OLD SURREY, BURSTOW
& WEST KENT
APRIL 25th 2009
PENSHURST ROUND-UP
DAD SAYS HEAZLE, (right, jumping the fourth fence) had won three races in the West Country in 2008, but his six runs for new connections this season had produced little of distinction. Today was his day, however, and an energetic ride from Steve Spice saw him overhaul the front-running Sharlom in the shadow of the post to win by a short head.
It was a popular win for pointing stalwart Jenny Donegan and trainer Veronica "Ronnie" Park.
Favourite Master T, who needs to be held up, had an unlucky run, being nearly carried out by the riderless Thoutmosis on the final circuit. Giving 7lbs to the leading pair, he finished with a rattle to take third place just a neck behind Dad Says Heazle and Sharlom.
PARKINSON THE MATCH WINNER
The Turners brought four horses from Suffolk to Penshurst, but their only winner on the day was with PARKINSON (James Owen) (left), who cruised into the lead three fences from home and beat solitary opponent Lord Atterbury (Stuart Robinson) by four lengths. This was the last race of the season for reigning area champion jockey Stuart, whose father's Bee An Bee was found to be out of sorts after his race at Godstone on March 29th and has been roughed off. Bee An Bee was champion horse of 2008 and winner of three Opens this season, including the four-mile Kent Grand National at Detling.
ONE FOR STEVE, RONNIE & JENNIE
NESSA HANDS IT TO NEW STREET EXPRESS
You wouldn't want to take it away from popular veteran Paul Blagg and NEW STREET EXPRESS, but Nessa and Tom Cheesman seemed to be cruising two fences from home and had just taken the lead in the Intermediate. Only a six-year-old, Nessa had won twice at Detling this year but decided he didn't fancy jumping the 17th fence and ran out through the wing. New Street Express (right, jumping the last) had the inside line and drew clear of Independent Trader and Nick Pearce to win by three lengths.
16th LADIES' OPEN FOR CARRYONHARRY
Trainer Rik Gurney specialises in cast-offs from the Howard Johnson yard and BOY'S HURRAH (right) has obviously flourished in his new surroundings. Winner four races under rules and two Irish point-to-points, the 13-year-old unsurprisingly carried connections' money (backed down to 5/2 second favourite) and after taking up the lead at the 12th fence Phil York steered him to a comfortable victory in the fastest time of the day. Basic Fact was second and Theatre Knight third. Boy's Hurrah's next outing will probably be at Folkestone on May 14th.
This was Phil York's 203rd winner (including 20 hunter chases).
The extraordinary grey win machine CARRYONHARRY (left) made it win number 16 in Ladies' Opens. Now aged 15, he began his point-to-point career in April 2006 with a win at Catsfield and has always been ridden by Cynthia Haydon. Carryonharry led for most of the way. He's a hard one to pass but was under pressure from favourite Full Irish (Louise Allan) on the final turn when the Suffolk raider slipped and fell, leaving only Fantastic Champion in the race. Carryonharry was five lengths clear at the winning post. This win boosted Cynthia's chances of a first riders' championship
THREE CHEERS FOR BOY'S HURRAH
MAIDEN WIN FOR MADNESS
The closing Maiden race went to MIDLETON MADNESS and Gordon Gallagher, proving that perseverance pays. The pair had contested six Maidens this season, earning seconds and thirds in the last four. This time it was their turn, and setting off as odds-on favourites they won for trainer Anna Hawkins by nine lengths. Young Emma's mistake when looking threatening at the second last cost her vital ground.
