19 April 2011 Report: Ystrad Taf Fechan - Ystradowen
by Brian Lee
The progressive FINDLAY'S FIND
photo: Alun Sedgmore
Bradley Gibbs,16, had a weekend he will never forget. Gibbs, who rides out for Welsh trainer Tim Vaughan, not only enjoyed his first victory between the flags, but went on to double his tally in the last, all on a day when his boss made history after Beshabar became the first Welsh-trained winner of the Scottish Grand National.
The former pony racing competitor began the day by riding his father David's Cinaman to a five length triumph over the pace-making Little Miss Monty in the opening Members Race, and ended the day as he started by winning the last race, the Open Maiden for 8yos and up, on Glencaum a chance ride. "I want to thank everyone, especially John Mathias, who has been a big help to me,'' said the winning rider.
Owned by Mrs Mary Davies and trained by her husband John, who was celebrating his birthday, Glencaum soon drew clear of the four geldings in the race to win by 20 lengths from the favourite Freddie Lane (Nick Williams). The eight-year-old mare was a first winner between the flags for the Davies's, who have already had winners under rules. As for young Bradley, he rode Pelenor to victory in a novice riders' race 24 hours later at Cothelstone. One thing's for sure; he will soon be losing that novice tag!
Paul Miles and his wife Myfanwy landed both the Mens and Ladies Open races. Findlay's Find, a five-year-old chestnut gelding, was "bred to win a Derby'' said Myfanwy. Ridden by Nick Williams, the pair had a length and a half to spare over Little Shilling, ridden by Tom David, in the John Lovell Memorial Mens Open Race. Around 45 minutes later, their prolific mare Lady Myfanwy, ridden by Claire Hart, made one of her rare appearances at a Welsh point and came home a comfortable three lengths clear of Micks Prospect, ridden by Lucy Pearce. Lady Myfanwy's total of wins now reads 23 between-the-flags and three hunter chases.
In the Restricted, the 10-1 chance Sherfield Don, owned by Neil Edwards and David Spear of Bargoed, made every post a winning one under Johnny England to win by a length from Diamondaire (Tom David). Not the easiest of horses to train apparently, ten-year-old gelding cost his owners £1,100 at the Ascot Sales a couple of years ago. Johnny England, who rides out for Evan Williams, had celebrated his 20th birthday the day before.
David Brace's seven-year-old bay gelding Ask The Thatcher took the Intermediate by ten lengths under Tom David from Floridahall ( Nick Williams), after leading his three rivals throughout. A winner over the course three weeks earlier, Ask The Thatcher was two seconds slower than winning last time.
Bridgend builder Roger Willcox won the Young Horse Maiden with his ex-Irish Point-to-Pointer Dunshane, a five-year-old bay gelding trained by his son John. Dunshane, confidently ridden by Josh Harris, was left well clear when the chasing Millys Delight, who had never looked like catching him, fell five fences from the finish. Her rider Byron Moorcroft sustained a broken collar bone and was unable to ride Glencaum, winner of the last. Dunshane won by five lengths from the favourite The Last Bullit (Mathew Barber) who made up a lot of ground in the closing stages.
