REVIEW
SOUTH POOL HARRIERS
BUCKFASTLEIGH
SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2003
by Lee Glanville

There was an incident-packed card at Buckfastleigh where racing finally got the go ahead at 12.30 after a frosty morning. But good racing was the fare of the day with some talented young horses coming to the fore.

It was a day of change in the commentary box. Without Peter Wakeham, who was able to just enjoy being course inspector, Martin Harris – the Harris of Mackenzie, Selby and Harris who produce the form book - took over the microphone, aided by Granville Taylor, race reader for the Racing Post. Granville was having his first bash at commentating out loud in the men’s open. The experience couldn’t have been too bad as he took the mike again for the ladies’ race and racegoers are certain to be hearing him again on the Westcountry circuit.

Former national champion jockey Les Jefford finally got off the mark for the season with a double, taking the first division of the restricted when Song of Kenda, trained at Cullompton by farrier Freddie Hollis, stayed on resolutely over the last half mile. He doubled up with a well-judged tactical ride on Sol Music, who was never headed in the confined hunts race. Hasten Bak, a 3-1 shot ridden by Lucy Gardner took no part here after a mix-up at the start.

Lord Atterbury was hard held to win the opener, the intermediate, as he pleased under Ashley Farrant for in-form trainer David Pipe and the pair doubled up in Division Two of the restricted with Celestial Gold. Pipe’s head girl Ollie Jackson won the first division of the maiden on her own Fortysixallout. This was a very close finish and the fast finishing third, five-year-old Go Boy, given a good ride by his young owner Michael Holmes, will certainly win soon.

Jackson also gave Jolitan a fine ride in the ladies’ race and looked certain to finish second, but the horse veered towards the crowd on the run-in and jinked badly, throwing Jackson over the rail into the crowd. Fortunately Jolitan didn’t follow suit and Jackson, and the spectators she landed on, were unhurt. The ladies’ prize was taken by Sue Young on Track O Profit who led throughout for a comprehensive victory.

Division Two of the maiden was won by Henry Wakeham’s Carefree Love, first winner of the season for pilot Sarah Gaisford, in a tremendous battle to the line with Go Positive and Liam Heard. The second placed horse should soon go one better.

There was controversy in the men’s open when the prize went to Mary Truman’s Lead Story (Richard Woollacott), who is right back to form after an indifferent 2002 season. There was a blanket finish between this horse, Welsh Silk (Nick Mitchell) and Longstone Lad who was galvanised from the last by Darren Edwards. The latter appeared to prevail but the judges’ decision is final. Mary, who was the course announcer, had to sprint back to breathlessly give out the race results over the PA system!

Results Intermediate: 1, Lord Atterbury, Mr A Farrant; 2, Acting Tough, Mrs A Hand; 3, Knock Star, Mr S Partridge. Nine ran, 20l, 1/2l, 6.20.

Confined hunts Maiden div one: 1, Fortysixallout, Mrs O Jackson; 2, Tribal Lord, R Darke; 3, Go Boy, M Holmes.Nine ran, 1/2l, 1/2l, 6.31.

Div two: 1, Carefree Love, Miss S Gaisford; 2, Go Positive, L Heard; 3, Indiana John, T Dennis. 13 ran, 1/2l, 15l, 6.34.

Men’s Open: 1, Lead Story, R Woollacott; 2, Welsh Silk, N Mitchell; 3, Longstone Lad, D Edwards. 10 ran, hd, 1/2l, 6.30.

Restricted div one: 1, Song of Kenda, L Jefford; 2, It’s the Biz, J Young; 3, Gemolly, L Burns. 12 ran, 10l, 15l, 6.30.

Div two: 1,Celestial Gold, A Farrant; 2, Monty’s Lass, Miss C Prouse; 3, Bill Me Up, C Heard. Nine ran, 7l, 3l, 6.31.

Ladies’ race: 1, track O Profit, Miss S Young; 2, Good Thyne Guy, Miss T Cave; 3, Priestthorn, Miss W Southcombe. Six ran, 15l, 15l, 6.26.

Confined hunts: 1, Sol Music, L Jefford; 2, Daraydan, A Farrant; 3, Bomba Charger, R Darke. 10 ran, 4l, 8l, 6.31.