03 March 2008 Duke of Beaufort's - Didmarton
Emmet Hotel: landed the Members race for Bruce Akerman
Local horses held their own when the Duke of Beaufort staged their popular meeting at Didmarton on Saturday afternoon.
There were plenty of cheers after Emmet Hotel had landed the Members race for Bruce Akerman. Polly Gundry was oozing confidence on the favourite as they disputed the lead with Black Legend turning for home. The two horses were level at the last but the winner quickened away on the run in and held an 8-length advantage over his rival at the post.
Emmet Hotel runs in the colours of West Kington based Bruce Akerman who was achieving a life long ambition in winning this race, having served on the Beaufort Committee for over 20 years and been a tenant farmer on the estate for over 50 years.
Division II of the 5, 6 & 7 year old Maiden went to Thornbury trainer Bill Tuck when Lord Goshen stayed on dourly to claim victory from No John No and Even Homer Nods. The three runners were spread right across the course at the finish, which tested the ability of the judge who ruled there was a short head and a neck dividing the three runners at the finish.
This win provided a third career success for 41-year-old self-employed Builder Robin Shute who needed to be at his most vigorous to see off the challenges of his rivals.
Silent Gunner crowned a great day for local stables when the Beaufort qualified 10-year-old repelled all rivals during the final half-mile of the concluding Maiden.
This provided the first win of the season for Clyffe Pypard based Richard Bryan who trains the 10-year-old for his breeder Trish King (wife of ex-N.H. trainer Jeff King) and her co-owner Tracy Morshead.
Ran and Luke Morgan have been familiar figures on the Northern Point-to-Point scene for a number of years. Both brothers are now living in the Stow-on-the-Wold area and are now beginning to make their presence felt in the West Midlands.
Elder brother Ran got his name on the score sheet first after Fergals Find was gifted the Intermediate by the fall of Oscar Royal at the second from home.
Morgan's younger brother Luke then went on to record a double for Naunton trainer Emma Baker with Gaelsbob scoring an easy win in the Mens Open while Ballydonagh repeated his stablemate's feat in Division I of the 5, 6 & 7 year old Maiden.
Killnascully King made a bold bid for victory in the Restricted but he was joined by Millesian King at the second from home while Celestial Dragon was snapping at their heels. Millesian King held a narrow advantage at the last but failed to get his under carriage down and paid the penalty which left Celestial Dragon to claim the prize.
Andovesford trainer James Richardson and Richard Burton have had disagreements about the horse's ability with the former insisting that he does stay a 3-mile trip while the jockey was off a different opinion.
Owner Bill Parker said jokingly afterwards "I'm just glad that all three of them having finally got their act together!"
