09 March 2011 Report: Duke of Beaufort's - Didmarton
by Pete Mansell
SHEKNOWSYOUKNOW: denied Polly Gundry & Ned The Post
photo: Alex Harris
Polly Gundry came to this meeting needing just one winner to record her 300th success between the flags, but she left empty handed after Ned The Post was beaten half a length in the Duke of Beaufort Members on Saturday afternoon.
As expected this race turned out to be a match between Sheknowsyouknow and Ned The Post, although at one time Craven was poised to spoil their party. Bibury jockey Mark Wall made what proved to be a race-winning move as they raced towards the final open ditch, which resulted in a seven length advantage a fence later.
Miss Gundry had reduced the deficit to about two lengths on the final bend but Mark retained the inside berth which can so often prove the difference between victory and defeat at Didmarton and Ned The Post was unable to claw back the deficit on the flat.
Chippenham based Owner/Trainer Mike Hawker was winning the race for the third time in five years and praised his mare's bravery. "She came in fatter than ever this year and has taken a lot of getting fit but nothing comes down the hill faster at Didmarton than she does."
Pony Racing has proved an invaluable training ground for young jockeys in recent years and another of its graduates took the spotlight on Saturday afternoon.
Building on his Pony Racing success Tom Bellamy rode Basis Point to victory in division one of the Open Maiden.
Basis Point ran under Rules from Kim Bailey's Andoversford yard but he subsequently passed into the hands of Kerry Maxwell, who works in the office at Thorndale Farm.
Since joining Maxwell he spends most of his time outdoors at Chedworth where the Rider's father Robert was in charge of his preparation.
The winner had established a clear lead as the runners re-appeared out of the dip with four fences to jump and came home unchallenged.
A recent shopping trip to Ireland by the O'Brien family uncovered a useful performer in the shape of Creevytennant.
Sam Drinkwater had Patricia Duncan's gelding at the head of affairs from the start but their cause was not helped by the fact that the horse jumped right at most fences and violently right at the seventh, ninth and 17th fences.
Winning trainer Fergal O'Brien divulged after the race: "Jelly travelled over to Ireland where my friend Steve Magee had identified this horse as a prospective purchase. Jelly rode the horse, liked what she saw and the deal was done for his purchase by Patricia Duncan."
The advice offered at the time of the sale proved sound. "He wants to front run, on good ground on a staying course."
Adrian Wintle gave a vintage performance on Le Millenaire in the West Midland Area Club Conditions. He forced his mount into the lead on the final bend and defied the efforts of his rivals to pass him on the run for home.
