A tremendous atmosphere, a large crowd, wellingtons needed underfoot but with the sun shining a good old fashioned Easter Monday meeting was underway. Admittedly, the fates had one more card to deal before the Welsh season could finally get started; a road traffic accident on the main A40 artery into Pembrokeshire meant a road closure caused such lengthy traffic queues that both horses and medical staff were delayed on the single track roads across the county. Racing was delayed for an hour but the flag eventually fell and the first race of the Welsh season was underway. The Owen &Owen Cresselly Conditions race saw Bradley Gibbs setting off on the favourite Springtown Sal hoping to reap the reward for his mammoth journey from Hertfordshire, but Prime Pretender under Ellie Williams jumped off and made all the running, while they were briefly headed by Springtown Sal going to the last an awkward jump from the mare allowed the scopey gelding to mark his authority and he accelerated away to claim victory. The nine-year-old son of Great Pretender had been a consistent performer in his career under rules having been often in the frame without getting his head in front. The move to the pointing field has seen him successful on two of his three runs. Ed Vaughan steered his father’s Jean Genie into third.
This was the first of a double on the day for Ellie Williams as she rode Voodoo Doll to victory in the Ladies Open coming out trumps in a match with Dandy Dan. Grandmother Mary Evans had questioned the eleven year old’s chances on the ground, but the multiple winning son of Getaway is a true stayer and saw out the trip well.
James King was also in trophy collecting form as was Pontypridd based trainer Luke Price with the duo pairing up to score three victories on the day. This is one of the most successful partnerships in the sport and the tally of wins that contribute to the championship contention of King every year is enhanced by the Price yard. The winners on this occasion were Ciarabello (Maiden), Mini Fortune (Restricted) and Joyzain (Mares Maiden). As ever all the Price horses were impeccably turned out. Ciarabello looked to be the one to watch as he took his maiden in fine style by twenty lengths from Getaway Cory (Ed Vaughan) and Blackfinch (Oisin Radford). The French Bred gelding has raced in Ireland and was placed in a Ballynoe point to point in March of last year.
The Men’s Open went the way of the ever-consistent LooksnowtlikeBrian and Oisin Radford. The gallant thirteen-year-old saw off the talented nine-year-old Jay Bee Whisky who had made the journey from Heythrop country with Max Comley. It was the first of a double on the day for owner David Brace who had the pleasure of watching grandson Jude finish first past the post in the 148 pony race.
For those who did not yet want to leave the sunshine, the day finished with a live band, with singer Mark Robinson who had ridden earlier in the day now along with his band making an excellent job of entertaining the crowd. The organisers put a lot of effort into making the day a successful one and it was good to be back racing in Wales after such a long weather induced absence.
The seasoned secretary of the meeting Jan Mathias who had dealt with the RTA hold up with such a cool practical approach had been determined owners would be looked after at Lydstep. Apart from the welcome for all owners in the Sponsors tent, provided an easter treat of Pembrokeshire produce to take home. The race winners received stunning large planted pots from Lydstep Garden centre in addition to the other owners mementoes.
Everyone in Wales is now looking forward to our next meeting Llangeinor and Pentyrch revisiting Ystrad for the first time in several years.