Weekend Round-up
31st May & 1st June 2008
by Peter Mansell
photos by Peter Mansell & Graham Fisher

After a long but very successful season, runners from the area have dropped from a steady flow to a trickle, but this did not prevent Fergal O’Brien taking the Ladies Open at Sundays Countryside Alliance meeting at Bonvilston with Touch Closer.

The decision to postpone the original fixture six days earlier worked in the horses favour because the Naunton trainer was committed to the Albrighton Woodland fixture at Chaddesley Corbett last Monday.

Touch Closer was O’Brien’s final runner before he shuts up shop for the summer but initial support in the market waned as the runners went to post.

The 11-year-old had finished strongly at Bredwardine and O’Brien felt that he stood a good chance if Phine Banks could maintain contact with the leaders.

Josephine Banks and Touch Close storm into the lead on the flat to land the Ladies Open at Bonvilston

The 19-year-old Bristol University student began to ride more vigorously as the runners raced away from the crowds onto their final circuit and that played a major part in the horse’s success.

He began to make significant progress coming up the hill for the last time and Miss Banks timed her run to perfection joining the leaders at the final obstacle before drawing clear on the run to the line.

O’Brien was full of praise for the jockey whose riding commitments are curtailed due to her university commitments. “Touch Closer just jumps and stays so I told Phine not to give up and she rode the perfect race today”.

This crowned a fine season for the Naunton trainer who has sent out the winners of 19 races between the flags and has also had one hunter chase success with Marblehead.

Andy Hobbs and Clive Hitchings had a frustrating afternoon at Saturdays Harborough Hunts Club meeting at Dingley with both of their runners finishing in the runners up spot.

Saint Reverien started favourite for the Mens Open, but his jumping lacked its usual fluency and although he held every chance as they turned into the home straight, North Island put in a quicker jump at the last which turned the tables in his favour.

North Island and Oliver Greenall (left) just get the better of Saint Reverien (Adrian Wintle) in the Mens Open

Just 4 runners faced the starter in the Intermediate and Nick Oliver’s front running tactics on The Brooklet just failed to pay dividends. The Hanley Swan trained gelding jumped well throughout this contest but Oliver Greenalls persistent on The Fairhill Boy paid dividends as they caught The Brooklet on the run in.

The Brooklet and Nick Oliver (right) just lead over the last but Oliver Greenall and The Fairhill Boy are about to take their measure in the Intermediate

Absolutely Barkings fourth place in the Countryside Alliance Intermediate on Sunday may not seem very significant to most people but it meant everything to Adam Brown and his parents Adrian and Maria.

The family has endured a torrid time in 2008, with Adam unable to ride after he was diagnosed with a major illness that required an extensive course of treatment.

He has been given the all clear, although still needs to have regular check ups but he has recently returned to work at Maz Scudamores yard near Ross on Wye.

Unfortunately Absolutely Barking was unable to provide the fairytale ending to this story.