REVIEW

COTSWOLD VALE FARMERS
ANDOVERSFORD
Saturday 8th April 2006

by Liam Hale

photos by Neale Blackburn

De Giles Stars on Novice Day

Felix De Giles doubled up at the Andoversford on the novice’s rider meeting, and looks one of the novice finds of 2006. The Novice Riders day gave the riders the opportunity to gain more experience and to hone the point to point talent of the future.

The success of Young Thruster in the Men’s Open was an all brother affair as the winner was trained by Fredi De Giles, who had his first success as a jockey in 2006. The winner’s task was made easier when the favourite Golden Jack (C. Morris) unseated his rider early on and the chasing River pirate (Adam Brown) fell two out. But Felix had the one time Twiston Davies inmate, four wins for current owner Gavin MacEchern, travelling well throughout and found more once challenged by River Pirate. The winner pulled well clear of Guard a Dream (Henry Kinchin), bidding for a three timer, and Greco (Ed Cookson). The winner is in good heart at present and can add to the De Giles’s 2006 successes.

Young Thruster and Felix De Giles mens Open Winners

The winner was a welcome success for De Giles after he had been disqualified on fourth place Raka King in the Intermediate , no mistakes were made later in the day.

Fox John had been an impressive winner for De Giles and Manners at Siddington two weeks earlier and followed up in impressive style to give De Giles his second double of 2006. The winner was always travelling well under the stylish De Giles and pulled clear once given the office two out.

Fox John and Felix De Giles dismiss the last on the way to victory

Fox John seems to have found his niche in points, after two places under rules, and can continue to progress in 2006. Second place Alfie Valentine (Ken Ford) was well back early but ran on strongly to take second from Paddyjohno (Michaal Milne) and can be placed to good affect in the future.

Felix De Giles, eight rides under rules in 2006, looks a capable youngster and is worth noting for the future.

Sylphide and Kirsty Whitbread secured the first leg of a John Manners double, in winning the first ever Ladies Race for novice riders. The winner was returning to her form of 2003 in narrowly holding on from the front running Gentle Rivage (Carley Stewart), who ran on again once headed. The winner was a three time scorer in 2003, and then went on to win three chases and numerous places under rules, and battled on well to repel all challengers. Mighty Montefalco ( Suzanna Charrington) could be a future winner to be taken form the race as she hunted around the back early to make good progress to leave four horses with a chance at the last, the first three and fourth placed Coole Venture (Joanna Banks), but she was denied by the battling Sylphide who had three quarters of a length to Gentle Rivage and a further length back to Mighty Montefalco. The winter is in good form at present after going off the boil in 2005 and was well placed by Manners.

In line for home at the second last

Sylphide and Young female rider of the day Kirsty Whitbread first leg of a Double for John Manners

The progressive Presentingthecase (Sarah West) easily took the opening Hunt members race, after taking it up three out he readily went ten lengths clear of Macy and Jeremy Mahot. The race was put back fifteen minutes after a torrential hail storm changed the complexion of an earlier bright day. The winner brought up the three timer in 2006, after a maiden win at Milbourne St Andrew and a restricted win at Siddington two weeks earlier, and looks capable of winning again in 2006.

Presentingthecase and Sarah West clear at the last in the members race

The Intermediate race for novice riders was won in impressive style by Rathcoole Dancer (Adam Brown). The winner, owned by the jockey’s father, was behind early but came through on the bend before the last to head the always prominent Master Club Royal and Gue Opperman. The winner sprinted well clear but was heavily eased after the last to hold on by one length. The second looks capable of giving his novice rider future success, who has nice Hunter chaser Lord Nellerie to ride in 2006.. Rathcoole Dancer, favourite, showed a good turn of foot and this Andy Hobbs trained mare looks worth following over the coming weeks.

Rathcoole Dancer and Adam Brown track Raka King and Felix De Giles in the intermediate race

Male young rider of the day comes back on Rathcoole Dancer

Alpheus and Richard Mason won the PPORA Club Member race in impressive style after running his rivals ragged. The winner was in the lead throughout but found more when three horses jumped the second last together. Raka King (Felix De Giles) ran on well for second but could not reel in the long-time leader. Billywill (Ed Cookson) weakened into third but showed enough to suggest he can follow up on his 2006 success. Alpheus stepped up on members win at Siddington two weeks earlier and looks a capable performer in Novice races.

Alpheus and Richard Mason lead the field all the way home in the PPORA members

A tight squeeze in the restricted