Continuous rain on the previous Friday conspired to deliver heavy ground at Stratford’s penultimate fixture, where 64 runners contested the seven races under bright autumn sunshine.
It was a day when the fairer sex was able to take a leading role in honours, three races won by established and up and coming trainers, in addition to a rare hurdle race restricted to female riders. The feature event of the day however was a scalp for Stratford’s local trainer Olly Murphy, whose Westerninthepark scored on chase debut for his new yard, having been transferred from Anthony Charlton’s earlier in the month.
A bumper winner here in Spring ’23 when under the tutelage of Milton Harris, Charlton had continued a winning theme with Westerninthepark through two novice hurdles last term. He didn’t give favourite backers a nervous moment after jumping left at the first, putting distance between him and any pursuers in short order 2 out, to win by 14l.
The day had begun with a race that may be virtually unique in the British calendar nowadays in this era of gender equality: a handicap hurdle for female professional and amateur riders. We’re lucky enough to have a talented pool of female riders presently, with a mix of those brought up in racing families, and others who have blazed their own trail to recognition.
Inkberrow – based Tom Gretton had booked amateur Point-to-Point champion lady rider Gina Andrews for One Last Glance, and the booking looked a sound one after favourite Night Jet faded. Gina Andrews pushed her mount into a clear lead around the home bend, and was able to assert readily, winning over Evan Williams’ Coup de Gold by 2 1/4l.
After a brief break for Westerninthepark’s saunter, female service was resumed in race 3, the Edward Abell Memorial Mares Handicap Hurdle, when Evan Williams had to play second fiddle again to Lexie’s Moon, a Laura Horsfall – trained 6 year old winning for the first time since losing her maiden status at Huntingdon in March. In a less than direct route to the head of affairs from two out, she showed sufficient speed to fend off a one-paced challenge from It’s Easy for Kevin Brogan’s7th winner of the term, and Laura’s second.
Laura Horsfall is a recruit from the Point-to-Point sector, as indeed is Daisy Hitchins, trainer of the penultimate race winner on the card, a 2m 2f handicap hurdle. Hitchins was formerly long time assistant to Brian Barr, before the stress of running a smallish yard told on him and encouraged his withdrawal from the sport in August 2023.
Amateur Robbie David took the mount on Begin The Luck, reverting to hurdling after 18 months chasing that offered up 4 victories, including here last June. The owner-trained gelding had hit the front at the last, the two hurdles in the home straight omitted because of low sun, and still had enough in the tank to hold off a renewed challenge from Any Biscuits, who stayed on for Paul O’Brien to close the gap to 1 1/4l at the line. Hitchins has enjoyed some success this summer, this being her 6th winner, whilst this was a second winner for David, more familiarly known around the West Country Pointing circuit.
The distaff theme continued as Emma Lavelle produced Silver Thorn to win his maiden hurdle on his first time leaving the ground. Tom Bellamy always had enough in hand to beat Carrig Kate from the Greenall/Guerriero stable, the winning margin of 3 3/4l growing with every stride.
Twiston-Davies pairing Nigel and Sam teamed up to justify favouritism with Glynn Brae in the 2 mile Mid-Warwickshire Cleaning Supplies Maiden Hurdle. However, the winning rider fell foul of the beaks, when the stewards identified that he’d drifted across Lud ‘or on the run-in, precipitating that horse to stumble. An enquiry found Sam Twiston-Davies guilty of careless riding, suspending him for 7 days.
J P McManus – owned horses can be found at every level of the sport, even if the man himself is now only seen at the top tracks. Nick Gifford is one of the diverse set of trainers to enjoy the Irishman’s patronage, and rewarded him with a winner in the Class 5 handicap chase to conclude the card. Aworkinprogress hasn’t set the world alight to date, but this first graduation to chase company initiated a 100% record over fences, James Davies the winning rider.
