It is difficult to
find much to say. Nobody was at fault but the event, unlike the
picturesque and undulating course, was decidedly flat.
The
Facts;
Firm Ground.
A total of seventeen runners.
Four races and two walkovers.
Three favourites at unbackable prices.
Five winners out of five runners for the Turner’s.
Four wins from four rides for James Owen; he didn’t look
quite so dejected today!
Hunt
Members Two runners; Ruperts Choice at 4/9, ridden by
Andrew Braithwaite for the Sporborg family, and Ballad at 7/4,
ridden by Caroline Featherstone, owned by her mother in law and
trained by her husband.
Ruperts Choice - led most of the way, although he had to be niggled
along at times. Went 5 lengths clear at the 13th.
Ballad - tracked leader, outpaced at 13th but ran on again to close
gap. Joined leader at last, came clear on the run
in.
Intermediate Without doubt, the race of the
day.
7/4 Bruan – winner of the Restricted on the same card last
year but badly off form since. Given a considered ride when running
his best race for sometime to be second to New Ross at Higham last
week. 5/2 Society Lad – had run well at Horseheath in the
past, notably when a close fourth to Sense of Adventure at the last
meeting. 3/1 Gawngaddin – Nibby Bloom’s only ride at
the meeting. No form since 1999. 5/1 Monsukh – pulled up in
her three previous outings this year, but looked a picture in the
paddock. Owner Caroline Eagle jocked herself off so that Alan Coe
could give the mare stronger handling.
Monsukh - needed some persuading early on, but when sent to the
front she jumped better and seemed to enjoy herself.
Gawngaddin - did not jump well and fell at the 15th.
Society Lad - gained lengths in the air, and was going well in
second when also falling at the 15th.
Bruan - content to sit at the back of the field until the 14th when
James Owen asked him to take closer order. Joined Monsukh on the
run to the 16th and came home unextended. The experience will have
done him nothing but good, and he will probably come on further for
it.
Ladies Open The Wiley Kalmuck (Zoe Turner) walked
over.
Mens Open Corston Joker (James Owen) walked
over.
Restricted Westfield John (1/3) – held up
early, led 13th, joined 15th, kicked clear from 16th to win easily.
The Burglar (6/1) – lively on way to post, jumped slowly
throughout, joined leader 15th, could not go pace 16th, ridden out
for second place. Lone Star (7/1) – prominent early, lost
position 13th, ran on again from 16th. River Gala (20/1) –
tailed off after first circuit.
Maiden Fine And Dandy (4/11) – tracked
leader, took it up 15th, won easily Crown Rule (5/1) – led
until 15th, kept on one pace for second Midnight Dynamite (20/1)
– tracked leading pair, not go pace second circuit, remote
third Just Lute (7/1) – always behind Bright Torino (33/1)
– chased leaders early faded second circuit.
Biggest
Cheer - From the Bet 365 Mobile Betting Shop when local horse
Fair Exchange (a multiple winner at Horseheath) won the Hunter
Chase at Market Rasen
Most Noise – From the competing funfair attractions.
Sometimes it was difficult to hear the commentator above the
strains of Feargal Sharkeys “A Good Heart” remixed
(undigitally) with Tom Jones’ “It’s Not
Unusual”.
Biggest
Controversy – Ruperts Choice winning the best turned out
award in the Hunt Race. He was Mr Jogging to Keep Fit, compared
with Ballad’s Mr Finely Tuned Athlete. One suspects a little
bit of crawling!
Winners
– the Turner’s (as well as the prize money, now five
bottles of bubbly and five decanters better off), and stallholders
(who did a roaring trade as people passed time queuing while the
walkover pantomimes were acted out).
Wished
They’d Have Stayed At Home – the bookies (trade was
painfully slow), punters (little to bet on), and Mulluck Wells,
sponsors of both the Ladies and Men’s Opens.
Overheard
Conversations;
Well dressed lady - of the girl leading the Turner’s
Westfield John in the Parade Ring – “At least
she’s smiling, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Zoe
smile”.
Punter
– as they chalked up the odds for the last - “I
don’t think I’ll ever go to a worse meeting than
this.”
Paddock
Watcher – of the local reporter, still stuck in the bar
– “It was the first time he’d known the result of
the next two races before they were run. He didn’t have to do
anything; I even got the SP’s for him”
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