Review of The Bicester With Whaddon Chase Meeting at Dunthrop on Sunday 2nd March 2008
With only 4 runners going to post for the opener this looked a formality for Pro Am to record his first victory of the season, setting off at his own pace out in front, Pro Am never looked in any danger of getting beaten. Stuart Morris tried every trick in the book to try to get to the leader on Alf Lauren, but when he tried to come up the inside of Ben Tuckey and Pro Am on the run down to the last fence they were having none of it. Pro Am was always holding Alf Lauren on the run to the line and they went on to score a reasonably comfortable victory. Sir Lancelot finished in 3rd place but was never in the race and might run a better race next time after this seasonal pipe opener.
Below : Pro Am and Ben Tuckey set the pace before landing the opening Hunt Members race.
An absolutely dire match race which did not give racegoers much form to go on with Diggery failing to complete on his last few starts and Seaspace never seen out in a point-to-point before most of the racegoers were just guessing who would be able to take this event. They sent off Seaspace as the 4/6 favourite, probably because Stuart Morris was doing the steering and Diggery's form figures looked very poor. Diggery and Seaspace went off side by side for the majority of the race but they were not going at any great pace,in fact they were both going so slowly that both jockeys had plenty of time for a chat on the way around. The race turned out to be a bit of a sprint on the run to the last fence and Diggery seemed to want to win more and ran on to record victory. This race was a very poor contest but you can only beat the opposition that turns up on the day. I would not fancy Didgery to follow up in a Restricted but at least Didgery got round the course and gave his owners a winning day to remember. Seaspace will have to improve greatly to take a maiden but does have some time on his side.
Below : Confined Maiden [Match] Didgery and Tim Ellis [white colours Left] hold off Stewart Morris and Seaplace at the last in the 2 and a half mile Maiden race.
This was another disappointing declaration of runners with only 3 horses going to the start, athough it was really good to see Candarli get back to winning ways after a disappointing run at Chaddesley Corbett last time. Candarli was always travelling well throughout the contest and showed some impressive jumping at his fences. Candarli was given the perfect ride by Chloe Boxall who gets on so well with the horse and looks a good young jockey to follow for the future. Candarli led from pillar to post and stayed on far to strongly for Lady Baronette and Hunting Lodge who never really troubled the winner from flag fall.
Below : Candarli and Chloe Boxall put in another great jump to make all in the Ladies Open race.
Another poor entry with 4 runners going to post for the Volkswagon Touareg Mens Open Qualifier. Irilut was sent off the short 2/7 favourite and was settled as usual out the back of the field, he did not seem to run with quite the same fluency as usual but was still far to good for the opposition. Reel Dancer who has been in good form of late stayed on with a good late rattle but Irilut was idling out in front and would of pulled out more if necessary before hanging on to record a 1 length success at the line. Reel Dancer could score next time if able to find similar ground conditions and Irilut might turn out in the Foxhunters next week although a Hunter chase elsewhere would be a much more beneficial suggestion.
Below : Sam Waley Cohen produces Irilut at the last to easily account for his rivals in the Mens Open race.
Although only 6 runners declared for this race, it did looked quite competitive with so many ifs and buts concerning many of the runners. Rash Move had been impressive in both his wins this season although looking a bit novicey at his fences, Longville Lad who was off the track for a couple of seasons but looked outstanding when last seen out and Tender Tangle who was making his seasonal reappearance and was eventually sent off favourite with ground conditions in his favour. Although this looked a competitive race this was won easily by Rash Move who was in front rank throughout and when he and Tender Tangle kicked clear from the rest of the runners along the backstraight second time around it looked as if we were going to be in for a thrilling contest. Rash Move continued to jump well and this was his most impressive jumping display to date, Tender Tangle made a few errors but probably got tired on this first run of the season. Rash Move kicked clear on the run to the last and stayed on very strongly to record a very decent performance and register a hat-trick of victories for the season. Rash Move should follow up again next time out and looks a decent horse to follow for the future, especially now his jumping has come on leaps and bounds. Tender Tangle ran a decent enough race and should win a similar event in the future. Longville Lad never seemed to be travelling very well throughout the contest and was pulled up at the top of the hill, a watching brief on him is definitely required next time out to see if his legs will hold up for this racing game.
Below : Rash Move and Fred Hutsby are well in control at the last in the Confined race.
The Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate race looked a good chance for Flax Hill to record a first success of the season after a good second behind Teeton Bollinger at Tweseldown. Flax Hill was sent off the 6/4 Favourite and looked to be travelling well throughout the contest. Manor Down took them along and kicked clear with Flax Hill along the back straight, the race turned into a sprint on the run to the last with Manor Down holding a slight advantage, Flax Hill could never get on terms with the leader although he closed up as the line approached. Manor Down was a shock winner of this event going off at 20/1 but won fair and square and should be able to take another similar event in the future. Flax Hill was a little disapointing and seemed a bit one paced on this occasion, he should also be able to score again in the future.
Below : Manor Down and Tom David hold the challenge of Flax Hill and Peter Mann at the last to claim victory for owner Zara Phillips in the Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate race.
A disappointing afternoon's racing finished with 6 runners going to post for the Open Maiden race and on paper this looked a match between Aitchjayem and Freedom of the City. Aitchjayem took the field along for most of the race before being challenged and joined for the lead by Freedom Of The City along the backstraight on the second circuit. The rest of the field were well burnt off by this stage and the match on paper turned out to be a reality. Aitchjayem seemed to jump more fluently at his fences but Freedom of the City kept reducing the deficit on the flat, it was all to play for on the run to the last fence with both jockeys hard at it to give their respective mounts the encouragement to go on and take the prize. David Bass who looks to be a very useful young jockey and Aitchjayem had the lead over the last but it looked nip and tuck on the way to the line with Freedom Of The City putting in another strong renewed challenge. Bass obviously had matters well under control as he dropped his hands on the winner as the line approached to score Aijchayem's first career victory. Aitchjayem will have to improve on this to take a Restricted race but won't lack anything from the saddle from a good young and enterprising jockey in David Bass. Bass definitely looks a jockey to follow for the future and Freedom of the City should also be able to register a first win before the end of the season.
Below : Aitchjayem takes the field along before landing the Open Maiden race.
It was a shame we only saw 32 runners on the day, as the ground did not look as bad as the amount of declared horses might suggest. The going was good and Jon Trice-Rolph and his team put in a lot of hard work to get the course in such good condition. Well done to him and the rest of his team on their efforts. Lets hope we get a few more runners for the first meeting at Kingston Blount on Saturday, I passed the course yesterday and it looks in fantastic condition as always.
On the betting front we did really well this week with 2 winners from our first selection and 2 winners from our Alternative selection. We managed to finish in front even though our next best selection could only finish 2nd.
Looking forward to Saturday's meeting at Kingston Blount and don't forget to check out the preview of this meeting on Thursday.
All pictures for this meeting were very kindly supplied by Neale Blackburn of Chasdog.
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