REVIEW
BURTON
MARKET RASEN
SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2004

by Dom Bradshaw

Rachel Clark was the lady-in-form at the Burton meeting at Market Rasen last Sunday, bagging a brace of wins.

The first came in the Ladies Open, courtesy of rank outsider Supreme Silence, holding off the challenge of the warm favourite Ridgeway (Jo Foster) by a length.
On paper, the winner looked to have it all to do here, but he showed massive improvement on his two previous starts. He obviously has plenty of speed and will be seen to best advantage on the quicker tracks.
It would appear that Ridgeway had an off day, as he was very impressive here a month earlier. He’ll win plenty more this season.
Third placed Ardmayle (Lucy Coney) usually comes on for a run and should be spot on next time.
The veteran Silver Groom was making ground when unseating Jacqueline Coward and would’ve probably been placed.

Clark notched the second leg of her double in the Restricted, forcing Claire’s Nomad home by half-a-length from Jubileeman (Hannah Phizacklea).
Claire’s Nomad has been called some rude names in the past, especially by Messrs MacKenzie, Selby & Harris, but they may be forced to eat their words as he’s now got his head in front twice! Owned by racing photographer David Jones, it would take a brave man to say that the 8-year-old won’t be winning again.
Jubileeman put in his best run for a while and could take a small race of this ilk.
Schoolhouse Walk, ridden by Lord Manton, looked the winner until making a mistake too many, finishing third. He should be noted if\when regaining the assistance of Guy Brewer, who rode him to victory at Whitwell in 2003.
Sadly, It’s On The Cards and Newgate Wells appeared to sustain fatal injuries.

Unfortunately for Rachel, she came down to earth with a bump when Quel Regal unseated her in Division Two of the Maiden. The race went to the well-supported (6-1 to 2-1) Glensan, ridden by Guy Brewer, who made most of the running to come home eight lengths clear of the only other finisher, Tommy Hotspur (Nick Docker).
The 7-year-old Glensan did this nicely and should be capable of taking a restricted.
Tommy Hotspur, placed for the seventh time in points, will need a soft race if he’s to break his duck.
Quel Regal was travelling ok when departing and could land a small race.

Matthew Briggs stood in for the injured Clark in Division Three of the Maiden, bringing Eastern Royal home to a half-length victory from High Fields (Thomas Greenhall).
The time here was nothing special and the winner will have to step up again if he’s to score in restricted company.
High Fields lost little in defeat and should land a maiden soon.
Third placed Orchestra’s Boy (Kevin Green) wasn’t knocked about by Green and looks the proverbial “good thing” for a maiden.
The un-raced 9-year-old Aunt Gladys put in a pleasing performance for Guy Brewer and can take a maiden.
Gee A Two (Scott Joynes) was never put in the race and should be noted.

In Division One of the Maiden, the well-regarded High Peak (Thomas Greenall) landed a gamble for the David Easterby yard, coming home a distance clear of Mother’s Ruin (Steve Charlton), with Lord Jurado (Oliver Williams) a further distance behind in third.
High Peak, a 7-year-old son of Alflora, was always travelling well and if anything, was a little too bold at his fences at times. He looks the type to progress through the ranks.

There was a shock in the Mens Open with the odds-on shot Red Rebel (Joe Docker) running no sort of race.
Up front, there was a ding-dong battle between Rigadoon (Jack Haley) and the ex-Irish Oh Highly Likely (Nick Kent), with the latter prevailing by a length under a strong ride from Kent.
The winner, a 7-year-old by Glacial Storm, looks to have plenty to offer and will continue to go well.
Rigadoon had become sour under rules, but raced with plenty of zest for Haley and the pair may be able to land a race this season.
Red Rebel trailed home in third. He’s always been quirky, but this was his worst performance in a long time and must be watched with care until showing more sparkle.

In the Confined, The Nobleman (Nick Docker) got the better of the well-supported Noble Affair (Matthew Mackley), with Springlea Tower (Richard Hunnisett) staying on to take third.
The Nobleman has looked a short runner in the past, but digged deep when challenged. If reproducing this form, he’ll score again.
The runner up didn’t find as much as expected, but will be seen to better advantage with more cut in the ground.

Lucy Latchford's Ababou sluiced up under Steve Charlton in the opening Hunt Members race, coming home a long-looking distance ahead of Mister Rose (Oliver Williams). This was no more than an exercise canter for the classy 8-year-old and make no doubt, he’ll be winning plenty more in better company this season.