REVIEW |
DOWN ridden by Robert Waley-Cohen
became the first horse since KNOCK ON THE HEAD in the late 1980's
to win the Welsh Point to Point Grand National in successive years,
easily outpointing TREASURE AGAIN and
BROCKBUSTER by a distance and 3
lengths.
Unfortunately the
race was spoiled as a spectacle when DOWN'S main
market rival GENERAL CUSTER slipped up on the flat
after the fourth last, when holding every chance. His rider Evan
Williams stood himself down for the remainder of the
meeting.
The Waley-Cohens were
recording a double with DOWN after
IRILUT took the Intermediate race with a minimum
of fuss from CRACKER TICKET, the only other
finisher. IRILUT made all the running and
impressed several judges with his relentless galloping and quick
accurate jumping.
DETROIT
DAVY won the Hunt Members race for the second year running
when scoring a facile victory under Evan Williams from COSY
RIDE and Lucy Rowsell.
Christian Williams
took his season's tally to 11 when making virtually all the running
on AKINA (NZ)
to defeat
WELSH WARRIOR and COTTEIR CHIEF
20 lengths and 2 lengths in the day's fastest time.
AKINA(NZ) scored over hurdles in his native
New Zealand and is believed to be the first horse to win at Awapuni
and Bonvilston.
Ex-Irish novice
hurdler SHE'S MY BABY and Tim Vaughan took the
Marsh Private Clients TBA/PPORA Club Mares Maiden race by one and a
half lengths from SOHAPARA with LITTLE
ROSIE 8 lengths away in third place.
The first division of
the Restricted race saw the most exciting race of the day with four
horses holding every chance jumping the final fence.
ITSALLUPINTHE AIR prevailed by a length from
ALPINE FUGUE with TALYGARN a
similar distance away in third. VALJEAN was not
disgrace in fourth place. ITSALLUPINTHEAIR may
have had some steering problems in the past, judging by the
ironware in and around his mouth but Amanda Meakins has obviously
found the key and they may well be able to successfully step up in
grade.
The second division
of the restricted was won by odds-on favourite DANTE'S
PROMISE under Mark Walters. They were content to get a
lead until challenging between the final two fences. Touching down
in front after the last DANTE'S PROMISE beat
SOUTHERN BELIZE by 8 lengths with IT'S
FREDDIE a further 4 lengths away in third
place.
Some racegoers
started to drift away before the Maiden races, probably admitting
defeat after trying to keep warm in the face of a biting wind,
which did not relent at all during the afternoon.
However, both
divisions had their interesting moments.BEAUCHAMP
OBSERVER was the only finisher of four runners in Division
1. PAM'S OAK unseated her rider early on and then
SNEEDHAM'S GREEN (Paul Callaghan) and MO'S
GREY (Christian Williams) both pulled up with a
circuit to run.
The Stewards enquired
into the actions of Messrs. Callaghan and Williams but accepted
their explanations that SNEEDHAM'S GREEN was
hanging badly to the right and MO'S GREY was
feeling her shins on the ground.
BEAUCHAMP
OBSERVER under Nick Williams was making his seasonal
re-appearance after spending the winter being regularly hunted by
Pentyrch's Joint Master David Thomas.
Division Two was won
by DEEP DALE and Tim Vaughan in effortless fashion
from APRIL SANDS the only other
finisher.
DEEP
DALE, who looked exceptional in the paddock, was formerly
trained by SUE LAMYMAN and had shown some glimpses
of form on the flat. Although some of his jumping was sketchy he
was able to make all the running and was never seriously
challenged.
DEEP
DALE continued trainer Tony Jeffries rich vein of form,
with stablemate SHERBET FIZZ having scored over
the previous two weekends.
While following
maiden winners from uncompetitive races is a quick way to the poor
house, both BEAUCHAMP OBSERVER and DEEP
DALE may well be open to further improvement. Also make a
note of AN FLORA fourth in the Marsh Mares race on
her first racecourse appearance and certain to come on for the
experience.
OTHER
NEWS
Evan Williams has been granted a licence by the Jockey Club to train under rules and his wife Carole will be now in charge of the Point to Pointers. Best wishes to them both. |