REVIEW
BADSWORTH & BRAMHAM
MORDON Saturday 25th
March 2006
by Ian Marshall
The meeting went ahead on heavy ground
with a little bit of standing water following torrential rain the
previous day. A hundred yard area around the winning post was
entirely covered by wood chippings or the track would have been
unraceable due to being coated in deep, thick mud. The extreme
conditions mean that much of the form cannot really be taken at
face value and should be treated with caution with the future in
the mind. It generally paid to be up with the running as very few
of the “hold-up” horses got into their
races.
Nine horses lined up for the Confined with
Donnybrook, Emperor’s Son and Trooper Collins vying for
favouritism and all other runners at double figure prices. The
former came out on top for Ben Woodhouse in unsurprisingly the
fastest time of the afternoon, even though he was carrying a seven
pound penalty. Donnybrook exhibited a good attitude to slosh
through the mud and pass the post first. Three lengths back in
second were Dolphin Square and Harriet Bethell. Dolphin Square had
looked less than enthusiastic on his three previous efforts this
year, however blinkers were put on the 13-year-old today and they
worked the oracle. He was well to the fore throughout, only gave
best late on and if the initial effect of the headgear
doesn’t wear off, he could be of interest in the next few
weeks. Third was Trooper Collins, who wasn’t knocked by
Oliver Greenall once he was beaten. He did receive a couple of
reminders as early as the 5th fence, but this was not his favoured
going. Londolozi Lad (Rachel Clark) in fourth was more assured with
his jumping than is often the case. Emperor’s Son was being
niggled along by Serena Brotherton from an early stage and was
never happy. This run can be written off. Petrouge had refused to
come under orders at Whittington last week, but was more amenable
on this occasion and blew away the cobwebs on his seasonal bow,
before being pulled up.
The biggest field of the day, 16, turned out
for the Restricted, although 13 of them failed to finish. It was a
real war of attrition as the combatants gradually fell by the
wayside, leaving three horses to make the approach to the last.
Patiently ridden, Alfie Twofourtwo made steady progress during the
final circuit to lead with a furlong to go and was soon in command.
It was jockey Abi Hutchinson’s first ever ride, but she timed
her challenge to perfection like a seasoned pro. Green Admiral
remains the lone horse to finish ahead of Alfie Twofourtwo in 2006
and that one’s credentials are well known, while his Duncombe
Park maiden victory is all the more meritorious now that the second
from that day Ask Bobby has gone on to take a Brocklesby Park
maiden. Alfie Twofourtwo will be hard to overcome in an
intermediate. Black Rainbow, partnered by Tina Jackson, kept on to
be runner-up and was another to ignore a fast pace. If she can stay
settled in the first mile, she can build on this. Master Jackson
was looking held in second when falling at the last. He has taken
time to come to himself, but ought to bag a restricted for Serena
Brotherton. King’s Echo gave more than he has for several
years.
The Mens Open had a ready winner in Sikander
A Azam, who beat off eight opponents under a fine ride from Oliver
Greenall. Tucked in behind the leaders and cutting every corner,
Sikander A Azam needed just a simple shake of the reins, once he
was given the office, to bound on by four lengths. He’d had a
short break since scoring at Alnwick in January. Despite Ben
Woodhouse’s urgings, Mr Mahdlo was always being held at bay.
He has been a fantastic servant over the years and, at the age of
12, still retains the majority of his ability. In third was Chaos
Theory, with David Thomas in the plate, who is more than able to
hold his own in points, but yet seems outclassed in hunter chases.
Mr Pendleberry (Nicky Tinkler) was far from disgraced in fourth,
while Victoria’s Boy should come good in the next couple of
months. The connections of Ballinclay King were fined £55 as
he was exceptionally late into the paddock. He never got
competitive during the race and might be worth trying in a ladies
contest.
Division One of the Maiden had minimal
strength in depth among the nine participants and it was Colonial
Gunner that got off the mark, with Nigel Tutty in the saddle. It is
hard to know what was achieved as he had been well beaten in the
past. Runner-up Abbey Whin had the run of the race out in front
under Michael Morley, but did jump appreciably better than on all
of his previous outings when he had been restrained in rear. At
Dalton Park last time, he set off about 100 yards behind everything
else, possibly to instill some confidence in him. It certainly
appears to have done him the power of good and he might now be
starting to get the hang of things. Another Bally was pulled up at
the final fence, leaving Primitive Rhythmn (Guy Brewer) to take
third from Croghan Lord in fourth. The latter could come on for the
experience.
Six horses faced the starter in the Ladies
Open and the spoils were claimed by Jacksonville and Vicky Simpson
by the narrowest of margins from Ledgendry Line. Showing great
resolution, Jacksonville was not to be denied. His form when placed
in four appearances earlier this season stands up to the closest
scrutiny, as the latest was behind Barryscourt Lad in an Ayr hunter
chase and all of the other three were against Web Master who has
taken all before him in ladies events in 2006. Ledgendry Line
stayed on all the way up the run-in in first-time cheek-pieces and
wasn’t headed until the shadow of the lollipop loomed. Serena
Brotherton’s mount was bouncing back from a below par display
at Dalton Park a fortnight ago. Claire’s Nomad was third
under Rachel Clark and can be excused running on at the one pace as
his other performances this campaign have been top drawer.
Fourth-placed San Francisco (Freya Hartley) was left behind from
the third last, but his time will come. Primitive Rites was still
in touch when departing and Ikdam Melody had yet to be asked any
questions when he got rid of Jo Foster four out.
Five runners took part in the Intermediate,
which went to Noggler and Charlotte Brown, just from Purple Jean
and Guy Brewer. Highly tried in hunter chases so far this year,
this was much more to Noggler’s liking and he might progress
now that his sights have been lowered. Purple Jean has performed at
her best in smallish fields on this sort of ground, when she has
been able to adopt her preferred front-running tactics. Queenies
Girl (Paul Frank) in third has also been plying her trade this
season in hunter chases. Unfortunately, Paul Frank failed to weigh
in, incurring a £40 fine, and Queenies Girl suffered
inevitable disqualification. Fourth past the post was the odds-on
favourite Charlies Memory, partnered by Jacqueline Coward. Held up
to begin with, Charlies Memory was never placed to challenge at any
time, which caught the eye of the stewards, who launched an
enquiry, however there was no announcement as to the findings. It
was soon obvious after proceedings were underway that Charlies
Memory was hating the conditions and it was somewhat surprising
that he wasn’t actually pulled up around halfway.
Division Two of the Maiden was difficult to
evaluate, the ten runners having precious little to recommend them,
although they did include a couple of newcomers. And it was one of
these debutants that prevailed, the nine-year-old Sessay Miller
under Richard Wakeham. Making light of the surface that had
deteriorated even further, Sessay Miller quickened nicely and was
soon in command from the penultimate obstacle after being prominent
from flagfall. While you wouldn’t be confident when he
tackles a restricted, Sessay Miller couldn’t really have done
any more than he did. His pilot feels that he will also be more
suited by better ground. Moraira couldn’t change up a gear
for Simon Walker when the winner swept clear, but was second. Royal
Friend, with three letters and no digits to his name among his
figures under Rules, was third in the hands of Steve Charlton and
might improve a bit, ahead of Eisenhower in fourth. Bracken Run set
the pace before dropping out tamely.
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