REVIEW

DUMFRIESHIRE
NETHER Sunday 26th February 2006

by John Bulman

photos by Grace Beresford

Going – Good to Soft

Weather mainly fine but chilly.

Young Horses Maiden (17 ran)
1 - What A Night @ 10/1 (Mrs A Hamilton)
2 - Parkett Hill
3 - Daffi

Quite an impressive debut from the winner who quickened away 3 out but faltered slightly on run in without being in danger of being caught. He had shown enough in bumpers to give him a chance in a race that lacked strength in depth. Comfortably Numb ran a nice race on his comeback from 2 years off.

Firion King leads the field early on in the 5,6 & 7 yr old maiden

Winner What A Night (Alison Hamilton) takes a fence alongside Alachance (Tom Oates) followed by Gerry Sur (Mark Thompson,4th)

What a Night and connections return after their victory

Restricted (a dire race - only 5 runners)
1 - Jinful Du Grand Val @ 3/1 (Jamie Alexander)
2 - Hangamasterpiece
3 - Bucksareback

Jinful Du Grand Val is an exposed horse who hung on after looking to tire/pull himself up after jumping the last. Royal Referance looked worth opposing as an odds on favourite returning from 2 years off the course. She folded tamely down the back straight but will improve for the race. Bucksareback was ridden off the pace and stayed on. Generally a poor race though.

Winner of the restricted, Jinful Du Grand Val and Jamie Alexander head to the start

Royal Reference (Luke Morgan, far side) from Hangamasterpiece (Mark Thompson,2nd) and Anniejo (Andrew Richardson)

Jinful Du Grand Val takes a fence before taking the restricted from Hnagamasterpiece

Ladies Race (9 ran)
1 - Natiain @ 6/4 (Pauline Robson)
2 - Legendary Line
3 - Native Alibi

Natiain won impressively for The Punters Pal Pauline Robson! Thanks to The Parson for tipping me this one! Hardly coming off the bridle, jumping and travelling well, Natiain looks a most progressive type who will continue to make his mark in Opens and Hunter Chases. Passing Danger stayed on well to take 4th in his first full race for a while and should improve.

Natiain and Pauline Robson, victorious in the ladies open

Mens Open (7 Ran)
1 – Adolphus (Clive Storey)
2 – Prominent Profile
3 – Kilcaskin Gold

Adolphus won this quite impressively under Clive Storey and should again make his mark in more Opens this season. Prominent Profile ran well for the Mounsey-Heysham team and looks capable of going one better if the right opportunity arises. Kilcaskin Gold will probably be aimed at the 4 mile Alnwick Open again as he stays all day. Anshan Spirit reappeared again but She pulled up here and currently looks a shadow of last seasons flying machine. It is possible that Spring and better ground will see her in better form.

Adolphus (Clive Storey, pink) winner of the mens open takes a fence alongside Anshan Spirit (Roger Green)

Northern Area Club Members Race (11 ran)
1 – Lord O All Seasons (Rose Davidson)
2 – Hasper
3 – Wensley Blue

Rose Davidson eventually won this quite easily on her veteran Pointer, Lord O All Seasons but it might have been very different had The odds on Gusty Law not tiped up three out. Pauline Robson was making her move to track the eventual winner when getting in too close and coming down. Fortunately horse and jockey appeared none the worse for their spill but it is hoped that Gusty Law will brush up his jumping. He had got close to one or two but still remains a horse with fantastic potential. Hasper ran a nice race in second and Royaleckotook up the running down the back straight before tiring and finishing 5 th. He should find a race again if staying fit.

Rose Davidson is all smiles as she crosses the line to take the Northern Area p to p club members race on Lord o'all Seasons

Older Horses Maiden
1 – Ameras @ 2/1 (Clive Storey)
2 – Sea Knight
3 – Carriage Ride (disqualified)

Clive Storey completed a double in decisive style and his string seemed to go well after a slow start to the season by his high standards. Sea Knight ran a better race in finishing second but has had lots of opportunities while Carriage Ride was a little disappointing. Getting outpaced down the back then staying on to take 3rd. He is definitely capable of winning sooner rather than later. Very few got into the contest and it will be interesting to see if the form holds up.

Ameras and Clive Storey at the start

Ameras takes a fence before taking the 8yo+ maiden and recording a double on the day for Clive Storey