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MY WAY DE SOLZEN: made winning Pointing debut at the Croome & West Warwickshire
photo: Phil Britt

Hanley Swan trainer Andy Hobbs sent out his first winner of the season at Upton-upon-Severn on Tuesday afternoon.

"We've had several near misses and I would have been worried if this one had got beaten," said Hobbs, but there was never any likely hood of that after Alistair Ralph sent Jaunty Times to the front as they raced along the riverside for the final time.

This was the first winner for Leigh Sinton-based Mo Costello who purchased the winner out of Henry Daly's yard on the advice of the Rider, who works at the Trainer's Ludlow stables.

My Way De Solzen had won an Arkle and Ladbrookes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in the past and on that form looked to have a tremendous chance in the Confined.

Others were preferred in the betting however, but given his mount's past form Ryan Mahon set out to make it a thorough test of stamina. Those tactics reaped dividends when the 10-year-old proved too strong for his rivals over the final three fences.

"He got close to a couple down the back straight otherwise he was foot perfect" reported the Rider after the race, while winning Trainer Gabe Mahon from Stratford-on-Avon said, "I was very pleased with that performance. He didn't have to win, but he had to enjoy it and he did".

Princess Fyona enhanced her growing reputation with a four-length success in the Restricted in the hands of David Mansell; she is destined to go to the sales later in the year, while William Somers landed the Mixed Open prize for his Berkeley-based Owner/Trainer Tim Sage.

Dammam continued the fine run of Fergal O'Brien's Naunton stable by making mincemeat of his rivals in the concluding Maiden. Ross on Wye Trainer Maz Scudamore took the Mares Maiden with Bounds and Leaps, a horse that she bred herself, which must have been particularly satisfying.

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