26 April 2011 Report: South Pembrokeshire - Lydstep
by Amanda Sloyan
Hunt Members winner SIR MONTY
photo: Alun Sedgmore
Both racing enthusiasts and holiday makers enjoying one of the best Easter Bank Holidays in years came in their droves to attend the popular South Pembrokeshire Point-to-Point meeting at Lydstep on Easter Monday. The hunt committee had made a superb effort of watering the course using in excess of 200,000 gallons to ensure perfect racing ground, which in turn resulted in a good number of runners and very competitive racing.
James Tudor, standing in for the injured John Mathias, took the riding honours when enjoying four winners. The Kristal Harris-trained Udeman was the first (2m4f Open Maiden), followed by David Llewellyn's Rosies Peacock (Mens Open) who was winning for the fourth time at the Lydstep course. The Dai Rees-owned and trained duo Two Shook Men (Open Maiden) and Saint Peray (Intermediate) completed the quartet of victories. Despite James being a previous National Point-to-Point champion, it's doubtful he has ever had four such impressive winners to ride in one day. The smallest winning margin of his four was by ten lengths, while the other three all recorded 20 lengths plus wins.
The day did not go all Tudors way however, as despite being sent off odds-on favourite by the betting public in the opening Hunt members race aboard Lydstep Hills, an unusual mistake from the Beat All gelding saw the partnership hit the deck two from home. Bradley Gibbs and Sir Monty, who were in close attendance at the time, then only had to ensure a safe jump at the last to win by a distance from Paul Goldsworthy on Stafford Prince.
Six of the day's seven races were won by horses hailing from the county of Pembrokeshire, highlighting a real purple patch the county is enjoying in the sport. Dai Brace's Doctor Tom proved the only South Wales winner, when following up a maiden win at the Monmouthshire last time out with a front-running display that galloped his rivals into submission in the Restricted race.
The Ladies Open race proved an emotional win for Laugharne-based Lucy Pearce-Rowsell on Baren De Doc, owned and trained by close friend Charlotte Owen. Lucy's father Keith suffered a heart attack on Easter Saturday, which sees him currently an in-patient at West Wales General Hospital; news was re-laid to him in his hospital bed via telephone of the win. Everyone wishes him well in his recovery.
Pearce-Rowsell's brother-in-law Dai Jones also graced the winner's podium, but for a very different reason. The Carmarthen-based jockey, at the age of 47 and the winner of 226 races, has made the decision to retire from race riding due to hindrance from an old racing injury. An occasion that could not go by without being recognised, commentator Eddie Williams, who has called Dai home on many occasions over the past 30 years, had great pleasure in making a presentation to the popular jockey.
A dry forecast now means the taps will need to be turned on at the Banwen Miners meeting for their fixture on Monday 3rd May, held at one of the most beautiful settings in the country, Pentreclwydau, in the Vale of Neath.
