04 March 2010 Report: Army - Larkhill
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
Nicholas The Spark (Rilly Goschen) made all the running in the second Maiden at Larkhill to provide an emotional success for trainer Angela Davis, and Jim and Beverley Baker, who were representing their aunt, winning owner Joan Hart.
"Joan's husband Roy, who died two years ago while racing at Cheltenham, always dreamed of having a winner in his colours, so this is a special moment for us", said Angela, after sending out her first winner from her new Sutton Montis yard. "I didn't think he could make all like that in this ground but he's always worked like a good horse and I think we probably had a virus when he disappointed last season", she added.
Norton Fitzwarren trainer Richard Mitford-Slade sent out his first-ever winner when Cousin John (James Tudor) took the second Restricted. "He's hunted all season with me and finished the course in the Golden Button Challenge at Ledbury on New Year's Eve", said Richard, field master of the Taunton Vale Foxhounds and proprietor of the Pontispool Equine Sports Centre with fellow owner, Lucy Fielding-Johnson. "I was going to ride him in our Hunt race, but he might be too good for that. Maybe we'll look for a Hunter Chase instead", thought Richard.
Richard Barber kept up his tremendous run with another treble. Thisthatandtother (Jack Barber) was never in danger in the Mens Open after passing market rival Merry Vic (Marcus Gorman) approaching the fourth last. Maiden winner Mr Hudson (Ryan Mahon) looked beaten after blundering badly at the penultimate, but caught Vintage Class (Sam Allwood) close home after his rival faltered on the run-in. "[My wife] Caryl and I were having a boozy evening on holiday in Portugal with Paul Nicholls", said owner Mark Tincknell, whose Connaught company sponsors the champion trainer. "I went to answer the call of nature, and when I got back, Paul had sold Mr Hudson to Caryl". Garton King (Nick Williams) completed Richard's treble in the Restricted, although Different Trades (Jack Barber) was upsides when falling at the last. "When he won at the United Services meeting, we celebrated with champagne on the beach while on holiday in Cuba", said owner, Des O'Connor. "This time we'll have a cup of tea, as the best bit is being here to see him win".
Two other horses followed up early-season Larkhill successes. Caroline Holliday's Gold Heart, facile winner of the United Services military race, took the Army version in equally convincing manner. "A good horse and well above average", beamed jockey Nick Pearce. "He's got lots of gears and I was quite happy to let the two leaders go five lengths clear up the hill as I knew we would pick them up. I'll suggest to Caroline that he goes for another Conditions race, and then we'll see how high he can climb". Theatre Diva and Jo Buck followed up their Royal Artillery meeting success in the Ladies Open, although there were some alarms when the mare dropped back from first to last after a mile. "We were happy for her to lead, but she didn't like it in front. We'll try a Hunter Chase with her next", smiled owner-trainer Jackie du Plessis, celebrating her fifth winner of the season, which equals her previous best score.
