While the Northern part of the British Isles were experience
the worst of the weather and water.. The Southern part of it basked in a mild, overcast clasp of the British winter.
Three race meetings south of the Watford gap. Wincanton, the
main meeting of the day at Kempton Park and Fontwell Park, who sported seven
races with a sell out crowd who came to flush out the Christmas festivities
from the day before.
 |
| The Southern Cranes and Access LTD Juvenile Hurdle |
The first race a 2m 1f Juvenile hurdle saw 8/1 shot Harley
Rebel take the prize ridden by 7 lbs claimer Neil Mulholland. The ground
telling throughout the whole of the meeting how heavy it was as the horses were
well strung out when it came to the finish, with 21 lengths separating first
and third.
This three year old by Cockney Rebel, with three wins know to
his credit.The last one coming in the shape of a 1m 3f all weather flat race.
Only two chases in the card, the first one being a 2m 1 f
Handicap event. Five runners to post, for a race that was packed with trials and
tribulations.
The first being that 8/1 shot Highbury High unseated Shane
Quinlan at the first and then continued to mould the race as he hampered the
remaining runners. With Toohighforme being pulled up and Youm Jamil unseating
Nick slatter four out, Tea Caddy and Showboater were the only two left standing.
The loose Highbury High three out went
straight across the path of Paige Fuller on Tea Caddy causing the horse to fall
at the fence, this left the 4/6 fav ridden by David Bass all alone to jump the
remaining two fences and claim the prize.
 |
| Showboater |
Three hurdle races in quick succession saw the trio of races
start off with a 2m 3f Novice hurdle. Oliver Sherwood’s The Organist, ridden
by Leighton Aspell made all and duly won the event by 28 lengths and made sure his favouritism of 1/7 was well placed. The trainer only choosing to put out two
runners for the Boxing day racing extravaganza, the other being at Wincanton.
 |
| The Organist |
Trainer Oliver Sherwood |
| The Organist |
Aspell
again in the next hurdle event, a 2m 1 f handicap rode 10-1 shot Prouts Pub for
local trainer Nick Gifford. Taking the lead from two out the Grand National
winning rider bought home his festive double to beat Needless Shouting by 17
lengths
 |
| Prouts Pub |
 |
| Leighton Aspell |
Could this be a quick treble for the Irishman? as he took
10/3 shot Tambura to post for the six runner 2m 5f Mares Handicap. Alas not, David Bass on 10/1 shot At First Light stayed on and denied him of the treble
by three quarters of a length.
 |
| At First Light(David Bass) Tambura (Leighton Aspell) |
 |
| At First Light |
The second and last chase of the day, a long distance event
in heavy going saw six runners go to post for the 3m 1 f handicap chase.2/1 fav
Call The Detective was one of the only two finishes and saw off his opposition
winning the race by 27 lengths. The only other finisher being Lady of Geneva,
who was a firm favourite to back up her second and win at the course in soft ground
throughout November and December, and ridden by in form Leighton Aspell.
 |
| Call The Detective |
 |
| Call The Detective |
 |
| Hassadin |
More Blogs and images from 2015 at Fontwell Park
