REVIEW
CROOME AND WEST WARWICKSHIRE
UPTON ON SEVERN
TUESDAY 13 APRIL 2004
by Peter Mansell

Caught at Dawn and Tom Weston have proved an almost unbeatable combination this season and they recorded their fourth race of the current campaign with an easy win in the Mixed Open during Tuesdays Croome and West Warwickshire meeting at Upton-on-Severn. 

Odds on favourites to beat twelve rivals, they took the lead turning for home and sprinted clear from two out to win by 8 lengths. The 10-year-old carries the colours of Upton Clerk of the Course Martin Weston and the Hindlip Farmer is hoping that he can take his place in the field for Saturdays Lady Dudley Cup providing he suffers no ill effects from this run. 

Stourbridge based owner/trainer Diana Williams and her daughter Jane have proved an awesome combination this season and their winning run continued when Sapega scored a hard fought win in the Confined. Stag Party looked to have stolen this race when he shot 5 lengths clear of the opposition two fences from home but Miss Williams had her rival in her sights approaching the last and Sapega stayed on strongly to record his second win of the season.

Tim Stephenson’s Castlemorton yard is also enjoying a purple patch at the moment and nobody on the course begrudged Wind on the Common his success in the 3 mile Maiden because he has been a model of consistency over the last couple of seasons. This win will provide a welcome tonic for the rider’s father owner/breeder Mike Stephenson.

Cotton On became the third “family” horse to win during the afternoon when he took Division I of the 2 ½ mile Maiden for the Wilesmith family. The horse is owned by the rider’s father Dymock Farmer Martin Wilesmith, was ridden by his son and is trained by his wife Doreen and daughter Emma. Killough Hill looked to have this race in safe keeping but he was unable to maintain his relentless gallop and had nothing in reserve when Cotton On swept by on the flat.

Suckley owner/trainer John Rudge saw his colours carried to victory in the Members. Ashwell Boy running his best race for several seasons led at the last but just failed to withstand Dave Mansells whirlwind finish on Jalcanto who got up in the final strides.

Adrian Wintle and Julian Pritchard have not enjoyed the best of luck this season but both riders got their name on the scoresheet at this event.

Wintle rode a brilliant tactical race on the Helen Hogben owned and Alison Dare trained Babs Wheal to land the Mares Maiden, producing the 8-year-old to lead at the final obstacle and staying on well to land the spoils on the flat.

Babs Wheal jumping was somewhat erratic in early season and that remark also applies to Sett Aside who won Division II of the 2 ½ mile Maiden under Julian Pritchard.

The 6-year-old was at the back of the field for the first circuit but made up ground steadily from half way and was just creeping into contention when the two leaders Silk St Bidget and Gumlayloy departed independently at the second from home. Stantons Church held a slight advantage at the last but had to succumb to Sett Asides determined run on the flat.

RESULTS
MEMBERS
1ST JALCANTO D MANSELL 4-6 FAV
2ND ASHWELL BOY B GALLAGHER 33-1
3RD CODDINGTON GIRL M WILESMITH 7-2
6 RAN
RESTRICTED
1ST BLACK OPTIMIST MRS K BAIMBRIDGE 3-1
2ND ALVERO M HARRIS 7-1
3RD BALLINGALE DAWN R ROGERS 100-30
12 RAN
MARES MAIDEN
1ST BABS WHEAL A WINTLE 6-1
2ND RIVER TREASURE A WADLOW 8-1
3RD BANK ON LADY D MANSELL 14-1
14 RAN
MIXED OPEN
1ST CAUGHT AT DAWN T WESTON 8-13 FAV
2ND PRETORIA DANCER M GOLDSTEIN 16-1
3RD LOVE AT DAWN P MASON 5-2
13 RAN
CONFINED
1ST SAPEGA MISS J WILLIAMS 7-2
2ND STAG PARTY H FOWLER 25-1
3RD RUSHING AGAIN MISS P GUNDRY 7-2
9 RAN
3 MILE MAIDEN
1ST WIND ON THE COMMON T STEPHENSON 5-2
2ND CHATEAU BURF H DOWTY 6-1
3RD AUTCAESAR AUTNIHIL M MUNROWD 12-1
10 RAN
2 ½ MILE MAIDEN – DIVISION I
1ST COTTON ON M WILESMITH 7-4 FAV
2ND KILLOUGH HILL MISS P GUNDRY 3-1
3RD FENCE THE GAP M HOOPER 10-1
12 RAN
2 ½ MILE MAIDEN – DIVISION II
1ST SETT ASIDE J M PRITCHARD 10-1
2ND STANTONS CHURCH MISS R REYNOLDS 10-1
3RD EVANLY MISS M JACKSON 12-1
12 RAN