NORTH COTSWOLD
PAXFORD
Easter Monday 28th March 2005
by Liam Hale
Baimbridge and
Allen get their Easter treats
Dick Baimbridge and Claire Allen
took the honours at the gloriously sunny Paxford with an effortless
double in the Ladies and Restricted races courtesy of the
consistent Titus Bramble and The Wee Bishop.
Titus Bramble was opening his
account for the season after four placings including a second
behind Nicky Shepperd’s useful eight time scorer last term
Upton Adventure. The odds on favourite was prominent throughout and
jumped to the lead four out from Campden Kitty and after drifting
after the last ran on well to score by and easy two lengths from
Catfish Keith (Miss S Duckett) who ran well and showed his
worthwhile form since joining the pointing field. The winner looks
one to follow know that he has got his head in front, and seems to
have recovered from summer illness, and can build on this success
under the competent Claire Allen.
Allen and Baimbridge completed a
double for the day with additional entry The Wee Bishop in the
competitive looking Restricted Open race. Zara Phillips Manor Down
was prominent throughout until The Wee Bishop took it up four out
to run on well to score from the progressive Granoski Gala (Ben
King) who had won her only previous start at Didmarton and this six
year old is one to follow in the future. The Winner sprinted well
away from the field and this easy winner looks the type of horse to
progress for the Baimbridge camp in the future. The Wee Bishop
capped a good day for the Baimbridge team along with Claire Allen,
who looks confident in the saddle and since arriving on the scene
this season has impressed with her role of riding for the powerful
stable.
The Hunt Members race was well
won from the front by L’Idefix and Belinda Keighley. The Ex
Hurdle and chase winner, for Tom George, was in front at every
fence and won well in first time blinkers at the ripe old age of
thirteen! The winner’s task however was made easier after the
first fence departure of two fancied runners in View Hollo and the
promising favourite Coffee Morning. Forest Ivory ran on well for
second but was never going to catch the impressive winner who now
may have limited opportunities but could follow up in a weak race
if ridden similarly in the future.
The Intermediate race was one by
the capable but temperamental Misty Ramble (Liam Payter). A winner
at Thorpe Lodge this season showed him in good light but his other
too runs saw run outs, but today there was no sign of this and the
Roselier gelding ran on well to beat another recent winner Landing
Rights (I Howe) after kicking on four out to hold on by two an a
half lengths. The winner won in the same time as the Ladies open
and could be worth following if in the same mood over the coming
weeks.
The Mens Open looked a real
Easter treat on paper with some popular local horses such as the
progressive Dunston Bill (Alex Puddy), on a four timer, Well Ted
(Julian Pritchard) and Katarino, successful in the Triumph hurdle
in his heyday, partnered by recent Cheltenham Victor Sam
Waley-Cohen. Dunston Bill assumed his normal position at the head
of affairs leaving Katarino in the lead when falling eight out.
This left the odds on Katarino to cruise home ten lengths to good
for the battling on Bambridge stalwart Well Ted, who can be found
easier opportunities in the future. The winner who won easily for
his in form jockey and followed up a recent Didmarton victory in
ease and will be worth watching when sent Hunter chasing, possibly
at the Cheltenham Hunter Chase Evening. Love at Dawn (P Mason) has
been progressing well this season and ran on well for second and
should be capable of scoring at Open level.
The Younger Horse Maiden saw a
first time out win for Solid as a Rock (Polly Gundry) who had made
the long journey from Ollie Bush’s Cullompton yard
worthwhile. The promising five year old was off the pace early then
made smooth headway on the second circuit to take it up four out to
run on well. Coming to the last the leader was well clear but a bad
mistake meant that Master Jubb (A Phillips) could get within two
and a half lengths of the winner and doing so showing his first
worthwhile form. The second should be capable of winning a maiden
whereas the winner hailing from a successful West Country yard, had
good horse such as Bright Approach in the past, looks a horse with
a very bright future ahead and possibly a future West country
star.
The final race of the day, the
older horse maiden was well won by Gibraltar Bill (Tom Ellis) who
was left in the lead on the final circuit to run on well from his
toiling rivals. Alison Dare’s Knighton Star (Julian
Pritchard) was left a poor second two out and may be capable of
capturing a poor race in due course. The lightly raced winner had
been running well in defeat and showed improved form to run right
away with this maiden. Gibraltar Bill could be interesting in the
coming weeks.
The Hunters had fun after racing
with the Memorial Trophy Hunt Challenge which saw seven horses and
riders compete over one lap of the track, minus the open ditch.
Future
Superstar: Solid as a Rock
Sure fire Future
Winners: Katarino, Titus Bramble
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