REVIEW YSTRAD TAF FECHAN YSTRADOWEN SATURDAY 17 APRIL 2004 by Colin Cross |
Persistent rain on Friday
ensured good ground at the second meeting at Ystradowen. MISTER FALCON – Rhys Hughes
followed up their win over the course a fortnight ago by comfortably taking
the Mens Open from KHATANI and PERSONA PRIDE who made most of the running
until headed by the winner on the final circuit. The favourite SHAFI
departed at the final Open Ditch when in contention. CHESTNUT WOOD won twice here
in 2002 and returned to winning ways in the Ladies Open, under Fiona Wilson.
They won by 6 lengths and a distance from SILVER POT BLACK and HEAD
GARDENER. The warm favourite HOME AGAIN, with Ann Frances having her first
ride, set a strong pace until being headed and weakening four fences from
home. QUESTIONAIRE turned the
Confined into a procession winning by a distance and the same from
RATHGIBBON and JAKES PROGRESS. QUESTIONAIRE was ridden by Marc Barber as his
regular jockey Robert Stephens broke his pelvis in a freak accident at
Chepstow last Tuesday. The Restricted race was the
most exciting race of the day. LIKE THE BUZZ- Jason Cook caught odds on
favourite ALJOASH – Tim Vaughan on the run in to score by 2 lengths with
JUST LARK in third. LIKE THE BUZZ was being pushed along at half way to keep
in touch but a couple of reminders from Jason Cook woke her up and she
stayed on very well. This was only her fifth race and more improvement is
likely. Joe Price, doyen of Welsh
jockeys, finished fourth on IT’S A HANDFUL but forgot to weigh in and was
disqualified, he was fined forty pounds. The Hunt race resulted in a
1-2 for Robert Rowsell when COOLEEN STRONG – Lee Stephens ran on too
strongly for FOGGY HILL and ORPHAN SPA. Messrs. Rowsell and Stephens
completed a double in the 5,6,7 year Maiden when ex Irish CHANCY GUY
comfortably beat debutante COAL QUEEN – Tim Vaughan. Odd on favourite
CRYSTAL SOLDIER crashed out before halfway when attempting to make all odds
running. Only three ran. The final race, for Maidens 8
years and over was won by JOHNSTON’S VILLE and Jason Merry from START IT
UP and Joe Price. Thirteen started but only two reached the Judge. Trainer
Maggie Stephens was jubilant after the race as JOHNSTON’S VILLE was her
first winner. |