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.