REVIEW PYTCHLEY GUILSBOROUGH SUNDAY 14 APRIL 2002 by Dom Bradshaw |
A large crowd of both enthusiasts and those just there for
the day out were treated to sunshine, huge fields and a nine race card at
yesterday’s Pytchley meeting at Guilsborough. Proceedings got under way when Rowan Cope landed the
nine-runner members race on Red Rebel, coming home comfortably clear of
Lottie The Lotus (Jimmy Tarry). The winner, who is well handled by Rowan,
is in good heart at present and was getting his head in front for the
third time this season. I’ll be very surprised if there’s not even
more to come from him yet. The progressive King Sirius (James Diment) comfortably
stepped up in class, taking the Confined in the style of a decent horse.
The 8-year-old son of Royal Vulcan has now won his last three on the
bounce (maiden, restricted & confined) and looks possible rules
material. The Caroline Bailey yard, who'd previously taken the members'
race, added both Open races to their tally of winners. The first came
courtesy of Imperial Dawn, who moved onto five wins for the season, taking
the Ladies Open under a strong ride from Amy Stennett. On his day, he’s
one of the top Ladies horses around and there's more contests to be taken
by him before the season is out. The wonderful Copper Thistle (Richard Hunnisett) was a
fitting winner of the Dick Saunders Memorial Mens Open, in memory of the
trainer’s late father. This was possibly his easiest task to date this
season, demolishing a sub-standard field and coming home without breaking
sweat to score his fourth win of the season. Like stable mate Imperial
Dawn, he’s not finished winning yet! A Bailey four-timer was thwarted in the restricted, when the
favourite Find Me Another (Rowan Cope) failed to catch the East Anglian
raider Tod’s Brother (Nibby Bloom), from the Merriam yard. Although his
previous form figures of “PP1/PP” hardly looked inspiring, this one
wasn’t without a chance and those who delved into the MacKenzie &
Selby form of two seasons ago, “beat little but accomplished the task
in good style, and seems sure to have scope for further improvement”
were rewarded with the generous odds of 20/1 (this reporter is pleased to
say that he did!). A well-built individual, he beat a decent field here
and definitely has more scope for improvement. He can rise in class. Both divisions of the maiden were divided again on the day.
The first part of division one went to Mark Rimell on the previously
unraced five-year-old Montemoss, who stayed on stoutly from the weakening
front running Wot About Me (Richard Armson) to come home a very
comfortable twelve or so lengths clear. The winner is a half brother to
the Grand National fourth Kingsmark and maiden winner Crackrattle and
staying races will be the order of the day for him. This was a very good
performance for a five-year-old and I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr Rimell
wasn't now tempted to send him to Doncaster May sales prior to a career
under National Hunt rules. Part two of division one went to Fred Hutsby on American
Style, who always had the measure of the nearest pursuer Lottery Lil (Tim
Lane), coming home eight lengths to the good. Court Alert, a good second to Mullensgrove at Newton
Bromswold earlier in the season, came home twenty lengths clear of his
nearest pursuer to take part one of the second division of the maiden.
This was an impressive performance and he has the scope to take a
restricted. The final race, part two of the second division of the maiden
went to the well-supported favourite Rathbarry Lad (Andrew Sansome), who
stepped up on his good third at Dingley to win as he pleased. Only a
five-year-old (by Phardante), his owner Judy Wilson and trainer Bill
Warner look to have found yet another really nice type. One to keep on the
right side on and is without doubt, “one for the notebook”. As far as I'm concern, this is what life is about… all in all, a well organised meeting, great racing and an altogether pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon…and at £15 a car, far better value that a ticket for the FA Cup Semi Finals! Cheers! Dom |