Race Reviews

Hunt	Four horses lined up to face the starter for the opening race of the 2004 season. The only one of the quartet with any real form was Kenny Davis (Paul Blagg) who was installed as two to one on favourite. Although in no way ungenuine the small Kenny Davis is something of a frustrating horse - frequently running well against strong opposition but somehow finding a way of not winning in inferior fields. Three Of Clubs (Cynthia Haydon - 6/1) did the leading for the first circit and a half but then back-pedalled quickly. The favourite and The Grey Baron (Peter Bull - 5/1) took up the leadership thereafter. Debutant Tuck Tin (Stuart Robinson - 5/2) clung on to the leaders for as long as he could but had given best by the time the leading pair turned into the finishing straight side by side. The Grey Baron pulled out a lengths advantage going to the last jump and held the lead to the line.
Restricted	10 runners in the Restricted. 5/4 favourite was Killiney Bay under Phil York. At 4's were course maiden winner Rainbow Ranch (Chris Gordon) and Naughty Dandy (Camilla Andrews). At 5's Namron (David Dunsdon) and 8's upwards the rest. The whole field did the first circuit in a bunch. Phil York picked up the pace with a circuit to run and stretched the field out. Rainbow Ranch was the only one that the hill didn't detach. The two rose together at the second last but the favourite drew three clear approaching the last and held the lead to the line. Kilvoydan (Andrew Ward-Thomas 10/1) came from out of the clouds to be a fast finishing third.
Club Conditions	There were fourteen coming under orders in the Club race. Placed in all four of his races to date Great Jubilee, ridden by owner Stuart Robinson, was a clear favourite at 5/4. At 4's was Alice Reigns (Chris Gordon), 5's Jack Of Kilcash (Nigel Benstead) & Tell The Nipper (Marcus Gorman), 6's was Perching ridden by Mick Sheridan and the remainder 10's upwards. Ten lengths covered all fourteen as they set out on the last circuit. Jack Of Kilcash was first to throw in the towel with six to jump. Perching led over the fourth from home but six lengths covered the leading six at this stage. Great Jubilee moved upalongside Perching and the pair jumped the last fence together with Galeaway (12/1) two lengths in arrears. Whilst Julian Bernard looked a lot less stylish in the drive to the post it was certainly effective as Galeaway ran on to put his head in front at the very last stride. Perching held on to second by another short head.
Mens Open	Having fought an honourable draw in this race last year the re-match was on. Unbeaten in the UK Sheriff's Friend was installed at 1/2. Struggles Glory, the horse who shared victory with Sheriff's last year was at 2's. Tricky Trevor (Phil York) at 6's was the only other of the six runners under 12/1. Struggles did his customary front running until joined by Sheriff's Friend after the fifth from home. The two favourites quickly drew clear of the remainder but Struggles was never able to wipe out the two length lead that the favourite had opened up going to the third last. Belvento (Mick Sheriden 12/1) finished third.
Ladies Open	A disappointing two runners for the Ladies. It was initially to have been three but Lisa Stock withdrew Kincora due to the after-effects of doing an impression of a football after coming off Glenmont in the third race. Chasing The Bride (Rilly Goschen) & Dick Mccarthy (Sarah Ashby) were very close in the betting with the astute punter being able to grab either horse at Evens (wouldn't have made a lot of profit though!). Not surprisingly the two runners went round fairly closely together for the first two miles but Chasing The Bride always held the upper hand after being asked to quicken up going to the fifth last.
Mares Maiden	Five mares disputed the girls maiden. Placed in both outings so far this year, ridden by trainer Phil York, Kayleigh was made favourite at 4/7. Next in the betting was the Tindall/Gordon team representative - Granny Smith at 3's. Chris Gordon upped the pace going up the hill second time round. Kayleigh joined him going across the top of the hill. Turning for home the two favourites shared the lead with Olivia Maylem on Miss Biddy (10/1) trying, but failing, to hang onto the coat tails of the leading pair. When push came to shove off the last bend the favourite had a bit extra up her sleeve. Miss Biddy held on to third place.
Maiden	The boys maiden drew nine runners. Not for the first time in the day Chris Gordon found himself on an odds-on favourite trained by Jenny and owned by Simon Tindall. With the favourite Little Mickey at 4/6 the only other horses available at less than 8's was East Anglian visitor Carvilla ridden by Andrew Sansome and Lord Of The North (Nigel Benstead) - both offered at 5's. Going up hill the second time Little Mickey and Lord Of The North drew clear of the rest. Lord Of The North jumped himself into a two length lead at the third last and looked the likely winner until falling at the penultimate. Thereafter the biggest risk to Chris was that he would lose his balance looking round to try to spot some opposition. Eventually Carvilla finished second and Almazard (Philip Hall - 10/1) also found the finishing line.

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Year 2004 Fixture List