REPORT: KIMBLEWICK AT KIMBLE

EASTER SATURDAY 7th APRIL 2012

By Andrew Norman

It was déjà vu at Kimble's centenary meeting on Saturday as local trainer Alan Hill saddled three winners from as many runners - a feat he achieved twelve months ago.

The first was More Trouble, who got his campaign off to a winning start with minimal fuss in the Confined, registering his ninth career success and eighth between the flags.

The 11-year-old was virtually left solo six out as pace-setter Cavite Zeta fell when upsides the winner, with Gidam Gidam a remote second. James Tudor ensured the rest of the course was negotiated safely, coming home unchallenged.

Owner Rodney Mann was delighted to see the gelding back in the winner's enclosure after he failed to score last season: "He was ready to run just before Christmas but knocked himself so we've had to be patient. That will have given him confidence."

"We've worked hard to get him here today. He loves fast ground," commented trainer Alan Hill.

Only four runners contested the Restricted but two recent Kingston Blount winners went head to head, serving up an exciting contest. James Tudor needed to be at his very best to complete a double upon Fly Direct.

Phil York attempted to make all on favourite Salt And Vinegar and was looking to be travelling best in the back straight on the final circuit but ultimately failed to see out the extended three mile trip and was outstayed by the winner. Alan Hill's nine-year-old, who clearly enjoys being produced late in his races, forced his way to the front approaching the last and won going away by four lengths.

"That was James [Tudor] at his best," said the owner/trainer, "He's been a different horse since he's been tubed. The course suited him; he stayed better than anything else."

The six-year-old runner-up is certainly not one to desert and it would be no surprise to see him pick up a Restricted at a sharper track.

Close third was a new recruit to British Pointing: Tallow Fair. The seven-year-old was a very impressive winner of his Maiden in Ireland in November and has since gone into the care of Tim Underwood. He is another to shortlist for next time.

Hill's son Joe then followed in the footsteps of his sister, Gaby, twelve months previous by guiding Ocean Du Moulin to win at the Oxfordshire track, on this occasion in the Hunt Members.

The gelding made all, recording his fourth win from six starts in Points.

The ten-year-old simply did what was necessary with runner-up Shoudawoudacouda twice trying to get upsides the victor in the final circuit but on both occasions the rider sent his mount on again, eventually winning comfortably by three lengths after easing down across the line.

Those two finished alone as Long Courrier unseated Tim Underwood on the final circuit just as he was creeping into the race after being under heavy restraint throughout.

"He's Gaby's horse and I'm very lucky to ride a horse with his ability," thanked the jockey, who was enjoying his second career win. "She's just arrived home from travelling but I'm sure she'll take the ride next time. He quickened after the water jump when he [Shouldawoudacouda] came to us. It wasn't the quickest of times but he could have gone round a lot quicker."

Owner/trainer Alan Hill, was full of praise for his son and the horse: "Joe didn't need to be asked twice to ride him but there was a bit of pressure on him today after having a horrible fall at Kingston Blount. Ocean Du Moulin's a super horse and Paul Nicholls got him up to 132 in 2008."

Word had filtered through from Higham that What's Up Doc, also trained by Hill, had obliged in the Ladies Open. "We'll enjoy tonight. It's been a very good day," said the trainer.

Ringa Bay, runner-up to Ocean Du Moulin at this meeting last year, walked over in the Mens Open. With nobody prepared to take the seven-year-old on, the recent Southwell Hunter Chase winner may now go back under Rules.

Cynthia Haydon's Little Legend continued his progression by making every post a winning one in the Ladies Open.

The eight-year-old looked set to win by more than his eventual four length margin but Haydon was cautious in making sure of a completion after twice parting company with the gelding this season.

"I was trying to convince him to respect the fences but he does take a bit of persuading!" said the trainer/jockey.

Now unbeaten in his last five completes, Haydon feels he has earned his chance to prove himself on a bigger stage: "He's a little pocket rocket! I'd like to run him in a Hunter Chase or two before the end of the season. I think he would have the speed to win over a sub-3 mile trip but he stays very well so I wouldn't want to go over too short a distance."

Hannah Watson was unable to remove the smile from her face after riding Roko Dancer back into the winner's enclosure after breaking his Maiden. It was the rider's first triumph as a trainer. "I don't think I've ever been happier after a winner!" beamed Watson, who also owns the seven-year-old.

Runner-up Flicka's Witness appeared to be in control within the final mile but the winner, a former Alan King inmate, hit the front two out and won by six lengths.

"I've had him for over a year but he had run over hurdles so he couldn't go Pointing last season," explained Watson. "He's a naughty boy but he buckled down to the task well today and felt very genuine."