REVIEW |
An incident-packed men’s open race kept race-goers on the
edge of their shooting sticks at the South Devon point to point at
Blackforest Lodge. Robbie Rawle’s Doublet fell heavily when in contention with
a circuit to go, Jolitan blotted his copybook once again by running out
through the rail back to the lorry park decanting rider Bruce Evans on the
way, and Andrew Congdon’s Select Star crashed at the last when running on
to challenge for third place. Both fallers got up unharmed to the cheers
of the crowd. Welsh raider Do Ye Know Wha
ridden by Christian Williams won, but it was close at the line with
second placed Shocks Pride (Michael Miller) making up ground fast. The
winner had won five races under NH rules and has also run on the flat at
Royal Ascot. Bet of the day had been in the opener, the confined race,
where Don Royal, from the same stable as Porlock Hill and Cheltenham
foxhunters entry County Derry was sent off at 10-1, punters favouring
Khayal and Sir William. Don Royal took the running up three from home and
held off the Khayal (Les
Jefford) challenge by three lengths under a stylish ride from Neil Harris. Harris went on to record a double in the next race, the two
and a half mile open maiden on Eric Wonnacott’s Elegant Light. Second
placed horse Four of a Kind, owned and trained by David Rogers, who was
chairman of the stewards’ panel, ran on well under Sarah Gaisford and
should do better over a longer
trip. The ladies’ race was turned into a procession by the David
Pipe trained, Charlotte Stucley ridden Phoenix Phlyer who was never
headed. The heavy ground at Ottery St Mary the previous week had not
been to Teddy Boy’s liking but he showed no ill effects for the run and
won the Restricted, ridden by Richard Woollacott, going away from Mandy
Hand on the hard pulling Jo’s Wedding. Mrs Peggoty had been second at the Silverton meeting on this
course, and won the Marsh Private Clients/TBA/PPORC members’ mares
maiden this time, qualifying, along with the three behind her, for the
championship final at Garthorpe in May. The meeting finished with a hunt race walkover for Young
General and Richard Darke. ResultsConfined: 1, Don Royal, N Harris; 2, Khayal, L Jefford; 3,
Sir William, D Edwards. 14 ran, 3l, 10l, 6.18. Open Maiden (2 1/2 m): 1, Elegant Light, N Harris; 2, Four of
a Kind, Sarah Gaisford; 3, Lilabet, C Heard. 13 ran, 6l, 1 1/2l, 5.51. Ladies’ Open: 1, Phoenix Phyler, Miss C Stucley; 2, Bells
Wood, Miss V Lucas; 3, Normania, Miss S West. Four ran, 10l, 12l, 6.18. Restricted: 1, Teddy Boy, R Woollacott; 2, Jo’s Wedding,
Mrs M Hand; 3, Mystic Warrior, R Darke.12 ran, 1 1/2l, 3l, 6.23. Men’s Open: 1, Do Ye Know Wha, C Williams; 2, Shocks Pride,
M Miller; 3, Mr Magnetic, N Harris.9 ran, 1/2l, dist. 6.15. Mare’s Maiden: 1, Mrs Peggoty, J White; 2, Five Minutes, R
Woollacott; 3, Butler DidIt, L Jefford. 9 ran, 10l, 2l, 6.27. Hunt race: 1, Young General, R Darke. Walked over. |