Race reviews

Confined	The meeting started with a rather worrying mere 5 runners. Night Thyne (Chris Gordon) was just favourite at 2's. A quarter of a point longer was White Smoke (Russell Ross) at 9/4. Legal Storm (Tim Underwood) & Oxendale (Peter Bull) were at 4's. As they set out on the final circuit the four were covered by three lengths. Legal Storm broke clear five from home but Oxendale quickly set in chase. The two turned for home side by side and Peter & Tim went head to head to the line with the former claiming the victory by a short head with White Smoke in third.
Novice & Veteran Riders	For the beginners & oldies race 11 horses were declared to run - Tim Underwood, Peter Bull, Paul Blagg qualified in the 'mature' rider side - I have a suspicion that Jeremy Wall & Andrew Coveney may have double qualification - confirmation or otherwise would be appeciated. Lively Lord (Gemma Marshall) was made favourite at 5/2 just in front of the Godstone winner of a similar race Kate Blatcher on her own Tooth Pick at 11/4. Next in the betting was Lovely Lynsey (Peter Bull) at 9/2. The grey Commasaris did most of the early pace setting but Lively Lord overtook him five from home and set up a five length lead. Lovely Lynsey was the only one to go with him in the run to the last three fences. Peter had the gap down to two lengths by the last but this time his drive to the line was just thwarted. Tooth Pick ran on from nowhere to take third.
Restricted	Twelve were declared for the Restricted. Charing maiden winner Jack Of Kilcash (Nigel Benstead) was made favourite at 2's. At 4's was Call The Tune (Sergio Gordon-Watson) whilst at 5's were Naughty Dandy (Camilla Andrews) and The Wee General (Simon Cobden). As at Charing the favourite made the running for the first circuit and a half. He was then joined by Call The Tune and Scotch Bob (Philip Hall). Five were lined up behind the favourite at the third from home where Naughty Dandy pecked badly - the rider doing well to stay on but losing any chance of victory. Shamron (Peter Bull 33/1) then chased the leader into the home straight and although still slowly reeling in the favourite from the last could only reduce the gap to a length. Peter Bull, not the youngest rider seen out today, will sleep well after being involved in three consecutive driving finishes.
Mens Open	Struggles Glory (David Robinson) was made the hot 2/5 favorite in the 6 runner Mens Open. Trusty veteran Seod Rioga, with three wins from three runs this season, was next in the betting at 2/1. Kenny Davis (Paul Blagg) at 11/2, was the only other horse less than 10's. Struggles set off at a good pace but Chris nipped through the inside after the seventh to lead at the next. The two went side by side for the next circuit where, with Pampered Gale (J Owen 10/1), they drew clear. Two good jumps from the favourite at the third and second last gave him a three length lead turning for home - a gap that the old campaigner couldn't reduce. The Suffolk invader kept on for third.
Ladies Open	Just five lined up for the Ladies Open - and once again a hot favourite - this time the Turner's Spring Gale, down from Suffolk, under owners granddughter Zoe Turner was made the 1/2 fav. 16 year old Strong Medicine (Caroline Holliday) was next in the betting at 4's just ahead of Prime Course (Jenny Gordon) at 5's. The veteran led for most of the first circuit but Spring Gale took the lead six from home and together with Darakshan (Julie Wickens 33/1) they broke clear. The favourite turned to the last five lengths to the good and kept the advantage to the line.
Maiden	Despite having fallen in his last two outings Storm Rising (Chris Gordon) was made 2/1 favourite in the 10 runner maiden to complete the day. Pistol Night was next in the betting at 7/2 with Bavardier (Dave Brightling) half a point longer at 4's. Nine of the 10 were still tightly bunched at the end of the first circuit. Bavardier moved from sixth to share the lead as they went away for the last time.As they turned for home long time leader Sister Ali still led from Bavardier with Storm Rising going very easily in third. Bavardier and Storm Rising jumped into the lead at the third last and the two rose at the second last together. Chris saw the better stride at the last and landed a length up. In yet another driving finish Dave Brightling's mount closed on the leader all the way to the line which came fractionally too soon and we finished the day as we started it - with a minimum distance winner.

Year 2003 Fixture List