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. |