The Major started the day with a fine win on fresh ground as
overnight the fences had been moved and yesterdays false running
rail was removed giving about 10 yards of fresh ground for horses
at the second day of this meeting. The first race was the Dodson
and Horrell Club Members Novice race Division Two which was ran at
a good clip with horses not finishing from the strong pace. The
Major seemed to have his enthusiasm re-kindled by P2P as the ex
Mary Reveley and John Cornwall gelding had been on decline of late
under NH rules but bounded into the lead three out to win
comfortably. The margin of victory probably would of been to a
further but for The Major’s rider losing one of his stirrups
up the straight which meant the jockey had a hairy time coming to
the last! The trend of this race was that the front-runners were
finishing and the old stayers weren’t plugging on.
Sonnet Supreme was an impressive winner of the Mares Maiden
under Dominic Alers Hankey and this hot favourite galloped the
possibly modest field into the ground. Having fallen on her only
previous run in 2004, this mare looks open to improvement and will
do well in mares only events. Others to note from this race are
Suzie Cream Cheese trained by Jelly O'Brien (Nee Nolan) and ridden
by D England. This well-bred grey mare ran well for her debut
keeping up with the pace until tiring and falling two out when not
holding a winning chance and this well formed mare should be
capable of winning a Mares only Maiden this season for
connections.
Cassia Green won Division two of the Dodson and Horrell Novice
riders race under a pillar to post victory under David Greenway.
Every fence was a winning one for the combination as they set a
fast pace and jumped from fence to fence. Norski Lad was the main
danger early in the second circuit and looked like at any point
they could pick up the leader but the result was made certain when
the grey kicked on again after two out. Norski Lad seemed to be
travelling well but never really had the heart to go past the
great, will he be winning again? Cassia Green, the "Dessie"
look-alike, was lively and on his toes in the paddock before and
after the race and his fitness was a credit to his trainer Paul
Morris as he looked like he could happily compete in another race
on the card!. Mind the Gate was a dissapointing runner for Mark
Rimell, who had 24 hours previously trained the winner of the
Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton (Crossbow Creek) and probably because
of this Mind The Gate was very well supported but could never get
within twenty lengths of the lead at any time!
Indeed to Goodness (Fiona Wilson) led the field a merry dance in
the competitive looking Ladies open which included Sailors Folly
(FAV), Sir D’Orton (2nd FAV) and Harvis (Rilly Goschen), who
was an ex-Venetia Williams and Toby Balding performer who seemed to
not have a suitable trip under rules but could be rekindled by
pointing. Polly fell from Sailors Folly at the second fence where
the quirky grey literally didn’t take off and ploughed
through the fence and luckily they both live to fight another day.
At this point Indeed to Goodness took up the running and the lead
was never taken off the Kim Smyly runner. Indeed to goodness
carried on galloping and won very cosily by a wide margin. Belinda
Keighley seemed to stop riding out her horse Prince Dundee and as
pipped on the post for second by the fast finishing Fou Doux, who
can capitalise this season in modest races. Horses in behind the
winner such as the classy Harvis and Prince Dundee can come on for
their seasonal reappearance and should win races this term. Sir
D'Orton on the other hand may be one to be wary of after the
Charlotte Tizzard gelding was never really in the race before the
tired horse refused at the last. Indeed To Goodness was well ridden
by Fiona Wilson (Polly Gundry did have the choice to ride it!) and
afterwards there were rumours of the Foxhunters for this impressive
winner. I can only guess its Aintree as Cheltenham may be a bit
ambitious for this first time pointer who had previously been a
capable performer under rules with Seamus Mullins.
Talioso, ridden and trained by Sue Sharratt, won the first
division of the older horses maiden in good style under a confident
and powerful Sue Sharratt ride and was never out of the first three
all the way around. This ex Irish Pointer showed good form when
finishing second in 2003, missed 2004, but looked a fresh and
upcoming horse for the 2005 season. The winner kicked on four out
with a huge leap and gained further lengths at his fences to win as
he liked with the favourite Jole Joker finishing second after
looking a threat down the back straight. The Midlands based stable
made the visit to Barbury Castle a successful one with a promising
horse for the future who seems capable of stepping up in grade.
The most emphatic victory of the day was in the last the Second
Division of the Horses and Geldings maiden which was won by
Kyalami, confidently ridden by Nick Pearce. After the first circuit
of the track the well-supported Arctic Cherry was in the lead about
fifteen lengths ahead of his pursuers including Kyalami. Early in
the second circuit the well-bred french gelding easily picked up
Arctic Cherry and down the far side the race was sealed with
Kyalami surging further clear with every stride leaving the
weakening Arctic Cherry behind (pulled up) and this was ultimately
dissapointing for his supporters. Kyalami jumped well and showed
his fences respect, which wasn’t the case last season with
two falls from four runs. He’s is an improving horse and will
be worth following over the following weeks for the powerful stable
of R Kelvin-Hughes and is definitely one for your notebooks!
Winners
11.30 The Major, 12.05 Sonnet Supreme (FAV), 12.40 Cassia Green,
1.15 Indeed To Goodness, 1.50 Talioso, 2.25 Kyalami (FAV)
Order of the day: Front runners and wide margin wins!
Furthest winner of the day: Kyalami
Best Ride: The Major (rider finished with one iron