04 May 2010 Report: North Ledbury - Maisemore Park
by Pete Mansell
Andy Hobbs and Alistair Ralph teamed up to win two races during Monday's North Ledbury meeting at Maisemore Park.
The Hanley Swan Trainer and Leigh Sinton Rider took the Mens Open with Jaunty Times and the Conditions race with Niver Bai.
Jaunty Times made several untidy jumps during the course of the race but moved into contention as Mister Kay Bee made his bid for glory down the back straight.
David Mansell's mount still held a slight advantage approaching the final obstacle but Jaunty Times met it on a perfect stride and came away with a two length advantage which was maintained all the way to the line.
The winner carries the colours of Mo Costello, who owns the horse in partnership with the Rider's mother Di.
No more than 35 minutes passed before the Ralph's were back in the winner's enclosure following Niver Bai's success in the Confined.
Mark Wall and Sheknowsyouknow adopted their customary front running tactics but she started to come back to her rivals during the final half-mile. Niver Bai took the penultimate with a half-length advantage but sprinted clear of his rival between the final two fences to score an easy success and provide his 23-year-old Rider, who is Assistant Trainer to Henry Daly, with his first double.
The Members Race resulted in victory for the Charlotte Jones-trained and Ron Tolley-owned Lorikard, ridden by Eastnor jockey Liam Payter; this partnership were never in danger of defeat once the winner hit the front on the home turn.
