BROCKLES BROCKLESBY PARK
26th February 2005
by Ian Marshall
A bitterly cold day and
testing ground kept the numbers of both horses and spectators down,
but there was no shortage of excitement. The combination of rider
Oliver Greenall and trainer David Easterby completed a hat-trick
and, following a four-timer at Witton Castle earlier in the month,
jockey Ben Woodhouse added a double here.
The opening five-runner Hunt
Members Race was run at a pedestrian pace, which no doubt
contributed to Spot On Tom almost refusing and unseating Paul
Broughton at the 2nd and Grate Spark pulling very hard and running
out at the 4th. With little injection of speed, Henry Pearson fell
at the 12th, although Nick Kent did remount to finish a long way
back in third. Caribbean Twist and Freya Hartley absolutely hacked
up from Two By Four, despite Oliver Williams’ urgings on the
runner-up. The winner showed that he did have some ability when
fourth at Market Rasen in January.
With brother Tom at Chepstow,
Oliver Greenall took over on David Easterby’s string and
their first victory was with Shackleton, who beat nine rivals in
the Confined. The time was only two seconds short of a minute
faster than the opening contest and also was the quickest of the
afternoon, although this wasn’t all that surprising as the
ground cut up as the day went on. An Irish import, Shackleton put
in some reasonable efforts in hunter chases there last year, having
won one at Clonmel in early 2003. He looks as though he will more
than pay his way in Britain. Four lengths back in second was Ikdam
Melody (Jo Foster), who has also come over from Ireland. He was
giving Shackleton seven pounds and lost nothing in defeat. Ikdam
Melody will come on for the run and is likely to be a force to be
reckoned with in ladies opens. Ardmayle with Lucy Coney on board
put in another solid display and passed the post in third. However,
an objection by the clerk of the scales saw him disqualified. There
was no announcement as to whether his rider had failed to weigh in
or whether a weight cloth had fallen off somewhere along the way.
The favourite Gola Cher was fourth (promoted to third) for Richard
Hunnisett and was hoping to follow up his Market Rasen win, but may
well have been unsuited by the ground. Duchess Account was pulled
up three out by Nicky Tinkler in this, her first confined.
She’s a none too fluent jumper, but it will be a surprise if
she doesn’t visit the winners’ enclosure again before
the season is out. John Rich wasn’t on a going day and
Dolphin Square will improve for the outing.
Just four turned out for the
Ladies Open and Texas Ranger justified odds on favouritism under Jo
Foster, even with a highly indifferent jump at the third last. They
didn’t have it all their own way though as Strong Trooper and
Jacqueline Coward ran them close. Texas Ranger is a very useful
performer and remains one to follow in ladies opens. There were
seven lengths between the two horses at the line, with Strong
Trooper heavily eased after the last. Strong Trooper is definitely
one to keep an eye on for the rest of the season. Gus Berry and
Freya Hartley were soon tailed off and finished well behind in
third. My Best Buddy got rid of Amy Stennett at the 3rd.
The Mens Open featured seven
competitors and went to Preston Brook with Oliver Greenall in the
plate. Preston Brook was a bit lively in the paddock, but a cool
ride gave Oliver’s father Lord Daresbury, the owner, a
double. Maitre De Musique was second for Michael Tate and Quarter
Master third in the hands of Nick Kent. Quarter Masters did have a
seven pound penalty so it was a fair effort. Mademist Sam and Nigel
Tutty ended up fourth after trying to make all. History suggests
that the popular grey Purple Jean will be a different proposition
after her seasonal debut.
The largest field of the card
was 15 in the Restricted and Sevensider came out on top for Oliver
Greenall’s third winner of the afternoon. Owned and trained
by David Easterby, Sevensider seemed to dislike similar underfoot
conditions at Whitwell last year and disappointed at Market Rasen
earlier in 2005. However, he has been a model of consistency
otherwise and certainly wasn’t scoring out of turn. There
were 14 lengths to runner-up Libido (Philip Andrew), who relished
the soft going and was running on when others had cried enough.
Lord Scroop with Michael Morley aboard took third and a clear round
of fencing saw him show his true colours. Fourth went to Search
Party and Simon Walker. Search Party was stopped in his tracks
after walking through the open ditch on the final circuit and will
enjoy better ground. Orchestra’s Boy was disputing the lead
when departing at the 11th. Hunca Munca was carried out by a loose
hose after the fourth fence from home whilst holding a slight
advantage. He likes it at Brocklesby Park and would undoubtedly
have gone close. Snizort was behind when his race ended at the same
point as Hunca Munca. He’ll be better off next time for the
blow-out and reapplication of blinkers.
The Panacur/TBA Mares Maiden
attracted just six runners and Ben Woodhouse got Just A Lady home
by two lengths from Rising Talisker and Rachel Clark. Ben Woodhouse
can do no wrong at the moment and he always appeared to have the
opposition where he wanted them. Rising Talisker got outpaced, but
then stayed on again. Stingo (Matt Mackley) was third and All Right
For The Time (Nick Kent) fourth. Primitive Rhythm was making her
racecourse debut and will improve for the experience. She ducked
the wrong side of a marker after the 11th.
Nine went to post for Division
One of the Maiden. Just A Lady’s full brother Just A Man
prevailed, again with Ben Woodhouse in the saddle and his strength
at the business end sealed matters. Dayenoo and Oliver Greenall
were half a length down in second. Dayenoo ought to find a maiden
before the season is out. There was officially a distance to
Draconian partnered by Matt Mackey in third. He was progressing
from his debut at Thorpe Lodge earlier in the month. The debutant
Ask Bobby under Guy Brewer claimed fourth after jumping right in
the first half of the race. There’ll be better to come in the
future. Storming Foley and Delaware Trail showed up for a long way,
while Ballyards seemed to be put off by Ask Bobby jumping across
him.
There were seven runners in the
concluding Division Two of the Maiden, which went to Ever So Humbel
and Joe Docker. Ever So Humbel was highlighted on this website by
Dom Bradshaw in the One For The Notebook section following his
opening outing at Thorpe Lodge at the beginning of the month. He
was traveling strongly throughout and was quite impressive when
asked to quicken by his competent pilot. Bold N Brave was a close
second with Matthew Briggs aboard. Previously unraced, Bold N Brave
should be placed to good effect by trainer Antonia Bealby with be
benefit of the experience under his belt. The third Teeton Babycham
is a hard puller, but is improving. Rare Presence (Guy Brewer) in
fourth got left behind by the principals. Supreme Optimist’s
threatening run petered out and he was pulled up.
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