Brocklesby at BROCKLESBY PARK
Sunday 19th February 2000
by Dom Bradshaw
Solba (Richard Burton), who deposited Andrew Dalton at the first at Wetherby last week,
made up for it taking the Mens Open. However, he was made to work by the runner up
Shanavogh, a 22,000gns purchase for owner\rider Richard Hunnisett, who was placed in
number of chases last season when in the care of Micky Hammond. The winner will no doubt
score freely throughout the season, but I wont be jumping in to take the inevitably
cramped odds on this quirky character.
The runner up jumped particularly well and looks a useful recruit to points. This run will
have delighted both his owner and trainer Caroline Bailey. He should be scoring soon.
Charming Moss (Nick Kent) looked unfit in the paddock and was tailed off from the off, but
did stay on to take a very distant third. He will come on for this and though appearing to
be out of his depth in Opens, he could surprise in a lesser race.
The fastest time of the day was put up in the Ladies race by Donnegale (Pauline
Robson), who collared runaway leader Cittadino (Jill Dawson) on the run in. The winner
looks to need a real good test of stamina and should score again when conditions are in
his favour.
Jill Dawson gave Cittadino a really enterprising ride and looked a little unlucky after
leading for so much of the race. This was a race full of promise after losing his form
badly under rules and he will be winning soon.
The favourite, Imperial Dawn (Lisa Rowe) had the winner back in third when scoring at
Cottenham on the opening day, but could never strike a blow and was well beaten when
running out at the third last. He appeared to be unsuited by the holding ground and this
misdemeanour should be forgiven.
Sun Surfer (Carrie Ford), formerly a useful hurdler with the late Tim Forster and more
recently Henry Daly, was well back in third and although well beaten, he will benefit from
the run and looks to have retained enough ability to possibly score in the future.
Earlier, Give It A Whirl (Tim Lane) took the Confined, leading and staying on strongly
to deny Linlathen (Nick Bell). The winner (who was apparently supposed to unsuited by the
ground) runs particularly well at Brocklesby (was second to Castle Mane here in 1999) and
did this nicely. Although he is game and genuine, he has been inconsistent in the past and
punters should show caution before backing him at prohibitive odds.
The same applies to both runner up, Linlathen, who always seems to find one too good and
third placed Inch Cross (Richard Hunnisett), who is becoming expensive to follow since his
seasonal win at Market Rasen.
Yorkshire raider Triple Eaves (Clive Mulhall) was well supported but went out quickly to
finish fourth. He will have to find more to score in this class.
Key Debate (Guy Brewer), a most impressive winner at the LUHC meeting at Market Rasen,
was all the rage in the Restricted and set a furious gallop. However, by the end of the
first circuit, the writing was on the wall when he was tackled and passed by Starlight
Fool (Dickie Barrett), who went away to score as he liked. The winner looked a picture in
the paddock and although he is an 11yo, he has very few miles on the clock and runs well
fresh (won first time out in 1998 and was a close second first time out in 1999). He was
the only one who handled the ground here and showed a good attitude; he could improve and
step up.
The runner up appeared to be badly suited by the ground as was unable to jump with the
fluency he had shown in his maiden win. This was confirmed by connections and it is also
worth noting that he had a trickle of blood from his nose afterwards, which was most
probably due to the hard race. He is highly regarded by connections and will be given a
rest now. However, he should not be written off and when returning on better ground,
Im sure hell show his true form.
Springfield Rex (Fiona Needham) was never going and was very tired when pulling up. This
run should be ignored.
Sovereigns Match, a 2m4f maiden winner in 1998, ran well for a long way until weakening
and pulling up, but simply does not get the trip and will continue to struggle over three
miles.
Heir Of Gold (Simon Andrews) confirmed the glimmer of form he showed in 1999 taking
Division One of the Maiden narrowly from Step Lively (Stephen Swiers), who in turn came
home well clear of the remainder, headed by Grangewick Flight (Kevin Needham). The winner
jumped well and could be up to Restricted standard. Step Lively, like the winner, showed a
little ability in 1999 and should have few problems taking her Maiden.
Grangewick Flight is lightly raced and will improve for this.
The favourite, Highbury, was well beaten in fourth. Theres little doubt that he has
the ability to take a race of this kind but hes starting to look expensive to follow
after some promising runs in 1999, although like many of the other runners, it may be
simply due to not liking the ground.
This was the first sign of form that fifth placed Copper Thorn has shown and he may take a
small race before the end of the season.
The well-related Hydro looked to be given an easy ride by Richard Burton, coming home in
sixth. He is from the Dalton yard and will come on for this gentle introduction.
Hya Prim (Matthew Mackley), who was fourth to Glevum (has since won a Restricted and
Intermediate) in a Cottenham Maiden on the opening day, was never in contention and was
pulled up. The form of the Cottenham race is hot, as the second and third have since
scored; this run should be ignored.
Gunmetal (Steve Charlton), who was given an easy introduction in a ***** at ***** **
weeks earlier, showed a lot of zest to outstay long time leader Scraptastic (Nick Bell) to
take Division Two of the Maiden. This was a good performance by the 5yo son of High Lodge
and he should progress further.
Scraptastic ran well enough to suggest that he should be capable of taking a Maiden on an
easier track.
Harps Hall, who had a couple of spins in Irish Point-to-Points last season, was back in
third and should be capable of taking a maiden.
Steve Charlton completed a double aboard Primitive Man in Division Three of the Maiden.
The winner looked the proverbial "good thing" on paper, as he had finished
second in an Intermediate at Witton Castle on his previous start and didnt let
supporters down, staying on gamely to deny the Caroline Bailey trained Hes A Lad
(Ben Pollock). The winner has already showed more than enough to win a Restricted.
Debutante Hes A Lad looked green in the paddock, bucking and kicking, but ran an
eye-catching race and will be winning very soon, as will the third, Another Man (Richard
Burton). The Andrew Dalton trained grey is a half brother to the brilliant One Man and was
given a gentle introduction here. He will without doubt make his mark in points before
being going under rules.
Hard luck story was Patrick Millingtons Fortune Hunter (C Weaver), who looked to
still be in with a squeak when coming down at the last. This was his first sign of form,
having been pulled up in his two previous starts this season and compensation awaits.
Toms Surprise (Nick Kent) ran well for a long way before weakening to finish fourth.
Although he is moderate, connections might be able to find a small race for him.
Round the Bend, a full brother to Give It A Whirl, has now been given two nice
introductory runs and should take a Maiden before the season is over.
Woodlands Star (Tim Lane) looks a real handful and was clear when refusing at the 6th.
He looks to have ability and harnessing it could be difficult, but he has the right man
aboard.
The opener, the Hunt race, was a two-runner affair with both horses jumping well throughout. However, it was the unregistered Splodge (M Bennison) in the colours of Lord Yarborough who eventually got the better of Rare Betty (Miss C Blakey) to score by a distance. Interestingly, the time of the race was only five seconds slower than the final Maiden, which isnt at all bad for an unregistered hunter in a two runner crawl!