REVIEW |
A stiff breeze may have contributed to keeping the
crowd down and runners were also thin on the ground. However, the ding-dong
battle between Guy Brewer and Nigel Tutty for the Yorkshire Gentleman Riders
Championship looks like going down to the wire with just the events at
Mordon and Heslaker remaining, as both parties scored points today. The opening younger horse maiden went to Silogue and
Nigel Tutty by a country mile. It would have been closer though, as the
eventual winner and Irish Paddy took off at five from home together, but at
this point runners go out of sight until they are back in view jumping four
out. When they reappeared, Silogue was all alone and Irish Paddy had parted
company with Richard Clark. Irish Paddy appeared to have a bad injury and
left the scene in a horse ambulance. Silogue completed unchallenged to
score. A former hurdler, he had put in a decent effort on his point debut to
be fourth to Civil Gent at Charm Park on Easter Monday, a performance that
looked even better later in the afternoon. Thixendale under Jo Foster was
the runner-up, with God Of War (Steve Charlton) third and Littleton Zeus
(Paul Collins) fourth. Three Way Split had been left in a clear second by
the departure of Irish Paddy, but was pulled up apparently lame after the
third last. The 13-year-old Miorbhail with Tessa Gray on top gained the second success of his career in the Confined, six years after landing his maiden. He had been getting outpaced in the latter stages of races in recent times, but stuck on well on the run-in to defy Darak and Nigel Tutty by three lengths. Darak was also entered for the mens open, but took on what was thought to be the easier option instead, however he couldn’t quite pull it off. Third-placed Glacial Dancer (Richard Clark) was third and is bit frustrating, while Ballad Minstrel and Jo Foster were fourth. The grey was found to be unsound afterwards.
Only three turned out for the Mens Open and Nordic
Crest and Mark Walford made it their second victory here in a fortnight,
this time at prohibitive odds. The partnership have been a strong duo on
their three opens this year. Donnegale with Nigel Smith aboard showed more
than he has for some time in second and might be happier in mens races than
his usual ladies contests with Jo Foster. Fine Times and Oliver Williams
trailed in third, but weren’t shrugged off until after the third last.
A bold display of jumping from On The Mend, coupled
with a fine ride from Freya Hartley, was enough to take the Ladies Open. The
distance he stood off the ditch on the second circuit had to be seen to be
believed! Trained by Susan Balshaw, On The Mend has seemed to enjoy the
switch to ladies races, following two fair fourth placings. Having made the
running, On The Mend was joined by runner-up Ridgeway and Jo Foster at the
fifth from the finish, but regained the advantage at the fourth last and
never relinquished it from thereon in. Ridgeway was at an even skinnier
price than Nordic Crest, but for some reason you always felt throughout the
race that On The Mend was going to prevail. The maiden Quel Regal (Rachel
Clark) was third of three. Although out of his depth here, Quel Regal seems
to have lost his way since falling on his point debut at Market Rasen when
giving the useful Glensan a race early in the season.
Guy Brewer’s sole ride of the day was a winning one
on Civil Gent in the Restricted and got him back in front of Nigel Tutty for
the Yorkshire Mens Title. Having been held up for a circuit, Civil Gent went
on with six to jump and forged clear on the run-in. Compared with his
hurdling days, the five-year-old chestnut has really grown into himself and
has yet to be out of the first three in his five points, including a victory
in a Charm Park maiden that is working out well with both Ravenscar and now
Silogue getting their heads in front since. Runner-up Parsifal with Rupert
Abrahams in the saddle was making a quick reappearance after triumphing in a
Witton Castle maiden on May Day Bank Holiday Monday. He does pull very hard,
but is a horse with a big future. Third went to Flat Stanley (Jo Foster),
who is progressing nicely, and won his maiden here in good style at the
previous meeting. Troubleshooter and Oliver Williams were fourth and
couldn’t renew their effort in the last half-mile. Office Hours was
disappointing following a promising seasonal debut here a fortnight ago.
The closing maiden went the way of The Sea Club and
Lauren Robson by 20 lengths from Man At The Top and Mark Bennison. After
setting the pace, The Sea Club was headed by Gardor before getting back in
front and drawing away. It was a well-deserved win. Man At The Top has put
in some good displays and is certainly capable of landing a maiden. Gardor
got round in third for Nigel Smith and might not have truly stayed. Highland
Wonder (Lynne Ward) was far from disgraced in fourth. Hendrix would most
likely have filled that position, but for getting rid of Niall Saville at
the third last.
Finally, mention must be made of the bend before the last two fences. One observer has described the track as having nine obstacles for 2004, the eight fences and this turn. Today, two horses dislodged their riders in separate incidents at it and at the April fixture two came down in one race. The fact that taking the corner correctly plays such a major part in the outcome of races is not a plus point either. The smaller fields can be put partly down to this bend also. It is hoped that the problems can be ironed out for 2005, as it is more by luck than judgement that a horse or rider has not been hurt this season. |