09 March 2010 Scene & Heard: Brecon & Talybont - Llanfrynach
by Carolyn Tanner
MINSGILL MANS (right): part of a John Mathias treble
photo: Alun Sedgmore
Following Erw Lon seven days previously it was déjà vu at Llanfrynach, with three winners for John Mathias and two for Rhys Hughes, while there was drama aplenty in both the Men's and Ladies' Opens.
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John opened up in the Hunt race on Master Billy, who was purchased in Ireland by Richard Mathias 15 months ago. "I sold some foals at Goffs in December and I suddenly realised that I'd got nothing to do over Christmas, so I stopped off and bought him before I came home," he explained.
"He's a lovely horse to have around, so it's a pity he's not a bit younger," commented Richard's wife Candy of the 12-year-old, whose half-brother The Crafty Cuckoo had triumphed at Durrow the previous weekend.
Richard's joint-owner Jim Apperley was unable to be present due to a theatre trip, his wife having organised tickets as a surprise for his birthday.
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Another to miss out was Andrea Bird, who was ferrying her daughters to various functions. Andrea's husband Jeffrey part-owns Open winner Minsgill Mans with her brother Jonathan Tudor, who legged up John Mathias onto the 12-year-old, nine of whose ten victories have come going right-handed. John was actually the third choice rider, regular pilot James Tudor, Jonathan's cousin, having gone to Didmarton and second in line Evan David being claimed for Micks Prospect, who rubbed salt into the wound by overjumping and coming to grief early on.
The race developed into a two-horse contest after the leader Classic Chance had made a complete horlicks of the 12th, causing David Prichard to lose his irons. David was just about winning the battle to keep his mount on track until a loose horse cut across him and carried him past the next, leaving Minsgill Mans in front.
"The horses weren't right last year but he's been a different animal from day one this time," said Jonathan. "Jeffrey wants him to go to Folkestone but I'll soon talk him out of that," he grinned. "I'd like to take him to the Dunraven Bowl [at Chepstow in April]."
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John completed his treble in the Restricted on Keith Prichard's Chandlers Cross, who was booked for the ride by trainer Paul Davies just two days earlier. One man who found the success hard to take was Dai Jones, who was less than happy to see the red and white check colours which he has worn to victory on so many occasions, notably on Cannon Bridge, come sweeping past him halfway up the run-in after he had given Mr Cheetham a positive front-running ride from flag-fall.
Chandlers Cross may take his chance in Ladies' Opens, said Keith, explaining that as the chestnut is not over-big the lower weight might suit him.
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Cannon Bridge himself had upset many a punter when he exited the Ladies' Open, shedding Isabel Tompsett with a dreadful blunder after he was distracted by the leader The Hairy Mutt running out at the first ditch. The duo's departure eased the way for Peter Corbett's home-bred mare Upton Legend, who made the rest under Jane Williams on her first venture into Open company.
"I'd love to ride her myself," admitted trainer Sarah-Jayne Davies, "but I've got 13 in so I've got to be practical. She's the easiest mare imaginable," she added, "and everyone rides her at home."
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Norman Jones's Kings Euro, who gave Tim Vaughan his first success as a licensed trainer, made all the running to win the Confined in the hands of Rhys Hughes and give Tim's brother Will his first training success with his first runner.
"He had ulcers and he lost his way - the handicapper got to him," explained Tim, "so he needed to get his confidence back, but he may go back under Rules later."
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Rhys, who is Tim's assistant trainer, doubled up in the Maiden Division Two on the Robert Scrine-trained On Oath, a welcome change of fortune for owner Carmen Goldsworthy, who lost both Trente Mars and the home-bred Red Well last year, the former on this track. "I looked at her over the door at Ascot [Sales] with her ears pricked," smiled Carmen, "and knew I'd got to have her. Now she puts her ears flat back when I look in her stable!"
"We couldn't hold her when we first got her," said Robert's assistant John Moore, "but she was running away from pain. We sorted out her problems and she's fine now."
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Division One went to the day's furthest traveller, jockey Jody Sole having made the four hour trip from Horsham in Sussex to land the spoils on another mare, Cutlass Silver, trained by ‘O' level student Lauren Jones for her father Simon.
"I picked up a spare ride one day for Simon back in about 2003," said Jody, "and when he saw I'd won at Horseheath recently he sent me a text saying ‘Nice to see you haven't lost your touch riding winners' and asking me to ride this one."
Lauren, who also has show hunters, took over the training from Simon this season. She hopes eventually to go to University and become a radiographer.
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"I like to win by a distance because it saves riding a finish!" Jody Sole, whose three successes this season have all been gained by a comfortable margin.
