LINCOLNSHIRE uNited hunts club
market rasen 30th
January 2005
by Ian Marshall
A fine afternoon at Market Rasen
saw good ground and a high proportion of runners to entries. There
were thrill, spills and exciting finishes aplenty.
The two that headed the market
fought out the finish in the opening eight runner Lincolnshire
United Hunts Club Race and it was Sheila Mollett’s Near And
Phar under Joe Docker that came out on top by a length from Ramirez
and Nick Kent. However, it could all have been different as Fine
Times held a slight advantage when coming down at the last. Richard
Armson gave the inside to no one and, once Fine Times had taken up
the running from the hard-pulling Stevie Dee after the third fence,
it looked as though they would hold on. The horse stayed down for
around 15 minutes after the fall, but thankfully in the end seemed
OK. Near And Phar raced in midfield before challenging between the
last two fences and then staved off the late effort of Ramirez. The
runner-up was giving the winner 12 pounds, but still came close to
repeating his victory in the same event a year ago. Man At The Top
who was third under Mark Bennison will be better off for the race
and was none too fluent at several fences, while Caribbean Twist
gave a decent display in fourth after a layoff through injury.
Coole Chief was badly in need of the outing and was pulled up.
Nine turned out for the Confined
and Gola Cher and Richard Hunnisett were victorious for the
Caroline Bailey yard in the fastest time of the day, even though
the rider put up two pounds overweight. Gola Cher did well to
survive after making a horlicks of the first ditch, where Yorkshire
Edition came down. Having gone on before the 11th when the pace
setting Call Me Jack made a bad mistake at the previous fence, Gola
Cher made the best of his way home and had to contend with the
loose Yorkshire Edition at the entrance to the back straight for
the final time. They were two lengths to the good at the line over
the possibly unlucky Scotmail Lad and Clive Mulhall. Despite
carrying a good deal of condition, Scotmail Lad gave a good account
of himself. He was hampered by the fall of Yorkshire Edition, then
later badly baulked by the same horse when running loose.
Compensation surely awaits. Only three finished with Noel’s
Pride (Nick Bell) a close third. A winning hurdler, there will be
easier opportunities for him. The temperamental John Rich ran
out/refused at the first.
The PPORA Club Members Race saw
nine runners and was won by Silver Streak, ably assisted by Richard
Armson. A former inmate of Josh and Nick Gifford, Silver Streak
would have eaten his rivals for breakfast in his prime, but
certainly seems to be no back number at this level. It was a gritty
performance from the grey to hold the late charge of Mullensgrove
and Sarah Phizacklea and a gamble was landed in the process.
Mullensgrove isn’t an easy ride and needed to be stoked along
for much of the contest, but ran on well. Merry Minstrel (James
Oldring) was third and Maitre De Musique (Michael Tate) fourth.
A field of 12 went to post for
the Restricted and there were several improving types among them.
Duchess Account came out on top under a magnificent ride from Nicky
Tinkler. The mare was slow at a number of early fences and a
livener or two were administered, however steady progress on the
final circuit saw her collar Search Party at the final fence to win
going away. It was tough luck on Duchess Account’s regular
jockey Richard Wakeham who is out of action with a broken wrist.
Search Party (Simon Walker) was a clear second and is highly
progressive. He looked likely to prevail until the winner’s
finishing spurt and a similar event is well within his
capabilities. Back in third was Colonel Ludlow and Chris Cundall.
Colonel Ludlow appears happiest on a sharp track such as this where
stamina is not quite as much an issue. Eastern Royal finished
fourth under Matthew Briggs after making the majority of the
running. Henry Murphy has immense potential, but is headstrong. The
favourite Sevensider representing the Easterby stable ran no kind
of race. Tom Greenall had given him a couple of reminders with a
circuit to go, but Sevensider was never really traveling and was
sensibly pulled up nearly three quarters of a mile from home. He
trotted back sound, but something may well have been amiss as the
ground should definitely have suited.
The Intermediate attracted six
runners and went to The Vintage Dancer and Tom Messenger. It was a
hard fought battle after the penultimate obstacle with Noble Affair
and Richard Collinson. There was plenty to like about the way The
Vintage Dancer kept on for his capable pilot. Noble Affair seems to
like it at this venue and could be interesting at the Burton
meeting here on 20th February. Miss Zarnni was the only other horse
to complete for Sarah Phizacklea and was heavily eased after her
chance had gone. All For Jake will come on for the outing and Tom
Tobacco took a crashing fall before the race had begun in
earnest.
The first division of the Maiden
had 11 competitors and a very impressive winner in the debutant
Bulmer Bank. Always going strongly, Bulmer Bank made eye-catching
headway from the rear and not even being severely hampered by a
loose horse could deny Simon Walker’s mount readily landing
spoils. Breezy Warrior attempted to make all for Niall Saville and
didn’t give in without a tussle. He might have felt a bit
lonely out in front for so long and ought to pick up a maiden.
Third-placed Polyarnoe Bay with Mark Walford in the plate was also
making her first appearance on a racecourse. It was a performance
that was highly encouraging and she wasn’t knocked about so
is another who should find a maiden. The admirable Tommy Hotspur
(Nick Docker) came fourth. There was plenty of money in the ring
for Gipsy Wood, but a slipping saddle put paid to her chances after
just three fences. The much vaunted Eggshells took a hefty tumble
at the fifth. Been Here Before was the subject of discussion on
this website, but didn’t get very high at several fences and
was struggling to keep tabs with the main body of the field
throughout.
Vic’s Fane and Richard
Tierney made every yard to beat 13 rivals in the second division of
the Maiden for a bloodless victory. The winner was building on his
debut last season when he attracted support in the market. It was
the jockey’s first ride in points. King Freddy with Rowan
Cope aboard was second and obviously has some ability. Crake Way
with Clive Mulhall on top claimed third for owners “The
Jumpingforfun Partnership”. Interfered with by the fall of
Sassy’s Circle, Crake Way did well to get within a dozen
lengths of Vic’s Fane. With a bit to work on fitness wise, a
maiden could well be within his grasp. Fourth-placed Henry Pearson
(Nick Kent) may not have got home. Wee William for the Walford team
was moving menacingly in behind the leaders when coming down at the
11th. Lambhill Stakes got rid of Tom Greenall at the third.
Nine went to post for the third
division of the Maiden, which produced the fastest time of the
three and went to West Coaster (Tom Greenall) who had a battle
royal with market rival Farington Lodge (Niall Saville). West
Coaster might have other races in him. This was compensation for
disappointment earlier in the afternoon for the trainer/jockey
partnership. Farington Lodge tried to run the sting out of his
opponent, but lost nothing in defeat. Formerly owned by Trevor
Hemmings and trained by Chris Grant, there should be at least a
maiden in him. Honor And Glory was very green in the preliminaries
and was given a nice introduction by Mark Walford. Not given a hard
time, it would be a surprise not to see him in the winners’
enclosure before the season is out. Rare Presence was fourth for
Guy Brewer and will do better if he can settle. Although there was
nearly a lap to go, Stingo was disputing the lead when
departing.
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