26 January 2009 Report: Royal Artillery - Larkhill
ZABENZ: wins the Ladies Open under a confident ride by Diana Hobbs
Zabenz, the comfortable winner of a high-class Larkhill Ladies' Open on Saturday, will be aimed at the Aintree Grand National.
"He'll go hunter chasing now and if he qualifies, he'll run in the Christie's Foxhunter", said owner Sarah Hobbs. "If that goes well, he'll have another crack at the Grand National. He ran in the 2007 race and was enjoying himself when a stirrup leather broke at first Bechers and he lost his jockey. He stays forever and loves good ground, so we came to Larkhill as the conditions were ideal". Zabenz has been off the course since finishing fifth in the Betfred Gold Cup in April 2007, but he and Diana Hobbs were always to the fore and easily held off Olival (Hannah Lewis) and 11/10F Kiama (Polly Gundry).
Kingscliff's Cheltenham aspirations took a knock when the 12yo finished third in the Men's Open. Distant Thunder and Richard Burton got the better of Kingscliff (Ian Chanin) after a sustained duel over the last five fences, and jumped the last in front, but Luke Morgan drove Emma Baker's Gaelsbob ahead close home.
Rachael Green rode a double for her boss, Seaborough trainer Richard Barber, and owners Margaret Findlay and Paul Barber. Aiteen Thirtythree looked a tremendous prospect as he sauntered home in the 3-mile maiden. "I bought him privately as a 3yo from Tom Costello and named him after our 1833 Vintage Reserve Cheddar, although we had some difficulty getting his name into 18 letters", explained Paul Barber. Meanus Dandy - "he's named after one of Harry Findlay's greyhounds", said Paul - stayed on strongly to deny Drybrook Bedouin (Michael Miller) in the Intermediate. Paul Barber and Margaret Findlay then completed an across-the card treble when their Big Fella Thanks, trained at Ditcheat by Paul Nicholls, landed the valuable Sky Bet Chase (formerly The Great Yorkshire Chase) at Doncaster.
Irish imports took the two divisions of the 2m4f Maiden in emphatic style. Timeshift, purchased privately in the summer by Don Constable, drew 30 lengths clear in Division 1 to take pilot Dave Mansell onto the eight-winner mark. "I've done my bit now", joked Worcestershire trainer Zoe Hammond, adding that the 5yo will now transfer to her husband Mike's licensed yard. The Partalonian made virtually all and surged 30 lengths clear from two out under Richard Burton in division 2. "I've got four pointers and three of them, including this one and Barbury runner-up New Series came from Ireland via Martin Oliver", explained Alison Dare, who trains the horse for Patsy Willis, Laura Garrett and John Vizard.
Godfrey Maundrell opened his seasonal account on his grand campaigner Rhythm King in a match for the hunt members. Rhythm King has now won 22 races for Godfrey and "we'll keep looking for a few small races for him", said trainer Paul Thompson.
Sgt Martin Dennis rode his first-ever winner when even money favourite Rockport took the lead after the last in the King's Troop race.
The next Wessex Area meetings are the United Services at Larkhill on Saturday 7th February and the South Dorset at Milborne St Andrew on Sunday 8th February.
