South East Hunts Club
Charing
Sunday 25th February 2007
by Simon McInnes
photos by Adam
Goodburn
http://www.reflexdigital.co.uk
Nearly three months after the season
began, the south-east finally lurched into action, although the
area has had some travellers into other areas, even in search of
Cheltenham qualification. This belated start meant that despite
recent bad weather there were few runners struggling for fitness.
The conditions, however, wet but very holding, did produce
Charing's usual deceptively testing experience.
Gillian Jarvis Club
Members Maiden (4-7yo), 2m 4f
1: Peppershot 2:Laguna Beach 3: Beatle's About
Winner owned: Mrs KH York, trained & ridden: Philip
York
When the betting commenced, Beatle's About was favourite on the
back of promise shown in Ireland, but he took a market wander in
the wake of support for Peppershot , who had not been shown up too
badly under Rules a year earlier. The market leaders went clear at
the top of the hill, with Laguna Beach being the only rival hanging
in with them. Beatle's About was the first to cave in, around the
third last and he was soon beaten off. From then on Peppershot
gradually exerted his authority, although Laguna Beach was not
given an unduly hard time in the vain pursuit. After two pulled ups
with hints of promise last year, Laguna Beach seems to be getting
there, but both of the first pair have a bit to prove as far as
three mile races are concerned.
South East Bookmakers
Members Restricted
1: Theatre Call 2: Tates Avenue 3: Hatsnall
Winner owned, trained & ridden: Godfrey Maundrell
This shaped up as a fairly decent Restricted, and ended with
Theatre Call running out an impressive winner. The race was still
in the balance when he put the wind right up the oppo by really
pinging the fourth last, putting clear air between himself and the
challengers. Tates Avenue, who had been near the front most of the
way but struggled when swamped, rallied gamely down A20 side of the
track, and posted his best effort by far in points, without ever
quite convincing that he would get upsides Theatre Call. Hatsnall
had made most of the running, jumping well, but he stopped rapidly
three from home and sort of clambered over the last fences. The
paddock pick was Barrels Pal, who had made a good start in the UK
this year. His challenge ended when he really struggled to make it
up the hill on the last lap, but he did manage to plod on for
fourth. There appeared a modicum of market support for Jilted
Lover, but he was not at all happy from the start and eventually
pulled up. Presumably his name implies discomfort when the ground
is holding.
Hobbs Parker Men's
Open
1: Control Man 2: The Grey Baron 3: No Reward
Winner owned & ridden: Stuart Robinson, trained: Gina
Weare
Control Man, having won an Open already this season, was a long
odds-on chance, and avoided any misadventures to run as the market
suggested. He eased clear from five out, and there was little
danger of defeat as The Grey Baron was ridden to ensure second, and
he was in turn a long way ahead of the rest.
Penny Peate Ladies' Open
1: Find Me Another 2: Sheriff's Friend 3: Indoux
Winner owned: Mrs C Stennett, Mrs C Aldridge & Mrs E King,
trained: Simon Andrews, ridden: Amy Stennett
The betting said that Sheriff's Friend
would win this as easily as Control Man took the last race, but it
proved much more eventful. Challenging the winner coming down the
hill, he made a horrendous blunder four out, from which Jenny
Gordon defied the laws of physics to stay on board. This seemed to
have ended any prospects of a win, but after the second last Find
Me Another started to look very tired. Avoiding a mistake at the
last, Amy Stennett got to work on the short run-in and just held
on. There was quite a gap back to Indoux, who did not seem in the
mood today, but he outstayed Stylish Dave, and Supreme Vintage, who
has only won a maiden and probably did not take much
outstaying.
Princess Grace
Hospital (London) Members Conditions
1: Valley Henry 2: Quickswood 3: Carpet Ride
Winner owned & trained: Richard Gurney, ridden: Philip
York
Stripping fitter than for his debut at Tweseldown, Valley Henry
eventually won this with a bit in hand, after looking as if he was
going to be in for a bit of a battle four from home. At the age of
twelve, he was more sprightly and quick than the fourteen year old
Quickswood, who in turn held off five year old whippersnapper
Carpet Ride for second. With the first two known quantities, Carpet
Ride's was the most interesting performance, confirming that his
third in a hunter chase might not have been the fluke it appeared
at the time. After winning four on the spin last year,
Alittlemoreaction got a little more action than he wanted by
falling when still in contention at about the time that Valley
Henry burst into life. Had he completed, it would have been a fair
run. After a quiet couple of years Westfield John caught the eye in
the paddock and did manage fourth, but he was always labouring to
stay on the heels of the leaders. His next run will give a better
indication of whether his new yard has freshened him up.
Grants Cherry Brandy
Members Maiden
1: Spanish Point 2: Master Alf 3: Parzando
Winner owned & trained: Di Grissell, ridden: Hannah
Grissell
The three that stood out in the paddock ended up 1-2-3, but it was
still an extraordinary effort from Spanish Point to be the 1. In
holding ground that had been chopped up by five races and then
rained on, he defied being unraced since 2004, a blunder at the
ninth that seemed to cause his rider to lose an iron when there was
a very short run to the next and a worse mistake a lap later which
had Hannah Grissell clinging on around his neck. Dropping from
second to fourth, he was amazingly back with the leader after the
next and kept on very stoutly. The form of Spanish Point under
Rules was promising and if he can put in a foot perfect round, he
should be up to winning at a higher level. Master Alf's effort was
not too bad, but the winner did give him every chance and he still
could not take advantage. Parzando huffed and puffed his way round
for third, which is becoming a habit, and he held that position as
Rockley Beach ran like a non-stayer after cruising into contention
rounding the top of the course. There were a few fell by the
wayside, such as Hurricane Dipper, who would without this blemish
be of interest in maidens, and On The Deck whose original
connections were tempting Fate in a way that he/she/it does not
tolerate.
