26 April 2011 Report: Kimble - Kimblewick
by Claire Hart
START ROYAL: completed a treble for Alan Hill
photo: Neale Blackburn
An enormous Easter crowd turned out at Kimble on Saturday to enjoy glorious sunshine and competitive racing. Alan Hill's efforts of watering to maintain good ground were rewarded when he trained the first three winners.
Ocean Du Moulin set the ball rolling in the Confined Hunts race. Partnered by his daughter Gaby, the pair won by four lengths. "Dad told me to never be more than 5 lengths from the leader" reported Gaby. The instructions clearly worked as they landed in front after the first fence and were never headed. Ringa Bay (Phil York) was second.
Only three went to post in the Ladies Open. Balladeer jumped and travelled well throughout to win impressively by 20 lengths. This was Emily Harbour's first winner at Kimble and her first for trainer Alan Hill.
Start Royal completed Hill's hat-trick in the Mens Open where again only three ran. Rider James Tudor was easing him down after the last and still won by a distance. The French-bred is the leading young horse in the South Midland Area and connections are keen to maintain his lead. He is likely to re-appear at the next Kingston Blount meeting on 7th May.
The Restricted was won by the Karen Lawther-trained Caught in Time (Phil York) who made all, jumped well and was always in command from three other rivals. He will also now head to Kingston Blount for an Intermediate Race.
Paul Cowley, who had not ridden for two seasons and had lost 13lbs since Monday, returned to the winner's enclosure aboard Grand Article in the Open Maiden. The horse, owned by his father-in-law Stan West, had an unsuccessful hurdling career when trained by Paul himself under rules, but now wife Alana has taken over the training and was well rewarded here.
The closing Intermediate was a walkover, with Pharanto and Jockey Mick Wills, who had previously one success in the Grafton Hunt race last May, hoping to win another ‘proper' race soon! Although fields were on the whole small, some good racing was enjoyed by all.
Next meeting in the Area is at Ashorne next Monday 2nd May, first race 2.30 pm.
