Race reviews

Maiden - Div. 1	This meeting had already passed through the novelty of having had its timetable changed twice before the meeting even started - courtesy of a mid-meeting gap for a parade of hounds being introduced and subsequently reduced in size. Before the racing even started schedule number four came into effect as the number of horses declared for the opening race exceeded the safety limit and the race was divided. The meeting hosts had done plenty to encourage horses in from outside the area and many had taken up the option. The fact that the course is only three miles from the M25 making it relatively easy for horses to come from both East Anglia and also from the west. Indeed only two of the nine runners that faced the starter for the opening division had received their qualifying tickets in the South East area. Favourite at 2/1 was Lady Mordaunt from the York yard. She had been travelling competitively when crumpling at the fourth last on her racing debut at Charing. At 4's was the previously placed Calling Home. Two other visitors from the west Miss Chloe and Worth A Shot were backable at 6's. The fourth fence saw the departure of Calling Home. The runners were sent around the fence next time round - the process giving a spark of an idea to Sir Hendrik who felt that it would be a good move to repeat the process two fences later resulting in rider Ben Garner going through the wing as his mount went round it. When the field reappeared for the final time Private Percival (Paul Blagg) had opened up a six length lead over Barbed Broach with the same distance back to Lady Mordaunt. Only one of the last three fences had to be negotiated and the places remained unchanged to the line.
Maiden - Div. 2	Gale On The Lake, already placed a couple of times in maiden races in the area, was made the 7/4 favourite. Cowanstown, from the yard of Lawrence Wells, under Justin Morgan, was cautiously priced at 3/1. Placed in maidens in East Anglia Mr. Know What was priced at 4/1. The second part of the maiden was not without incident. See Red Billdan (Joe Pemberton 8/1) pulled hard and had set up a long lead as he started on the last circuit. Unfortunately the horse seemed to have miscounted the number of circuits - despite his riders attempts to convince him otherwise he negotiated a sharp left turn into the loose horse run-out chute by the horse box park. Once again only three reappeared out from the back straight. Mr. Know What (Claire Bartlett 4/1) running out the winner from Born Winner (10/1) whose rider Phil York ended the race practically perched on the horses backside as the saddle slipped back and various lightweight bits flew off up the run-in.. Sawbridge (Chris Gordon 8/1) completed the course for the first time this season.
Intermediate	There were seven declared here. Clear favourite at 6/4 was Penshurst Restricted winner Sliabh Foy (Philip Hall) at 6/4. The next three were close in the betting - Nomadic Star (Zoe Lilly) at 7/2 whilst at 4's were Nowornever (David Kemp) and Persian Hero (James Owen). The others were at 6/1 or more. As they set out on the last circuit Sliabh Foy & Nomadic Star held a two length lead over Persian Hero with the remainder struggling. As they jumped the third last the order was exactly the same but Persian Hero joined the other two in the air at the second last. Nomadic Star jumped right into Persian Hero and Zoe Lilly performed miracles to stay in the saddle. This gave the advantage to the Turner horse - although Zoe made ground up the run in to overtake Sliabh Foy the Suffolk raider was now too far in front.
Ladies Open	Although there were seven declared for the Ladies the betting suggested that the race was destined to be a two horse affair. Regular visitor (and winner here) from East Anglia Spring Gale (Zoe Turner) was at even money. Ironically at 13 this horse was the third youngest of those lining up. The only other fancied runner, at 7 years of age, half that of more than 50% of the field (2 x 15, 2 x 14, 13, 10 & 7) was Cedar Chief (Jenny Gordon). Otherwise the price of the runners generally matched their ages. For once Cedar Chief wasn't allowed to do the front running but as they started along the back straight on the last circuit the market favourites had drawn clear of the remainder. As they re-appeared over the fourth last Spring Gale had a three length lead over Cedar Chief with the others having their own race for third place. Spring Gale was always in control thereafter and, if the Racing Post form details are correct now has a career record of 66 runs - of which one third (22) have been victorious and the same number again have resulted in the runners-up slot - a record to be seriously proud of - although the horse retains a few quirks - reportedly having planted himself on the way to the start. Now 13 there cannot be many years left on the clock for him. The Turners have been blessed with some very good horses over the years - Boy Bumble, Master Vesuvius, Even Harmony and Hardcastle coming to mind and this fellow must have given them as much fun as those. Glory Trail (Hannah Grissell 14/1) won the outsiders race
Mens Open	The Mens Open had five declared. Two runners from East Anglia headed the market - Bard Of Drumcoo (David Kemp) was an even money favourite whilst.at 2's was the Turner representative Militaire (James Owen) at 2/1. The only locally qualified horse River Bailiff (Phil York) was a 5/1 shot. The other two were 10's or more. As they set off on the last circuit the two favourites together with Sheila Mackenzie (T Lane 10/1) led from River Bailiff who went up to join then on the back straight. Militaire started making mistakes and was dropped. River Bailiff closed the gap to a length by the third but could get no closer. Sheila Mackenzie finished third.
Restricted	The betting market suggested that the seven runner Restricted was effectively limited to two seriously fancied runners. Lord Of The North (Chris Gordon) was the even money favourite whilst the Turner representative On The Day (James Owen) was a 6/4 chance. The remainder were at 8's or longer. Kniveniven belted the twelfth giving Phil York no chance of staying with his mount. After the last open ditch the two market leaders together with Magic Lodge (Rupert Stearn) were in line together. Magic Lodge and On The Day jumped the second last together a length in front of the favourite with Rupert winning the dash to the line.
Confined	The Confined had 6 runners - four of which had recorded wins at some point during the current season. Rainbow Ranch (Chris Gordon) at 2's was just favourite whilst Brackenheath (Philip Hall) was a quarter point longer at 9/4. Peper Harow winner Mister Pepper (Tim Underwood) was a 4/1 chance whilst at 6's were Charing winner Tell The Nipper (Marcus Gorman) and Kenny Davis (Paul Blagg) who had somehow managed to avoid winning a race, by hook or by crook, during the course of the season. As they set out on the last circuit only Tom Cappagh (Jeremy Wall 12/1) was not within four lengths of leader Brackenheath. Over the last open ditch (fourth from home) - Kenny Davis a length to the good over Mister Pepper - the same to Brackenheath - and the same again to Tell The Nipper. At the penultimate Kenny by a half over Brackenheath - same to Tell The Nipper - same to Mister Pepper. Kenny and Brackenheath jump the last together - TTN a length behind and MP another length behind him. Kenny makes it a win each all round
Hunt	The Hunt race drew a respectable four runners from the five entries. Double winner this season Lively Lord (Jenny Gordon) was a strong favourite at 2/7. Next in the betting was Straight Baron (unlucky not to win here at the previous meeting and probably rather lucky to win at Aldington last time out) at 4's. The other pair were traded at 8's. Run at a sensible pace for the first two circuits but only Spy Boy (Justin Morgan 8/1) kept vainly in touch with the favourite over the last half mile. Straight Baron (Peter Bull) was a twenty length in arrears third.

This time will it be the last time that we see Jenny Gordon, area Ladies champion in 2000/2002/2003/2004, in action at a point-to-point meeting?

(Picture courtesy of Mark Siggers)

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Year 2004 Fixture List