07 April 2009 Report: Cotswold - Andoversford
FERGALS FIND: wins the Mens Open under Ran Morgan
Anyone involved with racing knows that stables will be subjected to frustrating periods when horses are running well but not winning and that is what Fergal O'Brien's stable at Naunton has had to endure over the last month or so.
The opposition at Sundays Cotswold fixture at Andoversford may not have been that strong but races still have to be won and a double at his home meeting allowed last seasons leading West Midland based trainer Fergal O'Brien to significantly reduce Julie Houldey's advantage in this year's Championship.
Gulabill repeated last year's success in the Members with a pillar-to-post victory under Sam Drinkwater. The 10-year-old maintained a handy advantage over Honkytonk until easing clear of his rival up the final hill to land this prize for Sam's parents Paul and Karen.
Ran Morgan announced his retirement from race riding earlier in the season, but the Northleach-based jockey returned to the saddle recently and he had an armchair ride when steering Fergals Find to victory in the Mens Open to compete a double for the O'Brien yard.
There were four West Midland successes at the Tedworth fixture at Barbury Castle, where Gill and Richard Bryan took the Confined with the Beaufort qualified Chaucers Miller.
Later in the afternoon Dave Mansell teamed up with Bowdens Lane to land the Tedworth Gold Cup over 3 miles and 6 furlongs. Knighton Combe was just preferred in the betting but Bowdens Lane set a good pace from the start and Mansell had wisely kept a little bit in reserve.
Just two horses stood their ground from the 40 entries for the concluding Maiden, with Chris Clarke's North Cotswold qualified newcomer Big Country seeing off the challenge of solitary rival Jolly Dancer.
Cutsdean-based Clarke was unlucky not to see his colours carried to victory earlier in the afternoon. Tywysog had the Maiden at his mercy as they approached the last but he veered off the course and had to stop to a walk to get back inside the running rail, allowing stablemate Jacko's Boy to claim victory.
Ali Lindner took Martin Seymour's Croome qualified Karshaan up to the same meeting from her stable near Broadway and was rewarded with victory in the 56&7yo Maiden.
