sir ww wynns
eaton hall 6th March 2005
by Mal Davies
Another Sunday and another
treble for Richard Burton as he boosted his campaign for another
National Mens’ title at Eaton Hall.
Having made the long journey to
Kelso on Saturday for a success on Sheila Crow’s Involved,
Burton picked up both legs of the Open Maiden and the Intermediate
race at the Chester venue for a very successful weekend.
The opening Members race got the
day off to a cracking start, with Steve Wynne’s Double Rich,
ridden by Oliver Greenall just holding off Hijacked and Will Lloyd
by a neck. Mandalia’s Boy, who had disgraced himself at Eyton
last week refused to race this time and looks to be a real problem
horse.
Burton produced an expertly
paced ride aboard Rebel Army to take the first division of the
Maiden by an increasing 8 lengths from the Gary Hanmer ridden
Sarah’s Party, who had led for most of the way. The winner,
previously unraced, looks a fine prospect for Caroline Robinson and
a Restricted success looks assured. Ballyholme and Sophie Talbot
put in a much improved performance to land third.
Uncle Neil finally broke his
maiden at the seventh attempt, staying on strongly to win by 10
lengths from Precious Bane who battled well in defeat under Will
Hill. Kings Reason and Gary Hanmer filled third place, and ought to
have little trouble wining a maiden.
There wasn’t a
particularly inspiring turnout for the Mens’ Open, won by the
former Steve Brookshaw twelve year old No Retreat. The winner had
not won for 6 years, and was sent off at 12-1. Favourite Curly
Spencer could only manage second, beaten one and a quarter lengths,
with a tiring Home Made, perhaps not over his hard race last week
back in third.
The Ladies’ Open was an
excellent race, Mytimie, formerly with Raymond Anderson-Green, but
now trained by Carrie Ford just pipping Donald McCain’s
Another Club Royal by a neck. The better jump by the 5-4 favourite
gave him a length advantage, with Tessa Clark’s runner up
just failing to peg Tania Harrison’s mount back.
Only 5 lined up for the starter
in the Intermediate Race. Burton’s Heavy Weather made a
winning seasonal reappearance, having won at the venue in 2004.
High Fields, trained for Lord Daresbury by Steve Wynne was a solid
looking second for Oliver Greenall.
The most competitive looking
race on the card was that restricted to novice riders. The Eens has
been around a long time and has won his share under Rules, though
looked to be on the downgrade. On his first run between the flags
he travelled very well to come home 10 lengths to the good of
Master Jock. There was an encouraging run from Lambrini Bianco back
in third.
It is unusual for Gary Hanmer to
lave Eaton Hall empty handed, but he had to wait for the concluding
Restricted race before entering the winner’s enclosure.
Tinarana Lord was a hot order in the betting ring, and was held up
for most of the race behind long time leader Lily Brown. The
response, when Hanmer asked his horse to take up the running, was
too much for Sheila Crow’s Weston Park winner The Young
Purty, though that one clouted the second last and without that,
the result may have been reversed.
The ground was decent, and
certainly much better than at last years April meeting, and the
bright weather meant yet another bumper crowd.
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