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Grove & Rufford at
NOTTINGHAM
Sunday 11th February 2001
by Dom Bradshaw
The Midlands Area belatedly got underway on Sunday with the Grove and Rufford meeting, staged for the first time at Nottingham racecourse.
The Mens Open saw the reappearance of the high class Lord Harry, who was unbeaten in 2000, but on this occasion he had to give second best to Minella Silver, a winner at Mollington the weekend before. Richard Burton took the steel grey son of Roselier to the front early and was never headed, staying on gamely from the fast finishing Lord Harry (Alistair Crow) with Maitre De Musique (Michael Tate) a distant third. The winner is now qualified for the Cheltenham Foxhunters and connections must surely be thinking of having a crack. The runner up, who looked slightly burly in the paddock, was given a lot to do by Crow but made up significant ground in the latter stages. However, lack of fitness took its toll and he had to give second best on this occasion. Whether the result will be the same if the pair meet again (at Cheltenham?) is a different matter altogether.
Lord
Harry’s owner, Mike Parr, made amends in the next race with
his Vain Minstrel (Sue Sharratt) taking the Ladies Open in good
style. The winner who like Lord Harry, looked big in the paddock,
led the field a merry dance and the result was never in any danger.
He should have little trouble scoring again.
Shallow River (Sarah Phizacklea), having his first run since 1999,
was fifteen lengths back in second and may be capable of taking a
small race. Misti Hunter (Carrie Ford) was a further fifteen
lengths behind in third.
Banteer Bet
(W. Hill), who showed useful form in her only run last season,
outstayed her rivals to take the Restricted with Mollington maiden
winner Banny Hill Lad (Adrian Wintle) a fast finishing second.
Third place went to Square One (Joe Docker) who was the only other
finisher.
The winner appears to be at her best when stamina is at a premium
and should be capable of a bold show in better class when
conditions are in her favour. The same could be said of the runner
up, who led for a long way before dropping out and running on again
at the death. Whilst in this form, he could take a Restricted of
this standard. Square One also ran a game race in conditions that
were apparently against her. She should be good enough to score to
take a Restricted.
Orient Bay (Richard Tate) was well supported, but was never in it.
He requires better ground.
The unraced
Dalus Park, a 6yo by Mandalus, ran away with Division One of the
Maiden under a fine ride by Joe Docker with The Nobel Rebel (Clive
Mulhall) and Primitive Satin (Fiona Needham) second and third
respectively. Although the form of the race looks slightly suspect,
the winner did all he could and could be half-decent. This was the
first real sign of form by the placed horses, but Primitive Satin
should be noted as he’s from a good yard (Robin Tate) who
rarely entertain bad horses.
Patrick Millington’s Jambo Bwana looked as though he might be
in the shake up until weakening into fourth. This was his first
completion in points and he could surprise in testing conditions
with an established rider on board. The same comments echo for
Kings Choir (Mrs C Boyes), who came from the clouds to finish
fifth. This is not the first time the horse has done this and he is
crying out for stronger handling.
The favourite, Fresh Brew (Richard Burton) was still in with a
squeak when exiting on the second circuit. He should be noted when
the money is down.
The 5yo debutante Tall Trees was given a very gentle introduction
(some might even say a schooling session!) by James Tate. The horse
was anchored in last place throughout and was pulled up when
tailing off. Admittedly, the horse did run as green as grass and
he’s one to note.
The Second
Division went to the suspect stayer Redmire (A Pennock), who
surprisingly outstayed the rest of his rivals! However, the one for
the notebook is Go To War. Richard Burton dropped the unraced 5yo
son of Karinga Bay out at the back and he jumped the first three
fences slowly and novicey.
By the second circuit, he’d warmed to the task and was
hacking with Burton. Coming to two out, Pennock had opened up a
good looking advantage on Redmire, but Burton still appeared to
have a good handful on Go To War and was closing all the time. With
the lead diminishing, Redmire pulled out a bit more, going on to
score by 1 ½ lengths. This was an excellent introduction by
Go To War, who wasn’t knocked about at any stage by Burton,
who I think was a little surprised to see the horse as close to
winning as he was! He will have no trouble taking a maiden and
could be far better in time.
The winner has been knocking around in Maidens for a while and will
have her work cut out to take a Restricted. Dozmary Pool (Adrian
Wintle) was fifteen lengths back in third and if remaining problem
free, has the potential to score in this grade.
Richard Burton
went one better in the final division of the Maiden on the
favourite Hot Toddy, collaring the long time leader The Other Man
(R. Douro) on the run in. The winner, an expensive purchase, is
only a 6yo and can go on to better things. The runner up, an 11yo
jumped soundly throughout and looked as though he might have the
legs of the rest jumping two out, only for the favourite to deny
him. He appreciated the going and trip and is capable of another
bold show if encountering these conditions again.
Strewth (Richard Armson) ran well for a long way but stopped
quickly. He may have trouble staying three miles.
Earlier, Bucket Of Gold (Tim Denniff) took the Members race for the third year running, comprehensively outstaying the opposition. The only other finisher, Reel Handsome (Josh Apiafi) went out quickly at the 2m4f mark and looks a non-stayer.
The organisers of the meeting should be congratulated in getting the meeting on, as the weather has been atrocious. However, it seems counter productive to have a meeting on a "rules course" and not to use the facilities on offer. A number of people I spoke to were bitterly disappointed with the viewing, as the marquees and tents obscured most of the fences. The only decent viewing point was at the far side of the course, next to the open ditch. Unfortunately, from there, you couldn’t hear a word of the commentary, as there was no loudspeaker and the finishing line was also somewhat distant. Hopefully, the organisers will take heed and rectify the situation in time for the Blankney fixture in March.
Results
Members
1. Bucket Of Gold (Tim Denniff)
2. Reel Handsome
Only two finished 8 Ran
Dist: Dist
Restricted
1. Banteer Bet (W. Hill)
2. Banny Hill Lad
3. Square One
16 Ran
Dist: 1/2l, 1l
Mens Open
1. Minella Silver (Richard Burton)
2. Lord Harry
3. Maitre De Musique
14 Ran
Dist: 4l, dist
Ladies Open
1. Vain Minstrel (Sue Sharratt)
2. Shallow River
3. Misti Hunter
9 Ran
Dist: 15l, 15l
Maiden (Div 1)
1. Dalus Park (Joe Docker)
2. The Nobel Rebel
3. Primitive Satin
11 Ran
Dist: 20l, hd
Maiden (Div 2)
1. Redmire (A. Pennock)
2. Go To War
3. Dozmary Pool
11 Ran
Dist: 1 1/2l, 15l
Maiden (Div 3)
1. Hot Toddy (Richard Burton)
2. The Other Man
3. Whatasucker
13 Ran
Dist: 1 1/2l, 2l