REVIEW
SOUTH WOLD
BROCKLES SUNDAY 30 MARCH 2003

by Dom Bradshaw

For the second successive day, runners were few and far between, thanks to the lack of rain seen in the region in the past few weeks.

Bruce Forsyth used to say that  “life is the name of the game”, but at Brocklesby yesterday, it was jumping that was the name of the game for Lammoski in the Restricted. Oliver Williams’ mount was forced to jump a full circuit on his own after his two rivals, Phyllis (Fiona Needham) and I’m Struggling (Richard Wakeham) both exited at the same point, and did so admirably, including when being asked to jump the last despite the carnage. Oliver has done particularly well to extract two wins out his mount and who’s to say that they’ve finished winning yet, though he won’t get any easier opportunities than this.
Phyllis continues to be an unsafe conveyance and sadly, I’m Struggling sustained a fatal injury.

Despite the unsuitable fast surface, Ababou (Steve Charlton) got the better of Fine Times (Matthew Mackley) in the Mens Open. The winner is a good animal and deserves to take his chance in Novice Hunter Chases. This was the first sign of form that Fine Times has shown this season and now that he has his preferred going, he may take a race by the end of the season. Royal Snoopy (Rupert Abrahams) was one paced in third and Big Thyne (Simon Walker) put in another lack-lustre performance and is beginning to look ungenuine. 

In the Confined, The Nobleman (Simon Walker) attempted to make all, but was just touched off on the line by the odds on favourite Silver Spider (Stuart Morris). Silver Spider didn’t look to enjoy the going and was dismounted after the line. This was a fine attempt by The Nobleman, who was well supported in the market, and he can take a small race now that the ground has dried up. 

Troubleshooter (Matthew Mackley) put in a good front running display taking the 5, 6 & 7yo Maiden by a length-and-a-half from the Bang And Blame (Thomas Greenall). The winner jumped really well on this occasion, but won’t find many softer races than this.  

Stuart Morris completed a double in the 8yo and above Maiden, getting Cawkwell Princess up on the line to beat Master Flash (James Clare) by a head. This really was “vintage” Morris and it’s good to see him riding this well after the terrible injury that he sustained in 2002. 

For the second day in a row, there was a walk over in the Ladies Open with Cadrillon (Jo Foster) taking the honours. With the recent lack of runners in these events, this surely adds fuel to those who would prefer to see mixed opens, as opposed to separate mens and ladies races.

5,6 & 7yo Maiden
1. Troubleshooter (Matthew Mackley)
2. Bang And Blame (Thomas Greenall)
3. Six Bells (Patrick Millington)
1.5l, Dist - 6m24s
3 Ran

Confined
1. Silver Spider (Stuart Morris)
2. The Nobleman (Simon Walker)
3. Highbeath (James Clare)
Neck, Dist - 6m2s
4 Ran

Ladies Open
1. Cadrillon (Jo Foster) walked over

Mens Open
1. Ababou (Steve Charlton)
2. Fine Times (Matthew Mackley)
3. Royal Snoopy (Rupert Abrahams)
1l, 6l - 6m3s
4 Ran

Restricted
1. Lammoski (Oliver Williams) finished alone
6m22s
3 Ran

8yo and Older Maiden
1. Cawkwell Princess (Stuart Morris)
2. Master Flash (James Clare)
3. Commandant (Richard Armson)
Head, 5l - 6m11s
5 Ran