24 March 2009 Report: Curre & Llangibby - Howick
CITY AFFAIR: winner of the Men's Open and ridden by Dean Coleman
Former winning hurdler City Affair, who landed the Mens Open race at the Curre & Llangibby, will be heading to Liverpool in a fortnight's time to run in the Aintree Fox Hunters Steeplechase.
This was announced by his owner, Andrew Lowrie, after the eight- year-old bay gelding had finished one-and-a-half lengths ahead of five times course winner Lough Ennel. Confidently ridden by Deano Coleman, who joined the runner-up at the second last before going on to lead over the final obstacle, City Affair was strongly fancied and went off the 2-9 favourite.
Beth Roberts's Chesnut Annie, who like City Affair is qualified with the Llangeinor Hunt, soon had her eight rivals trailing in her wake when winning the Ladies Open race under twenty-six-year-old Isabel Tompsett, the reigning Welsh champion rider. Chesnut Annie's box broke down on the way to the races and Beth was full of praise for hunt-racing stalwarts Messrs Hamer and Leyshon who stopped to help her. Chesnut Annie is now the first horse to win five races this season.
Peter Corbett's homebred Upton Springs gave Jonathon Jarrett his fifth winner of the season when landing the Restricted. Trainer Sarah Jayne Davies, who has a half share in the mare, said: "I really love this mare she is brilliant to train but has been very unlucky. I think the world of her.''
Irishman Tom Austin had his first winner in four years when his well backed Doctor Supremo ran out an easy winner of the first division of the maiden. Doctor Supremo was ridden by Welsh champion Rhys Hughes and is trained in Haverfordwest by Robert Luke. Mr Luke commented: "Tom has been very patient and deserves this win.''
Handofharperstown, the winner of the first division of the maiden, was a first time training success for Worcestershire's Zara Hunt. Joint owners David Smith and David Robertson were also enjoying their first success.
This was also the case for owner David Rees and trainer Stephen Parkhouse in the second division, when the always prominent Ship To Shore came home an easy winner.
The PPORA Club race was won by Chalk It Up. This resulted in first successes for joint owners Ian Anderson and David Barlow. Partnered by Adam Wadlow, Chalk It Up gave Mr Anderson's partner Jean Balmer from Welshpool her first win as a trainer.
James Stephens made nearly all the running to win the Members' race on Berkeley Court, trained by his grandfather Owen Stephens. Mr Price later suffered a nasty fall from Foxy Judas in the PPORA club race and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with a suspected broken collar bone and shoulder. Enthusiasts will wish him a speedy recovery.
