Shropshire should be proud

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The Ludlow Trotting Committee weren’t satisfied with the huge success of last year’s races: 2006 had to be bigger and better than ever. This meant, in a nutshell, two days of non-stop racing, an overnight party, generous prize money and close finishes, campers, drinkers, dancers and a brilliant atmosphere… Saturday was mainly heats, while Sunday had the finals and other feature races.

John and Shelley Jones have had some bad luck with their nice three-year-old Crogie’s Heat but after a layoff he’s returned better than ever and looked impressive winning the Nursery with Shelley in the seat.

The Baby Novices were crowd pleasers as both were won by local horses. Only rarely can trotters beat pacers but nobody has told Belleheir and the homebred three-year-old romped home with delighted owner Brent Ladek from Cleobury Mortimer. The exceptionally smart Dallas II won the second race with Shrewsbury trainer Stephen Williams on board.

Obi Wan Kenobi overcame a heartbreaking draw to win the first Novice heat for the Williams family of Llanafan. The second heat was record-breaking as the crowd actually drowned out Colin the commentator: several of the most popular horses on the track fought to the death down the home strait, with young Lorna Perks just snatching victory on her own Fold Supreme. But this race also marked the return of Jim Rogers (Asterton) and his horse Lakeside Warrior, who ran a cracker to come second. Bon Betti is bang in form and took the third heat with trainer Derek Pritchard on board.

The scopey Vodka Express made his journey from Pembrokeshire worthwhile as he took the first Grade B heat, while the Shrewsbury horse Ithon Ace notched up another win for owner Stephen Williams in the second heat.

The interval was filled with entertainment in a Man versus Horse competition. The Ludlow committee cheekily put forward the incredible Boomerang to beat athletic Mark White (running one lap against Boomerang’s two laps). Mark didn’t disgrace himself and Boomerang has been known to beat horses by a similar distance…

Shobdon-owned Best Man was very impressive in the Grade A, battling hard despite a flat tyre with a fearless Wayne Knox on board. The next heat went to Blackwell Jerry who seems to be getting better with age for owner Ivor Owens. But it was the third race which sent hearts pounding as the best horses on the track went head to head. Georgia Lobell looked the winner until Fold Flight and Lorna Perks came from nowhere to pip her on the line.

Blackwell Jerry won again in the Junior race, this time with Sabrina Stephens in the saddle, although Highbrooks Cobra (Rebecca Hitchcock) fought her very hard and Fold Flight was speedy despite a huge handicap.

The elderly John Davies conquered his fears in the Non Drivers race and Falcon Lobell gave him a beautiful trip in torrential rain, delighting her trainer and co-owner Vanessa Croose. The immortal Eccles won the next division, although the conditions were now very slippery.

The Non Whip race is only for brave horses, and the conditions were only for brave drivers, but Bon Betti and Derek Pritchard showed their nerves of steel to win the first division. The gutsy Bon Bethan won the final race of the day with owner Horst Weigel.

Sunday kicked off with straight races in the Novice, won by two backmarkers, Ceirion Shon (Jones, Llanllwni) and Wayward Tom (Williams, Llandewi Brefi) who have been upgraded to the Grade B to hassle their new opponents. The Novice final (following Saturday’s heats) was a heart stopper: Harry Penlan (Robin Lloyd, Painscastle) led the whole way only to be ground down by Obi Wan Kenobi (Williams, Llanafan) in the closest of photo finishes.

Louisa Myers drove the brave family mare Bon Bethan to a nice win in the Grade B straight race. But it was the Grade B final that caused a real stir amongst the crowd as they were awarded another photo finish. Stunning grey, Live The Dream (Langford, Pontardawe), has taken a long time to click but he certainly looked the business with Melanie Langford in the seat as he beat Ithon Ace (Williams, Shrewsbury).

Mark White was brave to challenge Boomerang on foot on Saturday. To watch him go in the Grade A straight race it is clear what a magnificent horse he is, winning this race off a massive 50 yard trail: a lovely reward for owners Alan and Raynor Peters who worked so hard to make this meeting worthwhile.

Fortunately Best Man had a pumped up tyre on Sunday – he needed it because Jack’s Delight and Georgia Lobell were close on his heels in the Grade A final – and it was all he needed to take the big race of the day for owner Ivor Owens and driver Wayne Knox.

Sabrina Stephens won her second Junior race of the weekend aboard Scoot 66 but Bethan Perks on Fold Rajah was only whiskers behind and Vintage Lobell gave Emma Layton an absolutely wonderful first drive to follow closely in third.

It is special enough for a trotter to beat pacers occasionally, but twice in a row?? Yes, Belleheir did it again in the Baby Novice for Brent Ladek. What a great horse!

Jayne Bevan remains unbeaten this season and was alert enough to win again with Thunder Lobell in a good Saddle race.

The tiny tornado Fold Flight triumphed again, winning the Free For All in a scintillating finish for owner/driver Lorna Perks.

The Weigels had a great weekend and notched up their fourth win with Vodka Express in his favourite race, the Six Furlong. Brent Ladek was also quite invincible and Hilltop Crystal, not to be outdone by Belleheir, cruised home in the Mile and a Half.

The wonderful two days ended with the Two Mile race. Eccles (aged seventeen) led the race throughout, only to pull away from the others in the last lap and float over the line by a distance. And he looked as if he could go on for another two miles. Well done Eccles!

And well done Ludlow, thanks for a great weekend. WBC next meet for your entertainment in Aberystwyth on Saturday the 29th.

Detailed Results