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Charlotte Tizzard reached the eight-winner mark – and third place in the National Lady Riders table – with a double on Hunt race winner Back Nine and Emile Zola (Ladies’ Open) at Littlewindsor.
Charlotte deputised for Jack Barber – out for the season with a broken elbow sustained in a Kingston Blount fall the previous day – on Back Nine, who short-headed Lord Anner (George Fry) after a thrilling duel up the straight. “Back Nine loves Towcester and this win qualifies him for their Hunter Chase on 10th May”, said Forde Abbey trainer Jane Western, who shares the 13-year-old with George Allen.
Emile Zola, an inmate of Charlotte’s Milborne Port yard, was never headed after two of his four opponents, including main rival Carroll’s O’Tully, departed at the second fence. Emile Zola put in a fine round of jumping and is one to follow for the rest of the season.
Charlotte completed a training double with Novice Riders’ race winner Master Billyboy, who provided Plush jockey George Hiscock, 18, with his first-ever success. His happy and pround mother, Vanessa Hiscock commented:
“That was only George’s fifth ride. He has been riding out at Charlotte’s but recently returned to work on the family farm. His late grandfather, John Mayo, was master of the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale and would have been so proud”.
Marnhull rider Tigga Barnes opened his seasonal account on the Snook family’s Ascot purchase Tork To Me, who led throughout the final circuit of the 2m-4f Maiden.
“The credit goes to my 20-year-old brother, Ryan Snook”, said Okeford Fitzpaine trainer Richenda Ford. “I broke my arm two months ago and although Ryan only learned to ride a year ago, he’s done all the work with this one since I was injured”.
Cranmore rider Sarah Gould followed up her Saturday Larkhill win with another on Dee Valley Boy in the 3-mile Maiden. “All three of Sarah’s horses [Gabor, Own Line and Dee Valley Boy] have won now”, said her mother, Diane Gould. “I’d rather given up on this one, but I think Sarah was determined to prove mum wrong”. Now on the three-winner mark for the season, Sarah is in joint third place in the National Lady Novice Riders’ list.
Gunner Be Quick and Rupert Tory made all the running to take the Men’s Open. “Rupert felt Gunner Be Quick was better today than when they finished fourth at Hackwood Park on Easter Monday, but the weights and times that day compared favourably with [five-time 2010 winner] Ask Again”, pondered Monica Tory.
Tom Watts’ homebred Southway Queen went clear on the far side for an easy Restricted win under Rob Lee. “She’s tiny, she’s hard and we’re very proud”, smiled Emma Jackson, celebrating her second success and delighted that the mare’s five-year-old sister had recently joined her Wedmore yard.
Will White rode a double for trainer John Dufosee on Kerdari in the Maiden race and Irish Toast in the Restricted at Larkhill.
Kerdari eased home five lengths clear for Somerton farmer Kevin Legg. “I bought the horse from my daughter, Kate, who intended to ride him as an eventer but was too busy”, explained Kevin. “Most of all, though, I’m thrilled for John”.
Irish Toast finished a distance clear after sole rival Tango Witha Mango lost all chance with a slow jump at the second last, although David Turner’s efforts on the runner-up cost the jockey a £75 whip fine.
There were two first time winners at the meeting. Ex-conditional rider Kieran Watson, 21, who works for Charlie Mann, opened his account on surprise Men’s Open winner Raydan. The eight-year-old led on the final climb and was always holding Tigga Barnes’ best efforts on runner-up Machrihanish. Raydan is owned and trained at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight by Jo Ewell, who rode the winner of the Larkhill Charity Flat race two years ago.
Lutteur Bleu, given a fine ride by Rilly Goschen, was a first winner for Sutton Montis owner Charlotte Davis in the Hunt race. Lutteur Bleu took on favourite Phiroza (Ryan Bliss) from the start before eventually forging further clear of his rivals. “I took Lutteur Bleu on a 15-mile fun ride at Kilmington last week”, explained Char’s mother, Angela Davis, revealing the horse’s recent preparation.
Bruton Girls’ School student Sarah Gould, 17, who had opened her account on Gabor at Ston Easton, doubled her career tally on Ladies’ Open winner Own Line. Gabor and On Line were both purchased by Sarah and her parents, John and Diane, at Doncaster Sales in September.
Mrs O’Connell got the better of a three-way battle before leading over the last three fences in the Intermediate race. A third career winner for Neil Mulholland employee Liam Adams – “two in points, one under Rules”, he smiled. Mrs O’Connell will now probably be aimed at Novice Riders’ races, felt Sally Alner, mother of Droop winning trainer Louise Alner, who added that the mare was ”a brilliant hunter”.
Marcus Gorman repeated his riding double of twelve months ago when winning the £500 to the winner Mens Open and the Tweseldown Club Members race.
Merry Vic was a 3-1 on winner of the Open for the veteran rider from the Crawley and Horsham country, Cape Stormer having won the Club race for Gorman for the second time in succession.
Emily MacMahon who was a late booking for the ride, took the Ladies Open on favourite Miss Midnight.
Miss Midnight looked to be an unwilling partner for the first circuit but Emily cajoled the mare into a more enthusiastic approach in the last half mile. She was awarded the prize for ‘best ride of the day’ – a pair of racing breeches signed by top NH jockeys – for her efforts.
There was drama early in the Ladies race when Bell Rock refused the second fence, losing rider Gaby Hill, and then knocking over Portland Bill. That left only five to complete the course and fortunately there was no injury to horses or riders as a result.
After the early season problems at Tweseldown, jockeys and trainers were full of praise for the condition and presentation of this popular track.
Tweseldown Club Veteran & Novice Riders
1 Cape Stormer (Marcus Gorman) 2 Lindsay 3 Massini Man
5 ran
Mens Open
1 Merry Vic (Marcus Gorman) 2 Cherokee Star
only two finished – 4 ran
Ladies Open
1 Miss Midnight (Emily MacMahon) 2 Shareef 3 Xila Fonterailles
7 ran
Tweseldown Club Conditions
1 Beluga (Felix Wheeler) 2 Presenting Alf
only 2 finished – 4 ran.
Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate
1 Celestial Dragon (Rachel King) 2 Uppertier 3 Isle of Skye
5 ran
Open Maiden
1 Karingabay Queen (Gordon Gallagher) 2 Streetfightin’ Man
only 2 finished - 6 ran
A bank Holiday crowd approaching 4,000 enjoyed competitive racing at Hackwood Park on Easter Monday.
Twenty year old student Claire Douglas maintained her lead at the head of the National Novice Lady Riders list with a narrow victory in the Caviste PPORA Club race on Presenting Express. The race was not without incident as Claire was cautioned by the stewards for failing to ride out her horse approaching the finish, and the rider of the half length second, Danny Hisketts, was fined £150 for dropping his hands on Mnason on the run-in from the last fence. The stewards clearly taking the view that the latter should, and could, have won the race had he been ridden out. Nevertheless – it was harsh judgement on a young lad having his first race ride.
Claire Douglas was riding her sixth winner of the season and Presenting Express’s trainer Jenny Gordon is now clear on the leaderboard for the Hampshire courses trainer’s championship.
Sarah West, with 33 winners to her credit, is far from a novice. She duly steered her father’s odd-on eleven year old Ask Again to a comfortable win in the J Passey Centenary Open race. Sarah is secretary to leading NH trainer Paul Nichols – ‘It was a rush to get here from Somerset as I had to declare all Paul’s Grand National and Aintree horses before I left the office,’ said the rider. ‘I train Ask Again in my lunch hour having ridden out first lot for Paul in the morning’, she said, ‘and this is the tenth winner I have ridden on him.’
Ben Bentley, 19, who works for trainer Henrietta Knight, rode the second winner of his career on Brigadier du Bois in the Fontwell Park sponsored Novice Riders race and 17 year old Millfield schoolboy, Freddie Tett, a veteran of pony racing at Hackwood, rode his first winner over fences at his second attempt on Noadibou in the Fullers Brewery Hackwood Park Club race.
Fontwell Park Premier Grandstand – Novice Riders
1 Brigadier de Bois (Ben Bentley) 2 Spanchil Hill 3 Beau Michel
Distances: a head and 12 lengths 6m 31s 5 ran
J Passey Centenary Mixed Open
1 Ask Again (Sarah West) 2 Top Ram 3 Present Oriented
Distances: 8 lengths / 1.1/2 lengths 6m 38s 5 ran
Harwoods Landrover Maiden
1 Medic (Richard Bandey) 2 Just Standeese 3 Devils Arcade
Distances: 10 lengths / 4 lengths 6m 34s 5 ran
Caviste PPORA Club
1 Presenting Express (Claire Douglas) 2 Mnason 3 May Be Possible
Distances: half a lengths / 7.1/2 lengths 6m 23s 8 ran
Berry Bros. & Rudd Maiden
1 Tenley Lawn (David Turner) 2 Spot the Lady 3 Sweet Nap
Distances: 14 lengths / 5 lengths 6m 43s 6 ran
Fullers Brewery Hackwood Park Club
1 Noadibou (Freddie Tett) 2 Kjetil 3 Mikado Melody
Distances: a head / 6 lengths 6m 32s 5 ran
Cirencester Agrcultural College student, Claire Douglas, rode the first double of her career on a successful day’s racing at Hackwood Park on Sunday.
Douglas, 20, who rides mainly for Morestead trainer Jenny Gordon made all the running on race sponsor Anthony Ward-Thomas’s Wain Mountain in the HH Members race and quickly followed up on Present Oriented in the Ladies Open.
‘That is five winners so far this year,’ said Claire. ‘My mother’s horse Big Moment won two of those and I hope he will be in action again soon to win a couple more.’
Wain Mountain, like Big Moment, is trained by Jenny Gordon who saddled Presenting Express to finish a close second to Baodai in the Novice and Veteran Riders race. ‘That is the best race he has run for me,’ said owner/rider Fenton Ramsahoye, who qualified to ride in the race on both novice and veteran grounds.
Diminutive 19 year old Rachel King put her flat racing experience to good use on Charm of Gold in the Robins Row Restricted to beat Keel Road by two lengths.
‘Because I am so light, about seven and a half stone, I became a flat race apprentice with trainer Mark Usher last year,’ said Rachel, ‘but as I had ridden only one winner I decided to revert to amateur status. My amateur permit came through just in time to ride Charm of Gold – I think she will win again so I have no regrets!’
RESULTS
Ward-Thomas Removals Ltd Members
1 Wain Mountain (Claire Douglas) 2 Owenabue Valley
won by a distance. 3 ran only 2 finished. 6min 38secs
Night Nannies ladies Open
1 Present Oriented (Claire Douglas) 2 Public Esteem 3 Millenium Way
20 lengths / 25 lengths 5 ran 6min 14secs
Judes Beecher Memorial – Two and a half mile Maiden
1 Good Return (David Maxwell) 2 Doubletoilntrouble 3 Santarctique
16 lengths / 3 lengths 10 ran 5min 17secs
Countryside Alliance Veteran Novice Riders
1 Baodai (Nico DeBoinville) 2 Presenting Express 3 Royal Tir
2.1/2 lengths / 6 lengths 10 ran 6min 24 secs
Robins Row Restricted
1 Charm of Gold (Rachel King) 2 Keel Road 3 Righteous Glory
2 lengths and a distance 5 ran 6min 21 secs
Gore Browne Investment Maiden
1 Jolly Dance (James Horton) 2 Caged Tiger 3 Just Standeese
3 lengths and 6 lengths 9 ran 6min 27 secs
Napolitain (Ryan Bliss) wore down 4/7F Mustangsallyrally (Nick Williams) to take the Men’s Open at Ston Easton. Mustangsallyrally looked the winner throughout most of the last mile, but Napolitain wouldn’t go away and finally gained the advantage on the flat. “He’s our first horse and first winner”, beamed Bruton owner-trainers Rose and Sam Loxton. “I used to ride him at Paul Nicholls’, but he broke down in the Scottish National three years ago and Andy Stewart gave him to me when I offered the horse a good home”, added Rose, who currently looks after dual-World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s and Grand National candidate Tricky Trickster at the Champion Trainer’s Ditcheat yard. “I go home at lunchtime to exercise him, but Sam feeds him in the mornings and evenings and did the work while I was at Cheltenham on Thursday and Friday”.
Ask Again recorded the day’s only sub-six minute time in the Ladies’ Open. Sent straight into the lead by trainer Sarah West, Ask Again quickly had most of his rivals toiling and stayed on resolutely from last year’s winner Coombe Hill, who never quite got on terms. “Ask Again is stabled at Helen Barber’s in Ditcheat and his only neighbour, In The Circle, won at Siddington yesterday. We’ll have a yard celebration tonight”, smiled Sarah.
Coombe Hill’s trainer-rider Charlotte Tizzard gained compensation on Kings Bitter, who came from well off the pace to land the Restricted. “We didn’t think he would run again when he broke down two years ago”, admitted Avon Vale Point-to-Point Secretary Robert Fear, who bred the 8yo out of six-time winning point-to-pointer Panda Shandy.
First-time winners took the other three races. Bruton Girls’ School pupil Sarah Gould, 17, returned from injury to open her account on her father John’s Doncaster purchase Gabor, who made all in the Hunt race. “Sarah broke her arm at Milborne St Andrew five weeks ago”, explained John. “She had the cast removed on Thursday and said ‘That’s that, I’m going to ride on Sunday’”, he added, admiring his daughter’s determination.
Second season Maiden Bradley trainer Camilla Baylis got off the mark with her boss William Harrison-Allan’s Shooters Wood, who regained the lead after being headed on the flat by Aironageestring in the 2m 4f Maiden. “We’ve about 25 thoroughbreds at Baycliffe Farm including broodmares and I break and pre-train the youngsters before they go to trainers including Brian Meehan and Charlie Mann”, said Camilla. Jockey Rob Lee was pleased that his mount fought back on the run-in – he had galloped and schooled the runner-up for trainer-rider Chloe Roddick the previous day.
Richard Barber introduced a nice prospect when 4yo That’lldoboy took the 2m 4f Maiden under Ryan Mahon. Bought at Doncaster in May, That’lldoboy was a first pointing success for Stanton Drew owners Kelston and Kathleen Sparkes, who have horses under Rules with Paul Nicholls.
Sure Future may retire on a winning note after his second consecutive win in the Wilton Hunt race at Badbury Rings on Saturday. The 14-year-old just got the better of Pastek (Charlotte Brown) after the pair had swept past favourite Yes My Lord (Ryan Bliss) entering the straight. “I kept him in training after last year’s win in the hope of a repeat, so maybe it’s a good time for him to retire”, said Ebbesborne Wake owner-trainer Lucy Snowden. “I almost gave up when we made a bad mistake at the 15th”, added Brasenose College, Oxford chemistry student Will Brennan, 19, after maintaining his 100% - two from two - point-to-point record. “All thanks to Sure Future”, he smiled.
Russian Rain provided an emotional win for the Cattistock-based Atkinson family in the Maiden. “He’s a very special horse to us”, said Robert and Nicky Atkinson, as their daughter Catherine, 23, had steered their homebred five-year-old debutant back into the winner’s enclosure. Nicky explained: “His dam, Avril Showers, who won 13 races for us, died five minutes after foaling him. Catherine and I lay with him the first night, we hand-reared him for three days, and the National Foaling Bank found a thoroughbred foster mare “Gladys” for him for six months. Catherine broke him in and now he’s our first horse ever to win first time out”.
There were two first-time winners at the meeting. Harry Marriott, 48, opened his riding account on Rowdy Yeats in the Confined. “I’ve ridden in Charity races at Newbury and Aintree, started pointing this season and this is my third ride”, smiled Harry, an Andover property developer. “Aiden Murphy bought Rowdy Yeats at Doncaster for me. The horse used to be trained and ridden by Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies, who won the Christies’ Foxhunter yesterday. I thought that if the trainer was happy to put his son up, the horse must be ok”. Owner Lt Col Peter Wright got off the pointing mark – “I did lease the Royal Artillery Gold Cup winner one year though”, he pointed out – with the Charlotte Tizzard trained and ridden Shannon Springs in the two-runner Ladies’ Open. Shannon Springs was left 40 lengths at the start, but was soon on terms with 1/3F Croix De Guerre and was always just holding his rival in the last half-mile.
Early leader Deloughtane (Alice Pearn) stayed on resolutely to regain the initiative from Quite A Splash (Polly Gundry) in the Restricted, and Thisthatandtother and Jack Barber took their winning tally to eight with a facile victory in the Men’s Open.
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