21 April 2008 South & West Wilts - Larkhill
Michael & Rachael Green: both enjoyed a winner at the meeting
Brother and Sister Michael and Rachael Green grabbed the headlines when both riding a winner at Larkhill on Saturday.
Michael, 26, kicked off aboard General Blackthorn, who forged 20 lengths clear in the Hunt race. "My one previous winner was at the 1999 Wilton meeting at Badbury Rings", confided East Knoyle farmer, Michael, "and I didn't know I was riding General Blackthorn until I arrived today". "Regular rider Robert Lee wasn't available, so I booked Michael here this morning", added 83-year-old Witham Friary owner Norman Crouch, who hunts and does all the work with the horse himself. "General Blackthorn has given the runner-up [Lile Na Casca] a stone today, and I think that's quite a performance".
Rachael got on the scoresheet with Maiden winner Pleasure Shared, who led runner-up Juniper Green (Charlotte Tizzard) over the last and maintained the advantage to the line. "His blood was wrong when he ran here in February", explained trainer Richard Barber. "He's jumped like a buck and is definitely suited by the good-to-firm ground".
Man From Highworth and David Bass sprinted clear after the penultimate in the Men's Open. "We'll keep pointing as we're keen to support David in the Wilkinson Sword Championship [for under-21 Gentleman riders who have not ridden a winner before this season]", said Audrey Manners. "Man From Highworth will go handicap chasing, maybe in the summer, as he's so well suited by fast ground".
Watership Down made all the running to take the Ladies' Open under Winchester owner-trainer Clare Wills. "Watership Down ran well when third at Fontwell last week and firm ground is the key to him", said Clare's parents, Ray and Maureen. The 2m 5f race at the Cheltenham Hunter Chase Evening may be the target.
Sam Drinkwater also led throughout to record the day's fastest time on Novice Riders' race winner Opium Du Bois. "He jumps and stays - a typical French-bred - so we told Sam to set a good pace", said owner Guy Opperman and trainer Katie Baimbridge, both recovering from injuries and ailments and keen to credit head-girl Jai Ovens for her work with the horse.
Penthouse Melody's Restricted win continued Tigga Barnes' good run after Machrihanish's Taunton Hunter Chase win the previous evening. Penthouse Melody made virtually all and was left clear when challenger Barneys Mate (Rachael Green) fell at the last, happily without injury to either horse or rider.
