REVIEW
BROCKLES BROCKLESBY PARK
SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2003

by Dom Bradshaw

Ababou continued his rise in class taking the Confined at Sunday’s Brocklesby fixture at Brocklesby Park. Ridden by his regular partner Steve Charlton, the 7-year-old French bred gelding was scoring for the second successive week having taken the Members race at the Burton meeting at Market Rasen a week earlier.
However, this was his toughest task to date and he had to do it the hard way, bravely battling back after looking beaten two from home to lead on the run in to deny Buddy Girie (Philip Cornforth).
The winner has a lovely attitude to racing and looks the type to go well in a novices hunter chase. Whichever route connections choose, he’s sure to win more races.
Buddy Girie, who looked well in the paddock, did everything but get his head in front and this was a pleasing seasonal debut. He should be winning soon.
Purevalue (Thomas Greenall) wasn’t far away in third and should go close next time.
Fourth placed My Best Buddy (Rowan Cope) made a couple of errors which put paid to his chances and can win in this grade when fencing with more fluency.
Square One (Joe Docker) wasn’t travelling too badly when blundering her chance away and can score in less hot company.

In the Members race, Oliver Williams scored on only his third ride in points, coming through with a well-timed run on his own Lammoski to deny the favourite Newgate Wells (Nick Kent). Although no longer eligible for maidens, Lammoski appears to have plenty of stamina and should give a good account of himself in Restricted company.

The heavily odds-on Upham Lord took his unbeaten sequence to thirteen under his regular partner Jill Dawson, quickening away from his four rivals to take the Ladies Open with ease. He really is head and shoulders above his rivals and will surely be campaigned in hunter chases before long.
Linlathen (Gemma Hutchinson) ran a creditable race in defeat and should still be capable of scoring in this company when avoiding the big guns.
Third placed Sea Tarth (Hannah Kinsey) is safe as houses, but appears to be crying out for an extended trip.

Shanavogh (Richard Hunnisett) was made the odds on favourite to take the Mens Open, but on this occasion had to give second best to Nick Bell on pointing debutant Ourman, a Sedgefield maiden chase winner in 2002. The winner, a real staying type, overhauled the favourite after the last and will win more races, as will Shanavogh, who ran up to his mark.
To-day To-day (James Tate) was one paced back in third.

Richard Burton once again plundered a prize on his only ride of the day, Hot Toddy, quickening away from Miss Toski (Rowan Cope) to take the Restricted by two lengths. This was a pleasing victory by the 8-year-old son of Glacial Storm and he can go onto better things.
Miss Toski met a good one here and looks a ready-made Restricted winner.
Well Matched (Ed Andrewes) showed his first sign of ability for a while, finishing a distance back in third but will Need a weak race to score.
Gentleman Charles (Simon Walker) travelled nicely for a long way until fading out of contention and will be seen to better effect on an easier track.

The previously unraced Cloudy Bay Boy, from the Caroline Bailey yard, made a winning debut in Division One of the Maiden, staying on to beat Ravensworth (Patrick Millington).
The winner, a 5-year-old by Terimon, looked particularly well in the paddock and will improve with further experience.
The runner up was “the bridesmaid” for the third time this season and should take a maiden before the season is over.
Grey Warrior (Lenny Hicks) ran with credit back in third, but make a note of On The Deck (Mark Walford), a Teenoso 5-year-old from the Gillian Walford yard. He wasn’t hard pressed on his pointing debut, finishing fourth and is one to keep an eye out for.
Special mention should go to Nick Pearce, who performed miracles to keep Corn Bunting in the race when badly hampered by a loose horse.

Division Two of the Maiden was taken by Tony Woodward on his 9-year-old Satco mare Aunty Norma, coming with a perfectly timed run to deny Blue Bud (Wayne Burnell). The winner is an old fashioned staying type and can step up in grade when stamina is at a premium.
Blue Bud has the ability to take a maiden, but has been disappointing in the past and isn’t one to take short odds about.
Third placed Mister Rose (Matthew Mackley) will be more at home on an easier track, as will fourth placed Game On (Nick Pearce).

Clive Mulhall served up one of the best-timed rides of the day bringing Hawthorn Prince through smoothly to take Division Three of the Maiden. This was another maiden winner for the Roger Marley\Clive Mulhall partnership, following up their double at the Burton fixture a week earlier and Hawthorn Prince can win again.
Woolley (Rupert Abrahams) once again ran credibly in second and a maiden can’t be far away and the same applies to third placed Russian Friend (Patrick Millington).
Thixendale (Richard Wakeham) looked well in the paddock and wasn’t asked too many questions on her introduction to pointing.