Author: Mike Ashby
It was a perfect Spring day with plenty of sunshine , a gentle breeze , the customary three winners for the incredible winning-machine, jockey Gina Andrews and welcome success for trainer Andrew Pennock and a victory to celebrate for Norfolk owner, Simon Stearn.
The number of declared runners totalled 31, from the 40 individual horses entered, and produced some excellent racing throughout the afternoon. Pennock’s winner came in the concluding Maiden race where the 6-y-o Lightspeedahead was given an admirable ride by Ellie Callwood to race clear of their rivals from two fences out to register a 12 length success. The winning trainer had not had a winner all season despite covering many hundreds of miles in their horsebox and this success is just reward for Andrew and his wife Ruth for all the tireless work and care they endear to all their horses. Owner Mark Hollingsworth was unable to attend and Pennock spoke to him just prior to the off and the conversation was picked up again after the conclusion of the race where Hollingsworth needed to have the outcome repeated as he couldn’t believe his horse had won ! Diamon Des Flos gave his normal front-running display and was only pressed for the lead at the final open ditch but stayed on to secure 2nd place. The favourite L’Hybris Is Born was patiently ridden at the back of the group of runners but failed to make any impression on the leaders and was pulled up, before the last fence.
LIGHTSPEEDAHEAD and ELLIE CALLWOOD
Wymondham-based owner Simon Stearn has enjoyed several winners at the Norfolk course and was able to greet his No Risk Des Flos into the winners’ enclosure after victory was obtained in the Veteran Horse Conditions contest. A winner of the corresponding race at last season’s fixture, and although the runners were tightly packed for most of the race, the favourite never seemed to be troubled by his rivals and when the grey was asked for his effort by Gina Andrews, to go and put the race to bed, after the final open ditch, the result was never in doubt.
NO RISK DES FLOS and GINA ANDREWS
This was the third leg of jockey Andrew’s treble having earlier won the opening race on the card, the PPORA Club Members’ Conditions (Level 1) contest, on Cheytac who defeated the only other finisher, Back Bar, by 7 lengths. “Steadily improving and jumping better” was Gina’s post-race comments on the 7-y-o owned by Cliff Myers, a loyal supporter of the jockey’s stable over many years.
CHEYTAC and GINA ANDREWS
An outside ride for Jenny Owen’s Newmarket yard on the slightly quirky Aramax, in the Mixed Open, was Gina’s other success. The trainer saddled another of the declared runners in The Big Lense just as she did a year ago at the corresponding fixture. The latter won last season but roles were reversed here with Aramax, showcasing his best abilities, coming home 12 lengths ahead of his stablemate with the only other runner, Good Source, calling it a day before two out.
ARAMAX and GINA ANDREWS
Ther Restricted race saw eight runners set on their way by starter Ben Rivett with Monrocco Moonlight going 20+ lengths clear by Huw Edwards at various stages of the first circuit. A bad jumping error at the fence in front of the stands, with a circuit to go, severely knocked his chances and he was eventually pulled up. Steepingstone was made favourite and was a casualty on the back straight which left Pillar To Post to make a concerted effort three fences out, to chase the victory. However, Ellie Holder had IL Padrino covering the move and under a confident ride the eventual winning combination jumped the final fence clear to record a 6 length success. Ellie, riding her second winner of the season, commented on her winning and willing partner “ He likes the quicker ground and although I intended to make a good start, two went flying past us and made the pace fierce throughout “.
IL PADRINO and ELLIE HOLDER
There was a blanket finish to the PPORA Conditions (Level 3 ) race where Mister Splash and Paddy Barlow provided the Turner Family and trainer Ed Turner with a popular success as the family have been loyal supporters of the racecourse over many decades. Police Academy and Ellie Callwood looked as though they would take the honours, rounding the final bend but Barlow on Mister Splash were challenging with Mylesfromwicklow and My Gift To You also in with a shout of victory. The only runner, of the field of five, not in contention was surprisingly the odds-on favourite Entity Of Substance, unbeaten in 4 points up to this race. A perfect jump at the last saw Mister Splash secure the prize by ¾ of a length from Police Academy with Mylesfromwicklow a further 1½ lengths adrift. Ben Turner, for the owners, suggested that Mister Splash is likely to return to Higham on Good Friday, where he was a comfortable winner of a 3½ mile contest at the corresponding fixture last season.
MISTER SPLASH and PADDY BARLOW (left)
This was an entertaining and successfully administered meeting, so credit goes to all involved with special praise for Julie Whales (Secretary) and Matt King ( Clerk of the Course) for their contributions.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRAHAM BISHOP PHOTOGRAPHY
www.gdbphotography.co.uk
