03 May 2011 Report: North Ledbury - Maisemore Park
by Peter Mansell
Longdon-based solicitor Nick Oliver rode his first winner of the season (from a limited number of rides) when he guided Jim Edwards to victory in the Members. The Lyndsay White-trained gelding led from the start and the leader was left with a relatively easy task when Stormy Bob and Mark Wilesmith had a disagreement at the 11th fence. They lost about half a dozen lengths and were always struggling to regain lost ground after that mistake. This left Jim Edwards with an easy task to land the victory for White and her co-owner Tania Ruhen.
Only two horses met their engagement in the Ladies Open but the result was in doubt right up to the last fence. Racing down the back straight for the final time, it looked as though there was an upset on the cards as Terramarique began to ease clear of his rival, but in the home straight Alex Dunn started to get a response from Rainbow Tree and they slowly reeled the leader in to land the prize for Himbleton-based Katherine Smith-Maxwell.
When asked about her tactics after the race Mrs Dunn said "I had instructions from my mother to give the horse as easy a race as possible, and not to go too wide on the final bend - or else!"
Themanfromfraam had scored over this course at the previous meeting and followed up that success with an easy win over Prof De L'Isle in the Restricted. Adrian Wintle made a winning move at the 15th and the favourite had too much speed for his rivals in the home straight.
The Mens Open saw a disappointing turnout of two runners from 14 entries. Both Tara Gale and Strong Weld had similar credentials; they had won three races so far this season and had identical ratings in the form guide, and both horses are committed front runners.
There was early evidence it was not going to be Rhys Jenkins' day aboard Strong Weld as the pair were never jumping with the same proficiency as their rival. As the pace increased down the back straight Strong Weld began to send out distress signals at the fourth from home, and sure enough Tara Gale went on to score under Jeremy Mahot.
Following the early departures of the favourite Johnny Kilawee and the well-backed Two Cute, Needle Prick was left with a relatively easy task in the Conditions. Although there was an element of luck in this success, it provided a first winner for 16-year-old Sam Fizor. The Gloucester schoolboy also owns and trains the ten year old gelding, who was purchased privately out of Nigel Twiston-Davies stable.
"He was brilliant and I was lucky that the favourite took the other horse out" said Fizor. He also went on to explain that he trains the horse as part of a school project.
Gold Cup-winning trainer Sirrell Griffiths (Nortons Coin - 1990) looks to have a useful performer in Martle King who took the eight year old and upward Maiden at the expense of Ryhope Chief, while Mark Wall and Flying Gnu took the young horse 2m4f Maiden for Wyre Forest-based owners Kevin and Adrea Malpass.
