HEADLINES
TIME TO REFLECT ON IMPRESSIVE GLORY
Richard Burton and Reflected Glory jump the last in great style from Irilut.
Picture by Julian Chown
We were extremely lucky the frost melted before sunrise and this first meeting of the season was able to go ahead. It was extremely cold but the sun did appear to make conditions slightly more bearable. It was a great effort by Clerk of the Course John Trice-Rolph and a big thank you also to Ken Hutsby and the rest of the ground staff team for producing the course in such excellent condition. The re-positioning of the first fence and movement of the winning line proved to be a great success. The only downside is why were the bookmakers placed so far away from the paddock and stalls. It would have been a better atmosphere if they could have all been closer together. (Like to hear your thoughts. Why not post a reply on our forum).
As was expected the meeting kicked off with a very competitive open maiden and several were in with a shout on the run for home. The favourite All Thyne Gone had led from flag fall but was pestered throughout by Blazing Guns. These two horses probably went off to fast as Worship The Stars closed in and swiftly moved pass to take it up and record a comfortable 8 length success. The winner does look on the upgrade but will not find things so easy in a Restricted.
Worship The Stars (the grey horse on the inside) looks poised to make a challenge and break his duck in the opening race of the new South Midland Season.
The Club members race produced the closest finish of the day when Reel Dancer under a strong Charlie Wadland ride held on by a short head to beat the locally trained Lord of the Hollow. Lord of the Hollow was all out on the run-in but stayed on stoutly just failing to get on terms with the winner as the line approached. This was not a great race and the good going must have been to the liking of Reel Dancer. As on previous efforts he has seemed to look rather one paced.
Reel Dancer in Yellow puts in a good jump on his way to landing the Club Members Race.
The maiden was split again as they received 19 entries and the safety factor for Maiden Races is 18. After Blazing Guns reasonable showing in the first division bookmakers sent off Millview a short priced 5-4 Favourite. Millview ran in snatches and passing the winning post first time around was hard ridden by Richard Bandey. The jockey’s urges did get some response but with the combination of some bad jumping errors and an unwillingness to run in a straight line. This set the race up for Shady Hollow who showed improved form from last season and won comfortably enough in the end. This was not a good race and the winner should be monitored closely in Restricted company. Millview should be avoided at all costs as he looks to chuck in the towel when the going gets tough. I would not trust him at all in the future.
Shady Hollow is booted into the last on his way to securing a win in the first part of the maiden.
The second division run in a time 6 seconds faster than the first was won by a nice looking individual Caramill Hill. Caramill Hill’s task was made far easier after Port Talbot which led from the start crashed out in the lead 4 from home. Port Talbot was still travelling well and had jumped really well to that point. It would of been far to early to suggest whether he would have won the race and been able to keep up the gallop especially as the horses were finishing very tired on the day. This left Caramel Hill and his sole opponent Street of Laredo clear of the rest, which all eventually fell or pulled up. Caramel Hill ran on strongly to win well and is definitely worth following and should not have too much trouble taking a restricted. Port Talbot should also be giving another chance as this was his pointing debut. I would be concerned about Street of Laredo as he could hardly walk across the line he was so exhausted. I guess he will need plenty of rest after these exertions. Another horse worth taking out of the race was Johnny Be. This was his pointing debut and he was taken around quietly at the back but made smooth headway until being pulled up. This was a nice introduction and I am sure it will not be long until we see him making an appearance in the winners enclosure
Caramill Hill ridden by Phillip York pop the last on their way to victory in the second part of the Maiden
The highlight of the card was the Mixed Open race and you will have to go a long way to see a more competitive race with the likes of Irilut, Koquelicot, Fool on the Hill, and Reflected Glory all in the line up. This looked a tricky puzzle to solve. They sent off Reflected Glory the 6/4 F who was always travelling kindly in the hands of Richard Burton. Turning for home it was down to a 2 horse war with Reflected Glory in front and Irilut poised to pounce. Reflected Glory jumped impeccably throughout and when Richard Burton asked him to go about his work he ran on very strongly sealing victory with a great jump at the last. Irilut stuck to his task well and stayed on gamely, but never looked like catching the winner over the last fence. Reflected Glory's aim must be to go Hunter Chasing after this impressive opening points victory and it will take a very good horse to lower his colours. Irilut lost nothing in defeat as this was a good performance and he obviously got over those exertions at Tweseldown a fortnight ago. Irilut's turn will not be long coming before making a return to the winner enclosure. These 2 horses pulled 12 lengths clear of Manners in third who also ran a very good race in his first point. Koquelicot will find much easier chances than this and was staying on nicely into 4th place he should also have know trouble taking many Open races this season. It was also nice to see Jaqueline Coward from the North make an appearance at the track and she went well from the front on Potoffairies until tiring and fading out of contention on the second circuit.
Richard Burton asks Reflected Glory to quicken up and the response is imminent to comfortably land the spoils in the Mixed open Race.
The restricted race saw another race divided into 2 parts and a gamble was foiled when Dracaena ridden by Lady Champion rider Claire Allan was backed from 10 into 6/1 to land this contest. The Camerengo led for most of the race but tired coming towards the last fence. This left Intaglio to take up the running and stayed on powerfully to record a good win. Dracaena finished 2nd and was unlucky to meet such a strong rival on the day and should have no problems winning a restricted in the future. The Camerengo can only improve for this opening outing and he should also register a restricted victory before the end of the season.
Intaglio and Nick Phillips hit the front on their way to Restricted success. In behind The Camerengo has no more to give.
The Second Part of the Restricted looked a match on paper between On Top from the inform Hutsby yard and Little Ed who ran so well at Black Forest Lodge against On Top’s stable mate Rash Move. On Top took up the running along the back straight on the second circuit and was travelling nicely in the lead when taking a crashing fall throwing rider Fred Hutsby out of the saddle. This left the race at the mercy of Little Ed who ran on strongly and drew away from the rest of the opposition. Little Ed extending the lead all the time came home to a 25 length victory being eased down on the run-in. This was a good performance and could follow up in another similar race.
Little Ed out on his own on his way to landing an easy victory in the 2nd part of the Restricted.
The Intermediate race followed and this rounded off a miserable day for the Hutsby yard when Oscar Royal was pulled up quickly and dismounted by Fred Hutsby after a circuit of the course. Oscar Royal made quite a few mistakes on the first circuit and something was clearly amiss. This horse drifted notably in the betting market after opening at even money and was sent off an easy to back 3/1 chance. Maybe there were concerns over the good going as most of his form was on soft ground. Oscar Royal's main rival in the contest was strongly punted Sudden Arrival who was backed in from 5/2 into 6/4 favourite. Sudden Arrival took a decent race at Didmarton in March but was not seen out again for the rest of the season. This was a good comeback performance and is a horse definitely to keep on the right side of. I would imagine if they can keep him fit and sound then many more victories will follow this season.
Sudden Victory (White sleeves with a red star) leads the pack in the Intermediate Race.
The only winner tipped on the card for the site was Candarli in the last race. Hopefully, you all kept your powder dry and saved the best till last. Going home with plenty of pounds in your pockets for all those Christmas goodies. Candarli who had already registered an opening day win at Black Forest Lodge went off an unfancied 3/1 chance after opening at 5/4. Leading and running in snatches throughout the race came through strongly on the inner at the last fence to outstay the revitalised Simply the one and Alpheus who fought out the minor places.
A very happy Chloe Boxall after her 2nd Victory on the improving Candarli. Try wiping the smile of this young girls face.
As mentioned above we did not do to well on the winners front. Although we did give you 2 winners from our second selection. We also had 3 Non-Runners. Overall, I hope you managed to find some winners and enjoyed this opening day fixture. I think my feet and hands have just about thawed out now.
Selections :
Race 1
Parkbridge Lad (Blazing Guns) Unplaced
Race 2
Mounsey Castle (N.B) (River Reine) Nr
Race 3
Primitive Lass (Declans Choice)Nr
Race 4
Honourable Spider (Nap) (Irilut)Nr
Race 5
On Top (Little Ed) Unplaced
Race 6
Oscar Royal (Sudden Arrival) Unplaced
Race 7
Candarli (Gillie's Nephew) Winner
Don’t forget Dunthrop will also be staging 2 further meetings at the track on Sunday 20th January and Sunday 2nd March 2008.
All pictures very kindly supplied by Neale Blackburn of Chasdog.
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