REVIEW
JEDFOREST
FRIARS HAUGH
SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2003

by Chris Simpson

Those brave souls who attended Sunday's meeting were met with biting cold wind and snow showers throughout the afternoon, so all credit to those involved for staging a great days racing. 

The members race was won comfortably by Count Keni confidently ridden by Andrew Richardson, jumping well throughout, Count Keni readily pulled clear on the final circuit and a promising season awaits.

The members restricted produced the best finish of the day with the first six separated by 3 or 4 lengths. The race was won by Mr Mann ridden by Beverley Kendall who held off late challenges from Anbrooka and Anotherhandyman.  Others involved in the finish were Lucky Brush who made up ground late after jumping sketchily on the first circuit, On The Luce from Tim Reeds stable who ran a race full of promise on his first run in points and Sinch who ran well on his seasonal debut.

Favourite backers were disappointed by the early fall of the odds on Riparius in the Ladies Open.  The race developed into an exciting duel between Running Mute ridden by Valerie Jackson and Miss Porcello who gave best after the third last but still rallied strongly after the last to be beaten a length.

There was a strong field for the Men's open which was won by Golf Land who provided the second leg of a double for Andrew Richardson.  Switched off early Golf Land was produced going to the last and led on the run in beating The Next Waltz by 1/2 length.

Rose Davison on board Dere Street won the Novice Riders Confined. The 7/4 favourite came with a well timed run to collar Passing Danger going to the last and win going away by 3 lengths. Exact was a further 10 lengths back in 3rd having adopted a change from his usual front running tactics for owner/rider Vicky Russell.

Abelbeck provided Clive Storey with the first leg of a double in the Mares Open Maiden. Heavily backed in the ring Abelbeck took over from Marteeny after the second last and eventually won by 3 lengths. Northern Lyne ran a race full of promise by staying on into 3rd place on her racecourse debut.

The second leg of Clives double came on Persian Point whose point debut had been preceded with placed form over hurdles in the summer.  Once again the Preacher Man had to settle for a place in 2nd, surely his turn will come soon after a series of creditable placed efforts.

The final race was run in the worst blizzard of the day and was won by Active Venture ridden by Pauline Robson who stayed on gamely after the last to beat Just George and Itineris who both ran promising races on their pointing debuts.

The next meeting on the Northern Circuit is the West Percy at Alnwick on Sunday 19th February First race 12.30pm.

Race 1  Time 12.00
1 Count Keni 5/4 Fav A.Richardson
2 Junior Des Ormeaux 7/2
3 Noble Teviot 7/2
Distances 10 20 
5 Runners

Race 2  Time 12.30
1Mr Mann 6/1 B Kendall
2 Anbrooka 11/4 Fav
3 Anotherhandyman 4/1
Distances 1/2 1/2
10 Runners

Race 3   Time 1.00
1 Running Mute 7/1 V Jackson
2 Miss Porcello 10/1
3 Mountain Thyne 7/2
Distances 1
10 Runners

Race 4  Time 1.30
1 Golf Land 20/1 A Richardson
2 The Next Waltz 5/1
3 Supreme Day 2/1 Fav
Distances 1/2  4
12   Runners

Race 5  Time 2.00
1 Dere Street 7/4 Fav R Davison
2 Passing Danger 16/1
3 Exact 10/1
Distances 3 10
12  Runners

Race 6  Time 2.30
1Abelbeck 5/1 C Storey
2 Marteeny 6/1
3 Northern Lyne 8/1
Distances 3 20
11  Runners

Race 7  Time 3.00
1Persian Point 9/2 C Storey
2 The Preacher Man 7/4 Fav
3 Kanturk Star 8/1
Distances 2  25

Race 8 Time 3.30
1 Active Venture 5/2 Fav P Robson
2 Just George 33/1
3 Itineris 11/2
Distances 1/2  11/2
12 Runners