REVIEW MEYNELL & SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE WESTON PARK SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2003 by Dom Bradshaw |
Sunday’s Meynell and
South Staffordshire fixture survived the overnight frost, but racing was
put back an hour to ensure that the ground was raceable. Richard Burton continued his march up the Mens Championship table, completing a treble aboard Involved, Cascum Lad and Coole Venture. The first leg of the
treble came in Division Two of the Confined Maiden, courtesy of Involved,
an Irish import having his first run for the Sheila Crow yard. The winner
was always holding the runner up Airoski (Adrian Wintle) and looks a
ready-made Restricted winner. Pam Sykes’ Cascum Lad
gave Burton his second winner on the day with a no nonsense victory in the
Confined, showing a good turn of foot to come home three lengths to the
good of Mr Kermit (Sue Sharratt). The winner doesn’t have many miles on
the clock for a 12yo and can go on to further victories this season. The final leg of
Burton’s treble came in the last race of the day, Division Two of the
Restricted on yet another Sheila Crow inmate, Coole Venture, who was
slightly disappointing in his final two starts of last season after
winning on his debut for the Crow yard in 2002. However, on this
performance, he looks to have “gelled” immediately with his new pilot,
coming home an easy six-length winner from the Heythrop maiden winner Mrs
Sherman (David Greenway). He’s an improving type and looks capable of
stepping up in class. The 1999 Welsh National
winner Edmond (Holly Campbell) took the Ladies Open on his first start in
points, battling on after the last to deny the favourite Upton Adventure
(Emma James) by a length and a half with winning chaser Pennyahei (Sam
Beddoes) a further four lengths back in third. The Mens equivalent was
taken by Fontaine Again (Tim Stephenson), showing a clean pair of heels to
his rivals, coming home seven lengths to the good. This was impressive and
he looks the type to run up a sequence. Hard luck story of the
day goes to Fair Idea (Michelle Hugo), who came home a clear winner of
Division One of the Maiden, only to be disqualified for missing a marker.
If there’s any justice, they will be making amends for this misdemeanour
very soon. The race was awarded to Dambusters (Gary Hamner), who had
little response when the winner quickened and will have to improve again
now that he is forced to step up in grade. Division One of the
Restricted went to Marston Moses, who showed good form in this grade last
season, getting the better of Teal Bay (David Barlow) by two and a half
lengths under a spirited ride from Stuart Morris. The 9yo son of Le Moss
looks at his best when there’s plenty of cut in the ground and may be
good enough to step up when conditions are in his favour. Earlier, the favourite Approaching Land (Major Milo Watson) came from an impossible looking position to take the Hunt race, denying Needwood Neptune (Peter Bennett) by a head with the veteran Ballyhannon (Jane Froggatt) two lengths further back in third. |