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RALEAGH HOUSE: continued progression at Maisemore
photo: Alun Sedgmore

Dymock Owner Clive Bennett provided sponsorship for the 2m4f Maiden during 'Ledbury meeting at Maisemore Park but earlier in the afternoon he had picked up prizemoney of his own after Raleagh House's success in the Conditions race.

Rhys Jenkins and Strong Weld adopted their customary front running tactics and were jumping so proficiently that he was gaining lengths over his rivals at every fence.

Four from home the race developed into a fight between Strong Weld, Raleagh House and Niver Bai, with the former's cause not being helped when his heels were clipped by a rival rounding the final bend.

Raleagh House secured the lead between the final two fences but it required all of Tom Weston's considerable strength to drive his mount into a winning position at the last before they could claim victory.

This win provided compensation for Owner Clive Bennett and Trainer Emma Alvis for Balinova's defeat in the Members earlier in the afternoon. The 13-year-old was sent off the well backed favourite, but his supporters feared the worst when Tom Weston gave his mount a couple of reminders to stay in contention at halfway.

Balinova clawed his way back into contention down the back straight, but Mister Kay Bee held a slight advantage on the home turn and stayed on strongly to win by four lengths to land the spoils for his Malvern-based owner Keith Bayliss, Trainer Julie Houldey and Rider Dave Mansell.

Buckingham Boys provided local stables with their third winner of the afternoon in the eight-year-old and upwards Maiden.

Love The Truth led as they lined up for the judge but Buckingham Boys, ridden by Clerk of the Course Mark Wilesmith, managed to creep through on the inner to secure a narrow lead approaching the final obstacle and just needed to be driven out to retain his advantage on the flat.

The winner runs in the colours of the Jockey, his Upton-on-Severn Trainer wife Claudia and Phil Jones; Mark stated after the race "the horse is for sale".

It was a good weekend for Himbleton-based Angela Rucker who rode winners on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Petit Lord found an easy opportunity to open his seasonal account in the Ladies Open at Brafield-on-the-Green. He was always up with the leaders and had the race in safe keeping before Bobbies Ryde blundered his chance away at the fourth from home.

Blue Business had carried Angela Rucker to victory in the Ladies Open at the Heythrop fixture at Dunthrop back in 2008; in this years event Mrs Rucker made her decisive move when she sent her mount to the front at the third from home.

An elated Mrs Rucker said after the race "I knew he would get the trip but you never know with him he is also capable of stopping, but he tried his heart out on this occasion and thoroughly deserved it".

Her husband William confirmed that the horse "has a mind of his own - it's taken us 20 minutes just to get him into the paddock".

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