23 February 2009 Report: South East Hunts Club - Palace Farm, Charing
BEE AN BEE: the pillar to post victor of the Mens Open
David Robinson's Bee An Bee, champion horse in the South East last year, returned to Charing on Sunday (February 22nd) and beat a classy field in the Men's Open. Never headed, he was two lengths clear of the promising Highland Chief at the line. Ridden by David's son Stuart, the pairing has now notched up a succession of six Opens. This one was a round of the Brightwells Insurance Order of Excellence.
The meeting took place on a dry but largely overcast day, with good ground and a fair crowd.
Rose Grissell won the Ladies on Myson, formerly with Gary Moore but now with the Grissell operation at Brightling Park. In doing so, Rose beat her sister Hannah into second place on the Nick Pearce-trained Theatre Knight.
The popular Pete Bull won on Ann Blaker's Young Collier in the Club Members Conditions. He will, however, be rueing the 7lb over that he put up on the 4-year-old Moderano in the opening 2 1/2 mile Maiden. The pair were beaten half a length by the Cotswold raider Pingaro De La Vire, ridden by David Maxwell. Bull was also run out of it in the closing Maiden; his mount Captain's Legacy was clear at the last but Mooresini beat him by a neck under a good ride from pony racing graduate Tom Cannon.
Bee An Bee was the only winning favourite in a day of shocks at the Kent track. Perhaps the biggest disappointment was impressive Detling winner Nessa, heavily backed for the Restricted and unplaced behind Godfrey Maundrell on Droppy's - but the well-fancied Swing State and Big Moment were also turned over at short odds in their races.
The next meeting in the South East is at Godstone next Saturday, first race 11.00am.
