REPORT – WEST AND NORTH NORFOLK (SUNDAY 22ND MARCH)

It was a perfect Spring day with plenty of sunshine , a gentle breeze , the customary three
winners for the incredible winning-machine, jockey Gina Andrews and welcome success for
trainer Andrew Pennock and a victory to celebrate for Norfolk owner, Simon Stearn.
The number of declared runners totalled 31, from the 40 individual horses entered, and produced
some excellent racing throughout the afternoon. Pennock’s winner came in the concluding
Maiden race where the 6-y-o Lightspeedahead was given an admirable ride by Ellie Callwood to
race clear of their rivals from two fences out to register a 12 length success. The winning trainer
had not had a winner all season despite covering many hundreds of miles in their horsebox and
this success is just reward for Andrew and his wife Ruth for all the tireless work and care they
endear to all their horses. Owner Mark Hollingsworth was unable to attend and Pennock spoke to
him just prior to the off and the conversation was picked up again after the conclusion of the race
where Hollingsworth needed to have the outcome repeated as he couldn’t believe his horse had
won ! Diamon Des Flos gave his normal front-running display and was only pressed for the lead
at the final open ditch but stayed on to secure 2nd place. The favourite L’Hybris Is Born was
patiently ridden at the back of the group of runners but failed to make any impression on the
leaders and was pulled up, before the last fence.

Wymondham-based owner Simon Stearn has enjoyed several winners at the Norfolk course and
was able to greet his No Risk Des Flos into the winners’ enclosure after victory was obtained in
the Veteran Horse Conditions contest. A winner of the corresponding race at last season’s
fixture, and although the runners were tightly packed for most of the race, the favourite never
seemed to be troubled by his rivals and when the grey was asked for his effort by Gina Andrews,
to go and put the race to bed, after the final open ditch, the result was never in doubt.
This was the third leg of jockey Andrew’s treble having earlier won the opening race on the card,
the PPORA Club Members’ Conditions (Level 1) contest, on Cheytac who defeated the only
other finisher, Back Bar, by 7 lengths. “Steadily improving and jumping better” was Gina’s postrace comments on the 7-y-o owned by Cliff Myers, a loyal supporter of the jockey’s stable over
many years.

An outside ride for Jenny Owen’s Newmarket yard on the slightly quirky Aramax, in the Mixed
Open, was Gina’s other success. The trainer saddled another of the declared runners in The Big
Lense just as she did a year ago at the corresponding fixture. The latter won last season but roles
were reversed here with Aramax, showcasing his best abilities, coming home 12 lengths ahead of
his stablemate with the only other runner, Good Source, calling it a day before two out.
Ther Restricted race saw eight runners set on their way by starter Ben Rivett with Monrocco
Moonlight going 20+ lengths clear by Huw Edwards at various stages of the first circuit. A bad
jumping error at the fence in front of the stands, with a circuit to go, severely knocked his
chances and he was eventually pulled up. Steepingstone was made favourite and was a casualty
on the back straight which left Pillar To Post to make a concerted effort three fences out, to chase
the victory. However, Ellie Holder had IL Padrino covering the move and under a confident ride
the eventual winning combination jumped the final fence clear to record a 6 length success. Ellie,
riding her second winner of the season, commented on her winning and willing partner “ He
likes the quicker ground and although I intended to make a good start, two went flying past us
and made the pace fierce throughout “.

There was a blanket finish to the PPORA Conditions (Level 3 ) race where Mister Splash and
Paddy Barlow provided the Turner Family and trainer Ed Turner with a popular success as the
family have been loyal supporters of the racecourse over many decades. Police Academy and
Ellie Callwood looked as though they would take the honours, rounding the final bend but
Barlow on Mister Splash were challenging with Mylesfromwicklow and My Gift To You also in
with a shout of victory. The only runner, of the field of five, not in contention was surprisingly
the odds-on favourite Entity Of Substance, unbeaten in 4 points up to this race. A perfect jump at
the last saw Mister Splash secure the prize by ¾ of a length from Police Academy with
Mylesfromwicklow a further 1½ lengths adrift. Ben Turner, for the owners, suggested that
Mister Splash is likely to return to Higham on Good Friday, where he was a comfortable winner
of a 3½ mile contest at the corresponding fixture last season.

This was an entertaining and successfully administered meeting, so credit goes to all involved with
special praise for Julie Whales (Secretary) and Matt King ( Clerk of the Course) for their contributions