21 April 2009 Report: Seavington - Littlewindsor
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
CARROLL'S O' TULLEY: impressive winner of the Hunts race
photo: Nick Jay
Tyneham caught 2008 winner Bush Park approaching the last to win the Seavington Mens Open on Sunday. "He won at Badbury Rings last weekend and I was going to rest him, but changed my mind when I saw he was so well", said in-form Okeford Fitzpaine trainer Richenda Snook, saddling her fourth winner in the last four weeks.
Jockey Jimmy Derham is also enjoying a good run - this was his third winner of the weekend and sixth of the season.
Matt Griffiths went into double figures - one behind Toby Greenall in the National Novices' list - on the Ashley Farrant-trained King's Wood, who led over the last four fences in the Novice Riders race and sealed victory with a fast jump at the last. "He's won four of his last five races, goes on any ground and deserves to take his chance in the Exeter racecourse Intermediate Series final on 5th May", said owner Laura Claydon.
Broadwindsor handler Marilyn Burrough opened her training account with Carroll's O'Tully, who forged clear of last year's winner Senor Cid up the final climb in the Hunt race. A £1,300 Ascot purchase - she was bought with this race in mind - Carroll's O'Tully is owned by Jeff Hardwill from Ilminster, Kristian Yates (Hinton Martell), Ryan Yates (Bournemouth), and Jackie Stewart (Chardstock), although connections were keen to praise Steve Parfimowicz for all the work he does with the mare.
Grey Ciseaux, a former winner of the Modbury Harriers 4m marathon, heads back to Flete Park on 2nd May after providing farrier Becky Barnett with her second career success in the Ladies Open. "I've trained two winners before but this is our first winner as a family", said trainer Jonathan Apps proudly. "Becky has deputised brilliantly for my daughter Eleri, who has damaged shoulder ligaments, but I hope Eleri will be back in time for Flete Park".
Craigmor (Alice Mills) collared stable companion Quite A Splash (Polly Gundry) on the run-in in the Restricted race. "Polly chose the wrong one here, but we've trained three winners this weekend, so we're not complaining", said Ed Walker.
Jockeys Ian Chanin and Ryan Bliss both reached the 12-winner mark in the two maiden races. Ian landed the three mile event with Sherilyn and Richard King's Twoee, a homebred half-sister to Hunter Chase winner Shepherds Hut and recent Cherrybrook winner Madam Noso. "Our groom Alison Trim deserves a lot of the credit for this", pointed out Sherilyn afterwards. Ryan was in the winner's enclosure after Tostaky got the better of The Duckster (Richard Hawker) on the flat in the 2m4f contest. "Headchester won for us at Larkhill, so Ryan and I have maintained out 100% partnership", smiled trainer Suzy Crossman.
