22 April 2009 Report: South & West Wilts - Larkhill
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
MAN FROM HIGHWORTH: winner of the Ladies Open race
photo: Brian Armstrong
Lucy Barry, the season's current leading National Lady Novice rider, reached the four-winner mark on the impressive Man From Highworth, who recorded a fast time in the Ladies Open at Larkhill on Saturday. Always prominent, Man From Highworth jumped into the lead six out and quickly surged 20 lengths clear of his rivals.
Sutton Veny owner-trainer Caroline Hobbs and jockey Jimmy Derham combined for a double with Lile Na Casca (Hunt race) and Phiroza (Maiden). Lile Na Casca made all and sauntered home 25 lengths clear of General Blackthorn (Michael Green), who was made favourite to follow up his 2008 success but could never get on terms. Phiroza held sway throughout the final circuit before holding Lee Rowe's renewed challenge aboard Bonny Busona by half a length. "Phiroza is my first home-bred runner and winner, although we've two more in the wings and one in the oven", smiled Caroline, who works as an air hostess. "Thank goodness my flight to Singapore was cancelled, else I would have missed all this", she added.
Trade Off (Sam Allwood) won his fourteenth race for owners Ann Tory and Bill Dupont in the Mens Open. "He's been such a star for us and probably enjoyed being taken on by [runner-up] Baodai at first. My granddaughter, Alison, hunts him and he loves that as well", said Ann. The Wessex Area Champion Hunter Chase at Wincanton on 7th May or Folkestone's 3m7f United Hunts Champion Hunter Chase on 14th May, which Trade Off won in 2008, is next on the agenda.
Gunship, owned and trained at Kington Magna by Mark Hoskins and Cathy Hamilton, made all under Robbie Henderson to easily account for sole rival Return The Call (Kayley Jones) in the PPORA Novice Riders race. "He's very fit and we would have been hopeful even if [four-time winner] Thisthatandtother had turned out", said Mark. Gunship will now be aimed at the Novice Riders Series Final at Tabley, Cheshire, on 17th May.
Mr Slipper won his second race for his four joint owners Jill Lind, Sue Austin, Dani Peace and Rachel Tuffin when making all in the Restricted. "Will White stood down after taking a fall at Cheltenham on Thursday, but he told me exactly how to ride the horse", explained jockey Rilly Goschen, moving onto the four-winner mark for the season.
The next Wessex Area meeting is the Devon & Somerset Staghounds meeting at Holnicote, near Minehead, on Saturday 2nd May.
