Two class three races, the Salmon Spray handicap hurdle and the Totepool Southern national, attracted moderate fields for its big hooray. Maybe those who planned races could of been a little more thoughtful to the Sussex figure of eight track, and allow the limelight on it's own, but the course did it best to brighten the dull,dank weather to put on Severn races for the afternoon.
Favorite backers in the first, a two mile five furlong handicap hurdle, went for a horse that only a few weeks ago won at the course on the same ground, soft. General Girling, trained by Caroline Keevil was sent to post 8/11 fav, and did not disappoint. The horse who won over a slightly shorter distance at the track, at the beginning of the month, took up the race with three to go, and easily took up the extra two furlongs to take the race from Burgess Dream and Andrew Thornton by 23 lengths.
Jockey James best said ' the ground wasn't as holding as it was a few weeks ago, but he dose enjoy the soft ground.
The ex point to pointer, who when schooled at Keevil's Dorset home, didn't really take to the big fences so it was decided to try over hurdles. Asked if the eight year old gelding would go back to the bigger obstacles she said 'we'll see how he goes through the season, and then possibly try towards the end. But we won't rush him.
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| General Girling |
Six runners went to post for the two mile one furlong event.Trainer Gary Moore, who is a favourite at Fontwell sending the four year old gelding Baron Alco to post as the fav at 5/4.
The Dom Alco four year old, who has won three of his eight starts made all of the sharp figure of eight track, and held on well in the soft going to beat Mr Fitzroy by three lengths.
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| Baron Alco |
The trainer still absent from the racecourse after his nasty accident at his Horsham home, sent his son Jamie to deputise and ride the gelding Jamie said 'we'll probably keep him at these types of handicaps and try picking some more up on the way. but we're happy now to have two from two,' the last win coming on good ground at Statford in October, so this a horse that can win good strong handicaps and versatile with the going. One to watch over the next few months.
The main chase of the day the £9'624 Grade three Totepool Southern national, over fours laps of the figure of eight track saw fourteen runner go to post.
Front runners made it a contest for those who could stay, and one by one they dropped out, which included the course favourite, Gary Moore trained Fruity O' Rooney, who was just a little out of his comfort zone with about three furlongs over his optimum trip and without side pieces on. Jamie Moore saying' he didn't like the changes and at twelve, sulked so i pulled him up' One more run for this campaigner to See if he can rekindle his racing spirit then possible retirement might be on the cards.
Another old campaigner in the Colin Tizzard trained Golden Chieftain ran his 37th race,was ridden out the back until five fences out before making his mark. Three out he took the race and stayed on well in the soft ground to beat Finish the story by two lengths.
The bay gelding, ridden by Brendan Powell Jnr is a favourite of the young jockey, not only giving him his first Southern National victory, but also in the 2013 season notching up his first Cheltenham festival win. A sure favourite in the Powell household.
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| Golden Chieftain |
Only four runners braved the next race, a two mile one furlong novices chase. Favourite backers again on the winning trainer of the last, Colin Tizzard and his runner Buckhorn Timothy.
The six year old ridden by Daryl Jacob, already a winner at the track in April over a slightly longer trip and on good ground went to post 11/10 fav. The horse in his 17th contest tracked the leaders before making a slight blunder five fences out, but got through this to take up the lead with Honey pound four out. Both horses came to the fence well clear, a slight bump on take off from the winner saw Michael Byrne's mount blunder and the winner take the race by 26 lengths.
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| Buckhorn Timothy |
A lot of runners now finding the going testing, and only three finished the race.
This horse by Tamure in only his second race of the 2015-16 campaign is sure one to watch.
So popular is the horse that ran in the Southern National Fruity O' Rooney at the Sussex track.He has a race named after him.
The two mile three The Fruity O' Rooney 'Heart of a lion' maiden hurdle, saw thirteen runners go to post. Emerging Force, trained by Harry Whittington and ridden by Gavin Sheenan went to post 9/4 fav. And duly made all to break his duck by three length's from Hit the Highway. An impressive sort, by the stallion Milan is one to watch as he goes forward.
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| Emerging Force |
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| Anda De Grissay |
The next race a two mile three furlong handicap hurdle, saw another favourite empty the bookies satchels for the afternoon.
Anda De Grissay trained by Anthony Honeyball and ridden by amateur Mr D Noonan came to the last upsides Titans Approach, ridden by 10 lbs claimer Archie Bellamy. The young claimer loosing balance before the hurdle, soon parted company a few strides after leaving the five year old to climb the Fontwell hill on her own taking the race by nine lengths from Walk of Gleams.
The mare on her 10th run making her first victory for her owners The Deuville Connection.
The last race of the day, a two mile five furlong handicap chase, saw Severn runners to post. Again a favourite took precedence,and again a father and son partnership hallows the winners enclosure at Fontwell. This time the partnership of Brendan Powell Snr and his name sake Brendan Powell Jnr.
Lady of Geneva on he 19th run making it a double for the afternoon for the young jockey. Her first on turf, her only other success coming on the polytrack.
' I used to train the mare Schizo-Phonic' said the Lambourn trainer ' we won a bumper with her, then a race at Newbury before she got a leg at home. So, we sent her to Generous so it's good to see this mare win'
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| Lady of Geneva |
The chestnut made all until five out, but was pressed from the second last by top weight Kapricorn. But was ridden out by Powell from the last to take the race by a length, both horses all out coming up the home straight. One to watch over a lower mark as the season progresses.
This, the second meet of three at the Sussex track in November. The third meet in a few Weeks time.
This meeting as with others are blogged and can be viewed at
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