Detling preview Sat 14th March 2009
The Kent Grand National is being run at Detling Races this weekend, main attraction on a six-race card that has attracted 118 entries. Bee An Bee will be a warm order to repeat his win of last year, the first of an unbroken sequence of seven Open wins in the hands of champion rider Stuart Robinson.
If the ground is soft, Bee An Bee can expect to meet Honourable Spider, winner of eight races (including three Opens) and twice a winner at Detling. Heaven Is Above is a Jenny Gordon-trained contender and also amongst the 17 entries are Theatre Knight and Exodous. They will all have it to do against Bee An Bee however. Private handicappers believe the horse has improved two stones and is no longer in the shadow of Struggles Glory and Martha’s Boy, previous champions from the yard of owner-trainer David Robinson. It is fair to say that Bee An Bee was a moderate, exposed handicapper under Rules, the winner of three chases and a hurdles race in 2003-04. He ran with credit in two Kim Muirs at Cheltenham, finishing fifth in 2005 and fourth a year later.
After winning a members’ race in the hands of his owner at Godstone last year, Bee An Bee blotted his copybook in his first attempt at an Open, running through the wing of a fence at Charing and injuring his rider. His subsequent winning sequence, ridden by Stuart Robinson, began with a comfortable win in last year’s Kent Grand National. The new pairing were unchallenged for the full four miles and won by a distance, and the run of success that followed saw Bee An Bee crowned as area champion horse, while Stuart was able to clinch the riders’ title.
Jenny Gordon also sends Big Moment for the Ladies’ Open and Lord Alpha for the men’s club race. She has two for the Restricted: Parzando and First Partner, with Alfie’s Isle going for the Maiden.
Philip Hall is waiting for Parham with his own horses, but expects to have a ride in the Maiden. The Men’s Conditions race has a strong entry with The Tailor Carey a likely runner for Marcus Gorman, Letterman for Nick Pearce and Valley Henry for Richard Guerney. The last-named is reported to be in fine fettle after his second to Bee An Bee at Godstone and must not be overlooked.
