THREE DAYS OF RACING AT THE ROYAL BERKSHIRE RACECOURSE WINDSOR 25-6-16 day1

Gentlemen’s day at Windsor was to start a three-day festival of flat racing at the Royal Berkshire course. 

Seven races to be put before large crowd, racing on ground recovering from the rain deluge had earlier in the week, the going soft, heavy in places.

Trainer William Haggas who always has good fortune at the Windsor track sent down 7-4 fav On her Toes to the six furlongs start for the Sky Bet novices stakes for two year olds.

 The daughter of Kodiak who aptly named, can be a handful at home and at the races seemed to settle well as she easily took over the race in the final furlong to beat Mick Channon’s Racemaker.

Pat Cosgrove who rode the two-year-old, placed the filly with confidence as he took the field over to the far rail on the testing ground, her only other run finishing a good third at Yarmouth on firm ground.

Maureen Haggis the trainer’s wife representing the stable mentioned,’ She can be a handful, Pat said she was a bit alive travelling to the start, but as soon as she races she is fine, she is a nice type, well bred and more to come from her.’

Owned by Cheveley park the two-year-old would be one to watch.

On her Toes 

The second race, a maiden for three year olds and upwards was taken by another favorite. This time Andrew Baldings Dark shot ridden by Oisin Murphy who ran on strongly in the final furlong after making all to beat Adam Kirby on Silver bid by six lengths.

‘This horse needs a lot of confidence, and with the run and win should have got that today,’ mentioned the jockey. 

Andrew Baldings Dark shot ridden by Oisin Murphy

The gelding by Acclamation having ten runs to date, seven of those being in the placings.

 Owned by Jeff Smith, this Littleton Stud bred horse could be something to watch as he improves, as he certainly took this race with great ease.

The first of the distance races came in the shape of a one mile three furlong handicap.

 Nine runners to post, the rain softened ground certainly showed its hand as 11/2 shot Desert Encounter trained by David Simcock and ridden by Tom Marquand held on well to beat Andrew Baldings Passover by a length.

Desert Encounter

The favorite Baadi a course and distance winner this season not appreciating the ground could only manage a seven lengths fourth spot to the winner, giving the bookies a little weekend cheer.

‘I’ve set my sight on the favorite, but soon as I was passed him I went on, I thought I was in front too soon actually as he idled bit in front, but he is a progressive sort.’ Mention the young jockey, who was the fourth jockey to get on the gelding by Hailing in his seven starts.

‘I’ve set my sight on the favorite, but soon as I was passed him I went on.'

The next two races went in the way of the combination of Dr Marwan Koukash, Richard Fahey and David Nolan.

The first of which was in the Windsor sprint series qualifier.

This series in its first year to celebrate 150 years of racing at the Berkshire course, holding the final in early autumn, this race could have shown a possible contender for the £75’000 purse.

Growl took the race up in the final furlong and roared up the straight to take the race by two lengths from Rio Ronaldo.

Growl

The oasis Dream gelding up six pounds in weight from a win at Nottingham two weeks ago showed he liked the softened ground, ground that could possibly be on offer on final’s day of this series. 

 One to put in the notebooks if this horse takes to the start. Dr Koukash certainly an owner that likes these high priced handicaps.

The next race for the trio came in the shape of 7/2 shot Gabriel over the mile course. The seven-year-old on his fifty first visit to a racecourse showed his seniority beating Roger Charlton’s Captain Cat by half a length.

 Gabriel

‘He always seems to run well here.’ Mentioned the jockey,’ He always tries hard in his races but just gets caught for pace sometimes, the ground helped, it was good to get a win out of him.’

The race result held up though as the winner seemed to come across the placed horses Captain Cat and Clotilde in the final furlong. Placings remained unaltered though Pat Cosgrove on the third horse Clotilde certainly being hampered.

‘He always seems to run well here.’

Big priced 16/1 shot Specialv took the penultimate race, a handicap for fillies over a mile. 

Trained by the neighbour of Richard Fahey, trainer of the last two races.

 Brian Ellison in Malton, ridden by Stevie Donohoe the three-year-old showed her last run at Thirsk was an unfortunate one as she got squeezed for room two furlongs out,having more space at Windsor the filly held on well in the final furlong to beat the 9/4 fav Red tea by a length. 

Big priced 16/1 shot Specialv took the penultimate race

The jockey mentioned,’ she was unlucky last time out, the ground on her side also today, Brian’s a good trainer and you know if he sends one to the races they have a chance.’

The final race a six furlongs’ sprint, twelve went to post, 9/2 shot Secret Look ridden by Kevin Stott and trained by Ed McMahon, backed up the six-year-old gelding by Shakhee’s Secret win over course and distance in April with a half a length win over Mick Channons Potternello. 

This gelding could be back again at the Berkshire course as the season draws to the end to claim a three timer, as he certainly likes the track, winning know twice from his five trips to the winner’s enclosure at the Berkshire course from thirty nine racecourse runs.

Secret Look ridden by Kevin Stott

Day two of the Windsor racecourse festival available soon

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UMBERLEIGH, UMBELIEVABLY THE LAST DAYOF THE POINTING SEASON 12-6-16

The final day of the 2015-16 point to point season was upon us. The Torrington Farmers Foxhounds meeting held at the North Devon course of Umberleigh, gave six final Yoicks to the season that has seen poor weather, meeting abandonment's, and an Olympian. Give their all to the pointing game.

Clouds bubbled over Umberleigh on a muggy afternoon, to watch the last of the runners try for glory. The first race being the hunts member race putting five runners to post.

Richard Westcott’s Pasternak Jack duly took the race beating Lucy’s Girl in fine style, jockey Heidi Lewis mentioning, ‘He really ran his race well, when I asked him coming up the hill he responded. He has always jumped well.'

The race did get rather untidy, with some of the more inexperienced jockeys not remembering that it  was three times around the North Devon courses and rode finishes past the post mid race. Normality was soon restored and luckily enough the pace allowed the actual finish to be a good one.

‘That didn’t really ruin the race, ‘mentioned the winning jockey. ‘But it worked out in my favor, it was good to get to ride a win on the fella. I rode him at the beginning of the season but he didn’t go in the ground. Then I broke my collar bone, to which I have just come back to race riding, and got the call last night to ride him today.’

The jockey who had ridden her first ever winner on the horse last season was thrilled of the chance she got to ride the nine-year-old again, and was delighted that her final ride was a trip to the winners enclosure, especially due to the fact she had been injured mid-season.

A true amateur throughout, who enjoys her hunting and pointing, but now is looking forward to the holidays, and November when it all starts over again.

Richard Westcott’s Pasternak Jack

The restricted race was won by Mrs Jane Wanless’s Jenna’s Pride, in a torrential rain shower. Jockey Alex Edwards in the saddle didn’t think it have effected much as the race went on. ‘The rain really hasn’t effected the good to firm going, only making it a little slippy on the bend. But it is certainly good to firm going.’

The seven-year-old mare beating Chaddersley winner Maryam Jaan seems a big sort of horse, with a bit more to grow into yet, but having run this season seven times already, the mare is surely ready for her summer break. The jockey also mentioned,’ I’m sad to see the season close really, I have had the best season ever at the moment.’ 

The jockey based with Phillip Riley in Shropshire mentioned that the yard had been going so well with eighteen winners for the season, and for next season the partnership of Edwards and Rowley has some very nice young horse in tow.

The restricted race was won by Mrs Jane Wanless’s Jenna’s Pride

The third race of the afternoon, The Men’s Open was won by the veteran of the field, fifteen-year-old Presentandcorrect, ridden by James king and owned and trained by Mr T Sage.

 The horse seemed to cope with the inclement weather and changing going, the owner mentioning. ‘We have been waiting for this quicker ground all season with him, he just has not had the going to give him his best chances. I didn’t mind the rain on it beforehand, in fact it probably took the jar out of it a little.’

The horse now who has raced in twelve different racing calendar years seems to still enjoy his hunting and racing and is a firm favorite with his owner.

Jockey James King was equally keen on the chestnut grand master saying,’ I almost hit the front too soon on him really, but the ground here was well cared for, so he enjoyed it out there. He loves his pointing and hunting with the Duke of Beauforts.’

The jockey who has had a superb season himself, leading the hunter chase jockey’s championship for a while and finishing second in the Aintree Foxhunters seems to have his summer well mapped out riding throughout under rules, but will soon be back in November to start the pointing game again.

Presentandcorrect, ridden by James king

The ladies open six runners went to post, a good pace was set and Carrie Tucker and Right enough a winner a fortnight back at Chaddersley taking the field on during the final circuit. 

Bound for Glory ridden by Hannah Lewis keeping up with the pace soon challenged, and from two fences out seemed to be taking the race over. 

‘The plan was to hold him up and creep into the lead, which we have done, I thought we may have got there too soon but his mistake at the open ditch has steadied him a bit so we have waited till the last to bring him home.’ 

The rain as we spoke came down again. The jockey on ten winners for the season, showing concern that the rain could make the going slippy.

Bound for Glory ridden by Hannah Lewis

The owner/trainer David Fitch-Peyton mentioned his concern that mid-season everything with him had stopped due to poor going and abandonment's. Mentioned,’ the race today was a very competitive race, and it was great to see him winning again, we have dropped him down from hunter chasing to pointing to gain a bit of confidence in him and it was nice to see the plan work.’

The ten-year-old seems to be enjoying his work and as the trainer/owner mentioned may have a few more seasons ahead still if he stays sound.

The penultimate race the Intermediate, five went to post.

Dr A Thomas’s Mr Sawyer who fell at the last at Chaddersley when challenging Flicka’s Witness in the conditions race overcame his blunder to win easily the Intermediate on the last day of the season. ‘It was very much not like him to go to the floor last time out, we came to the last and I just put him into it and we have ended up falling, but today he has jumped so well,’ mentioned Welsh jockey Bradley Gibbs. ‘The ground and course really didn’t suit him today, he wants more of a short flat type of track which Umberleigh is really the opposite, but he’s has pulled out all the stops today and won nicely.’

The jockey mentioned that the season has gone well for the Welshman, with six horses in the yard and thirteen winners in points and Hunter chasing is a tremendous effort, and to finish up with a winner is special.

Dr A Thomas’s Mr Sawyer who fell at the last at Chaddersley when challenging Flicka’s Witness in the conditions race overcame his blunder to win easily the Intermediate on the last day of the season.

The final race of the 2015-16 season came in the shape of a well declared open maiden, thirteen going to post, the Jimmy Frost owned Buz Barton winning the race well under the ride from Josh Newman.

 Trained by the owner’s wife Nikki Frost the eight-year-old went away nicely at the finish of a good paced contest, the owner more known for his training and riding talents (winning the grand national on Little polvier in 1989) mentioned,’ It’s nice to get a winner, don’t mind where they are, they are hard enough to come by. We have one in the pony race in a minute and they are even harder to get a winner in.’

The horse who came over from Ireland has had time to iron out some issues at home, jockey Josh Newman instrumental in getting the horse right, ‘the pace of the race could of been a little quicker for us really,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘A faster pace would have allowed him to settle a little more, but he has popped out and won well, it was good to finish on a winner.’

Josh on eighteen winners for the season his best season so far said he would of really like to have got to a goal of twenty winners but the last few weeks being rather frustrating, ‘my last winner was on Bank Holiday Monday in April, the horses showing the wear of a long season not running up to their true mark, but my four timer a Fleet was a highlight so all in all not too bad.’’

The horse may look to be a horse that could grow up throughout the summer and come back all the better of a win, and could be one to mark in the note books, the owner and trainer still on a fact finding mission with the gelding.

 The Jimmy Frost owned Buz Barton winning the race well under the ride from Josh Newman.

 So, that marked the end of the 2015-16 season, a season that has bought winners, almost rans, abandonment’s and disappointments, and of course sprinkled with a bit of media attention in the shape of an Olympian.

 A season to savor the sport showing good attendances throughout, even more people being introduced to the world of point to pointing.

Onto now the end of November when we all start again, but beforehand horses being bought from the sales as trainers clear out their yards for new blood. Hunt qualifying and then the racing.

 See you all very soon.

Don’t forget you can view images and read blogs from throughout the season from Cottenham in November to Umberleigh in June at

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FONTWELL PARKS EIGHT BEFORE THE SUMMER BREAK Fontwell Park 7-6-16

Fontwell park about to embark on her summer vacation, a small matter of eight races got the heels a kicking before the break for the East Sussex course during the rest of June and the whole of July.

Two divisions of a two and a half miles’ novices hurdle commenced proceedings. And also started a double winning afternoon for Jockey Tom O’Brien  who on the first of his winners steered home Colin Tizzards Westend Prince by a neck from Graeme McPherson’s Titans Approach.

 The 5/2 fav when asked pressed home gamely up the Fontwell inclined finish, though the Kings Theatre geldings jumping was a little to say not convincing three hurdle out.

‘This fella would be a better chaser actually, i knew when Richard Johnson came past me at the bend I might be in a little trouble, but he stuck it out well on the line, so it was okay.’

Colin Tizzards Westend Prince

The second of O’Brien’s winners of the afternoon came in the penultimate race of the afternoon. This time over the larger obstacles in the two and a half mile handicap chase. 

This time for trainer Paul Henderson the 29 year old Irishman steered Paddy the Stout home by seven lengths from Mattie Batchelor and Minority Interest. 

‘I’ve ridden this fella a lot, we have had a few of placings on him so it’s nice to get a win out of him. He is a type of horse with his wind if you really get after him he stops in a matter of strides, so to some, it looks like I’m not giving him a ride, but if I do he’ll come nowhere.’

The eleven-year-old on only his second win from thirty two starts took the race up from two fences out, and by the last was driven clear of trainer Daniel O’Brien’s (no relation) Minority Interest to the line.

The gelding was bought by Henderson at the back end of the sales to give the owners some fun. Now a least with a win the son of Oscar Shindler winning some part of the purchase fee back.

Paddy the Stout Tom O'Brien's double winning ride

The second division of the handicap novices hurdle went to the 7/2 fav Replacement Plan ridden by Daryl Jacob, the jockey who in the previous race took a nasty tumble on the home turn when his mount On Alberts Head sipped on the flat.

The seven-year-old trained by Richard Woollacott who took a prominent hold at the beginning of the race, only to fade but then take up the race again from the last and stay on well up the Fontwell hill to beat the Paul Henderson’s Rior by six lengths, to take his only win from twenty two starts.

 The trainer mentioned, ‘The field went really too quick for him early on, and he has stayed on well. I always thought he’d run a nice race today and has.’ 

The trainer giving a lot of praise to the ride given to the gelding by Jacob. ‘He is a horse that needs to run in 0-100 handicap hurdles, he can run over fences so I think we will switch him about a bit. But we will try to get another win out of him before the end of the summer.’

7/2 fav Replacement Plan ridden by Daryl Jacob (Right) second place Rior  (left)

The Flemensfirth gelding well backed for the race would have to be carefully watched where he is placed next time out, still very much a maiden this dual disciplined gelding is out to give his owners a good time throughout the summer. The owners showing great confidence in the trainer as they continue in their quest.

The third race of the afternoon a handicap chase over the two miles one furlong course went to a Phillip Hobbs trained horse Quadriller. Ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson the nine-year-old gelding made light work of the event taking the race by nine lengths from Dai Williams’s Nearest the Pin.

The horse taking a liking to the East Sussex course now on a hat trick of wins at Fontwell seemed to relish the twist and turns of the figure of eight track. 

‘They have gone a good pace early on, he is a type that would get further also, but it is good to get a win on him again.’ Mentioned the jockey on twenty six winners for the season so far.

Phillip Hobbs trained horse Quadriller. Ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson

The next race a two mile three furlong novices hurdle, seven ran. Warren Greatrex sending the top weight Ritual of Senses off at 2/7 on fav.

The six-year-old by Milan duly obliged for favorite backers as Gavin Sheenan steered his ride home to a thirteen length victory from Dan Skelton’s Kid Kalanisi. 

‘It wasn’t the best race in the world, and we have made a whole load of mistakes, but we have kept him going and he has won nicely in the end. To be honest I’d keep him going and get another quick win out of him.’

 The jockey who has a busy summer ahead of him with plenty of rides may be back on this one the horse owned in partnership with Equis and Lady Lloyd Webber soon, as to the eye the six-year-old didn’t seem to have a race. 

The jockey mentioning that he had been under pressure though out the back straight in order to get him in contention.

Warren Greatrex sending the top weight Ritual of Senses off at 2/7 on fav.

The most exciting race on the card for the day was the long distance three mile one furlong handicap chase,five runners to post, all out of top quality yards.

David Pipe sending to post 5/2 fav For’n’Against having won over a shorter trip at the course in 2015 and finishing second in June over the course and distance.

But again the Scudamore, Pipe team could only manage a second as 7/4 shot Billy Two Tongues, trained by Jeremy Scott and ridden by Matt Griffiths led over the last to beat the favorite by eight lengths.

The eight-year-old by Heron Island wasn’t the most experienced in the field, but the ex-point to pointer seems to be a versatile type, winning his only other race on good to soft ground over a shorter distance at Uttoxter  in May

7/4 shot Billy Two Tongues (right), trained by Jeremy Scott and ridden by Matt Griffiths led over the last to beat the favorite by eight lengths.

The strange named horse named due to the fact that he had an injury as a young horse that caused his tongue to split, and it has never heeled back, now on three wins from eleven starts. And looks like a horse that may well have improved, this race being no push over and would be one to watch where placed next time out.

 Jeremy Scott not present at the races due to the fact the trainer was at the sales gathering more stock for the yard, but must have been pleased that as he was buying more runners, his existing ones are in the winners enclosure.

Billy Two Tongues

Ben Pauling maintained a good strike rate at the East Sussex course when his seven-year-old Newton Geronimo brought home the four-year-old and upwards handicap hurdle by four lengths from Hugo Frouds Coeur Tantre.

The 8/1 shot though ran a little green up the inclined finish by hanging right was ridden well clear by Brendan well who mentioned, 'He was a bit tricky getting him down to the start, but once running he was fine, we went a nice gallop for him today which suited. The ground helped so it was a good win.’

The only other win for the seven-year-old from his thirteen starts being at Taunton, winning a two mile race at 50/1. The few races before, refusing to race at all at Towcester and Sandown.

Newton Geronimo brought home the four-year-old and upwards handicap hurdle

The last race of the afternoon was a novice’s handicap hurdle, Mark Gillard sending his four-year-old Kingston Mimosa to post at 40/1.

The 9/4 fav Dragoon Guard ridden by Tom Scudamore could only manage a three and a half-length third to the outsider who stayed on well at the finish to beat Shimba Hills by a length and a half.

Ridden by James Banks who mentioned he had been at the front a little sooner than he would have liked for the four-year-old, 

'as we were in front I’ve just had to get after him a little to tell him to get on with it, but he is a young horse off a low weight so it was nice to get a winner.’

Mark Gillard sending his four-year-old Kingston Mimosa to post at 40/1.

The weather remained fine for all of the races throughout the afternoon as news filtered in that Lingfield was having to adjure two inches of rain throughout the afternoon. 

Three quality meetings in quick succession at Fontwell Park, as it now embarks on a well-deserved break.

Don’t forget that you can read blog reports and see images from most previous meeting at Fontwell at

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CELEBRATING 150 YEARS AT ROYAL WINDSOR ON A WARM SUMMER EVENING 6-6-16

1866 heralded the first of the Windsor racecourse meetings, today in 1996 the racecourse still thrives and continues to put on some spectacular Monday evening sport. 

And no more so than seven races from this evenings card, Jockeys reveling after a superb Epsom Derby meeting and keying themselves up for the looming Royal Ascot meeting in a weeks’ time.

No more so than the Godolphin team and Saeed bin Suroor, James Doyle who took the two-year-old novices stake with Bin Battuta.

The Dubawi colt on his maiden voyage seemed to show his paces well, and as you would expect. James Doyle mentioning 

‘This was his first day at school, and he has done this well. I got to the front a little sooner than I wanted really. Probably a little late in the day for Royal Ascot with this one, but certainly one to make some plans for later on.’

 Still on a high from his successes at Epsom the jockey is looking forward in taking his good form onto the Royal meeting, 

Log out Island in the Commonwealth Cup being a ride he would be looking forward to the most.

James Doyle who took the two-year-old novices stake with Bin Battuta.

David Evans rarely sends a runner to the Royal County without a shout. 

And none more so than My Lord the 15/8/ fav who took on the one mile two furlong claiming race beating Gay Moore’s Mount Shamsan by quarter of a length.

The consistent eight-year-old with seven pound claimer Aled Beech on board who claimed his first win on the horse after a number of placed attempts seemed to lap up the final furlong pulling clear of the rest of the field.

’ He traveled really nice for me today, it was nice to get a win out of him after a string of placed runs.’

 The young Carmarthen born apprentice who is a product of the British Racing school seemed to ride the Ishiguru gelding with great confidence, with the master of Abergavenny watching on seems to be a young jockey with a possible future. ‘You come into this business for the love of the horses, but to get winners here for Mr Evans, it’s the best feeling.’

My Lord the 15/8/ fav who took on the one mile two furlong claiming race 

The third race a one mile two furlongs handicap, Newmarket based Chris Wall sent Oasis Spear to post the 15/8 fav.

Ridden by George Baker the Oasis Dream Four-year-old ran on well through the final furlong to beat Ed de Giles’s Prendergast Hill by a length and a half. 

‘The horse is still very much on a learning curve, we had a plan with him today to have him handy, but he will tend to not concentrate in front.’  The jockey mentioning that the Oasis Dream gelding would get a further trip, but the good fast ground on offer would be his limit.

The jockey who always seems to have one or two nice handicappers to ride at Royal Ascot mentioned,’ I have one or two nice horses to ride but it will depend on ground and running where they will go.

 I ride a few for David Lanigan, Interception being one of them if the ground is quick enough, it will probably be one of her last runs as she in foal at the moment.'

Newmarket based Chris Wall sent Oasis Spear to post the 15/8 fav.

The afternoon got better for the James Doyle and Chris wall combination when 100/30 shot First Sitting took the one mile three handicap for four year olds and upwards by five lengths from James Tate’s Ruwasi.

The five-year-old gelding seemed to take the final furlong with no effort when asked to run by the in form Doyle. 

‘My form is good at the moment, and that’s what you want going into the royal meeting gets you in there with plenty of confidence, but this horse has done it well enough tonight, not an easy route through but they went an even sort of pace and it helped.’ 

A jockey to follow I think next week at the Royal meeting, the air of confidence around the ‘Doyler’ seems good at present.

One to watch.

The afternoon got better for the James Doyle and Chris wall combination when 100/30 shot First Sitting took the one mile three handicap for four year olds and upwards

The fifth race of the evening, six furlongs for maiden three year olds and upwards went to the Newmarket based team of Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni.

 After their success in the Coronation cup at Epsom last week the team of Atzeni and Varian would not be one to look over, and Raising Sand a beautiful big type of four-year-old took the six furlongs maiden in fine style,beating by a length and a half the favorite Andrew Blading’s Dark Shot.

The bay gelding by Oasis Dream tended to drift slightly left from the stands rails when placed under pressure but still stayed on well to take his race. ‘I’ve followed the favorite through the race and he has he has really taken his race well, he is a nice big sort of racehorse.’ Mentioned the jockey still on a high from his classic success at the weekend. Now looking forward to his Royal Ascot rides the jockey confirmed, 'I sat on Mizzou and it looks that it will be my ride in the Ascot Gold cup.’

Raising Sand

The penultimate race a six furlongs Classified stakes for three year olds, twelve went to post, Richard Hannon sending Papa Luigi to post the 3/1 fav with top claimer on board Tom Marquand.

The Zoffany colt was ridden just behind the lead pack until the final furlong when Marquand asked for action and answers were given as the horse pulled away from second place September issue by Three and a half lengths.

‘This is a horse that has improved each time he runs,’ Mentioned the jockey. ‘He actually enjoys his racing now, I was actually quite confident about him tonight, last year things didn’t go his way, but he has improved well.’

The three-year-old with two wins out of ten starts, one on grass and the other the all-weather looks a sort that has taken time to grow physically and mentally and won this event easy enough to make him something that could be very nice for the Hannon team. To be sure he will be placed well over the next few months and would be one to watch.

Richard Hannon sending Papa Luigi to post the 3/1 fav with top claimer on board Tom Marquand

The finals race of the evening a handicap again for three year olds, this time over the five furlong dash went by the way of champion jockey’s Sylvester De Sousa’s mount Moondyn Joe.

The 9/2 shot Bushranger gelding had to be pushed by the champ all the way to the line, only winning by a neck from in form James Doyle on Clive cox’s Silken Skies.

The horse now on two wins from three runs seemed to have what looked like a leisurely pace on him for a sprinter, but seems to come up with the goods, De Sousa mentioning,’ The horse hasn’t run for a long time so it was nice to get a winner for Mr Burke,’ the horse being off track for eleven months showed that he hadn’t forgotten how to run, the handicapper on that form shouldn’t take too much notice at this point, but another win could see his rating increase, one to watch next time out as then an idea of where this nice big gelding would be aimed for in the future would come apparent.

The finals race of the evening a handicap again for three year olds, this time over the five furlong dash went by the way of champion jockey’s Sylvester De Sousa’s mount Moondyn Joe

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FONTWELL PARKS SUMMER BASH A CLASS ACT TO FOLLOW

Venetian Lad wining seven races at Fontwell Park

Fontwell parks summer meeting had quality written all over it,horses coming out of yards preparing for early season big race hits, and punters did not have to wait too long before they saw a possible star of the future.

El Bandit trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Sam twiston Davies took the two and a half mile novices hurdle in fine style beating Seamus Duracks Linguine by seven lengths.

The 4/6 fav on his third win in six runs drew clear of his rivals well from the last 'this is a very nice horse,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘he will probably go for a holiday now and then come back and prepare for the Persian war novices hurdle at Chepstow.’

The horse is obviously something a little special, Paul Nicholls rarely coming to the East Sussex course, but this five-year-old managing to get the trainers interest to monitor his progress.

The good even gallop suited the son of Milan, the second placed horse no slouch himself having won five of his thirty two runs.

No Nicholls horse can be taken with a pinch of salt, and it is obvious the master of Manor Farm Stables likes this one.

El Bandit leads over the last from Linguine

Six went to post for the three mile one furlong handicap chase,top Fontwell jockey Tom Cannon on the 15/8 fav Rocknrobin. 

But it was the green and gold of J P McManus and the Jonjo O’Neill trained Easy Street that took the race by a commanding fifteen lengths from the favorite as they crossed the line. 

Aidan Coleman mentioned that they knew the favorite had won well a few days before at the course but didn’t know how the horse would run on a quick turn around. 

'Some horses come on for a quick run one after another, but it was good for us they didn’t come up to scratch today, my fella has had a good introduction to chasing but I wouldn’t get too excited yet. He’s won his race well and will improve from that.’

The six-year-old by High Chaparral would be one to watch I think, you never know with a McManus horse if cards are being placed close to the chest.

J P McManus and the Jonjo O’Neill trained Easy Street 

Seamus Mullins gave Andrew Thornton another winner to reach his 1000^th mark, now seven off the target in the three mile one furlong handicap hurdle, Kentford Heiress just did enough to beat the 7/2 Gary Moore’s Yukon Delta by a nose as they hit the line.

The six-year-old whose only other win from twenty starts coming at Newton Abbott last July seemed to respond for the well driven ride of Thornton who mentioned,’ I think that might be my one hundredth winner for Seamus, I thought got there on the line, my fella wandered a bit coming up the hill but we got there in the end.’ 

The end of his chase for that 1000^th winner certainly looking to close in. The jockey mentioning that he still enjoys the riding and the winners, wherever they come.

Seamus Mullins gave Andrew Thornton another winner to reach his 1000^th mark, now seven off the target in the three mile one furlong handicap hurdle, Kentford Heiress

Four runners only for the two mile one furlong novices chase, Neil Mullholland and Tom Scudamore on the even money second favorite Pass the time making sure by twenty five lengths the race was taken from the Nicholls 4/6 fav Abidjan in fine style.

The seven-year-old seemed to enjoy the good ground and from two out easily moving away from his field, the trainer whose form seems to be very good at present mentioned that the mares last run over fences at Wincanton was just one of those races.

 ‘She jumps well, Tom came to school her at the weekend, jumped four and that’s all she had to do really, she is quite a valuable brood mare now.’ This being so after her fourth at the festival to Vroum Vroum Mag.

Pass the time 

The two and a half mile conditional handicap hurdle taken by Lambourn based Jamie snowdens Belcanto, who again beat the favorite in Martin smiths Amber flash seems to enjoy the East Sussex course, the six year old having her only other win from her seven runs at Fontwell in September in a bumper.

Jockey Will Featherstone who is based with Alan King mentioned, ‘she jumped really well, she wasn’t too bothered by the loose horses and she has run in up the straight well.’

Owned by the Jamie Snowden racing Club the horse has had its problems since the bumper win, but seems to have suppressed these now and back into winning ways.

Jamie snowdens Belcanto

The loose horses were due to a stumble around the home turn bringing Titch Strider down on the bend, the concern from stewards that the rain on the hardened ground had made the bend unsafe.

A contingent of stewards and jockeys went out to the area before the next two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase, but agreed racing should continue for the final two races, that being so nine runners went to post for the £7’000 chase, led by the 9/4 fav Charlie Mann’s Gowanauthat.

The Harry Bannister mount made all in the contest, Jonjo O’Neill’s Allow Dallow the only horse to challenge. 

The favorite pushing on again from two out to take the race by a length and a half.

‘This horse is a very clever type and can get you out of trouble if needed he didn’t jump as well as he can though, he did it better in his Kempton run but a nice horse anyway.’ Mentioned the jockey who on seven winners for the season and seems pleased with his progress so far.

The eight-year-old on his third win on the bounce seems to relish the summer good ground and would be a horse to watch over the summer, early autumn meetings having now taken a valuable handicap in good style.

  Gowanauthat.

The final race of the afternoon, a two and a half mile national hunt flat race was taken in fine style by Notre Ami. 

Trained by Nick Gifford and ridden by top Fontwell Jockey Tom Cannon the five-year-old by Kalanisi   took all the running from the other six runners, running on well clear from two furlongs out.

The jockey mentioned, ’I rode him at Wincanton and we knew he’d need a nice gallop and you can ride those sort of races in a bumper so I could keep and even pace and kick on from the bend.’

The jockey who rode a winner in the last race on the Sunday meeting mentioned you could always leave the best till last. 

The last Sunday meeting being a record attendance for the East Sussex track with over 10’000 visitors to the course.

      Notre Ami trained by Nick Gifford and ridden by top Fontwell Jockey Tom Cannon

Another quick turn round for the course as another meeting planned at Fontwell for the week after, and if this meeting has anything to go by should be a quality affair.

 You can read blog reports of that meeting and other at Fontwell Park at

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