Race reviews

Hunt	A healthy field of six for the hunt race. Winner of the Restricted here a fortnight ago Glenmont (Lisa Stock) was made 8/11 fav. The only opposition in the betting was Gypsy Gerry (Zoe Lilly) at 2's. 14/1 upwards the other four. The field was quickly reduced to just five - Tycoon Prince (Jason Merry 33/1) a faller at the first last time out climbed over the first this time - clearly feeling that having successfully negotiated one fence in the last five years was a career high-point he promptly threw in the towel at the next. As at Penshurst last week Vertical Air (Steve Spice 14/1) did most of the early running. Going down the back straight second time he was joined by Glenmont who then started pulling clear turning for home. Gypsy Gerry was slowly closing the gap but was still four lengths adrift coming to the last. Having taken a bit of a pull to put her horse right at the last Lisa was caught out as Zoe continued to close the gap and by the time she had indicated to the favourite that more serious effort was required it was too late. Early leader Vertical Air took the third spot.
Confined	There were six again in the Confined. Long odds-on favourite was Lively Lord (Chris Gordon) at 4/9 fav. Next was Oxendale (Peter Bull) at 5/2 with remainder at 11s upwards. Night Thyne (Dan Dennis ) did the early pace-making. As they turned for home he was swallowed up by the two market favourites. Lively Lord took a two length lead going to the third from home and it was always a question of 'by how much' from Oxendale thereafter. Brassis Hill (Fraser Marshall 33/1) came from 'early time tailender' to take third.
Restricted	There were eight declared in the Restricted. Betting was very tight and many boards listed Carlton Brae (Philip Hall), Sir Mark Brunel (Declan Phelan), Straight Baron (Chris Gordon) & What A Storm (Claire Cowe) all at 3's. However a few bookies offered one or two of the first named three at 7/2. The latter could therefore nominally be declared the favourite. Ishma (Dave Brightling 33/1) - with a mind of his own after a career of 60+ races including three wins (but still running in Restricteds) and umpteen refusals (including last week) made most of the early pace setting. Turning for home he was joined by Sir Mark Brunel who seemed to have everything under control - except for the fact that he couldn't shake off Ishma. Sir Mark led over the second last by a length and opened it up to three lengths by the last - a gap that remained unaltered to the line. Carlton Brae was the distant third.
Ladies Open	The Ladies had five declared. The betting suggested this was going to be a two horse race - Jenny Gordon on Seod Rioga at 8/11. Kincora (Lisa Stock) at 7/4 with the rest at 6's and up. Kincora went off at 100 mph (surprise surprise). Jenny tucked in three lengths behind. The rest had a private race. Jenny made her move between the sixth and fifth from home - switching a two length deficitto a two length lead. Now Kincora had to do the chasing but the gap remained the same all the way to the line. Glory Trail (Hannah Grissell) won the race for third while Jenny and Lisa were weighing-in (perhaps overstating it a bit!)
Mens Open	Winner of the Open here a fortnight ago Camden Road (Tom Hills) was made evens favourite in the five runner Mens Open. Prime Course (Chris Gordon) was next in the betting at 2/1. Brackenheath (Philip Hall) was at 5's. Multiple winner last season but disappointing this Tricky Trevor (Phil York) was friendless drifting from 3's to 7's. The favourite made a lot of the early running as the five went round in a bunch. As the pace picked up second time round Brackenheath dropped off the pace. The favourite was dropped from the leaders three from home and Tricky Trevor outpaced Prime Course over the last two.
Maiden	The betting was open in the nine runner maiden. Bob Nickel (Philip Hall) was at 5/2. At 11/4 was Pistol Night (Jenny Gordon). At 4's, 5's & 6's respectively were Secrete Contract (David Dunsdon), Tom Barry (Jody Sole) & Itsthebrass (Chris Gordon). Tom Barry led a tightly bunched group for the first circuit and a half until he & Moon Rising with Secrete Contract just behind drew clear of the others turning for home. By the second last Tom Barry had dropped four lengths behind. The other two jumped the last together but David Dunsdon hadn't touched the accelerator and when he did the race was over.

Photos	Videos
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Year 2003 Fixture List