REVIEW CURRE AND LLANGIB HOWICK SATURDAY 29th MARCH 2003 by Colin Cross |
GOING
- FIRM The current dry spell inevitably led to firm ground for the
second meeting at Howick on Saturday and consequently runners were at a
premium. SPARKLING SPRING
was not troubled to land the Land Robert Men's Open for the second year in
succession under Evan Williams ROYAL MOUNTBROWNE and BALLYMALOE
BOY took minor honours. TICKERTY'S GIFT and
RILLY GOSCHEN made a determined effort to repeat last
year's success in the Ladies Open. LAUREL SEEKER and
Amanda Meakins had other ideas. However, they swept into the lead five
fences from home and were soon clear. The Stewards enquired into the
running of NIGEL'S BOY who was pulled up six fences out.
The Stewards accepted Lucy Rowsell's explanation that the horse jumped
badly and was never travelling well. That Wily fox Joe Price once again proved he has few masters
at Howick when riding a shrewd tactical race on IT'S A HANDFUL to
land the Hunt Race. Joe was content to track odds-on favourite MIKE'S
ACRE and Andrea Cavanagh before swooping into the lead at the
second last to land the spoils. For good measure Joe's son James finished
third on DAYS OF LIGHTNING. RUBIAN PRINCESS and
Lucy Rowsell followed up their maiden win here two weeks ago with success
in the Restricted race, from UNDER MILK WOOD. The
favourite NOTSOTINY and Evan Williams fell at the third
last when looking held. Christine Evans suffered serious arm and rib
injuries when GERRY AND TOM fell at the first open
ditch. MOON TIGER and Dai Jones repeated their
Confined race victory of last weekend at Cilwendeg over WELSH
WARRIOR and Robert Richards when easily out-pointing the same
horse again. The only other runner VAL'S WELL was well
beaten when pulling up some way from home. GLEN MIST and Evan Williams got the
better of a prolonged battle with GOOD MORNING and Robert
Stephens to land division one of the Confined Maiden with SOHAPARA
third. The second division was won by the 5 year old BUCKLAND
BOBBY ridden by Dai Jones from BEST ATTEMPT and
Marc Parry with TWO FOR THE ROAD well behind in third. Dai was at pains to keep BUCKLAND BOBBY under
restraint and did not let out a reef until after the second last, when the
horse quickened well clear. This confidence booster may well enable BUCKLAND
BOBBY to go on to better things. PRIDEWOOD GOLDING and Emma James walked over in the Intermediate race. |