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THE POLOMOCHE: second training success for Marcus Foley
photo: Neale Blackburn

A new course record opened racing in the sunshine in the Club Members Conditions Race when Noble Ben came home in 6.01, one length ahead of course specialist Bon Accord (James Tudor) and Lord Alfred (Adrian Wintle).

Always handy the winner took up the running from Bon Accord three fences from home under James Ridley and despite a late challenge from the second horse ran on well to come home a convincing winner. An avid supporter of Point-to-Pointing, Owner / Trainer (and James's mother) Heather Ridley confirmed Noble Ben will stay between the flags to help James in his bid for the Novice Riders title. 

The three mile maiden went to Caught in Time under a typically strong ride from Phil York. Always in the first two the winner saw off the challenge of favourite Mister Cee Jay (Emily Harbour) and Mister Pan (Jamie Goss) by five lengths and 15 respectively.

The 2m5f maiden for 4, 5, 6 and 7 year olds went to Departed (James Banks). Always handy, the winner made good headway after a circuit to go second three fences from home and a good jump at the last secured a convincing 11 length victory ahead of long time leader Mulranny (Sam Drinkwater) and Midnight Wishes (Jamie Goss).

12 went to post for the Ladies Open where Lady Mwfanwy bounced back to form on the fast ground under a strong ride from Claire Hart. Claire, a late deputy for Sally Randall and sitting on the mare for the first time, never looked in any danger and came home a convincing six lengths ahead of Balladeer (Emily Harbour) and Mr Cee (Hannah Lewis) a further neck by in third.

The Polomche claimed the Mens equivalent when seeing off the challenge of odds-on favourite More Trouble (James Tudor) and De Soto (Johnny Bailey). Always prominent under Sam Drinkwater, the winner took the lead after the 10th fence from long time leader Mandica (Geoff Barfoot-Saunt) and put in some convincing leaps to come home an easy eight lengths ahead of More Trouble.

Arguably the most impressive win of the day came from Timeshift in the Intermediate Race. Bouncing back to form following the diagnosis of a hay allergy and terrible trachea wash after his 'pull up' at Higham he came home a convincing winner. Confidently ridden by Dave Mansell, he took up the lead three out and was chased home by Citizens Arrest (Emily MacMahon) 10 lengths back in second and Fassaroe a further three lengths adrift in third. All things going to plan, the winner will head to Eyton on Severn next and following that connections would hope to go to Cheltenham for the Connollys Red Mills Final in May.

Another 10 length win came in the Restricted and provided the second leg of a training double for Myfanwy Miles with the impressive Findlay's Find. Improving on his second last time out at Garnons, the five-year-old made it an almost pillar to post victory under John Mathias; after establishing a five length lead at the 13th the winner never looked in any danger of being caught and was chased home by Sandy Lie (Sarah Phizaclea) and Viel Gluck (James Tudor).

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