DERWENT
CHARM PARK
6th March 2005
by Arthur Thompson
After a month with no racing in
the Yorkshire area it was good to see a large turn out of runners
for the Derwent meeting held at the popular Charm Park course .The
sun shone and the crowds came to enjoy an eight race card.
The smallest field of the day
was the opening event with just four going to post in the
Derwent Members Race with Hill Charm and Lord
Scoop were made joint favourites. It was close run race over
the first 9 fences with all four going well. Turning into the back,
Lord Scoop took up the running with Mighty Rising looking
the main danger. Going to the last, it was anyone’s
race but Lord Scoop just got the better of Mighty Rising,
who should pick up a race soon. Hill Charm got her second
wind and ran on for third place.
Confined
Sixteen runners went to face the starter with the
unbeaten mare Auntie Kathleen, a good winner at
Witton Castle, made the odds-on favourite. Another Witton
winner, Mister Bromley, took off and made
all and looked like gaining his second win of the year,
but the “jockey in form”, Ben Woodhouse, rallied the
grey mare to join Serena Brotherton at the last. Crossing the
line, Auntie Kathleen got the judges vote by a short
neck. Glendamah, so consistent in 2004, put his best in with a late
run and on this race, he should be in the winners’
enclosure very soon. Duchess Account finished strongly
under a positive ride from Miss Brader.
Auntie Kathleen (Ben Woodhouse)
The Restricted, led by Auntie Kathleen (Ben
Woodhouse)
Restricted
Clever Nora took the field around the first lap at a good pace but
fell away once the big guns started to take closer order. The front
running Vics Fane took it up with five to go, but was
joined by Wilfie Wild, who put in a solid display of
jumping to push Vics Fane all the way to the post. Ellie Bee
ran in patches as did Carew, a winner at Witton and the
possible winner when falling at the final fence at last weeks
Dumfriesshire meeting.
Carew (Lee Bates)
Supreme Vintage
Mixed
Open
The bookies were looking to the Mr Mahdlo/Ben Woodhouse team to
take this race. With a lap to go, any one of the field had a
chance, but Clive Mulhall brought Mister Friday through to
take the race by four lengths from Mr Mahdlo. Last years
early form horse, Mr Pendlebury, met two horses just a little
better in his first race of the season. Emperors
Son found the pace a little hot and may have been in need
of the race. Hadeqa, who improved last year, was a little
disappointing.
Confined
Maiden
The confined maiden was split into three divisions.
Division
One
Fourteen went to post in the division one with the David
Easterby trained Malton looking the one to beat. However, it
was the Mrs Frank owned Ginger Biscuit that came though with ease
to take the race under Paul Frank, who had time to look around at
his rivals. Knight Crossing took second place with
Malton in third, giving the impression that he will not stay
maiden for long.
Division
Two
This race looked like going the Walford stable from a
long way out as Mark Walford pushed Wee William to the front.
However, going into a big lead with three to jump, he was joined by
Forty Shakes, who was given a peach of a ride from Chris Dawson and
two out, the race changed with Forty Shakes twisting on
landing and slipping to the ground, leaving Wee William, who
looked out on his feet going to the last, clear. Zesta
Fiesta ran on for second place from Been Here Before.
Nigel Tutty went to hospital for a check up after a
nasty looking fall from The Viking. This half brother to
Dumadic, a winning pointer last year, was born with one
eye but it did not seem to be a problem and was jumping well
until getting in a little close at the fence down the side of the
course. Given time, he will make a nice pointer.
Division
Three
With Nigel Tutty on his way to hospital, Nicky Tinkler took
the ride on Bobby Buttons but all eyes were on the queen of
National Hunt now training a few pointer for herself. Yes,
she’s back… Mrs Mary Reveley! Her first runner was the
eight-year old Northern Rambler, a full brother to Seven
Towers . The first fence was missed out (3 times in
total) because of the low sun. Dannymolone took up the running
at the ditch but was joined on the roadside fences by Honor
and Glory under Mark Walford, going for his second win of the day.
With a long run in, it was nip and tuck who would get up to
the line first and in the end it went to Honor and
Glory just from Dannymolone with the
fast finishing Bobby Buttons coming through for third
place.
An enjoyable day racing was
spoiled by a very poor P.A set that broke down though out the
afternoon, giving commentator Iain MacKenzie a nightmare!
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