REVIEW
JEDFOREST
FRIARS HAUGH
SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2003

by John Bulman

The Jedforest meeting took place in almost constant blizzard conditions but those that had braved the weather were rewarded with a good afternoons racing. My race card soon disintegrated in the snow and so apologies for any errors in this report!

Count Keni comfortably took the members under Andrew Richardson. He was unextended and will probably be quite competitive in a higher grade than this. Junior Des Ormeaux was never really seriously asked a question in second and with a more forceful ride should not be long in winning a race. Noble Teviot ran well on his debut to finish third and is only a 5 year old. Havetwotaketwo ran out early and looks a difficult ride for a relative novice.

The restricted went to Mr Mann under Beverly Kendall, staying on gamely to deny Anbrooka with Anotherhandyman back in third. Both the first and third had ran in the Alnwick ladies two weeks previously and appreciated the step down to restricted company. Lucky Brush ran well enough in 4th and The Broken Man was still in contention when unshipping Rose Davidson on the final bend.

Running Mute took advantage of the early departure of the odds on Riparius to take the ladies under Val Jackson. Miss Portcello (Jane Hollands) were second and these two were well clear of the remainder including Mountain Thyne who took third and will improve for the run.

Golf Land was a surprise winner of what looked a competitive if slightly sub standard mens open. Andrew Richardson was completing a double when he came with a well-timed run to lead at the last to win comfortably from The Next Waltz and Supreme Day. Both Geordies Express and Derryrose will come on for the run and better ground.

Rose Davidson gained compensation for her earlier fall from The Broken Man when steering 6/4 favourite Dere Street to her first victory in the confined. Dere Street was expensively purchased from Rhona Elliott who still trains the horse and a step up in class must be on the agenda now. Passing Danger ran well in second while Exact ran on for a never dangerous third.

The mares maiden was a fairly week event which went to the Clive Story ridden Abelbeck. Marteeny ran well for the Waltons and may be capable of taking a small race. 5-year-old Northern Lyne stayed on well to take third. Katinka from the Balisteros yard got a quiet ride from Tom Oates and looks capable of better than her sixth position.

Clive Storey Completed a quick double when Persian Point took the first division of the open maiden from the seemingly eternal runner up, The Preacher Man with Kanturk Star staying on well to take third. French Gossip departed early and it will remain to be seen how reliable the form is.

Active Venture took the finale under a determined Pauline Robson ride, just hanging on to deny the front running Just George with Itineris third for Charlie Shirley Bevan. This looked the best of the maidens but Active Venture was all out and might find it hard enough in restricted company although there is no doubt there is ability there. The second and third ran creditably and others who took the eye were Incroyable Mais Vrais (more settled than previously), Over the Urrin and Roman Way (completing for the first time and seemingly going the right way).

The ground was softish although the runners were finishing well until the ground got churned up. Even then there were plenty of finishers in the maidens.