REVIEW |
After
a few years delay due to a combination of both the weather and the Jockey
Club, a bumper crowd was drawn to the picturesque hills of the Peak District
for the High Peak Harriers meet at Flagg Moor on Easter Tuesday. A fine day
and excellent ground conditions made for some great racing. The
Hunt members race, which traditionally races over stone walls started from
the village and navigated a number of obstacles before entering the main
racecourse.
With only two of the field having any sought of form or indeed being
registered, it was as always going to be an entertaining sight, but
certainly not one to invest the hard earned gambling ammunition.
This proved especially true as the favourite Single Man under the
control of Sue Rodman failed to navigate the early part of the course. This
may have proved even more embarrassing for Sue as she played a leading role
in the design of the course route! Having
literally ‘hunted’ around as a group for the main part of the race, the
inevitable cavalry charge ensued from the second last with the chestnut
gelding Tellitasitis showing more pace than his rivals to win going away. The
second race an Open Maiden went to Iadora who had previously finished fourth
to Sovereign Gale at Eaton Hall. Ridden by Tessa Clark the Gildoran gelding
stayed on resolutely to fend off the brief challenge of Frosty Fella who
looked to be going well two out only to stop to nil and the eventual runner
up Ridware Rose ridden by Sue Sharratt who having being outpaced on the
second circuit stayed on well.
One to take note of was the 5yo gelding Mr Buckle who having not
jumped at all well and looking a little green on the first circuit plugged
on for third. The
Confined saw one of the finishes of the day as both the favourite Minella
Silver and Saxon Gold battled it out in the straight with the Roselier
gelding prevailing by a neck under Richard Burton. Sue Sharratt again filled
the runner’s up spot with Saxon Gold and was unlucky not have been
successful.
Gary Hanmer’s mount Three Saints and Minella Silver looked to have
the race between them two out only for Three Saints to fade into third in
the straight. The
Ladies Open was turned into a procession as the ex Nicky Richards trained
River Ness under Victoria Thirlby took hold of the race from a long way out
to score readily from Class Of Ninetytwo ridden by Sue Sharratt again
filling the runners-up spot. The Buckskin mare was following up her victory
at Garthorpe in March and looks one to follow. Richard
Burton rode the second leg of his treble in the Men’s Open when sending
the veteran Step On Eyre to the front two out and out battling the outsider
of the three runners Springwood White. The disappointing favourite Prominent
looked to be getting into the race three out under Gary Hanmer only drop
tamely away in the straight. An
array of young and ‘seasoned’ riding talent was on show in the Novice
Riders event. The race eventually going to the 11yo Star Changes who had
finished third at Sandon only three days earlier.
Having looked at lot happier being raced up with the pace on this
occasion the Derrylin gelding came clear two out to win convincingly. The
Restricted brought an exciting day to a close with a victory for Uncle Ada,
providing Richard Burton with a hat-trick of wins on the day an putting
right back in the firing line for the jockey’s championship. It could have
been a different story however as Sue Sharratt looked like may have a chance
to make amends for her earlier defeat as she closed in on the champion
between the last two fences, only for her mount Ridware Pride to stumble and
fall on the flat. Thankfully both horse and rider got to their feet no the
worse for their tumble. All
in all an entertaining and exciting day, and a meet that all those who
attended will look forward to next year! |