24 March 2010 Report: V.W.H. - Siddington
by Laura Ellis
Despite the ever-present rain a huge crowd turned out to see the V.W.H meeting at Siddington.
As the remaining spectators queued to enter the course brothers Richard and Peter Mason fought out the Hunt Members with Port Talbot (Peter) eventually getting up to beat Overbury Pearl (Richard) by four lengths.
The Confined Conditions race provided the first of the close finishes during the afternoon when May Be Possible (Tom Garner) saw off the even money favourite Sheknowsyouknow (Mark Wall) to win by a neck in 6m07s. Always in the first three, May Be Possible kicked clear at the thirteenth and stayed on well under Tom Garner.
The second close finish of the day came in the Restricted where Le Millenaire (Adrian Wintle) saw off the ever-present challenge of Hivikos (Mark Wall) to get up by half a length. The winner, waited-with in mid division, made strong headway after the eleventh to join Hivikos and despite the latter getting the better jump at the penultimate fence it was a test of stamina and Le Millenaire rallied under a strong drive from Wintle.
The jumping display of the day came from Overlut in The Mixed Open with Rhys Hughes aboard. The pair jumped off in front and were never headed to come home a distance in front of the only other two finishers Lord Alfred (Adrian Wintle) and the favourite Molostiep (Will Telfer). With this perfect round of jumping, Overlut will undoubtedly return to Hunter Chasing later in the season.
David Griffiths rode his first ever winner in the Novice Riders Race when Malletton saw off the challenge of the well-fancied Tuesday's Child (Rory Akerman) by ten lengths and Freedomofthecity (Laura Thomas) a further twenty lengths behind in third. Defying some moderate form Malletton travelled confidently in the rear of the field to make strong headway after the thirteenth fence and catch long time leader Tuesday's Child before kicking clear three from home.
David Griffiths quickly followed up his first winner with another when Opium Du Bois continued his run of consistency to win the Pegasus Club Members Race. David kicked clear four out and saw off the challenge of Top Ram (Neil Henderson) by a distance. Always in the first 2, the winner made stealthy headway after the twelfth fence to catch long time leader Hi Ho Silver 4 fences from home.
The biggest field of the day went to post for the last race, the Open Maiden. In The Circle improved on his second at Larkhill earlier in the season to come home 2 lengths in front of Bayridge Mick (Isabel Tompsett). The winner, always handy, made headway to take over from early leaders Normal for Durlow (Liam Payter) and No Pressure (Chloe Boxall) at the tenth and overcame a slow jump at the last to complete in 6 minutes 28 seconds.
