REVIEW GLAMORGAN YSTRADOWEN SATURDAY 12th APRIL 2003 by Ian Protheroe |
Glamorgan's meeting held at Uplands Farm, Ystradowen
attracted a good attendance and spectators enjoyed exciting racing while
basking in the sunshine. MOON TIGER continued on his winning
ways when taking the Men's Open by twenty-five lengths from KERRY
SOLDIER BLUE with WELSH WARRIOR well beaten in
third. Dai Jones, who always had Dil Thomas's ten year old in a
prominent position went on just after halfway, soon putting the result
beyond doubt and recorded the fastest time of the day in doing so. The Gerrard Ladies Open race, a qualifier for the Gerrard
Ladies Open Championship resulted in a convincing victory for HEE'S
A DANCER and Emily Jones. After a protracted duel with LAUREL
SEEKER for most of the race, HEE'S A DANCER went
clear half a mile from home and ran on well to record another victory. LAUREL
SEEKER and YOUNG MANNY took minor honours.
First and second both qualify for the series final at Wetherby on 22nd
May. SPIRIT PRINCE and Andrew Hanly captured a
useful scalp when defeating course specialist CHESNUT WOOD in
the Intermediate race for novice riders. Twenty-one year old Hanly was content to dictate the pace on SPIRIT
PRINCE, the gelding responded with a good display of jumping and
they were not hard pressed to hold off CHESNUT WOOD and ABSENT
CITIZEN. SHERBET FIZZ followed
up last week's win at Llanvapley with a comfortable success in
the Restricted race from GERRY & TOM and VALJEAN.
Tim Vaughan was content to keep SHERBET FIZZ in
mid division as VALJEAN and DON RUBINI made
most of the running until sweeping in to the lead approaching the second
last fence. Tim was able to five his trademark victory salute to the crowd
as he approached the finish. The warm favourite MR NEMO crashed through
the wing of the fifth fence, giving Robert Stephens a nasty fall. Robert
had replaced Evan Williams who was shaken up after a fall on OH HE
BEE in the Men's Open race. CARLING ELECT and Nick Williams won an
eventful 5,6 & 7 year olds Confined Maiden by 3 lengths from BLACKCHURCH
LASS the only other finisher. ROBOASTER was
closing fast when coming to grief at the second last and opinions were
divided among spectators whether this affected the outcome as CARLING
ELECT was tiring on the run in. However, the oldest saying in
Jump racing is that the fences are there to be jumped!! The 8 year olds and over Confined Maiden race resulted in a
hard fought victory for GOOD MORNING and Robert Stephens
by one length from PHAR TO COMFY with CLONSHIRE
CASTLE four lengths behind in third place. GOOD
MORNING was certainly not winning out of turn, having been second
four times in her previous six runs. Regular racegoers may remember the same colours being carried
successfully for owner Glynnis England in the early nineties by the useful
mare Crown Royale. The course received more than it's share of adverse criticism last season and the Hunt are to be congratulated for their efforts in producing a layout which received general approval from riders and spectators alike. |