Seven races billed for a glorious day at the East Sussex
racecourse. The event well attended, catered for the younger audience, saw
the place buzzing with picnics and chocolate filled youngsters.
The first race a two mile three furlong novices hurdle eleven ran.
The favourite Evan William’s it’s a steal well beaten back in
fourth ten lengths’s by Neil Mulholland’s Champagne George.
 |
| Champagne George.
Jockey Noel Fehily mentioned the six year old by Acambaro
stayed and jumped well which was needed around the figure of eight track.
The
second placed horse Laugharne joining the winner over the last, the winner
asserting his authority up the straight.
Champagne George over the last with Laugharne.
Fehily said that he had his final schooling session on his
national ride Siliviniaco Conti mid week and the drying ground would suit
his ride, as the schooling session went well.
The next race over the larger obstacles saw six runners to
post.
Jockey Marc Goldstein made all with the Diana Grissell
trained Here I am, beating by five lengths his nearest rival Guanciale, who
could make no impression on the nine year old gelding.
Marc Goldstein on Here I am
‘This was my first winner back from a five week layoff,’
mentioned Goldstein who was sidelined due to an injury sustained at Plumpton.
‘It’s a good ride to get for a comeback as he was a good jumper. He was
surprisingly relaxed today, he can be quite gassy. But he is a nice sort of
horse and deserves the win.
This was a good local winner for the course, Diana Grissell
training a stone’s throw from the course.
Here I am
A two mile five furlong handicap hurdle was won by 7/2
favourite Sartorial Elegance, trained by Colin Tizzard, ridden by Paddy
Brennan.
The five year old by Kayf Tara did his best to throw the
race by making a hash of the last hurdle.
‘He lost concentration at the last, he was possibly in front too soon,’ mentioned the jockey whose ride in the national Saint Are is well before the event. ‘He doesn’t really need to school over national type fences, he’s been round the Beecher's twice, so he is experienced, we would like to get the two lengths back from Many Clouds from last year, so should go close.’
Sartorial Elegance
The next race over fences saw the eleven year old crowd
favourite Venetian Lad take on five other runners for the two mile five
furlongs handicap.
Venetian Lad
Taking the start at 8-1 the grey well in at the weights at
11st 3 lbs and with Jockey Marc Goldstein in the saddle, gave a gutsy
performance rallying on up the finishing straight to beat second placed horse
Arquebusier and James Banks by a length.
‘He knew were the line was and never
gave up,’ mentioned the jockey on a double for the afternoon.’ He was up for it
today, and pulling my arms out, he loves it here, the course really suits him.’
Another local winner, Lydia Richards training in Chichester
mentioned the lad’s in the yard fight to get on this one he is so popular.’ His
next race is possibly Plumpton, and then back here for June meeting.’ The 8-1
outsider certainly put Easter cheer on the local crowd that supported this well
napped veteran.
Venetian Lad, Marc Goldstein on a double
Anthony Honeyball had the winner of the next. Royal Salute
owned by a vast syndicate of the Anthony Honeyball racing club beat the 2/1
favourite Antiphony by four lengths.
This very nice looking six year old by
Flemensfirth is a very nice addition to the Honeyball yard.’ I let him find his
way in the race all the way round’ mention Aidan Coleman, who, as of yet has no
ride in the weekends big event. ‘He is a very nice sort, who could jump a fence
now but we are in no rush. He is one to look out for though.’
Royal Salute, Aidan Coleman (centre)
These is a very nice horse, the yard speaking very favorably about him, and know winning his handicap should be one to progress
further as the season draws to a close.
 
Royal Salute
Winner of the 2m 1f handicap Hurdle |
Coleman had a quick second winner of the afternoon on the
Lawney hill trained Bertenbar.
The twelve year old by Bertolini made it two wins in a row at
Fontwell, winning a 2 m 1 f event in soft ground in March.
By re challenging for
the lead up the straight, beating Gowanauthat by a length and a half.
 |
| Bertenbar
Greeted by the emotional owner Mrs C Wyatt , who mentioned
the horse was bred by her late father
mentioned how proud she was of the horse fighting back,
‘ this is such a
special day, we bred the horse and also we were responsible for giving Aidan
one of his first rides, so this adds to the celebration.’
Both jockey and trainer mentioned that they were impressed
by the horses bravery and that he deserves this win.
Bertenbar with Aidan Coleman and emotional owner Mrs C Wyatt
The second placed horse Charlie Mann’s Gowanauthat was
unlucky veering from the rail on the run allowing the winner through. ‘We’re
bit gutted really mentioned Tommy Dowling the jockey as he unsaddle the placed
horse.
The last race of the day was 1m 5f national hunt flat race.
All eyes were on the
favourite Seamus Durack’s Alfredo.
The four year old by Arcano costing 100’000
gns at the sales showed his worth by winning the event easily from the Aiden
Coleman ridden London Prize.
The racecourse debutante a horse with plenty of interest,
looked an impressive sort to, and is a horse very much for the future.
Alfredo
Fontwell being a course were horses such as Cue Card cut
their teeth on the winning front in bumpers.
So yu have been warned , could we see Alfredo on
the front covers of the racing pages in a few years.
|
