Pony races

12 years and under	12 ponies lined up for the start of this race. Quickest away was the skewbald Topper ridden by Sophie Knight - closely followed by Millhouse Sky Rocket under Emily Hardwick. As they approached the turn into the straight Edward Grissell on Chatterbox had passed Emily to take second place. As they straightened out for home Edward took the inside course and the lead. The glance over the shoulder from Sophie indicated that her pony had nothing more to give. Edward went away to win by eight lengths from Sophie, Southern was another eight lengths behind with a fast finishing Sherry, piloted by Lizzie Norman, just a length behind. The winner recording a time of 55 seconds. Grissell (hmm - seem to recall that name in connection with pointing!)	Chatterbox & Edward pass the post
15 years and under	Ten 'larger ponies' and older riders faced the starter. A couple got a good start but by the time they passed the second fence Sonnet ridden by Tom Cannon had stormed into a two length lead over Sir Roger Pickwell (Celina Kelly). Sonnet then continued to draw away from the rest of the field. Sir Roger Pickwell was ten lengths adrift in second and hung on to that position by a head from the fast finishing (thirty lengths behind the leader in ninth place at the halfway point) Cherry Pip ridden by Khia Moon. The winner returned a time of 49 seconds. Once again the point-to-point connection was there - Toms mum Linda (nee Savage) having ridden a number of winners in the area.	Victory for Tom & Sonnet

Race reviews

Restricted	Eight were declared for the Restricted. Trumper (Phil York) was made the even money favourite. Kilvoydan (David Phelan) was backable at 2/1. At 4/1 was the Peter Bull ridden Master Chief. Other than Tonrin (Jody Sole) at 8's the remainder of the field could be backed at 16/1. The field were still tightly bunched as they disappeared into the fog at the top of the hill after the first circuit. The field was effectively reduced to five contenders at they went up the hill for the second time. Turning for home Kilvoydan had drawn out a two length advantage over the favourite - a gap that Phil couldn't reduce. Master Chief was the remote third.
2m4f Babies Maiden	Five faced the starter in the 2m4f 'babies' (must remember the 2m4f bit - spent 15 seconds trying to work out why all the runners were hiding behind the fence at the 'usual' start!) Faller here with the race at his mercy Lord Of The North (Chris Gordon) was a 4/6 fav. The only 'other seriously considered runner was the debutante Lady Mordaunt (from the York yard - hence the short price). The remainder could be backed at 8's or more. Naughty Noah did most of the early pace making whilst Almazard dropped himself out of contention by giving away a length at each fence by jumping violently left. As they turned for home Naughty Noah (Gordon Gallagher) held a two length lead over Lord Of The North with Lady Mordaunt the same distance behind. The latter crumpled on the landing side of the fourth from home. Naughty Noah then ran out of steam and Chris went past easily. Worth A Shot (David Phelan) ran on from well off the pace to take second from Naughty Noah in the run in.
Mens Open	There were only 3 declared for the Mens Open. Punters had the dubious choice of two odds on runners to choose from. Struggles Glory (David Robinson) was the shorter priced at 4/6. Belvento (Mick Sheridan) was at 4/5. The outsider of three Russian Connection (Anthony Ward-Thomas) was at 6's. David decided to make the pace on Struggles. Russian Connection dropped off the pace going up the hill second time round. Mick brought Belvento up alongside David going to the fourth last. A couple of years ago Belvento's jumping had been his Achilles heel - and the old problem kicked back in with a vengeance as he hit the top of the downhill jump and unshipped Mick. David then hacked his way round to an easy win from Russian Connection.
Ladies Open	The Ladies had five runners. Impressive start to finish winner last week Cedar Chief, with Lisa Stock in the saddle this week, was a 4/5 fav. At 2's was the Hannah Grissell piloted Glory Trail. Commasaris under Jenny Gordon was at 4's. Pippa Hall ridden Scotch Bob was at 6's. Unlike last week Cedar Chief didn't attempt to run the rest of the field off it's feet. As they set up the hill for the last time he was two lengths down in third place. Lisa used the hill to quicken the pace and turned across the top eight lengths to the good. The remainder closed up to within three lengths going to the fourth from home. This fence had claimed Cedar Chief when well clear of the field on his last outing here but this time it was the opposite - Cedar Chief flew it - the rest were a bit sticky at it and suddenly the lead was back to eight lengths. The others were left to have a four horse race for second - Glory Trail eventually taking the second spot by a length from Commasaris. (Note - although allowed to take the inside line rather than the outside line taken by the ponies Cedar Chief completed the last half mile in a time of 54 seconds - five seconds slower than the larger ponies took to cover a slightly longer distance.)
Club	Five again in this race. The young mare Charlie's Angel (Phil York) was made the 5/4 fav. The next two in the betting were two that were already course winners this season - Rainbow Ranch (Chris Gordon) was at 7/4 whilst Galeaway (Julian Barnard) was at 6's. The bogey downhill fence claimed Lord Of The Flies (David Brightling) on the first circuit. As they turned for home Kenny Davis (Paul Blagg 8/1) held a small lead over Charlie's Angel with Rainbow Ranch losing touch behind them. As they came to the third last the two rose together. Unfortunately Kenny Davis seems to have been donated a whole book of 'something goes wrong when in with a winning chance' tickets - and yet another one was dealt face up as he clouted the third last causing Paul to be flung forward at a speed considerably faster than the horse was now travelling. Chris rousted a final effort from Rainbow Ranch and got back to within four lengths but Phil always had things under control. Galeaway finished third.
Hunt	The Hunt Race had five starting. 1/2 fav. was Dick McCarthy (Sarah Ashby) At 3's was Oxendale (Camilla Andrews). Maiden winner two seasons ago Nicodemus (Gareth Wigley) was at 5's. On form this should have been an easy task for the favourite. Nicodemus made the early running with the other four in a group until Ishma started playing his old tricks and owner-rider Darren Page had to start throwing the kitchen sink at him to convince him that he didn't want to refuse at the next fence. (eventually Darren gave best and pulled him up before he had a chance to stop of his own accord). Dick McCarthy overtook the nearly cooked Nicodemus as they went across the top second time round and was never in danger thereafter. Oxendale took the second spot in the last quarter mile.

Photos	Videos
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Year 2004 Fixture List