There was a respectable turnout of thirty-one horses for the six races, which took place on good to firm ground. Bradley Gibbs had a training double, courtesy of Jetaway Holiday in the younger horses Maiden and Premier Fantasy in the PPORA Novice Riders.
In the opening Maiden for four-and-five-year-olds, Ed Vaughan had Jetaway Holiday close to the pace and took it up four out steadily drawing clear of Unleash Hell. The four-year-old looks a useful type and is likely to head for the Goffs Doncaster Sales. Gibbs and his partner Claire Sherriff bought the horse privately in Ireland a couple of years ago and have always thought highly of him.
In the PPORA Conditions Race (level 2), Harry O’Dwyer bided his time on Premier Fantasy and took it up from Emma Williams on Striking Out at the second last and won easily by seven lengths.
Great Valley went clear from three out in the Mixed Open over two-and-a-half miles and won by fifteen lengths from Richard R H B, winning for the fourth time in a row. It was the five-year-old’s first attempt at Open company. Galileo Silver, who won here two weeks ago, was very convincing in winning the Conditions Race (level 1) by twenty lengths from Barely Famous.
Amber Jackson-Fennell tried to make all on Tango Arumba in the Restricted, but Jos Lovegrove-Fielden came with a steady run in the straight and quickly went clear from three out to win by fifteen lengths. The Russell Teague trained gelding had won his Maiden at Larkhill a couple of months ago.
Jackson-Fennell got her reward in the last on Imperial Hurricane beating Huw Edwards on Brockrock Roxie by three-parts of a length. The pair had a great battle up the home straight with Heidi Brookshaw’s charge seizing the initiative in the last half furlong.
The winner was bought by Carly Sage at the March Thoroughbid auction for £1,200. She was having her lunch break at Aintree and contacted a friend in the vendor Kim Bailey’s yard who gave her a good recommendation, before she submitted her bid. When she received an email to confirm that she was the new owner, she rang her mother Janette Goodall to say that she had bought her a half-share as a Mothers’ Day present. The eight-year-old ran in the latter’s colours which were last seen when Carly rode Althrey Dandy at Tabley eighteen years ago.