Windsor evening meeting 25-4-16

Six races for the second evening meeting from the Royal Windsor racecourse in the new flat turf season.

A vast selection of maidens and two year olds sent out by their masters to find out a little more of what makes them tick.

And with that in mind the evening started with a five furlong dash for two year olds in a class 4 novices stakes.

Richard Hannon, who is the master at Windsor with his maiden horses taking a gamble won the race with Legendary Lunch, a Dragon Pulse colt ridden by Pat Dobbs.

Legendary Lunch (left) second placed Copper Knight (right)

In a close fought finish the 2/1 shot beat the 5/4 favourite Hugo Palmers Copper Knight who seemed still a bit green wandering to the centre of the course about four furlongs out. Dobbs maintaining a straight path with his colt.

‘He was still a bit green in the last two furlongs,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘He would still have a lot of improving to do. He’d be a  also a horse that would like the ground a little quicker.’

Richard Hannon mentioned that the two year old was one of the nicest two year olds he has run this season so far, and was delighted that he had beaten horses that have already run and been successful in the early season. 

Time will tell if this is a Hannon Royal Ascot runner, but the owners. The Rat Pack Partnership are no strangers to big race wins, owning Paco Boy in the past.

Legendary Lunch

The three year olds had a bit further to go for their maiden event, Just over one mile. 

The two Jamie’s. Jamie Spencer riding for Jamie Osborne on Defrocked won the quite open marketed event by a length and a quarter from William Haggas’s Wave Reviews.

The gelding by Lope De Vega, owned by Michael Buckley and Michael Watt was a 10/1 chance from the rails and led the race in the last few yards, winning going away from the rest.

Defrocked

The trainer, who already tasting success through the day elsewhere, mentioned he didn’t really fancy the horses chances.,knew he would run well but is a quirky type at home, not really telling much on the gallops.

Jamie Spencer mentioned,’ the owners were confident about the day really, as they have always liked him, but he’ll come on from that to see where we go from here,’

The third race, another one mile maiden, this time for three year olds and upwards was taken by Newmarket trained Choreographer from the Roger Varian yard.

The 4/1 shot beating Rex Bell by two lengths took a keen hold in behind, but was soon produced by Andrea Atzeni from two furlongs out. 

By Sea the Stars the chestnut colt was described by the jockey as very straight forward and saw his race out well. 

‘He isn’t a very easy horse to ride at home, so its great credit to Sean Longland who rides him at home and has done a good job on him.’ 

The colt would look to get a longer trip on better ground as his racing career progresses and would certainly be one for the form books.

Choreographer

Andrea Atzeni

Clive Cox won the first handicap of the evening with his four year old filly by High Chaparral Weetles.

Jockey Adam Kirby, suffering with a spring cold, rode a well timed race  producing the four year old a furlong out to beat Ed Dunlop’s Dutch uncle.

 ‘She travelled really nicely in the race, and when asked reacted well. On that feel she should be a nice staying horse in time as she has improved well from a two year old.’

The owners Bugley Stud partnership sold the filly as a yearling, buying her back later on at a higher price, and have been duly rewarded for their patience.

Weetles.

The last two races for the day both run over the full distance of the Royal Berkshire course,one mile three furlongs.

Zambeasy and Stockhill Diva split from the rest of the field

The four year olds and upwards handicap was taken by Phillip Hides Zambeasy, owned by the group more comfortable  at the south east’s national Hunt tracks Heart of the South racing.

The five year old ridden by the jockey already with a win in the evening, Jamie Spencer made a tight finish of the event getting over the line by a short head from Stockhill Diva from the Brendan Powell yard.

‘The race worked out well for him. We went a good pace, but pestered a bit by the second placed horse, but he rallied well and took the race on the line.’

The horses split across the whole of the track, and narrowly missed by two wandering swans veering onto the course the Zamindar gelding did well to stick to his task.

The final race of the day, same distance this time for three year olds only five went to post.

Ed Dunlop’s Michaels Mount ridden by Pat Cosgrove gave favourite backers something to shout about as the Mount Nelson gelding took the race by a length and a half from Mark Ushers Marmajuke Bay. 

The three year old in his first handicap race and stepping up in distance held on well and looks like a horse that know could come into his own.

Michaels Mount ridden by Pat Cosgrove

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PARHAM POINT TO POINT WITH THE CHIDDINGFOLD, LECONFIELD AND COWDRAYHUNT 23-4-16

Six races lay before a well attended point top point meet at the Parham point to point course.

Horses now desperate to find the better ground declared to run. 

Also runners diverted by other failed meetings around the country over the past weeks.

Racing kicked off with an intermediate race.

 James Young’s Marlpit Oak battling with placed horses Merrydown Vintage and Only Time’ll tell to win by a small margin. Ridden by Daniel Sansom the eleven year old battled bravely and was appreciative of the good jumping ground.

The plans know, Bratton Down towards the end of the year.

 James Young’s Marlpit Oak

Tabitha Worsley on board Crazy Eyes, made a surprising win for the Brenda Ansell’s yard when taking the ladies open. 

Two fancied runners that failed to complete the course were Wor Rom and Conkies Lad, leaving the door open for the eleven year old gelding that had lost interest in racing over the past few runs to stay and jump well in the good ground. 

Crannaghmore Boy coming home in second. Carlswayback in third.

Crazy Eyes,

  Tabitha Worsley

James Young was back in the winner’s enclosure in the conditions race. Swallowshide, this time ridden by Ben Hicks beating the veteran pair of Phil York and Tim Underwood with Carnglave Cat by one and a half lengths.

Swallowshide

The race was delayed by over an hour due to the fact of emergency cover for the meet was off course attending injured jockeys from the ladies open, this did not deter the Seven year old  who from the home bend took a command over the race, despite not having his usual  head gear on to prevent him wandering . 

Always in the mind of Hicks, he gave him a commanding ride from the last to take the race well.

Swallowshide, Ben Hicks

Jockey Shane Roche came to Parham with a good book of rides. Out of them, The Ferbane man in the men’s open, and Minmore Present in the open maiden,the last race. Made the winners enclosure for the young Irishman’s first ever brace of wins.

The Ferbane man

Minmore Present

Both mounts were an added bonuses to the jockey who works hard at his craft, and as the ground throughout the country’s vast array of pointing courses becomes a little less boggy, both these horses should see more wins under their belts soon.

The twelve year old The Ferbane Man under new ownership for Petra New, and was the trainers first ever winner. 

Nick Pearce in charge of the five year old maiden, who usually secures the services of Sam Davies-Thomas who was elsewhere in the country trying to cement his second place spot in the jockey’s championship.

 As the ground throughout the country’s vast array of pointing courses becomes a little less boggy, both these horses should see more wins under their belts soon.

The Subaru Restricted race was split into two divisions, which made racing a little later than the planned to finish.As families started to leave the East Sussex course. David Phelan’s Forrest Blue, ridden by Neil Mulholland’s amateur Martin McIntyre took division one of the race. 
The jockey with a two and a half hour trip back to the West Country, made that journey ever sweeter, knowing also his governor had trained the winner of the big race of the day at Sandown.

Forrest Blue, ridden by Martin McIntyre

Division two was taken by the team of trainer Tim Underwood, and rider Phil York on Rescue Glory.

  The horse that has had back problems saw off fierce opposition on the run in from Letskeepitsimple and the fancied Lickety Split.  

 Tim Underwood trainer,  rider by Phil York on Rescue Glory.

 Again both horse will see a run again before the seasons out, and would hope to progress a grade from their win.

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Opening Night at Windsor racecourse 2016

The first evening meeting at the Royal Berkshire racecourse saw a bumper crowd supporting a generous gesture by the management to open the gates for free to pre booked racegoers.

Eight early season races went on offer to the enthusiastic crowd. Top trainers entering their new intakes to find out more about them.

The first race a novice maiden filly’s stake over the five furlongs. 

Windsor regular David Evans sent his top weighted filly Fastest Spin to post, Cathy Gannon on board. 

By fastest Rock out of a good mare by Pivotal the filly held onto her race well and showed her form on paper that she could improve was spot on.

Fastest Spin

The jockey mentioned that she though the race was not the greatest for the filly,’ she really wants seven furlongs, I struggled a bit early on.’ The filly showing still she is a little green. With a longer trip she would be one to improve.

Fastest Spin, C Gannon

The next race also went to the top weight. A five furlong handicap contest for four year olds and upwards.

 Robert Winston riding the dean Ivory mount Stake Acclaim. 

The mud loving gelding by Acclamation backing up his handicap win on the Newmarket turf last season, running in between time on all weather tracks.

‘The horse has so much natural speed, and in these conditions I had the field beat half way.’ Mentioned Winston, showing that the horse had developed well from a two year old. And  has shown constancy, and would be one to improve again, and be one for the future.

Stake Acclaim winning the five furlong handicap at Royal Windsor.

Newmarket based Charlie Fellows saddle the winner of the third, a one mile two furlong maiden. Baadi off the weight of ten stone gave champion jockey hopeful Andrea Atzeni and early winner at the Berkshire course. 

The four year old out of the Roger Charlton yard last season. Has been well traveled throughout his career, winning a maiden contest in June at Ripon. 

In his first run for his new yard the gelding showed that he had to be pressured by Atzeni from a long way out, grinding the opposition into submission before the winning line.

The front runner looked from the off a winner of this contest the jockey mentioning that he would of been the best horse in the race.

Baadi, Andrea Atzeni

Atzeni not shying away from his intentions into challenging for the champion jockeys crown over the coming months, especially when riding horses such as Postponed trained by Roger Varian aimed for Royal Ascots Coronation Cup.

The feature race of the evening was the six furlongs 5 star handicap stakes, a class three event for four year olds and upwards.

Veteran trainer Milton Bradley sent his six year old by Royal Applause over the Severn Bridge to take on the race. Aptly called Englishman the gelding ridden by Franny Norton broke well from the stalls.

Englishman

The favourite for the race David Evans’ Flowers of Venus never got into the contest to allow the 7/1 shot to take the spoils.

‘This is the second time round for this fella, and I'm really happy for the boss, we have a few nice ones in at the moment so it’s all looking good.’ The horse that on previous runs has not shown his form he had in earlier years used to be trained by Charlie hills, and it is hoped by connections that he has now settled in his new environment and will regain winning ways.

Englishman,Franny Norton win the  5 star Gallop handicap stakes

David Evans in the next race answered any doubters though when he saddled Moojaned in the next, a one mile three furlongs handicap.

Again a beaten favourite in Dean Ivory’s Goldslinger, the Raven’s Pass five year old made all ridden by 3 lbs claimer Phillip prince, who flesh from his win over hurdles in Jersey, rode a confident race  to beat Allnecessaryforce in second and his bosses Andrew Balding’s Brandon Castle in third.

The young jockey mentioned, ‘this fella is a relentless galloper and stays all day, in soft ground the plan was to make all and see how it goes.’ The jockey still committed to the flat despite his hurdles victory mentioned the ride in Jersey was a ‘bit of fun’

Trainer David Evans, who often sends horses from his Abergavenny yard to Windsor on a double for the evening, and is one to watch throughout the season on the Berkshire course.

Moojaned

The distance race of the evening was taken for Newmarket in the shape of Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Cat Royale. Ridden by another three pound claimer Danny Brock.

Cat Royale, Danny Brock.

Again at the submission of another favourite in Mick Channon’s October Storm, the three year old colt by Lilbourn Lad who has not run on the turf for a fair while seemed to go on the softened ground to take the race. 

‘He’s won on the dirt at Kempton over a mile and half, turned up here and liked the ground and done the business.’

 Brock disappointed on not having a double for his evenings work when his fancied ride Dolphin Village in the previous race failed to place. ‘Dolphin just tied up with me a bit today which was disappointing, but there will be another day for him to be sure.’

Cat Royale, Danny Brock beats Argyle in the one mile three furlong Handicap

The final race of the evening in failing light was another sharp six furlongs event. Mick Channon again sending off the favourite in Potternello.

But it was an outsider Secret Look, ridden by Martin Dwyer and trained in Lichfield by Ed McMahon who took the race. 

The six year old Shakee’s Secret gelding that’s form had not been too great previous seemed to have lost his confidence over his last runs.

Secret Look, Martin Dwyer

 Dwyer who had never ridden the gelding before mentioned ‘Ed mentioned to me to try to get him to enjoy his racing, as he knew he would finish.’ 

Finish he did beating some progressive, handy types left in behind.

More flat racing drama at Windsor to come this season.
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VISIT TO ROWDOWN STABLE HOME OF MARK USHER

Training since 1983, and with over 400 winners to his credit Mark Ushers small but quality string of charges resides in a new establishment in Upper Lambourn.
Nestled off the main road just out of Lambourn lies Rowdown Stables.

A contingent from the West Berkshire racing club were invited to meet and greet the Usher team, with a cheerful smile and a friendly handshake.
A small meet and greet in the yard before the master of Rowdown  took his followers up to the mandown gallops to watch his string and a few two year olds go through their paces.

Plenty of other stings about, including the'new boy' as they call him Richard Hughes's string used the Jockey Club owned gallops beforehand.

Horses from R,Hughes Yard

Mark's open house policy to arranged visits and owners is very much his ethos. A good location and business like attitude is shown as his team works with no fuss or noise around the yard.

Not a massive string by far, but enough that each horse can easily get the attention it needs.

Rowdown Stables

Mark also took time to take his visitors on a little tour of the gallops, showing then through a whole in the hedge.

To a view to treasure.

Not only the schooling grounds, where every Thursday throughout the National Hunt season, vast amounts of jumpers and jockeys are put through their paces.

The Guvnor also gave a horse by horse show and tell session throughout his yard. Feeding the mind of the ever hungry racing enthusiast.

Mark Usher

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Fakenham for the west Norfolk hunt point to point

West Norfolk Hunt Point to Point

A point to point with a difference, held on a professional racecourse the West Norfolk Point to Point staged six quality races in glorious early spring sunshine.

A good crowd came to watch the best of the local pointing talent. The hunt and Point to pointing offered great faculties at Fakenham Racecourse.

The first race for veteran and novice riders. Ten runners went to post with horses that have been good campaigners throughout the season.

Susquehanna River trained by Nicholas Wright ridden by Phil Bullard who on his first ever winning ride mentioned,’ It’s such a relive to get off the mark, I have has a couple of close seconds this year, and to do it here as a lot of my family are from Norfolk is great.’

Susquehanna River, Phil Bullard

The nine year old by Indian River, formally from the Nigel Twiston Davies’s yard, had been unlucky in his seasons campaign, coming close on a few occasions, and tried to throw away his chance on a couple of Occasions. Bullard mentioning at one stage he thought he was going to run out. But stuck to the task well to beat good horses such as the Jack Andrews mount Cambonnais and third place horse Kilbeg Opera.

The horse ridden very handy throughout the race, bought the Oxford university first year student home in fine style, the first of many he hopes. 

Moving on from the novice ride came the winner of the next. 

The Admiral Benbow ridden by Dicky Collinson. A rider who this season has had tremendous success with a number of high quality pointers.

The Point to Point owners and riders association members’ conditions race saw the eleven year old

 Out of the yard of Andrew Pennock come out from his run at High Easter eight days back in fine style. Third on that day, the horse looked very fresh as he beat Love Manhattan and Kriss William.

 ‘I had to push him along a bit,’ mentioned Collinson. ‘But he is a tough sort, Andrew (Pennock) has always liked him, he’s been unlucky on a few occasions so it’s good to win on him now.’

Admiral Benbow ridden by Dicky Collinson

The Collinson-Pennock combination made it quick double as Counting stars duly won the next race, The Subaru Restricted beating Royal Benefit in fine style. 

Counting stars, R. Collinson

Again a quick turnaround for the Andrew Pennock charge, running third to Ignite the light at High Easter the previous weekend.

Counting Stars, like The Admiral Benbow looked a picture of health in the enclosures, which shows the trainer has his horse well at present.

‘This is such a class horse,’ mentioned Dicky Collinson.’ Everything about him just oozes quality; sitting on him I though he was the best horse in the Pennock yard, he is such a thrill to ride.’

A horse that needs a sympathetic ride has been unlucky not have had more wins under his seven year old belt, Collinson accepting his part in that mention that a less aggressive ride would of resulted in a different outcome in some of his defeats. 

But at seven the bay gelding by Morozov is one to watch for in seasons to come.

Counting Stars winning the Subaru Restricted at Fakenham

The  dual crusaders may have though a quick treble was on the card as in the Men’s open the impressive Galros Lady went to post with only four others to beat.

Galros Lady

The six year old mare with five wins under her belt this season stepped up in class to open races and looked in trouble from a long way out. Collinson having to set about her coming past the stands to stay in contention. ‘I thought when I had to get after her I was in trouble to be fair.’ The mare finishing second to a horse that is no slouch himself. 

Master Workman out of the David Kemp Yard and ridden by Sam Davies-Thomas pulled away from the remaining runners before the last to take the race in fine style. ‘I always though we could have the beating of Galros,’ mentioned the jockey who with the win went joint second in the jockeys championship. 

Master Workman,   Sam Davies-Thomas

Master Workman giving the second placed Galros lady a stone in weight seems to have found his form as the season progressed, only running eight days back at High Easter when second to Decade Player a horse Davies-Thomas thinks highly of.

The trainer David Kemp as with Andrew Pennock, knows how to get racehorses fit and happy, and goes to show the amount of top quality amateur trainers we have throughout the country. 

‘Both David and Andrew would have a very similar type of training ethos,’ mentioned Sam.

Master Workman,  winning the Men's Open

Collinson on the second placed Galros lady thought she felt very lack luster in her race, and had a hard enough season so far. 

She didn’t really handle the going as well as she had been doing in previous races and looks like we may have seen the last of this quality six year old for the season.

The ladies open again a small field of only three went to post. Caulkin hoping to make it four wins at Fakenham was beaten by the ten year old Bay to go, ridden by Louise Turner and trained by Laura Horsfall. 

The dual Hunter chase winner seemed to approve of the going around the sharp left handed tack and won the race with ease from his challengers. Vulcan Surprise in second and Caulkin in third. ‘ I’ve struggled a bit to hold him  today, we agreed on going a steady pace, but he was just too strong, by the final lap I’ve just said to him to go on and he has done the rest. He’s an old pro really and really done it well.’

All three horses in the race seemed to be nice types and would not disgrace any winner’s enclosure so it was made all the sweeter for the Moscow Society gelding to come home in such good fashion, Louise mentioned that was he third win of the season, and hopes to get a few more before the seasons out.

Bay to go, ridden by Louise Turner winner of the Ladies Open

 On the day of her third win of the season, Dicky Collinson was striving to get his third win of the day. 

Riding Mister Serious a seven year old by Kalanisi who has had a string of second placed runs throughout the season, being the bridesmaid for his maiden race enough times,with a positive ride from the jockey in form took his maiden race in fine style beating John Ibbots Cresta Run in second and Dale Peters Max O in third.

Mister Serious, Dicky Collinson on his way for his third winner of the day

The jockey mentioned that in the early part of the season the horse never seemed to be going,today something clicked and he seemed to take his race never moving out of first gear. ‘

If he can win like that in his maiden on soft ground, his restricted and intermediate in better ground should be no problem.’ Both Jockey and trainer after racing seemed in deep conversation regarding the form of the horse, and rest assures a careful and constructed plan for his progression will be planned.

Mister Serious, Dicky Collinson

One to watch and see I feel, Dicky was sure to tell me that the horse has a lot of maturing to do at home as well as on the course. If he remains in the Pennock stable for next season, he would maybe turn out to be a strong contender.

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