Runners from Seven Barrows are few and far between in the Summer jumps calendar, so they are always a force to be reckoned with. Five year old mare Therapist has taken a liking to Stratford however, and clocked up her third victory here this summer in the feature 2m 2f Summer Salver Hurdle, sponsored by Barry the Butcher.
I dare say breeders Cheveley Park Stud were expecting something more from the mare when sending her to Andrew Balding, but since she moved a few miles further north to Lambourn, she’s more than paid her way, with previous victories at Southwell and Huntingdon. A winner here both in April and May, 3lb claimer Freddie Gordon retained the mount from May for a bloodless 7l success over the other two runners in the heavy heat of Sunday. It was certainly a day to be fanning oneself.
One Horse Town burnished his credentials in the juvenile hurdle, rewarding odds-on backers with a 14l victory over Alan King’s Blue Tempus. The 8 runner field was reduced to five after two flights with some sketchy jumping from debutants Risk and Appleblossomwhite, whilst Clive Cox cast-off Olivia Jane got as far as the first before jettisoning her rider. For those that persist, prize money is almost assured in these rather uncompetitive races, a fact not lost on winning trainer Harry Derham.
Gwent handler Grace Harris notched up a second winner of the term and maintained her 33% strike rate in the second of the two handicap hurdles, the Esme & Allsopp Handicap over 2m 2f, producing the tightest finish of the day. 3lb claimer Joe Anderson made his move two out on 6 year old Baikal, but was outpaced as they turned the bend, only able to pick up again as they entered the straight, picking off the front pair to win a neck on the line. The second, G’Day Aussie, was perhaps a mite unlucky, shedding a plate in running.
There was further success for Wales 30 minutes later, when Evan Williams’ Backinaction cleaned up in the Tony Sabin Get Your Prostate Checked Handicap Chase over 2m 6f. It was a maiden victory for the Ballycrystal Point-to-Point winner, who has taken 18 months to lose his maiden tag in the UK since switching from Denis Murphy last February. Adam Wedge picked up his riding fee for the 18l margin.
Seven year old Boom Boom has grown a liking for Stratford this summer, picking up a second consecutive victory in the opening University Hospitals Birmingham Charity Handicap Chase over 2m 3f, this time under Robbie Dunne. Third in a novices handicap here in may, a winner in a similar contest a month ago, the Robbie Summers-trained 7 year old had plenty in hand over second-placed My Virtue, 2 3/4l back, and can win again in similar class even with a penalty.
Whatyouwaitingfor was sent off a warm favourite for the 4 x 4tyres.co.uk National Hunt Maiden Hurdle, but was thwarted a third consecutive time at Stratford in as many months, this time by Theo Gillard on the Donald McCain-trained City of Diamonds. The second may be tried over a longer trip, as he seems to be outpaced.
Favourite backers were given some relief in the finale, when James Owen despatched M le Philosophe to win the 2m 6f novices handicap hurdle, justifying his 5/6 price. Alex Chadwick can win again on the five year old who had plenty on hand at the close.
