05 May 2009 Report: North Ledbury - Maisemore Park
by Pete Mansell
"Jumping won him the race" was Twyning owner Stan Warner's assessment after Olivier had scored a hard fought win in the Conditions Race at Monday North Ledbury meeting at Maisemore Park.
This victory helped lift the spirits of Hanley Swan trainer Andy Hobbs who had the misfortune to lose Premium First, one of the mainstays of his stable, earlier in the afternoon.
Lost Time and Jack Sherwood had their rivals at full stretch as they turned back towards home but they began to run out of steam between the final two fences. Adrian Wintle produced his mount with impeccable timing and asked for and got "a make or break jump" at the last that secured the prize for owners Stan Warner and Kate Foster Smith.
Bromyard based Sherwood gained compensation in the very next race where he steered Sub Arctic to a 20-length success for his mother Lucy who both owns and trains the 11-year-old.
Corse Lawn trainer John Taylor teamed up with Cheltenham builder Brian Parsons to take the opening Members race with Alexander Musical, who was produced late by jockey Geoff Barfoot Saunt to see of the challenge of the favourite Another Alliance.
Himbleton based Angela Rucker went to the top of the leaderboard as her quest to become the Areas Leading Lady Rider enters its final stages. Last year's Ladies Open winner Perouse lead into the home straight but Petit Lord was poised on the heels of the leader and sprinted clear of his rival between the final two fences.
Luke Morgan and Gaelsbob had little difficulty beating four moderate rivals in the Mens Open, while Buffalo Creek from Kim Smyly's yard at Stanton, made an impressive racecourse debut in Division One of the 2m4f Maiden.
21-year-old Sam Painting had to survive a Stewards Enquiry before gaining his first success in the second division of this race after appearing to hamper the runner up Buckingham Boys in the last 50 yards.
