A month after the first fixture
here, Brocklesby Park was in excellent condition and the ground
felt firmer underfoot than the official “good, soft in
places”. However, the horses went well in and three miles
took some getting.
Seven runners featured in the
opening Division One of the Younger Horse Confined Maiden and Henry
Pearson got off the mark under Nick Kent. Placed several times over
hurdles and in point to points, Henry Pearson gained due reward at
last. Noggler (Steve Charlton) in second is going the right way,
but the one to take out of the race is undoubtedly third-placed
Return Fire (Joe Docker). The six-year-old loomed up to challenge
entering the home straight, however couldn’t find an extra
gear between the final two fences. He wasn’t knocked about by
his rider and Holly Campbell’s charge is likely to improve
further. The gelding’s only previous appearance had been when
never dangerous in a restricted at Welbeck a fortnight ago. Geordie
MacGregor and Patrick Millington were a distant fourth.
Division Two of the Younger
Horse Confined Maiden attracted nine hopefuls and Teeton Babysham
showed a good attitude to power up the run-in and make best use of
his five-year-old allowance with Andrew Sansome aboard. He was much
calmer in the paddock than on his two previous outings and has the
size and physique to go on to better things. Dannymolone battled
hard in second for Ben Woodhouse and ought to find a race in the
near future. Filling second spot close behind Honor And Glory at
Charm Park two weeks ago reads well too. Chanteuse (Philip
Kinsella) also ran a nice race in third and again has considerable
potential. Ask Bobby, with Guy Brewer in the saddle, was fourth.
Like on his visit here in February, he showed a tendency to jump
out to the right and this was accentuated the closer he got to the
horseboxes. A right-handed track might suit better. The time was
significantly quicker than the first division.
A dozen horses lined up for the
PPORA Novice Riders race and Strongtrooper and Jacqueline Coward
ran out the winners by an easy 20 lengths. Taking the race by the
scruff of the neck with a sudden injection of pace with seven to
jump, Strongtrooper soon had his rivals on the stretch and
Jacqueline Coward was looking around for dangers all the way up the
home run as her mount simply hacked up. Strongtrooper’s
useful form under Rules entitled him to win this, but a fine second
to Texas Ranger in a ladies open here in February gives him a more
than decent chance of victory in that grade as well. This is more
runner-up El Lute’s level and Richard Collinson is a
competent pilot, while Tom De Savoie (Richard Morgan-Evans) in
third is consistent. Devonshire (Peter Bennett) stayed on past
beaten horses to be fourth. Lammoski struggles to see out the
trip.
Always traveling sweetly, the
progressive Russian Friend took the eight-runner Confined under Joe
Docker’s guidance and a follow-up under a penalty can’t
be discounted. He’d previously beaten a good yardstick in
Sweet Citizen in a Welbeck restricted. Runners from the Campbell
yard really are flying at the moment. Nick Kent got Quarter Masters
to within a length and a half at the line and shouldn’t be
long in going one better, having now been placed in all four
points. Ardkilly Warrior (Nigel Bloom) in third is coming to the
boil and Flat Top in fourth appears to be regaining some of his old
verve. The latter had been disputing third when coming to grief at
the second last at Hutton Rudby 24 hours earlier, leaving jockey
Jacqueline Coward with a bloody nose. She seemed to be exhibiting
no ill effects today. Civil Gent always catches the eye in the
parade ring and had support in the market, but was a shade
disappointing. He should not be written off yet though as trainer
Mary Sowersby’s horses are yet to reach anything like top
form.
The Ladies Open was a match and
a non-event that saw the long odds-on Commanche Hero (Jill Dawson)
beat Darien (Anna Watson) by a fence.
Seven turned out for the Mens
Open and Mister Friday with Clive Mulhall on board gained his
second win in a month. He was shaken up to lead at the last and
only had to be pushed out hands and heels to take the spoils.
Formerly a novice chaser with Peter Niven, Mister Friday had
created a big impression when pouching a hot mixed open at Charm
Park. The second there Mr Mahdlo has since landed both a mens open
and a Sedgefield hunter chase, while the fifth Ikdam Melody and the
sixth Chaos Theory have also secured opens. Second today was Milson
Robinson’s Silver Streak (Richard Armson), who is by no means
a back number. The plucky front-runner Purple Jean and Guy Brewer
claimed third and Stoney River (Nick Kent) didn’t fare too
badly in fourth on his seasonal debut.
A big field of 15 graced the
Restricted. Those punters who had noted that Hi Up Brenkley had
been third to Russian Friend on his previous start were suitably
rewarded. Showing great resolution in the final hundred yards, Hi
Up Brenkley kept on for Richard Armson’s driving by half a
length from Eco Warrior and Nick Bell. The runner-up helped force
the pace so did well to remain part of the argument. Gentleman
Charles (Simon Walker) performed admirably in third, but can be a
bit hit and miss. Second Thoughts (Nigel Bloom) wasn’t beaten
far in fourth. Charm Park maiden winner Wee William will face
easier tasks. Calder Rosie is a real handful. Clever Nora has now
had a couple of fair sighters in restricteds and will be worth a
second look on her first foray in maiden company.
There were also 15 declared for
the Older Horse Maiden, which saw Mighty Man spring a surprise.
Clive Mulhall took over in the saddle from the unfortunate Richard
Tierney, who is currently nursing a broken collarbone, on Lady Anne
Bentinck’s ten-year-old. Although it was his first outing of
the year last time at Charm Park, the run hadn’t pointed to
any immediate promise. Mighty Man was reversing placings from that
day with runner-up here Mighty Rising. Charlotte Cundall gets on
very well with the gallant Mighty Rising and Easter Monday at Charm
Park might be a suitable opportunity for them to open their
account. Some Story and Oliver Williams were far from disgraced in
third. Stormy Crossing (Nigel Bloom) was a one-paced fourth, but
will surely come on for the run following three years off. Needs
Diplomacy might need more time and favourite Landford Lad was
pulled up after a bad early blunder. An Cuaifeach was in contention
when departing five from home. Stingo had regressed from her
display here in February.