HEADLINES
IRILUT TAKES REVENGE ON GLORY
A very good crowd attended the Staff College and R.M.A. Draghounds meeting at Tweseldown on Sunday. The clear blue sky combined with beautiful sunshine made this a very pleasant occassion for a day out Point-to-Point racing. There were 57 runners on a 6 race card. The highlight of the day was the Mens Open Race in which a great rematch similar to Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed in the famous Rocky Movie prevailed. When the underdog Irilut who was beaten by Reflected Glory at Dunthrop gained his revenge with a brave battling performance and with the score now 1-1 it would be great to see another rematch of these 2 popular horses in the near future.
The first race on the card was a 3 runner affair and as pointed out in the preview of this meeting Dante's Storm looked to have this race at his mercy. Sent off at a very short 1/5 favourite never really looked in trouble of landing the odds. Phillip York always had the youngster up with the pace and sent him to the front on the second circuit. It was plain sailing from there on in but unfortunately, we did not really gain too much knowledge on the ability of this horse in such a poor contest. In my opinion he could do no more than win by 25 lengths eased down and we look forward to seeing him make his mark in a more competitive race in the future. It was a good race for 2nd place however and for the majority of the race it looked as if Toy Boy would hold on to take the minor honours but was overtaken for 2nd place on the run for home by The Convic. These 2 horses will both need to find a very easy contest to score a victory in the future.
The Novice rider’s race looked to be a good opportunity for Winsley and Nick Byrne to record a course and distance double following their victory at the course in the Novice Riders Race in December. All seemed to be going well when the 4/5 favourite led from the start and was about 3 lengths clear jumping the water jump 2nd time around until running out off the course. Nick Byrne had a real fight on his hands to bring the horse under control and to keep the partnership in tact. I am not entirely sure why the horse ran out maybe the jockey missed the marker or the horse had his own ideas. This left Bucket Awl in front by a few lengths coming through the cutting but was challenged at the last fence by Chase the Highman. It looked all over on the run-in when Chase The Highman seemed to be travelling far stronger but unfortunately Chase the Highman was not given the best assistance from the saddle by Miss C. Mitchell who should of really taken this contest but seemed unsure what to do when making her challenge. It would be good to see Chase the Highman have stronger handling in the future and is probably far better than his form figures suggest. So a watching brief next time around is recommended.
The Mens open race was as predicted a cracking event with Irilut, Reflected Glory and Whereareyounow all in the line up. They sent off Reflected Glory the 11/10 favourite following his defeat of Irilut at Dunthrop in December. Whereareyounow took them along for most of the race at a very strong pace but Richard Burton and Reflected Glory never let them get to far out of his sights. This strong pace seemed to play into the hands of Reflected Glory and Irilut and jumping the water on the second circuit Irilut moved up stylishly from 5th place to join his two bitter rivals. Reflected Glory hit the front but on this occasion Sam Waley-Cohen had Irilut right on his tail and when he pressed the button the response from Irilut was imminent quickly going 2 lengths up on the run to the final fence. A good jump at the last sealed it and Irilut gained his revenge on both Reflected Glory and Whereareyounow who had both beaten him in his two previous starts. It was great to see this consistent horse record his first success of the season. Reflected Glory ran another blinder but may have ruined his chances by going to strongly in the early stages of the race. Whereareyounow also lost nothing in defeat battling on well to finish a further 5 lengths adrift. This rounded off a fantastic weekend for the Waley-Cohen team following Something Small's mighty impressive Mens Open victory at Larkhill on Saturday. Taking the scalp of Honourable Spider and several other well fancied runners by a very wide margin. Something Small's next outing will surely be in a Hunter Chase and looks a certainty to open his account over the bigger fences.
The Ladies race was ruined at the start when Fleur de Nikos and all the other runners were asked to take a turn by the starter. Fleur De Nikos then planted himself and took no part in the race. Unfortunately, for punters who had made him a strongly backed 6/4 favourite the horse was deemed to of come under starters orders and therefore did not get a run for their money. This left the race between Shareef and Blue Business. Jumping the last Shareef was a good length or so ahead but on the run-in Angela Rucker brought Blue Business up against the stand side rail and the width of the course seperated the 2 leaders. Shareef under a strong Hannah Lewis ride was all out but as the line approached managed to cling on to claim the prize with a short head victory. I think Blue Business did well to get so close to the winner as he was not helped by Blue Business's jockey Mrs Angela Rucker seeming to almost stop riding towards the line. I am not sure if she thought she could not win the race or if she lost her footing in the stirrups, but this mishap could of made the difference between winning and finishing runner up. Chicuelo was a big dissapointment in this race and looks best avoided at present. The Alan Hill trained Fauntleroy ran well for a long way and could land a ladies race in due course.
Mr Goofy was sent off a short priced favourite to take the Restricted race following the jockeys misjudgement of the marker when still travelling strongly when out in front at the Dunthrop meeting in December. Mr Goofy again was travelling strongly and looked the winner after a circuit of the course. Mr Goofy took up the running 3 from home and when the jockey looked in his mirror he would of seen The Tailor Carey who was strongly punted in from 3/1 into 7/4 looming closely. The two of them both went clear of the field but when challenged Mr Goofy pulled out plenty and went on to score a good 3 length victory. Mr Goofy obviously gained his compensation for that mishap at Dunthrop and this was also a much-improved performance by The Tailor Carey who won a weak Maiden at the course in December. I am sure The Tailor Carey should not have much trouble taking a restricted race following this decent performance. The third horse Fully Loaded never looked likely to win, but stayed on at one pace and should also record a restricted success if the right opportunity should arrive before the end of the season.
The Maiden race was a very hot betting heat and there was plenty of money for numerous horses. The Hobbs runner Noeud Vert was backed in from an opening 4/1 into 6/4 favourite. The money was down as the horse ran well for a long way at the Dunthrop meeting before unseating rider Diane Hobbs. Unfortunately, for the punters concerned the combination came to grief again when just in the lead 3 from home. Although at the time was being strongly challenged by Captain Valiant. Captain Valiant was left clear but was soon strongly challenged by Celestial Dragon who was also well backed from 6-1 into 4-1. As they came down to the last fence the writing looked on the wall for Captain Valiant but after the two horses jumped and collided in the air it was still all to play for but the strength from the saddle by Richard Burton soon took Celestial Dragon to the front to record a comfortable 3 length success. The crowds waited patiently as the two horses did come together after the last fence but no Stewards Enquiry was called to the relief of many punters waiting to collect their winnings. This was the second meeting in a row that Richard Burton had won on an unraced horse at Tweseldown. I guess the layers will be more aware of this in the future.
Overall a well attended meeting with some very good horses and competitive racing. Let's hope we see the same at the South Midland Area Club Meeting which will be staged at the course on Sunday 10th February 2008. Hopefully all those who attended will come back in their droves, as I am sure this also promises to be another great and exciting meeting.
On the betting front we had 3 winners from 6 bets although we would of probably tipped Reflected Glory if we had thought this would of been a runner. Unfortunately, Winsley ran out and Noeud Vert fell. The only disappointment of the day was Chicuelo who ran poorly again and is definitely worth avoiding in her present mood. Still we holding are own at present being +5.20 on all selections given so far to a £1 stake. We are going into the 2 day Barbury Racecourse festival meeting in reasonable form. I hope I will see many of you their to support your South Midland Area Meeting and enjoy what looks to be a fantastic racing weekend ahead.
The Selections for this meeting were :
Race 1
Dante's Storm (Toy Boy) 1st
Race 2
Winsley (NAP) (Cross The Highman) Ran Out
Race 3
Irilut (Whereareyounow) 1st
Race 4
Chicuelo (N.B) (Fauntleroy)Unplaced
Race 5
Mr Goofy (Shady Hollow)1st
Race 6
Noeud Vert (Noquieto) Fell
Unfortuanately we are unable to supply any pictures from this meeting.
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