Severn Valley Trotting
Severn Valley Trotting committee laid on a feast of entertainment for the television cameras and the large and enthusiastic crowd on Saturday. Despite a couple of light showers the crowd was held in thrall by the racing, and many spectators who had never even heard of trotting before were hooked by the end of the afternoon.
The day kicked off as usual with the Nursery races. Bon Hasty (Collingwood, Huntington) celebrated his stablemate Vintage Lobell’s retirement by winning the first division. The second division was a decisive victory for Cross Current (Sisco, Ammanford), who later came second in the Baby Novice. Murray scampered away to win the third division, giving owner Alan Gittins (Guilsfield) some experience of the thrills of race driving.
The serious business started with the Novice heats. Fold American (Perks, Presteigne) ran a cracking race to fight off Abernant (Greenway/Hardwick, Brecon) and Man Of The Day (Harries, Llanllwni) in the first heat. Greenhill Raque (Thomas, Rhymney) fought like a lion to narrowly beat the other Perks horse, Fold Be Nimble, in the second heat. Clares Own (Evans, Newcastle Emlyn) put her head down and rocketed into the lead in the third heat, with Wellfield Inspired (Griffiths, Pontardawe) qualifying for the final behind her in second place.
The competitive Grade B division was dominated yet again by Pembrokeshire stables. Serenity (Jones, Llanllwni) produced one of her trademark express finishes to win the first heat in a blistering time of 2:07. Blackfield Willy rewarded owner/trainer Margaret Barton from Clunderwen for all her hard work and devotion by leading from pillar to post in the second heat with her son Rob Barton in the seat.
Derek and Ruth Pritchard’s lioness Bellieve won with characteristic determination in the first heat of the Grade A from Wellfield Xpense (Langford, Ludlow) and Meadowbranch Mike (Jones, Llanllwni). The very talented Obi Wan Kenobi (Williams, Llanafan) snatched the second heat, but Live The Dream (Langford, Ammanford), Merrington Man (Thomas, Rhymney) and Mahogany Duke (Edmunds, Porthcawl) were snapping at his heels.
The Baby Novices followed and were every bit as competitive as the graded races. Radnor Chips collected another red rosette for the Presteigne contingency in the first Baby Novice, delighting his owner Mike Lewis. The second division was a ding dong battle to the wire, but it was Ithon Gypsy (Jones, Llanbister) who edged out Boomshakalakka (Lloyd, Kington) to move into the Novice grade where he is sure to give his opponents something to think about. Luck Matters (Roach, Llanybydder) made a terrible mistake early in the third division but made up huge ground to steal the race from longtime leader Ithon Hannah (Bufton, Dolau). In the fourth division Brywins Jojo rewarded Keith Jones (Ammanford) for his patience and enthusiasm by winning in style.
In the Dash Scooby’s Dream (Lloyd, Kington) hurtled around the track in the blink of an eye to earn his place in the Grade B. The Ladies race was a close battle but True Grit (Thomas, Tregroes) lived up to his name and refused to be beaten by the flashy Bon Bethan (Weigel, Llandewi Velfrey).
Aberelan and Dale Williams opened up an impressive lead in the Junior race but gradually the other youngsters clawed them back. It was a heartstopping finish but Dale managed to hang on just long enough to force Glan Master (Price, Guilsfield) and Lewis Parr into second place, with Coalford Time and Ryan Walters in third and Scoot 66 and Elin Bevan in fourth.
The saddle race was the beginning of a glorious day for the Edmunds/White family from Porthcawl as Ithon Cracker stretched the field wide open ridden by Gemma White to shrug off Vyrnwy Chef (Barton, Clunderwen) and Classic Day (Miles, Merthyr).
Wellfield Inspired (Griffiths, Pontardawe) seems to get better every week and made his victory in the Novice final look easy, despite strong challenges from Clares Own (Evans, Newcastle Emlyn) and Greenhill Raque (Thomas, Rhymney).
The Grade B final was an electrifying blanket finish and it took several minutes of scrutinising the camera to pick the winner. Family Circle (Barton, Clunderwen) raced his heart out but the rocket-like Serenity (Jones, Llanllwni) came from nowhere to edge her whisker in front just in time to scoop up yet another big win for the Hitchcock stable in Haverfordwest. Ithon Eagle (Neville, Guilsfield) and Blackfield Willy (Barton, Clunderwen) were only inches behind in 3rd and 4th place.
The highlight of the day was the Grade A final. With a thousand pounds at stake it was fiercely competitive, but Mahogany Duke (Edmunds, Porthcawl) showed his class by winning the race for the second year in a row from Meadowbranch Mike (Jones, Llanllwni) and Obi Wan Kenobi (Williams, Llanafan).
WBC will be racing again at Ludlow on the 17th of July.
Detailed Results
Race 1 - Nursery | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Bon Hasty | Gate | £0 | |
2 | Dreamcatcher | Gate | £0 | |
3 | Aberelan | 30 | £0 | |
4 | Betty Blue | Gate | £0 | |
5 | Charlie Penlan | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.172 | ||||
Race 2 - Nursery | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Cross Current | Gate | £0 | |
2 | Overland | Gate | £0 | |
3 | Nia Patrol | Gate | £0 | |
4 | Ithon Gem | Gate | £0 | |
5 | Royal Fella | Gate | £0 | |
6 | King Creole | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.196 | ||||
Race 3 - Nursery | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Murray | 20 | £0 | |
2 | Fairyhouse | Gate | £0 | |
3 | Ithon Ghost | Gate | £0 | |
4 | Shifty | 30 | £0 | |
5 | Merefield Jack | Gate | £0 | |
6 | Ynyston Tommy | 20 | £0 | |
Time: 2.193 | ||||
Race 4 - Baby Novice | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Radnor Chips | Gate | £100 | |
2 | Cross Current | Gate | £50 | |
3 | Little Man II | Gate | £20 | |
4 | The Crusader | 20 | £0 | |
5 | Dragon Penlan | Gate | £0 | |
6 | Bon Hasty | Gate | £0 | |
7 | Golden Nugget | 10 | £0 | |
Time: 2.125 | ||||
Race 5 - Baby Novice | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Ithon Gypsy | 20 | £100 | |
2 | Boomshakalakka | Gate | £50 | |
3 | Hold The Cards | Gate | £20 | |
4 | Glan Minstrel | 20 | £0 | |
5 | Quick Silver II | Gate | £0 | |
DQ | Greenhill Megan | 10 | £0 | |
Time: 2.159 | ||||
Race 6 - Baby Novice | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Luck Matters | Gate | £100 | |
2 | Ithon Hannah | Gate | £50 | |
3 | Freddies Flight | Gate | £20 | |
4 | Glan Levit | 20 | £0 | |
5 | Ashbrooks Billyboy | 20 | £0 | |
6 | Durham Direct | 10 | £0 | |
7 | Kentucky Sunrise | 20 | £0 | |
Time: 2.166 | ||||
Race 7 - Baby Novice | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Brywins Jo Jo | Gate | £100 | |
2 | Tricksters Dream | 20 | £50 | |
3 | Murray | Gate | £20 | |
4 | Zip Along | 20 | £0 | |
5 | True Grit II | 20 | £0 | |
6 | Glan Dancer | Gate | £0 | |
7 | Fold Eventful | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.125 | ||||
Race 8 - Novice H1 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Fold American | Gate | £20 | |
2 | Abernant | 10 | £10 | |
3 | Man Of The Day | Gate | £0 | |
4 | Ithon Cracker | 10 | £0 | |
5 | Saunders Playboy | Gate | £0 | |
6 | Katie Blue | 20 | £0 | |
7 | Sandside Cash | Gate | £0 | |
8 | Vintage Lobell | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.138 | ||||
Race 9 - Novice H2 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Greenhill Raque | Gate | £0 | |
2 | Fold Be Nimble | 10 | £0 | |
3 | The Red Devil | 10 | £0 | |
4 | Dafydds Boy | Gate | £0 | |
5 | Scoobys Dream | 20 | £0 | |
6 | Forgeside Mo | 10 | £0 | |
7 | Brywins Badlands | 20 | £0 | |
F | Ithon Artist | 10 | £0 | |
Time: 2.120 | ||||
Race 10 - Novice H3 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Clares Own | Gate | £20 | |
2 | Wellfield Inspired | Gate | £10 | |
3 | Alpine Heights | 10 | £0 | |
4 | Razzle Dazzle | Gate | £0 | |
5 | Ceiron Disraeli | 20 | £0 | |
6 | Duggans Domino | 20 | £0 | |
7 | Hasty Flight | 20 | £0 | |
Time: 2.106 | ||||
Race 11 - Novice Final | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Wellfield Inspired | Gate | £200 | |
2 | Clares Own | Gate | £75 | |
3 | Greenhill Raque | Gate | £50 | |
4 | Abernant | 10 | £0 | |
5 | Alpine Heights | 10 | £0 | |
6 | The Red Devil | 10 | £0 | |
7 | Man Of The Day | Gate | £0 | |
8 | Fold Be Nimble | 10 | £0 | |
PU | Fold American | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.102 | ||||
Race 12 - Grade B H1 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Serenity | Gate | £20 | |
2 | Family Circle | Gate | £10 | |
3 | Maple Star | Gate | £0 | |
4 | East of Eden | 20 | £0 | |
5 | Coalford Time | Gate | £0 | |
6 | Glan Master | Gate | £0 | |
7 | Top Cat | Gate | £0 | |
8 | Chinatown Maori | 10 | £0 | |
9 | Ladyford Chap | 10 | £0 | |
Time: 2.076 | ||||
Race 13 - Grade B H2 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Blackfield Willy | Gate | £20 | |
2 | Ithon Eagle | 20 | £10 | |
3 | Bon Beti | 10 | £0 | |
4 | C U Boykin | Gate | £0 | |
5 | Belle Heir | Gate | £0 | |
6 | Master Tom | 10 | £0 | |
Time: 2.131 | ||||
Race 14 - Grade B Final | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Serenity | Gate | £500 | |
2 | Family Circle | Gate | £100 | |
3 | Ithon Eagle | 20 | £50 | |
4 | Blackfield Willy | Gate | £0 | |
5 | East of Eden | 20 | £0 | |
6 | Bon Beti | 10 | £0 | |
7 | C U Boykin | Gate | £0 | |
8 | Maple Star | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.101 | ||||
Race 15 - Grade A H1 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Bellieve | 10 | £30 | |
2 | Wellfield Xpense | 10 | £20 | |
3 | Meadowbranch Mike | Gate | £0 | |
4 | Shermanator Sam | 10 | £0 | |
5 | Ithon Ace | 20 | £0 | |
6 | Vodka Express | 10 | £0 | |
7 | Wilbro Douglas | Gate | £0 | |
8 | Springhill Horizon | 40 | £0 | |
9 | Boomerang II | 30 | £0 | |
Time: 2.094 | ||||
Race 16 - Grade A H2 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Obi Wan Kenobi | Gate | £30 | |
2 | Live the Dream | 20 | £20 | |
3 | Merrington Man | 10 | £0 | |
4 | Mahogany Duke | 10 | £0 | |
5 | Bon Bethan | 30 | £0 | |
6 | Shifty | Gate | £0 | |
7 | Lucky Nipper | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.111 | ||||
Race 17 - Grade A Final | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Mahogany Duke | 10 | £1000 | |
2 | Meadowbranch Mike | Gate | £100 | |
3 | Obi Wan Kenobi | Gate | £50 | |
4 | Bellieve | 10 | £0 | |
5 | Merrington Man | 10 | £0 | |
6 | Shermanator Sam | 10 | £0 | |
7 | Wellfield Xpense | 10 | £0 | |
8 | Live the Dream | 20 | £0 | |
Time: 2.089 | ||||
Race 18 - Saddle | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Ithon Cracker | Gate | £100 | |
2 | Vyrnwy Chef | 10 | £50 | |
3 | Classic Day | 30 | £20 | |
4 | Sunnyside Geoff | Gate | £0 | |
5 | Chinatown Maori | 20 | £0 | |
6 | Scarlet Lady | Gate | £0 | |
7 | Ladyford Chap | 20 | £0 | |
PU | Top Cat | 10 | £0 | |
DQ | Belle Heir | 10 | £0 | |
Time: 2.088 | ||||
Race 19 - Dash | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Scoobys Dream | Gate | £60 | |
2 | Duggans Domino | Gate | £40 | |
3 | Vodka Express | 30 | £20 | |
4 | Ithon Artist | Gate | £0 | |
5 | Lucky Nipper | 20 | £0 | |
Time: 1.335 | ||||
Race 20 - Junior | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | Aberelan | Gate | £0 | |
2 | Glan Master | 30 | £0 | |
3 | Coalford Time | 20 | £0 | |
4 | Scoot Sixty Six | 70 | £0 | |
Time: 2.155 | ||||
Race 21 - Consolation Ladies | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Horse Name | Handicap | Prize | |
1 | True Grit II | Gate | £50 | |
2 | Bon Bethan | 70 | £30 | |
3 | The Crusader | Gate | £20 | |
4 | Zip Along | Gate | £0 | |
5 | Vintage Lobell | 10 | £0 | |
6 | Glan Minstrel | Gate | £0 | |
Time: 2.108 | ||||