Friday saw our last mixed flat race of the season sponsored by the AJA at a very wet Doncaster with no less than 19 going to post.
Ultimately in such conditions on heavy ground and in driving rain the field finished well strung out.
Aaron Anderson and John Quinn’s GRASEON ROY were always prominent and challenged Cai Williams on Oliver Greenall’s well named GAMESTERS ICON well over a furlong out, with the Greenall mare gamely holding on in a battle to the line to score by half a length well clear of the rest. Eireann Cagney finished closest, 13 lengths away 3rd on Richard Fahey’s FIREWATER.
This was a day to remember for Cai giving him his first ever winner under rules. Many congratulations to him and to winning connections!
The eagerly awaited return to Cheltenham by NH fans on Friday saw 13 amateurs go to post for the Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase.
Gina Andrews was always prominent on Seamus Mullins’ PLANTAGENET and took it up from 4 out. However, an exciting finish was in store as Liam Harrison partnering Fergal O’Brien’s PETITE POWER had them clearly in his sights and laid down a commanding challenge at the last to stay on and win by 3 and a 1/4 lengths, with Gina second and Millie Wonnacott on Neil Mulholland’s FINGERONTHESWITCH a further 3 and 3/4 lengths third, denying stable companion DOING FINE and Sam Waley-Cohen by a neck.
Many congratulations to winning connections on a memorable victory (the 2nd leg of Fergal’s treble on the day!) which is the highlight of Liam’s career to date and his third of this campaign. Liam represented GB abroad earlier this year both in Cologne and on the beach in San Lucar and has made a great start to the season. Well done Liam!
You could be forgiven for thinking it was Ladies Day yesterday at Ludlow with 2 of our lady jockeys making their mark!
First of all, many congratulations to Lilly Pinchin who enjoyed a great victory aboard Graeme MacPherson’s ALEXANDER THE GREY when riding against pros in the Handicap Chase.
This horse was winning for the first time ever in his career having had 13 runs over hurdles and this was his 14th run over fences! Lilly has been placed on him in each of her previous 5 rides except when he ran out with her at Huntingdon, so this win must have felt very special. Well done Lilly – what an achievement!
Yesterday’s Ludlow amateur riders Handicap Chase was dramatic despite a relatively small field of only 7 runners.
Liam Harrison and SHOW’S OVER parted company at the third followed by James King and LERICHI BELLE at the next, with Alex Edwards and DAMUT I’M OUT being carried out by a loose horse and crashing through the wing at the fifth.
Happily the race then progressed without incident, with Lorna Brooke and John Groucott’s SHINISTAR having been left in the lead at the fourth and maintaining that position to stay on well and win by 4 lengths from Corey McGivern and Tim Vaughan’s GLIMPSE OF GOLD with Tommie O’Brien a similar distance 3rd.
Many congratulations to Lorna with her third win on SHINASTAR, having won previously with him at Ludlow last December and then again at Stratford in April. What a partnership!
Congratulations to Millie Wonnacott who enjoyed her second win of the NH season at Fontwell yesterday aboard Neil Mulholland’s HYGROVE PERCY having won a Mares Handicap Chase at Ffos Las on PRETTY LITTLE THING from the same yard back in July (below).
Hygrove Percy led from two out to run on well and score comfortably by 10 lengths. Well done Millie!
Congratulations to Phil York on following up his impressive win 4 weeks ago aboard his own MAGEN’S MOON with another victory at Plumpton on Monday, defying a 6 lb rise in the weights.
Owned, trained and ridden by Phil, she hit the front between the last 2 hurdles, and having idled in front managed to hang on by a neck in a dramatic finish!
Well done and good luck to Phil in making it a hat trick with her next run!
Congratulations to Alice Stevens on her first winner under rules at Exeter yesterday partnering DON JUAN DU GOUET for the in-form Henry Daly in the amateur riders’ handicap hurdle.
Biding their time at the rear of the field under top weight, the partnership made a move as they turned into the home straight to win by just over a length from Martin McIntyre and SIENNA ROYALE with Zac Baker 3rd.
Note to all Flat Trainers and to all Gentleman Amateur Jockeys! CORRECTION: The rider conditions for the following race were published incorrectly in the Racing Calendar. The novice rider conditions (for gentleman amateur riders who have ridden no more than three winners) will no longer apply to this race. The race is open to all gentleman amateur riders.WINDSOR Monday, October 21st, 201918246 5:00THE ATTHERACES HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (FOR GENTLEMAN AMATEUR RIDERS)for three yrs old and upwards, Rated 51-65 (also open to such horses rated 66 and 67; such horses rated 50 and below are also eligible – see Standard Conditions)ONE MILE THREE FURLONGS about 99 YARDS (11f abt 99yds)To be ridden by Gentleman Amateur Riders who are members of the Amateur Jockeys’ Association of Great Britain by the deadline for Declaration of Jockeys Allowances: Riders who, prior to October 18th, 2019, have not ridden more than 10 winners in races under the Rules of Racing or the Rules of a recognised Racing Authority………………….3lb Riders who have not ridden more than 5 such winners….5lb Riders who have not ridden any such winner……………….7lb
The final race of this year’s AJA Novice Riders Series of 8 races (for amateurs who have ridden no more than 3 winners at 1st April) was held yesterday at Royal Windsor.
13 went to post under the watchful eye of Jockey Coach Tim Reed with a coursewalk having been conducted earlier in the day. Sadly Nathan McCann was denied a run with his horse AEGEAN MIST bursting out of the stalls and subsequently having to be withdrawn.
Congratulations to Philip Thomas who enjoyed an unforgettable day with his first ever win under Rules aboard Dave Evans’ SMOKEY LANE. Jason Weaver caught up with him afterwards and Philip explained how he reverted to amateur status following serious injury when he broke his neck. Well done to winning connections and brilliant to see the mare follow up and win again today by a neck at Leicester!
It was a fine finale to a great series and well done to Imogen Mathias who is Series Winning Jockey with 16 points and to Shannon Watts finishing Runner Up with 13 points. A great achievement – well done all!
Congratulations to Imogen Mathias on winning at Salisbury last night in the ladies race with Mark Loughnane’s SILVINGTON who broke his maiden after 23 attempts no less in The Gift of Sight Handicap.
Imogen is enjoying a great season with 2 wins already enjoyed in the AJA Novice Riders Flat Series. Well done Imogen!
Congratulations to Katy Brooks who enjoyed her first career success under Rules at Brighton yesterday, her home racecourse, when scoring on Gary Moore’s LIGHT OF AIR by a nose in a thrilling finish, wearing down the valiant LUNA MAGIC and Brodie Hampson in a battle to the line.
Well done Katy and congratulations to winning connections!
