Courtesy of an RAC van
carrying out it’s own rolling roadblock on the A20, I only managed to
catch half of the first race, but that did not dilute from a meeting full
of incident nor the report from a variety of water fowl related comments.
Gillian Jarvis Memorial
Open Maiden (2½ miles)
Only five lined up in this race for five to seven year olds. The
finish was fought out by newcomer Yallah Habibi and the more
experienced Shoveontommy. The former got the verdict, Nick Gifford
maintaining his form from the last meeting. Alex Embiricos was pushing and
shoving for all she was worth after the last, but the horse looked to be
going painfully slowly. However, Shoveontommy was similar but worse. Given
that he ran as if staying 2m 6f last time when the trip was 3 miles, it
was disappointing to only see out 2m 3f this time around. The other three
runners were beaten so far that massive improvement will be needed to
break their combined duck (is that some sort of mallard?).
South East Bookmakers
Restricted
Due to the ground, there was a suspicion that the maidens last time
were more about survivors than talent, but it was still a minor surprise
to see Sheriff’s Friend, who won one of them, turned out in a
hood so soon after. Perhaps it failed to have the desired effect as he
slowed up badly approaching the last and took plenty of riding to get home
after the bulk of the opposition had called it a day at the top of the
hill. Oxendale was the main threat under a waiting ride, but he
seems to be able to make the frame at this level without often hinting at
winning, and Sheriff’s Friend gave him every chance this time. Similar
can be said for third placed Quick Bowler, who might find stamina
limitations holding him back. As is common, Chill Factor plodded on
to make the frame. Irish maiden winner Bricanmore attracted money
in the ring but was pulled up after a severe disagreement with the open
ditch. Unbeaten James Isaac (one out of one) looked as if this
seasonal debut was needed and he was beaten when falling three out. As
long as that has not frightened him, he can do better next time.
Hobbs Parker Mens Open
One of the real local stalwarts, Seod Rioga, headed the market,
despite a tame seasonal debut. After a few wins and many excellent places
in opens, this weak one ought to have been easy meat, but perhaps age is
catching up with him, as it was only another place achieved. After being
niggled along a circuit out Seod Rioga led four out but was headed two
fences later. Thus Wibbley Wobbley won, overcoming a tendency to
run wide on the turns and also having done the donkey work for two laps. A
good fight back by both horse and Jamie Hawksfield when it seemed their
goose had been cooked. Third placed Brackenheath did as well as can
be expected for a horse that seems to close his eyes and guess when
approaching a fence.
Princess Grace Hospital
(London) Ladies Open
A stewards enquiry into improved form! The winner, Storm Castle,
was the subject and it can be put down to the fact that he was
considerably fitter than two weeks ago, and the opposition less able. The
field was well strung out as early as the sixth, but Dragon Lord
made a fair fist of challenging the winner. Having fallen on his last
appearance under Rules and his first point-to-point, he was surprisingly
reliable in the jumping sphere. A noteworthy performance came from long
time absentee Stonesby. He was promising under Rules, and looked
fit despite managing just one run since April 1999. Due to a slow start,
he was well adrift by the first, but made stealthy progress after the
fifteenth to be a possible threat as he storked(!) the leaders. Just as
supporters were sellotaping their betting slips back together,
Stonesby’s rally petered out. The first impression was that it was a
noteworthy debut, but later review of his Rules form revealed that two
miles on fast ground was his trip, so perhaps this is as good as he will
do pointing.
South East Hunts Club
Members
Fifteen took part in this and those present were witness to the
justification for why these reviews have been prone to refer to Chris
Gordon as The Great Man. He was reunited with the capable but ever so
totally barmy Physical Fun, rapidly becoming known as a Great Loon
of the area. As early as mounting up time in the paddock, the horse had
his ears back and tried to avoid getting a jockey on board, clearly having
little intention of making a contribution to the spectacle. But today the
plan was to confuse him into joining in. At the start, he ambled around
100 yards behind the rest. The starter gave signs that the tape was about
to go up, and The Great Man cantered Physical Fun towards the field. He
was on terms and mobile at the off, and they were over the second before
he had recovered his wits and thought about refusing. But this was only
half the battle, and the other riders were clearly a touch surprised to
not just see the pair racing, but prominent. Three out, it was between
Physical Fun, Cormeen Lord and Tough Terms. At the next,
Cormeen Lord had the race at his mercy, but he faded and when he gets this
far Physical Fun is a capable tool, enough to pinch the race in a barely
needed photograph. Tough Terms ground to a near halt after running his
best race in some time, and Jimmy Dan and High Learie filled
the frame. The verdict on the result: This was not evidence of a reformed
character in the winner, and he is worth opposing next time, as he will
not want to be conned at the start again!
Marsh Private Clients/TBA
PPORA Club Members Mares Race
This initially seemed to be a present from the local bookmakers to
punters, as after a fine effort in the last men’s open here Satcotino
was widely on offer at evens in far lesser company. After a laborious
first lap, it seemed for all the world that the oddsmakers had got it spot
on, but once she warmed to the task, Satcotino dominated totally. The
second horse, Allrite Pet, showed signs of a return to her best,
especially as she was given an awful lot to do on the last circuit from
the back of the field. In recent comparison to the winner, Viking Lily
won the members race at the last meeting and stayed on late this time,
never nearer than at the finish. At eight, she could still have some
improvement in her. These were the only finishers, and in fact just one
more horse went further than the fifteenth. That was Thatcham Island,
who ran excellently until her stamina ran out, looking pretty tired when
she fell at the fourth last.
Grants Cherry Brandy South
East Hunts Club Maiden
Sixteen went to post, but plenty gave up the ghost well before the
end. Whilst one or two were hampered by fitness, the prominent finish of a
horse that had previous given no indication of an aptitude for racing is
never a good sign. In this case, Gabaka De Thaix is the horse in
question and a good jump two out gave thoughts of a big upset occurring.
However, Harry Fowler and six year old Leading Case had other ideas
and reasserted themselves, despite a tendency to jump right. The winner
was bred and is mostly owned by David & Heather Silk, who were no
doubt delighted to win the David Silk & Peter Rylands Challenge Salver
as a result, although had he not fallen at Horseheath when well in front,
Leading Case would have not been qualified for this race. So delighted,
surprised and relieved connections? The Winkster was third again,
and had no excuses having got close enough if good enough. Fourth was an
exposed nine year old, Hatch Gate, whose second consecutive
completion gives him a career total of two. So a promising youngster
delivers, but big doubts about the strength of the form. Although he was
struggling to stay with the first pair, Two Paddies’ fall four
out cost him a place in the frame. Ominously he has pointing form of UF,
but seems to have some ability if the jumping gets sorted out. |