Race by race review

Hunt	6 runners of which Commasaris (Jeremy Wall 11/8) was made favourite from Half Moon Spinney (Caroline Holliday 7/4). Half Moon Spinney made most - and quickly went clear four from home and was 30 lengths up and going easy when crashing through the second last, burying Caroline who was knocked out & taken to hospital. This presented the race to Simony Sam (James Sarchet 14/1) who won easily from Caddy Man (Andrew Coveney 7/2).
Confined	The five runners were split into a three and a two at the start, courtesy of Physical Fun (see article below the race reviews). Turning out for the last circuit White Smoke (Russell Ross 4/1) was still leading willingly whilst Philip Hall was working hard on the favourite Shuil Daingean (5/4). Chief Gale (Phil York 8/1) was a distant third.
Restricted	Lively Lord (Chris Gordon) was the evens favourite of five. Ishma threw in the towel before a circuit was out. The Flying Dragon deposited Peter Bull two fences later. Phil York performed miracles twice to retain the partnership with Hear We Go Barney until third time unlucky at the penultimate obstacle. Chill Factor (Philip Hall 5/1) held on to the favourite until the second last when Chris drew away easily.
Mens Open	Perky Lad, recent completer of the Aintree Foxhunters, (Phil York 6/4) was just fancied slightly more than Prime Course (Chris Gordon 7/4) in the 8 runner field. Prime Course & Robber Red (Philip Hall 7/1) went side by side for the first circuit. By five out the contest was really only between the two fancied runners but Phil York was never able to close the gap. Broguestown Pride (Paul Blagg 33/1) won a three horse race for third.
Ladies Open	Unfortunately only one horse was declared for the ladies. Strong Medicine was intended to be the mount of Caroline Holliday (see race 1). Jenny Grant deputised for a freebie!
Maiden	In the 7 horse maiden Moon Rising (Peter Bull 9/4) was just favourite from Star Glow (Phil York 5/2). Nigel Benstead on Rush 'N Tear (7/1) nicked a 5 length lead going to the first - and Nigel never saw the back end of another horse for the rest of the race. Canario (Chris Gordon 7/2) got up alongsides three out but then made a mistake which seemed to knock the stuffing out of him. Star Glow eventually got the better of Moon Rising for the runner-up slot.

Physical Fun goes for another variation

As in his previous rides of the horse this season Chris Gordon did his pre-start preparations with Physical Fun some 200 yards away from the remaining horses at the start. On seeing the sign for preparing to line up Chris started his mount at a full gallop towards the start line. Presumably fearful that the other riders might complain about Chris being given 'a flyer' the starter must have dropped his flag well before Physical Fun arrived at the start line - an action missed by the commentator, the web site editor & unfortunately also Tim Underwood on his horse Caesers Reign. As a result, by the time the flying Chris arrived to cross the start line, the only ones in the vicinity were a bewildered Caesers Reign and rider. Luckily the presence of another horse meant that Physical Fun didn't throw in the towel straight away despite having seen the others already disappearing into the distance. However Chris was forced to drive him into each of the first four fences as he was clearly looking for half an excuse to call it a day. Although the fifth, just after the exit to the horse boxes, was navigated successfully Physical starting hanging right going into the next jump (the open ditch). This fence is followed by a left hand turn - Chris's mount at this stage now showing no interest in participating in the turning process. By the time the manoeuvre had been forced upon his charge Chris found himself aimed for a point about 20 yards to the right of the next jump. Game over!!!

THE SITE EDITOR WAS INFORMED AT BEXHILL THAT PHYSICAL FUN'S RACING CAREER HAS BEEN DRAWN TO A CLOSE!

Year 2002 Fixture List