WALL DOUBLES UP AT AMPTON
The early weeks of any season are always difficult for West Midland based horses, riders and trainers.
Over the years our meetings have developed an established pattern, which everybody seems happy with, so horses that run at the start of each campaign have no option but to travel in search of victory.
Jason Warner’s raid with Nobby Kivambo on last weekends North Cornwall meeting failed to materialise after they encountered transportation problems near Wadebridge.
That would have put many people off making a similar commitment 7 days later, but Warner was not put off by that adventure and set off on the 330 mile and 7 hour round trip to Ampton in Suffolk.
A chance to stretch his legs after a long journey to the course
Nobby Kivambo and Jason Warner in the paddock
This fact did not go un-noticed as the horse started a warm favourite for the Dunston Harriers Restricted under his regular pilot Mark Wall. The Cotswold Vale Farmers qualified gelding was harried for most of the contest by Master Workman but stayed on gallantly at the finish to record a hard fought length victory.
Nobby Kivambo and Mark Wall on their way to winning the Restricted at Ampton
Jason Warner (Left) and Mark Wall receive their prizes after winning the Restricted
The Bibury based rider reported afterwards “he was never travelling or jumping as well as normal” and this was attributed to a lump, which had appeared on the horses back the previous day.
Wall went onto complete a double in the Mens Open when Divine Intervention boosted the form of Lorikarad who had beaten him by 3-lengths at Tweseldown. Divine Intervention passed the long time leader Caveman with half a mile to run and proved strong for the favourite Ballyeightra Cross who flattered to deceive over the final two fences.
Mark Wall and Divine Intervention were in winning form at Ampton
Wall has ridden 5 winners this season, which puts him into second place behind early leader Will Biddick.
William and Angela Rucker also had a long journey from their Worcestershire home to the Silverton fixture at Black Forest Lodge.
It’s not clear how many West Midland enthusiasts made their way down the motorway but they must have been astounded by the generosity of the bookmakers at the West Country course as the horse was sent off an even money favourite.
Tom Weston mount was always going easily and had little difficulty seeing off the challenges of Pimbury Grey and Sahara’s Dream.
Roiofthetigers had run prominently at Chaddesley Corbett just after Christmas so connections must have travelled to Devon with a degree of confidence. The youngster travelled and jumped well under Sam Drinkwater but lost ground going out onto the second circuit. He finished strong during the closing stages of the Maiden and must surely be winning a race before too long.
The previous weekend had seen a high-class fixture at Larkhill. West Midland qualified horses ran well in every contest they contested but in the end came away empty handed.
Petit Lord and Harlaxton both ran well in the first division of the Larkhill Racing Club Members Conditions race. The former looked the potential winner at the penultimate but could not fight his way past the long time leader Orient Legend who eventually prevailed by a length and a quarter with Harlaxton eight lengths away in third.
PETIT LORD AND HARLAXTON RETURN TO THE WINNERS ENCLOSURE AT LARKHILL
Kicks for Free and Angela Rucker contested the Ladies Open. Description made much of the running in this contest with Kicks for Free holding every chance until a mistake at the second from home ended his hopes. He was allowed to come home in his own time and his eventual finishing position was not a true reflection on his running.
KICKS FOR FREE (BLUE COLOURS LEFT) HAS WEAKENED INTO 4TH PLACE AS THEY RACED ROUND THE FINAL BEND IN THE LADIES OPEN AT LARKHILL
Chiquilline and Sam Drinkwater looked as though they were going to cause a surprise in Division I of the Open Maiden. They made steady progress through the field to go second before the final bend and the Cotswold qualified gelding has to be a certainty for a Maiden after this performance.
CHIQUILLINE CAUGHT THE EYE AT LARKHILL
Tom Weston and the Ruckers new acquisition Bay Cherry were withdrawn from the Mens Open, which was a pity, as it would have provided information on his ability at this level.
The Rucker representative My Dads Horse was sent off an odds on favourite for the Restricted but never looked likely to justify his market position and finished a well beaten third and was followed home by Where’s My Slave whose effort petered out from the third last.
The previous week Where’s My Slave trainer Mike Hawker sent out another winner when Simply Game ran on well to take the 3-mile Maiden at the South Devon fixture at Idford Arch.
Earlier in the afternoon the Claudia Wilesmith trained Never So Blue won in the colours of his Upton-upon-Severn owner Christine Esling, while Grove Melody scored a contentious win in the 2-1/2 mile Maiden in the colours of Elizabeth England who lives at Rockhampton in the heart of the Berkeley country.
