REVIEW |
The
unbelievably dry weather and lack of any watering meant fast ground for
the Morpeth meeting and this inevitably took its toll on the number of
runners. The
seemingly ageless Peter Craggs took the members race on his first ride
since 1999 aboard his mothers Dean Deifir. The odds on favourite looked
booked for second until the outsider of the three runners, Morwick
Mill’s saddle slipped and he came a cropper at the last. Peter is now
based in Cuba and this was his first and only ride during his brief
holiday. If
the first race was won by a veteran, their could not have been a more
opposite story in the next race as Freddie Muck won the confined under a
positive ride from young Ben Mounsey-Heysham. Ben is only 17 and was
riding his mother’s horse which ran under rules for her brother, Nigel
Twiston-Davies. Freddie Muck stayed well and always held the odds on Hoh
Tel and Chris Gillon. The
ladies was a match that turned into a solo performance as Sledmere refused
the first several times, allowing Harden Glen and Jenny Riding to canter
round in their own time. Three
horses competed in the men’s open and it was the veteran Shining Light
and Simon Robinson who took the honours, always travelling too strongly
for the odds on Water Font who looks a very tricky ride and isn’t one to
trust. The third horse, Gullible Guy, ran a sound enough race and might be
worth noting if dropping down in grade. The
restricted was won by the headstrong Raging Torrent who was atoning for
his misbehaviour the previous week at Dalston where he had run out with
the race at his mercy. He was a short price and never looked in any danger
in beating The Timberman and Laura Lugs quite comfortably. Tom’s
Man finally lost his maiden tag under Chris Gillon when defeating
Rutherford and Starbuck. Tom’s Man won easily but beat a moderate bunch
and will find restricted company a lot tougher. Clive
Storey landed the young horse short maiden on Ian Starks Alias. He went
clear two out and beat Inglemotte Miss quite comfortably. Robin Rock was
the only other runner and again failed to finish. The form is probably
only moderate but Alias is young enough to improve. All
in all, a very average days pointing with nothing really jumping out and
impressing. All the winners will find it tougher in more competitive races
and we didn’t really learn much that we didn’t already know. Next
meeting is the Eglinton, Lanark & Renfrewshire on Easter Saturday at
Ayr racecourse, followed by the Braes Of Derwent at Corbridge on Easter
Monday. We need some rain before then otherwise the season is in danger of
fizzling out before May. |