30 May 2008 Larkhill Racing Club - Larkhill
Pristine Condition: (Oliver Greenall, far side) jumps the last alongside runner-up Amber Dawn (Tigga Barnes)
Polly Gundry rode a double at Larkhill, taking her tally to 38 and leaving her just two behind Polly Curling's record for a Lady Rider set in 1995.
Polly kicked off with Gemster, who surged clear from three out in the Ladies' Open. Gemster had failed to win this season "but I took her for a canter this morning, so I knew she was well", confided Ed Walker, joint-trainer with Polly at their Ottery St Mary yard. Owner Richard Francome was equally delighted. "She's galloped all the way to the line", he smiled. "I was going to take her home for the summer tonight, but Polly thinks we can win another race this season".
Lile Na Casca completed Polly's double, getting up close home to deny Rustic John (David Bass), who led over the last. "I'm so pleased for both horse and rider", said Sutton Veny owner, Caroline Hobbs. "Lile Na Casca because she has had various ailments this season and it's taken us time to get her back to her best, and Polly because she has so many good horses to ride, but she always sticks by Lile Na Casca".
Champion-elect Oliver Greenall, who is chasing Ashley Farrant's record championship score (54) set in 2004, reached the 48-winner mark on Pristine Condition in the opening Restricted race. Owned by Oliver's father, Lord Daresbury, and trained by David Easterby, Pristine Condition eased home comfortably after jumping the last upsides runner-up Amber Dawn (Tigga Barnes).
Touch Of Flame (Michael Miller) took the Men's Open in tremendous style, jumping past 1-3F Sonevafushi (Oliver Greenall) three out and resolutely denying his rival's renewed efforts. Sonevafushi set a slow early pace - the race took 11 seconds longer than the Ladies' contest - "and that's helped us to see out the trip", said winning owner Peter Clarke.
Diamond Monroe got the better of a sustained duel with Mister Putt (Polly Gundry) to give Devon rider Paul John, 16, his third career success in the conditions race. "He had top-weight of 12st 9lb so I think that's an impressive performance", said Paul, who may choose to retain his novice rider status by not riding again this season.
Mr Slipper's Maiden race win was a first for his four joint owners Jill Lind, Sue Austin, Dani Peace and Rachel Tuffin, who bought the horse from Chris and Tory Jowett 18 months ago. Held up in rear, Mr Slipper jumped into the lead at the last and scooted clear to give Castle Cary rider Ryan Bliss his 17th winner of the season.
Harry Derham (G Whizz) and William Twiston Davies (On The Run) won the Wessex Area Pony Race Finals. The Ablington Challenge race, the 11f charity flat race staged in aid of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal, went to Antonine and Caroline Walker, who held off Primed Up (David Croft) with Hiyah (El Tanner) - in the frame for the third year running - in third.
