REVIEW WEST PERCY ALNWICK SUNDAY 19 JANUARY 2003 by Dave Scott |
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The West Percy staged a successful 7 race card at
Ratcheugh last Sunday. The weather threatened to put a real dampener on
things but thankfully the rain stopped in time and a decent crowd enjoyed
some good racing and some nice performances. The opening race on the card went to George White’s
Colonel Conca. This one was well backed in the ring and when set about his
business at the top of the hill he readily quickened clear of The Broken
Man and Rum Rebel. The runner up made a lot of the running and was staying
on well again at the death. He had ability in Ireland a couple of seasons
ago and if in the mood for his inexperienced but improving jockey could
land a restricted. The winner is a decent sort and may follow up with his
proven fitness. The Restricted provided the best finish of the day. It
looked an open race beforehand and turning for home there were several
there with chances. The front running Springwood White,
another to attract support in the ring, was still in front on the run to
the last but had Boulta and Anbrooka and Bertie O’Toole challenging. The
last named took a crashing fall at the last, which looked fatal but
fortunately was not so with the horse getting up and walking away some
five minutes later. The others fought out a driving finish which saw
Boulta head the gallant Springwood White half way up the run-in only for
the grey to fight back in the last few yards. Anbrooka stayed on stoutly
on the outside and just failed to get involved in the photo. Opinion was
divided amongst the crowd on the line on which had won and it was no
surprise to hear a dead heat called. Perhaps this was the fairest result
as neither horse really deserved to lose. Boulta was the first leg of a double for Tom Oates who
went on to land the first division of the Maiden with Alpacca when
accounting for Finest Of Men and Nomadic Star. The second and third are
useful types and will win Maidens but the winner looks really good and won
well enough despite running green on his racecourse debut. This looks one
to follow. Another jockey in double form was Pauline Robson. She
opened her account for the season when easily landing the Ladies race with
Balisteros. The old boy is a standing dish in this race and belied his
fourteen years to easily land the spoils from the staying on Sea Tarth and
Knight Templar. Pauline completed her double in the Confined when King
Bavard took advantage of Mozielaw’s departure at the last when this one
looked to be delivering a winning challenge. It is easy to be a good
jockey in the stands but the tactics in this race really decided it. The
winner was always up with the pace while Mozielaw was dropped out in rear
and at the bottom of the hill favourite backers were already tearing up
their tickets. However Morag Neill set Mozielaw about its business in the
straight and was closing hand over fist when she asked for a big one at
the last and didn’t get it. Perhaps a more forceful ride earlier would
have made the task up the straight so much easier and would have removed
the need to ask for everything at the last. That said a good jump would
have seen them score. The Men’s Open was won in good style by Go Nomadic.
This one was given an easy lead early on and repelled all challengers up
the straight to give Peter Atkinson another winner around Alnwick. Parade
Racer looked a massive danger all the way up the straight but a slight
mistake at the last cost him any chance of victory, however it must be
said Go Nomadic pulled out a little extra anyway. Wayward Buttons ran a
blinder for third having looked to hold every chance at the second last
and should score soon. Favourite, Son Of Anshan, looked burly beforehand
and ran as though in real need of the race and is surely better than this
showing. The final race on the card fell to Royal Corrouge who
ran on too strongly for Magic Performer and The Preacher Man. The last
named looked the winner turning in and just didn’t last home. An easier
track should see him break his duck. He caught some tartars last season
and time may show he caught another one here. The winner had some form in
Ireland but it was a decent performance for a five year old around here. The next meeting is The Jedforest at Friars Haugh on
Sunday 2nd Feb. Pointer Results:
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