NEWS AND RESULTS FOR OCTOBER 2008

OCTOBER 5TH 2008

MORESTEAD WINS!

Congratulations to Bob Gunn and Les Gilbert with the excellent win with MORESTEAD who won in good style at Fontwell under a positive ride by AP McCoy.

Courtesy of The Racing Post:

The ground was officially described as good to firm for this opener, but the jockey's came back in saying it was more like good to soft and it certainly seemed that way.
This was a weak novice hurdle, and MORESTEAD made most of the running under Tony McCoy. Exposed as being fairly moderate in three starts this summer, he has since run poorly on the Flat, but the first-time cheekpieces were clear a big help, and he showed improved form to score.
The winner kept finding, despite idling in frontand jumping away to his left under pressure, but he may prove vulnerable under a penalty.

Saturday 25th October 2008

CLARE WILLS AND BENFLEET BOY, 2ND AT NEWBURY!

Clare on Benfleet Boy being let in by Lynsey and Granny!

Clare Wills who, as many of you may know works at the yard and has done for many years. Today she very nearly pulled off an amazing feat at Newbury in a Ladies Amateurs Race where Alan King's prolific hurdler, Blazing Baily was a clear favourite. Clare was riding Benfleeet Boy, a 40/1 shot gave the favourite a bit of a scare, finishing a very creditable second. Clare's Mum and Dad could hardly believe what was happening when Clare and "Benny" hit the front, infact I thought Clare's very proud Dad, Ray was going to go into convulsions at one point as he shouted his daughter home in the last couuple of furlongs.

The connections all looked extremely pleased with the result, and great to see Benfleet Boy returning to form. The place paid £11.25 which was also why Clare's Dad looked so happy!

Congratulations to Miss J Semple and all the connections of Benfleet Boy!

Clare was seen soon after the race in Bathwick Tyre's box (the sponsors of the race) stuffing a rather large piece of chocolate cake into her face. I am not sure if it was the stress kicking in or the fact she had been dieting that meant the urgent requirement for the chocolate, but I have to say, I have never seen anyone eat a piece of cake quite that quickly before!

It was nice to be joined in Wayne and Sarah's box by Emily Jones, Emma Folkes and the winning ladies jockey, Serena Brotherton. These were the four lady jockey's that finished in the first four in the race and what a lovely, polite group they were. Everyone was commenting on how professional the lady jockeys are and that this race did not have the usual cavalry charge format that many amatuer races sometimes have.

Serena Brotherton won the Amateur Ladies Championship sponsored by Bathwick Tyres and won a holiday to the value of £1500.

Courtesy of The Racing Post
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Benfleet Boy, out of sorts of late, ran much better here and looked as though he might win when sent for home 2f out, but once the favourite hit top gear there was nothing he could do about it.