REPORT: BICESTER WITH WHADDON CHASE AT WHITFIELD
SUNDAY MARCH 18TH 2012
By Andrew Norman
The Bicester with Whaddon Chase meeting at Whitfield on Sunday was held in memory of the late Teresa Elwell. A minute’s silence was observed before the first race and all jockeys in the Hunt Members carried black armbands.
Course specialist Doctor Kingsley continued his love affair with Whitfield in the Hunt Members registering his fourth success at the Northamptonshire circuit. Long-time leader Boddington Lad jumped the last fence in front but was outstayed by Pauline Harkin’s ten-year-old under Peter Mann.
The victor, who also won this race last year, jumped superbly and won going away by a comfortable 1½ lengths. “My heart was in my mouth, it was a bit too close for comfort,” said owner/trainer Pauline Harkin, “but he loves it here.”
“He’s qualified for the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham so we’ll go there for a fun day out. He stays forever and he probably wants softer ground than this,” Harkin added.
Spectators were treated to one of the best Intermediate races they could wish to see - aside from the Final at Cheltenham - as four horses who had won their last two races did battle.
The race developed into a match from a long way out with Harbour Court and Woodview Prince showing their class as they drew right away from the rest of the field. Both Tom David and James Tudor got to work up the run-in with Sheila Crow’s charge eventually prevailing by half a length.
“He’s a nice horse. I’d like to take him to Cheltenham but we’ll see,” said Crow.
Harbour Court was also very impressive with the race clocking fastest time of the day. “Obviously you want to win but we’re over the moon with that,” said Alan Hill, trainer of the runner-up.
The well-supported Chiquilline was travelling well before clipping the top of a fence in the back straight on the final circuit, unseating Sam Drinkwater.
Hunter Chase winner Plenty Of Chat ran out a cosy scorer in the Men’s Open. Jockey Ryan Winks never fails to disappoint when winning on this eight-year-old. He stood up in the saddle and punched the air after reaching the winning post. The winner, trained by his father Peter in South Yorkshire, was unrivalled as he took the race up in the final half mile.
“He drifted in the market so the Yorkshire fans obviously didn’t come down!” said the trainer, “He’s exceptionally bred and improving all the time. He can go over anything from 2m4f to 3m2f but I’d say his best trip would be about 2m7f to 3m. He goes on any ground and we’ll probably now aim for the Hunter Chase at Wetherby on March 30th.”
Five years after winning a Handicap Chase at Towcester, fifteen-year-old Metal Detector finally got back into the winner’s enclosure with his surprise 40/1 win in the Ladies Open.
The gelding propelled himself ahead of Skyhawk on the line to get up by a short-head after a blanket finish. The fast early pace set the race up perfectly for the winner who stayed on well in a time just three seconds slower than the Intermediate.
This victory was a first for jockey Sarah Rippon, who owns and trains the horse: “That was a big shock. He’s very old and just looks after the youngsters at home but he was very fit after running well at Didmarton and he stays. It just all seemed to suit him and pan out in his favour today.”
After getting on the score sheet in the first race, Peter Mann completed a double in the Restricted with lightly raced Abouttimeto. The winner, prominent throughout, contested a dingdong battle with second Rich Live from four out. Approaching the final fence the runner-up appeared to assert but a mistake at the last cost him valuable momentum leaving the nine-year-old mare to score by over a length. The two were well clear of everything else.
“She’s a very good mare and I expect a lot of improvement. She’s suited to a test of stamina and we’ll try and find her an Intermediate next,” said trainer Roger Harvey.
Rich Live has now twice come up just short in Restricted events and looks certain to find a race before too long.
A few exciting prospects emerged from the five Maiden races held mid-card with trainers keen to grasp the opportunity of a perfect ground run.
The most stirring display was by Tiqris, an unraced four-year-old whose second dam bred Son Of Flicka [who won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham on Wednesday].
Held under a tight rein for most of the race by Sam Drinkwater, he challenged for the lead, got in slightly close at the second last and was effectively brought down to his knees. Sitting tight, Drinkwater asked the gelding to quicken. He absolutely flew the last before scampering clear in a manner that is rarely seen in any horse, let alone a four-year-old on a racecourse debut.
A big future under rules surely beckons for this individual who took to his fences as though they were hurdles.
Trainer Tom Lacey was impressed with the performance: “I think he’s very special. I bought him in June over in Ireland and he’s the best horse I’ve trained without question. He’d kick Malt Master [a horse sold last year to JP McManus for £155,000] into touch. He’s certainly a horse to follow from British Point-to-Pointing.”
Ex-Irish Pointer Zipit produced an eye-catching performance under Josh Hamer, running out a 22 length winner of his Maiden. The seven-year-old travelled sweetly and was soon clear after a textbook round of jumping. He looks the type to progress through the grades.
Trainer Laura Gretton took delight in watching her gelding maintain a relentless gallop: “He’d missed a bit of work due to frost before Chaddesley [when 2nd to Aubrey De Vere] so he was a lot fitter for today. He’s maturing all the time and is suited to a test of stamina. Josh has given him a lovely ride today.”
Another who looked the winner from a long way out was Midnight Rebel. The Mares Maiden fell apart around her but the six-year-old won well and should find future opportunities. The mare failed to see out the trip on both outings last season but has clearly developed a great deal over the winter.
“She couldn’t have done that any better,” said trainer/rider Tom Ellis. “She was weak as a five-year-old and wouldn’t settle but she’s relaxed now and I’m confident she’ll progress. Her sister [Latenightdip] was useful and won three but she unfortunately broke down badly to end her career.”
As It Is failed twice in his first two starts between the flags but found success under Peter Mason. The seven-year-old had to fight off a persistent Rosemore Deja Vu as they jumped the second last as one. He then took control and stayed on after finely measuring the final fence.
Alice Walthew’s charge is well-bred and changed hands for €80,000 as a three-year-old so it is no surprise to see him winning at this level.
The trainer was pleased that he finally got his head in front:“He stays very well and jumped fantastically. He’s learning and improving all the time and although he’s a seven-year-old, he hasn’t had any injuries. He was with Alan King for a while but he didn’t think he was quite quick enough.”
The consistent gelding looks set to progress in Points. “He’s certainly suited to a stayer’s track. As long as we’re patient with him I think he’ll develop into a lovely, strong horse. He’s my favourite in the yard – every time I get off him I’ve got a huge smile on my face!” added Walthew.
The performance of lightly raced Rosemore Deja Vu confirmed that Laura Gretton’s stable is in form and the eight-year-old looks an assured future Maiden winner.
Rider Toby Betambeau tasted success for the first time as Guilty As Charged won the last Maiden.
Local trainer Annabel Hamilton was thrilled to see the eight-year-old oblige at the eighth time of asking: “We kept finding one better but today we were the lucky ones.”
The gelding seems to suit a stayer’s track and has progressed in his performances of late.
“He seems to be improving but his problems mean he’s very difficult to get fit. It’s Toby’s first win so it’s magic!” added Hamilton.
