Race reviews

2m4f 5/6/7 yr-old Maiden	The meeting started with 7 runners. Based on a second two years ago plus the fact that he comes from the Tindall/Gordon yard Toujours (Chris Gordon) was the strong 5/4 fav. Royal Cruise, piloted by Phil York, who must currently be taken seriously whatever he rides, could be had at 5/2. The remainder were offered at 6's and upwards. The field was closely bunched for the first circuit. Going across the top the last time there were four still in with a chance. Royal Cruise led them on the run towards home but Chris slowly drew up to the leader jumping into the front at the second from home. As the hail started to come down the favourite drew clear coming to the last. Phil Yorks mount held off Siobhans Quinner (Declan Phelan 5/1) by a length for the second slot.
Club Restricted	Ten faced the starter in the Restricted. Rainbow Ranch (Chris Gordon), whose yard had already picked up the opening event, was the second strong favorite for Chris Gordon - this time at 11/10. Once again second in the betting was the mount of Phil York - at 5's was Arctic Penguin, a maiden winner last week, with the remainder of the runners being offered at 7's and upwards. The grey Arctic Penguin did the early pace-setting. Chris tucked in the favourite just behind. As they turned for home the two had drawn twelve lengths clear of the rest but The Grey Baron (Peter Bull 7/1) started to close the gap down the hill. As they pushed for home after the second last Chris Gordon's mount once again had the turn of foot over Phil York's steed. Arctic Penguin lost second place to Peter Bull on The Grey Baron in the run-in.
Mens Open	Although six were declared for the Mens Open the race was effectively one of three horses. Unbeaten in the last three pointing seasons Sheriff's Friend (Chris Gordon) was another strong favourite - this time at 1/2. Beaten by Sheriffs here a fortnight ago old local favourite Struggles Glory (Stuart Robinson) was priced at 7/2. A couple of years ago Satchmo (Philip Hall) was one of the best young pointers in the area before stepping up to run under rules, with reasonable success. The other three seemed to be generally available at 12's - surprisingly no bookie seemed prepared to offer 20's and pick up some free money from those that 'liked the name' of one of the trio that stood minimal chance. Satchmo made the early running with Struggles tucked in behind. Going across the top on the last circuit Satchmo still held a four length lead over Sheriffs. Struggles was now ten lengths behind the pair and by himself in third. Chris moved the favourite up alongside Satchmo as they approached the fourth last. The favourite reached for the fence clipping it with his back legs sending them upwards, causing him to come down too steep and his winning streak was at an end. Chris was a bit shaken but Sheriffs certainly initially seems to have come out of it with no obvious major injury. Satchmo went on to win easily from Struggles and Esprit De Cotte (Phil York 12/1) in third.
Ladies Open	Nine were declared for the Ladies. Kincora (Lisa Stock) and Storm Castle (Julie Wickens) vied for initial favouritism at 2's but the latter subsequently firmed up in the market to 6/4 whilst the two year older Kincora, already a winner this year, drifted out to 5/2. Belvento (Emily Jones), rather like Storm Castle, very useful a couple of years ago but somewhat disappointing since, was at 4's. River Bailiff was at 6's - the fact that Jenny Gordon was riding halving what his normal price would have been. Kincora went for this the only way he knows - from the front! He held a ten length lead as they completed the first circuit. Belvento came up to join him going up the hill the second time and held a length lead as they turned for home. Lisa had her horse back in front as they jumped the fourth from home whilst Dick McCarthy (Sarah Ashby 10/1) was making good ground on the pair of them. Kincora and Belvento swapped the lead several times over the next two fences whilst Dick McCarthy had closed to within a length by the last jump. The three then went head to head to the line with Belvento getting the call from the judge by a head from Kincora with Dick McCarthy another head behind in third. Judge Tim Lyle will be demanding a photo system shortly - having had a dead-heat, a double short-head and a double head result to call in the last thirteen months!
Club 'Conditions'	The biggest field of the day was the fourteen for this race. The betting was very open - at 5/2 were Dancing Fosenby, Indian Wings & Perching. Kenny Davis (Paul Blagg) was offered at 7/2 whilst Lively Lord (with Gareth Wigley deputising for a shaken Chris Gordon) was at 4's. Gareth Wigley had clearly been taking lessons from Chris - despite desperate efforts he also did a ground inspection having been unseated at the second. Six lengths covered the leading eight jumping the fence at the bottom of the hill on the last circuit. Gordon Gallagher on Cedar Chief (10/1), accompanied by riderless Lively Lord, turned across the top of the hill twelve lengths to the good. However, with the race looking to be at his mercy he also clipped the top of the first fence on the way to home and knuckled over on landing. This bequeathed a five length advantage to Indian Wings (W Hill). Tell The Nipper (Marcus Gorman 8/1) slowly reeled in the new leader, passed him as they turned the corner to face the last fence and drew away to the line. Mister Pepper (Tim Underwood 8/1) finished third.
Club Maiden - Div. 1	Ironically the split of the maiden had put most of those with a bit of form in the first half - but none of them were in the eight declared. For some reason one of them, Gunnerbe Posh, was not declared to run - his owner John Maxse being sidelined on work matters. Betting was close - 11 year old maiden Fables Green (Dan Dennis) & 9 year old maiden Inis Eile (Alex Charles-Jones) were at 3's. At 7/2 was The Sky Is Blue - with the assistance of Phil York. The remainder were at 5's and upwards. Gale On The Lake (Philip Hall) was first to exit the scene - another one caught out on the landing side of the first fence coming down the hill. At the top of the hill second time round five lengths covered the leading five. The Sky Is Blue and Master Chief (Peter Bull 8/1) then pulled away from the others. Taking the wide line around the last turn to find less cut up ground The Sky Is Blue drew away from Master Chief who started to labour in the muddy line. Inis Eile, also coming round the wide line, took second off Master Chief in the run-in.
Club Maiden - Div. 2	Eight again in the second half. Tupelov (Dan Dennis) was made a strong favourite at evens. Next in the betting was Tim Underwood's Nocash ridden by Jody Sole (& presumably no relation of the same owners Sendonthecheque) at 5/2 with the remainder at 5's and upwards. All bar one set out up the hill second time round. Phil York kicked for home on Diamond Stone (5/1) as they turned for home. Nocash closed the five length gap down to two lengths as they started the final turn with Glen Amber (Chris Gordon 5/1) and the favourite another three lengths behind. Diamond Stone jumped the last three lengths to the good and sprinted away (well relatively) from Glen Amber (Chris Gordon) is second and Tupelov (Dan Dennis).

Photos	Videos
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Year 2004 Fixture List