01 May 2009 Scene & Heard: Paul Rackham Champion Novices' Hunters' Chase - Huntingdon
by Carolyn Tanner
TOOK MY EYE: the champion East Anglian Novice
photo: Phil Britt
The trainer and jockey combination of David Kemp and Andrew Braithwaite struck again at Huntingdon when Took My Eye won the contest limited to horses qualified with an East Anglian hunt.
David also landed the spoils in the race's inaugural running last year, having won with Rydal Park, the horse whose fall at Towcester in March confined him to the sidelines with facial injuries.
"After the fall I was very blasé and laid-back about someone else riding the horses, but since then I've not been very good at watching - the butterflies have been starting earlier and earlier in the day," David admitted.
It was the fifth success from seven rides for the stable for Andrew, who was breaking his duck under Rules at the 38th attempt.
Owner Barry Belchem's colours were being carried to victory ten years before Andrew was born, his first triumph coming in 1971 with Solent Princess, ridden by his sister Linda.
Took My Eye, who came from Martin Oliver, has needed regular back treatment to keep him in racing trim. "He could have done with a better pace, as he needs a lead," said David, whose charge's exuberant jumping took him into the lead far earlier than was ideal. A 2m5f Hunter Chase at Folkestone later this month could be next on the agenda.
There was no disgrace in defeat for the runner-up Ballynonty, who kept battling all the way up the run-in under Rupert Stearn. Bought in Ireland as a youngster by current joint-owner Jean Merriam, Ballynonty has suffered extensively with sore shins, and credit for his performances this year is due to his trainer Tory Hayter, and to Sam Hodge of Hall Farm Equine Centre near Norwich, where he spent several weeks undergoing treatment. Ironically joint-owner Helen Robson is a member of the syndicate which has Rydal Park in the Kemp yard!
