By Mike Ashby
The sky was slightly sullen and the opening mood very sombre as news had emerged that young jockey Sam Lee, who made regular East Anglia area appearances, had tragically died the previous day. A minute’s silence was observed after a fitting tribute was made by Area Chairman Stephen Howlett, over the PA system.
The action provided another very successful afternoon for leading jockey Gina Andrews who followed up her six winners from last weekend and added another treble here at High Easter before rounding off another totally successful weekend with three more winners at Guilsborough. A remarkable 12 winners from 17 rides registering a strike rate of 70%. The third leg of her three winners, on Fortuneville, at High Easter brought up Gina’s 450th points winner, Yet another milestone passed in her truly outstanding career. Both Fairly Famous (Mixed Open race) and I’m Spellbound (Ladies Conditions) are trained by Andrews and are owned by the East Anglia-based Signy and Marriage Families. Their victories were achieved very easily with stylish performances, in both cases. Gina post-race comments described them as “phenomenal horses for their owners” and Fairly Famous success was pleasing as he was found to have been suffering from a lung infection after his narrow defeat at Charing and was only recently back to full fitness. The winners cruised past Larry and George Gorman after three out with the only other runner, Red Maple, never in likely challenging contention after some indifferent jumping. The winning margin was 15 lengths.
FAIRLY FAMOUS and GINA ANDREWS
I’m Spellbound always had the measure of his two rivals with Charlotte Butler vainly making the running on Good Source followed closely by Slipway and young Molly Armytage. Good Source still held a slight lead five fences out but Gina and I’m Spellbound were ready to pounce which they did approaching two out and only Slipway offered a creditable challenge going to the last fence but were still 3 lengths adrift at the finish.
I’M SPELLBOUND and GINA ANDREWS
Andrew’s treble was completed on Fortuneville in the concluding Maiden contest with another success at his local course for owner/trainer Nigel Padfield. Content to sit behind the three other runners, Gina took up the running heading for two fences out from Diamon des Flos and the 4-y-o Cafe Whispers who had their own private battle up the run-in but some 7 lengths behind the comfortable winner.
FORTUNEVILLE and GINA ANDREWS
( GINA’S 450th career win in point-to-points )
The opening PPORA Novice Riders’ race saw Toss Again and Boris Ball follow up their recent Horseheath triumph with a straightforward victory from the staying-on Master Malcolm. Molly Legg and Young Rich set out to make the early running and try and repeat last season’s victory in the corresponding race with Toss Again in close proximity. Ball, on the odds-on favourite made his decisive move after three out and made the winning task look easy which is a sign of a competent rider. “ No anxious moments. I trust this horse when I asked for more effort” commented Ball afterwards and he has set himself a target of riding five winners this season and that looks distinctly, achievable on this evidence.
TOSS AGAIN and BORIS BALL
This success made Ball’s first ride a winning one at the High Easter course which was also the case for Huw Edwards who partnered Reel Much Fun, for trainer Alan Hill, in the Restricted race. Charlie Case sent Artiste D’Ainay into clear lead from the start and the whole field was spread out all over the delightful Essex countryside, as they approached the end of the first citcuit. Case and partner maintained this advantage until slowly reeled in by Reel Much Fun and Time To Upgrade when approaching the second last where Graveside Lad was untidy. Edwards had the favoured inside line round the final bend and it was an easy task from then on for the favourite, who was following up his Maiden victory at Higham, to coast home 6 lengths ahead of their nearest rival. Trainer Hill had contacted Edwards mid-week to book him for the ride and riding instructions given were “to follow the leader and take it from there” which the jockey carried out admirably.
REEL MUCH FUN and HUW EDWARDS
Another first success at the Essex course was enjoyed by Sussex-based Kathryn Featherstone on Commander Of Ten in the Eight Years Old and Over Conditions race. The winner’s form going into the race was not too shabby having been under 5 lengths behind Entity Of Substance and All Loved Up at Kingston Blount the previous weekend. Both these horses who finished in front of him were unbeaten in five races between them this season. The field of six were tightly packed going out on their final circuit and of there were two still in contention approaching the final bend where Miss Featherstone had secured the advantage of the inside on Commander Of Ten relegating non-other than Gina Andrews on No Risk Des Flos to take the wider course, Both jockeys were bold at the last fence but a definite jumping error by the favourite was crucial and Commander Of Ten was sent for home, having profited from that last fence mistake by No Risk Des Flos, to win by 2 ¾ lengths. This was Katie’s 11th winner with four victories coming on Commander Of Ten who she owns and trains and acquired the 9-y-o about a year ago after it had been unsuccessful in Irish points during 2024.
COMMANDER OF TEN and KATHRYN FEATHERSTONE
The course condition, which included three rebuilt fences, received universal praise from all involved, a credit to the Clerk of the Course, Simon Marriage and his team.
Photos courtesy of Graham Bishop Photography (www.gdbphotography.co.uk)
