There was a Welsh success at Glorious Goodwood last week when Blue Prince scored for the two Davids, Evans and Probert. The horse has been running consistently all year and was a close third in a better race over course and distance in May. With a good draw and Probert on board for the first time, he led the 18-runner field home by a length and a quarter.
Firm going at Bath on Friday was no problem for John and Rhys Flint’s Symbol Of Hope, who won for the seventh time there. This success puts him just one behind the Bath record holders, eight-time winners Chucklestone and Blue Hero. Symbol Of Hope needs careful handling and John gave credit to staff member Kirsty, who walked the horse to the 5f160y start to keep him calm.
The Flints nearly pulled off a great long-range double at Musselburgh with Parikarma, which was only the second time the yard ever had a runner there. On her stable debut in June the mare won a hurdle at Newton Abbot ridden by her new owner Imogen Mathias. This time the combination was in a 1m5f races for amateur jockeys. Parikarma looked the winner in the last quarter of a mile but was worried out of it by an exceptionally game rival. It was a long way to go to be beaten a head.
Grace Harris’s Ladypacksapunch proved that persistence can pay off by winning at the 29th attempt. She’s tried lots of different distances, going and tracks. Finishing second over a mile and a half in race number 28 when visored for the first time was her best effort for a year or more. The visors were reapplied, a three-pound claimer took over in the saddle and the mare ran out a clear winner.
Chris Mason’s usual good form in midsummer continued when Darkened Edge won the three-runner finale.His Edge horses always appreciate the fast ground usually found at Bath at this time of year. She’d shown her first sign of ability in her most recent race and was able to build on that. The outsider of three, she was helped by the favourite missing the break.
Probert was in action at Chester on Sunday, where he rode the hitherto disappointing two-year-old New Bombay to a four-length victory. His form figures of 969 didn’t augur well, and nor did reports of hanging left in those last two starts. However, that wouldn’t be much of an issue at Chester and with Probert on board for the first time he trotted up.
With British jumping taking a three-week break the Bowens sent their good summer handicappers Francky Du Berlais and Statuario over to Galway on Friday for a valuable 20-runner handicap, but neither seriously threatened in the latter part of the race.Nor did Christian Williams’ veteran Cap Du Nord, who won at Perth last month.
Chepstow hosts week 3 of the Racing League this Thursday evening. Family entertainment and live music complement the seven-race team-based competition.
