02 June 2009 Report: Larkhill Racing Club - Larkhill
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
WILLOWPATTERN: a Royal winner at Larkhill
photo: Brian Armstrong
HRH The Princess Royal's homebred Willowpattern landed the Open Maiden race at Larkhill on Sunday. An eighth winner of the season for jockey Tom David, Willowpattern set a steady pace before sprinting clear of her rivals after the second last.
"I bred both her and [Bredwardine winner] Dhu Loch and she's the first foal of My French Willow, who I bought out of the hunting field", said the Princess Royal, making her first visit to a Larkhill Point-to-Point meeting. Willowpattern's trainer, Zara Phillips, was away eventing in Ireland.
Gunship broke the course record in the Ladies Open to secure the season's Larkhill Leading Horse Award for Kington Magna owner-trainers Mark Hoskins and Cathy Hamilton. "We wanted to win the Award, but we also came to support my cousin, Stan Rawlins and his wife Sally, who organise the Ablington Challenge charity race which raises so much money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal", explained Cathy Hamilton, accompanied by her 16-month-old son, William. A 98th career winner for former national champion Claire Allen - "I'd like to reach 100 before the end of the season", added Claire - Gunship had also been entered for the Men's Open. "We took the Ladies' race option as we were keen to try Gunship with the lighter 11st weight, although sadly that meant that Robbie Henderson, who has partnered him so well this season, couldn't be on him today", said Cathy.
Hi Fi flew the last - "came up from nowhere", smiled jockey Will White - to hold 4/7 favourite Lords Bridge (Richard Woollacott) in the Conditions race and delight Steeple Ashton farmer Pat Awdry, who bought the winner from breeder Rosemary Paterson in March. "The Perpetual Challenge Cup was given by the late Dick Hunt, who I knew well, and I'm proud to receive it", said Pat.
Hardington Mandeville trainer Ben White got off the mark when Goblet Of Fire and Michael Miller easily held off 4/6F Trade Off in the Men's Open. "Theresa Moysey and my girlfriend, Victoria Rabbetts, bought him from Paul Nicholls in March", said Ben. "He's a character and we've spent hours and hours together on fun rides and walking through the neighbouring villages since he came to me. He'll go into the field in the morning, but he'll be back for next season".
Travellers Lad snatched the Restricted after clear leader Mel's Moment slowed to a walk and was pulled up and dismounted 50 yards from the line by Marcus Price, who thought the seven-year-old had broken down. "That's three wins with three different horses this season, all partnered by Dan [Collins], who works for Paul Nicholls", revealed Winterborne Bassett trainer Richard Bryan.
Paul Rogers' Ludlow-qualified Rocking Robin landed the closing Intermediate under Jenny Carr. The mare led at the last and surged eight lengths clear when closest pursuer Ten Horse Power blundered and almost unshipped Kelly Smith.
Ryan While (Angelic) and George Shaw (Petite Pois) won the Wessex Area Pony Race Finals. The 12f Ablington Challenge charity flat race went to Spanchil Hill and Philip Prince, who held off Le Ski D'Or (Jo Ewell) and Only Dreams (Ned Sangster) in third.
