Race Reviews

Confined	Seven horses were declared for the opening race. Winner at Bexhill six days earlier Granny Smith (Chris Gordon) was the favourite at 13/8. Charing Restricted winner the previous week Kilvoydan, partnered by David Phelan, was at 7/2. Runner-up last time out in the Ladies race at Charing Glory Trail (Philip Hall) was next in the betting at 5's. Parham Hunt Race winner Live Wire was priced at 7's with the others at 8/1 or more. The two market leaders shared the leading for the first circuit. With just under a circuit to go, together with Oxendale (Peter Bull 12/1) and Live Wire (Charlotte Benstead) they had dropped the others. As they passed the start point and aimed for home Oxendale took over the lead. Kilvoydan stayed with him and had clawed the gap back to half a length over the last but Oxendale sprinted up to the line with Live Wire left in third.
Club Members	The Club Members had six horses declared to run. Favourite was Midnight Lord (Joe Pemberton) who won his maiden here three weeks ago at 7/4. Second in the market was Sliabh Foy (Philip Hall) - winner of his maiden four years ago - but after a massive lay-off had run an encouraging re-appearance at Aldington. He was priced at 5/2 whilst half a point longer at 3's was last weeks maiden at Bexhill winner - Siobhan's Quinner (David Phelan). The remainder were at 5/1 or more. Sliabh Foy made the early running and was still in the lead as they set out on the last circuit. However by then the only others that were still in striking distance were Siobhan's Quinner, Midnight Lord and Red Square Prince (Chris Gordon 6/1). Siobhan's Quinner departed at the fifth from home whilst Red Square Prince started to lose touch very soon afterwards. Midnight Lord couldn't make any headway on the leader.
Veteran & Novice Riders	Nine started the beginners and pensioners dash. The clear favourite, at 6/4, was Cloudy Creek guided by the experienced hands of Peter Bull. Lively Lord was priced up at 4's, having helped rider Gareth Wigley to his first ever victory at Aldington. Ever-young George Cooper had brought his dual winner this season Rip Kirby down from Essex. Another East Anglian raider Ginger Bug assisted by Paul Chinery was priced at 7's. Veteran Algan carrying trainer J J Ryan, at 8's, was the only other horse not backable at 16's. Lively Lord made a good pace and the field was well strung out after four fences with only Cloudy Creek trying to stay with him. With a circuit to go Algan was driven up to join the pair with the remainder of the field floundering in their wake. With four fences to go Algan had to give best. At the penultimate Lively Lord had opened up a five length lead. Peter Bull drove the grey up to within half a length by the last jump and the two went side by side to the line where Lively Lord just hung on from Cloudy Creek with Algan in third.
Ladies Open	Although there were only five declared for the Ladies Open three of them were already Ladies Open winners this season. Just favourite was Cedar Chief (Jenny Gordon) at 6/4. Just a quarter-point longer at 7/4 was Spring Gale. Under usual pilot Zoe Turner the thirteen year old was going for his seventeenth consecutive first three placing. Fair Kiowa (Sam Hodge), like Spring Gale a visitor from East Anglia was priced at 7/2 whilst Kincora (Lisa Stock), a successful raider from the South East into East Anglia earlier in the season was priced at 6's. For the second consecutive week we had a Ladies race with two front runners in it. For the second time in seven days we were treated to Kincora and Cedar Chief blazing the trail. After a circuit Jenny went on by eight lengths. Fair Kiowa gave best with six fences to go. Spring Gale hit the front with four fences to go and was always in control thereafter. Cedar Chief remained three to five lengths behind with Kincora finishing third.
Mens Open	The four horses declared for the Mens Open all had in common the fact that they came to this race having won their previous outing. Hunt race winner last time out King Of The Dawn (Jody Sole) and the Joe Owen piloted Leatherback were the outsiders at 8/1. Just two points shorter at 6/1 was Royal Action (Paul Chinery). The latter two being East Anglian visitors. At four to one on was the local 'champion' Sheriff's Friend with Chris Gordon doing the honours this time out. King Of The Dawn did the pace setting. The four remained in indian file for the next two circuits. Chris and Sheriff's were bravely (foolhardy perhaps) tucked away behind. Eight lengths in arrears at the third last the favourite was still five lengths down at the penultimate. The move between the last two jumps was fast and effective. A five length deficit was a five length lead by the final fence and the race was over. King Of The Dawn fought off Royal Action for the second spot.
Maiden	The concluding eight runner maiden race was seen to be a very open affair. Just favourite at 7/2 was Abbey Days under James Owen from the Suffolk Turner yard. A point longer, at 9/2, were three runners - Baron Bernard (Paul Chinery), Blakes Road (Gordon Gallagher) and Sawbridge (Chris Gordon). Madam Attorney (Sergio Gordon-Watson) was at 5's and the others at 7/1 or more. The field went a sensible pace for the first circuit - given their previous completion rates probably a good move. As they jumped the sixth from home there was still only six lengths covering seven of the runners. Baron Bernard moved clear of the others five fences from home. The chasing Blakes Road wasn't fluent at either the third or second last jump which let in Abbey Days for second place.

On a lovely spring early evening there are plenty of things to be done to while away the time whilst the enormous number of cars slowly wend their way from the racetrack.

Option 1 - Participate in one of the two rounders matches, three cricket matches or two football matches that sprung up.

Option 2 - Finish the picnic in a leisurely manner

Option 3 - At last let the dogs out for a bit of socialising

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Year 2004 Fixture List