cottage River who had won his Maiden at Barbury.

These two horses did not let their supporters down and the race was theirs for the taking at the second from home. Both horses made significant mistakes but Bravery Scotch recovered quicker than his rival did and the runner up was unable to recover the lost ground in the home straight.

Cottage River (Dave Mansell - right) were second to Bravery Scotch in the Restricted

This was the second placed runner for Peter and Lisa Hall and trainer Julie Houldey following Why Connie’s defeat by Robbers Glen in the Ladies.

The winner had cruised into the lead down the back straight but Polly Gundry refused to accept defeat and drove the runner up back in contention at the third from home. Robbers Glen held a narrow advantage between the final two fences but his rider had to resort to the whip to see off the runners up challenge on the flat.

Why Connie and Polly Gundry were a close second in the Ladies Open

Clive Hitchings and Andy Hobbs had runners at Weston Park and Thorpe Lodge and frustratingly for them had a second, third and fourth place.

Springbrook Girl finished third in the Ladies Open at Weston Park behind Flashy Boy and another West Midland runner in Snowtre who once again finished strongly to take second prize.

Saint Reverien eventually finished third behind Buckby Lane and Amicelli in a hot Mens Open at Thorpe. The winner held a narrow advantage at the penultimate where Adrian Wintle looked as though he had something in reserve, but the horse was unable to make the expected progress in the home straight.

Saint Reverien and Adrian Wintle (right) took third place behind Buckby Lane in a competitive Mens Open

His stablemate Lindbergh Law seemed to get outpaced along the back straight in the Ladies but was noted staying on strongly at the finish and should be worth following next time out.

Lindgergh Law and Claire Allen (left) finished a creditable fourth in the Ladies Open

Adrian Wintle had to settle for the runners up spot on the James Tuck trained Ten Pressed Men in a Division of the Maiden. They looked to have a chance as the horses turned back towards the judge but they were comprehensively outpaced by the winner George the Grey over the final two fences.

Ten Pressed Men and Adrian Wintle were runners up in the Open Maiden Div1

Ballydonagh and Ran Morgan looked as though they would provide the area with another winner for the area and Naunton trainer Emma Baker in Division II of the Royal Artillery Maiden.

The Irish import was driven along to stay in contention at the penultimate but kept responding well to his rider’s urgings until weakening on the flat.

The Cad gets the better of Ballydonagh and Ran Morgan on the run in at Larkhill

Good Lord provided Amanda Bush with a well-deserved success in Division I of the 2-1/2 mile Maiden. Bred out of that useful Point-to-Point mare Friendly Lady, the winner kept responding to every question asked by his pilot and they readily saw off a succession of challenges during the final half mile.

The West Midland Ladies Title looked a done deal prior to the start of the season but Claire Allen’s chances must have receded with a reduced number of runners expected from the Baimbridge stable. This provides Miss Bush with plenty of incentive when our season starts with the Harkaway Club fixture on 3 rd February.

Good Lord and Amanda Bush lead Donttellyermother (inner) and Harry’s Lane round the final bend in Division I of the 2-1/2 mile Maiden at the Royal Artillery meeting