Badsworth & Bramham
Moor
Howe Hills, Mordon
Saturday 24th March 2007
by Arthur Thompson
A good size crowd were met with a
strong cold wind at Howe Hills Farm for the Badsworth and Bramham
Moor fixture. The course looked a picture with new running rail all
around the course.
View up the
course
This is the first meeting of three at Howe
Hills and John Wade as promised fresh ground for all meetings. For
this meeting, the fences were moved to outside in the home and back
straight and to the inside for the bends. The Going was GOOD/SOFT
IN PLACES, which were hard to find.
The meeting got underway at 1.00pm with the
Confined.
Fourteen went to post with Narciso, a winner at Hutton Rudby last
week, the favourite. Glenelly Gale (Toby Greenall) went to the
front from flag fall and looked to have the race in his pocket
turning for home, but the Yorkshire Ladies champion, Jacqueline
Coward, brought Narciso through with a late run to catch Toby
within the sight of the post. Trooper Collins departed at the 11th
when going well; Londolozi Lad and Kepi De Kerfellec both went at
the second last when in with a chance. Sajomi Rona (Ian Smith) took
third place and on this showing should come on for the run.
Restricted
Jo Foster had Sandy Gold up with the pace from the word go,
taking the race from Imps Pride (Philip Cornforth), who came
to challenge two out but lost out on the run in, going down by
seven lengths. Cop Howe (Rachael Clark) took third place.
Junior Des Ormeaux (Oliver Greenall) was pulled up as was
Primitive Rhythm under Steve Charlton, who took them along in the
early stages.
Primitive Rhythm (Steve
Charlton)
Mens Open
Seven went to post and the money was for Hermes III and Oliver
Greenall, a recent winner at Dalton Park. Mordon specialist, Sir
Alf (Chris Dawson), was held up at the back as Ben From
Ketton forced the pace with Chaos Theory (David Thomas)
just behind. Going out into the country for the last time, Chris
Dawson started to move forward with Oliver Greenall upsides with
the pacesetters fading just after the ditch and pulling with four
to jump. Sir Alf loves it around Howe Hills and showed the way
home to the smart Hermes III with Queenies Girl running on for
third place. Chris Grant’s Washington Pink was going well
when falling and should be watched in the fixtures to come as
should third place Tiger Talk.
Queenies Girl (Paul Franks
- Red) in the Mens Open
The first Div of
the OPEN Maiden went to Keen Whip (Richard Wakeham),
who has improved with every run. One to watch out for is John
Wade's Fleet Admiral (Chris Dawson) who should take a
maiden soon. Dix Huit Cyborg (Sean Magee) took third spot.
Sliver State (David Thomas) along with Zebs Lad (Richard
Walker) took them along at a steady pace over the first two
miles. Mags And Bob (Rachel Clark) was too keen. Areyacoddingmee
put in a good show in the early stages and should come on for the
race.
The field in Division 1 of
the Maiden
Ladies Race
The race of the day. Texas Ranger (Jo Foster) shot into the lead
from flag fall and didn’t look like getting caught when
turning for home, but you never can rule out Duchess Account (Emma
Brader) who came with a rattle at the end catching Texas
Ranger on the line. October Mist, trained by the "Queen of National
Hunt", Mary Reveley, took third place under Kate Bannon, who
was still travelling well at Charm Park when unseating at the
ditch. The 13 year old jumped well and a small race may be in the
bag for him before the end of the season.
Texas Ranger (Jo Foster), 2nd in Ladies
Open
Duchess Account and Emma
Brader, winners of the Ladies Open
Intermediate
Mr Hawkeye (Chris Dawson) took this by three lengths from Soprano
Lass (Alice Pattinson) with Colonial Gunner in third place (with
Nigel Tutty on the sidelines, Ian Smith took the ride). Simon
Robinson on Was I Right ran on for fourth place. The unlucky
story of the race was Carew, who was travelling well but was cut up
at the 13th and never got back into the race.
In the last race, Div
Two of the Maiden, Abandon Ship under Richard Smith landed
the spoils from Pertinax (Chris Dawson) with Southside Sid (John
Dawson) in third.
Howe Hills is fast becoming one of the top
pointing courses in Yorkshire and the going will always be the best
that John and his team can get. The fences are on the small side
but are being rebuilt. For all the hard work put in at Howe Hills,
I can’t understand why the fields are so small; 158
entries but only around 57 went to post over 7 races. I enjoy
my visits to the course and find it friendly whichever hunt are the
hosts. The viewing has improved with a new stand that has been
added, which overlooks the ring and the course.
