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Knighton Races

Jump Straight to Results

On a pleasant afternoon after some early rain Knighton races provided ideal conditions for racing above ground but with testing conditions underfoot. However the result was some very good racing along with the usual anticipatory atmosphere for these races which has seen the start to grass racing in Mid Wales for decades. Once lambing is over it is time to start trotting!

In the first nursery the ‘Cardi’ bred and owned Glan Minstrel (Jones Talgarreg) in the hands of his trainer Derek Pritchard dominated the race, beating another first timer Classic Gold (Gwatkin Evenjobb) with Wellfield Inspired (Edwads Bromfield) in third. In the second nursery race Merry Messenger took another step in his career by winning for the Wellings family from Ludlow, in second was Midnight Traveller (Gwatkin Evenjobb) while True Grit (Thomas Tregroes) was third.

The Novice was a straight race when the square trotter, Belleheir driven by his owner trainer Brent Ladek made all the running to secure victory from Brywins Badlands (Williams Tumble) with Time Traveller (Bevan Llanddewi) in third.

In the first heat of the Grade B, Scoot 66 with Mark Bevan Llanddewi aboard, took top honours; Forgeside Jack now in the Walker stable at Gwernogle was second while Obi Wan Kenobi (Williams Llanafan) took third. In the second heat John Peters Upper Longwood, was re-united with his horse Young Brett, after an accident last year put John on the sidelines. Young Brett showed no ill-will and claimed first prize beating Bon Beti (Evans Jones, Rhymney) into second and Falcon Lobell (Davies Huntington) came in third.

Slower conditions helped the back markers in the Grade A as Purple Rain (Edwards Bromfield) made light of his thirty yard handicap to claim first prize driven as usual by his trainer Melanie Langford from Ludlow, Ithon Ace (Williams Shrewsbury) was second and Double Top (Hitchcock Haverfordwest) was third. In the second heat Boomerang and Alan Peters from Welshpool had 50 yards to make up which they soon achieved, and he went on to sweep up the outside to win from Live the Dream (Langford Pontardawe) with Believe (Crowther Llanidloes) third.

Homebred East of Eden and Derek Pritchard showed great tenacity in the first Baby Novice race beating Glan Master for new owners the Price family from Guilsfield while Ystwyth Gwynfor (Jones Church Stretton) had to be content with third. Derek Pritchard continued in winning form when taking the second Baby Novice with John Gwatkin’s Duggan’s Domino while again Alan Peters was second this time with Hilltop Polly (Gittins Welshpool) while Katie Blue (Williams Shrewsbury) was third.

Wales & Borders provide almost the only saddle racing in mainland Britain and although there were only three entries it will be a great loss if the class should die out all together. Jayne Bevan, top saddle jockey for several years claimed first place with the family’s Time Traveller despite Rebecca Hitchcock’s efforts on Vyrnwy Chef while Bretts Delight and Julie Newey were third.

The highlight of race day are the finals and the Grade B was another exciting race. Scoot 66 has made this one of his favourite courses having won heat and final in 2007 he went on to repeat the performance this year partnered as usual by owner Mark Bevan from Llanddewi, Forgeside Jack (Walker Gwernocle) and driven by Aled Davies was second while Young Brett with ‘genial’ John Peters Upper Longwood was third. In the grade A final Ithon Ace with owner driver Stephen Williams raced to the front taking their favourite position at the head of affairs and although there were plenty of challengers they were not headed and Live the Dream (Langford Pontardawe) was second while Purple Rain (Edwards Bromfield) was third.

Wales & Border Racing has a special affinity to the consolation, perhaps being able to lift a disappointing day by a win at the very last helps with the feel-good factor, and this race was as exciting as any as Maple Star (Prosser Libanus) looked a certain winner but Andrew Bevan from Builth Wells pulled out all the stops on Handsome Butch to secure victory with Harry Penlan (R Lloyd Painscastle) running on into third.

Detailed Results

Race 1 - Nursery
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Glan Minstrel Gate £0
2 Classic Gold Gate £0
3 Wellfield Inspired Gate £0
4 Fold Tinto Gate £0
99 Simply Red II Gate £0
Time: 2.436

Race 2 - Nursery
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Merry Messenger Gate £0
2 Midnight Traveller Gate £0
3 True Grit II Gate £0
4 Seren Lobell Gate £0
99 C U Boykin Gate £0
99 Hilltop Star Gate £0
Time: 2.320

Race 3 - Baby Novice
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 East of Eden Gate £60
2 Glan Master 10 £30
3 Ystwyth Gwynfor 10 £15
4 Ithon Artist Gate £0
99 Todays Future Gate £0
99 Lowri Dillon 10 £0
Time: 2.301

Race 4 - Baby Novice
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Duggans Domino 10 £60
2 Hilltop Polly Gate £30
3 Katie Blue 10 £15
4 Sandside Cash 10 £0
99 Ron Hall 10 £0
Time: 2.332

Race 5 - Novice
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Belle Heir Gate £100
2 Brywins Badlands Gate £40
3 Time Traveller 10 £20
4 Forgeside Mo Gate £0
99 Handsome Butch Gate £0
99 Maple Star 20 £0
Time: 2.249

Race 6 - Grade B Heat 1
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Scoot Sixty Six Gate £30
2 Forgeside Jack Gate £10
3 Obi Wan Kenobi 20 £0
4 Illalwaysbetheman 20 £0
99 Brets Delight Gate £0
99 Vyrnwy Chef 10 £0
Time: 2.224

Race 7 - Grade B Heat 2
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Young Brett 10 £30
2 Bon Beti 10 £10
3 Falcon Lobell Gate £0
4 Harry Penlan Gate £0
99 Wellfield Xpense 20 £0
Time: 2.271

Race 8 - Grade B Final
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Scoot Sixty Six Gate £250
2 Forgeside Jack Gate £50
3 Young Brett 10 £30
4 Falcon Lobell Gate £0
99 Bon Beti 10 £0
99 Obi Wan Kenobi 20 £0
99 Illalwaysbetheman 20 £0
Time: 2.236

Race 9 - Grade A Heat 1
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Purple Rain 30 £30
2 Ithon Ace Gate £10
3 Double Top Gate £0
4 Fold Surprise Gate £0
99 Master T J 20 £0
99 Hilltop Blackbird 20 £0
Time: 2.216

Race 10 - Grade A Heat 2
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Boomerang II 50 £30
2 Live the Dream 20 £10
3 Bellieve 10 £0
4 Fold Rajah Gate £0
99 Highbrooks Cobra Gate £0
Time: 2.256

Race 11 - Grade A Final
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Ithon Ace Gate £300
2 Live the Dream 20 £60
3 Purple Rain 30 £30
4 Fold Surprise Gate £0
99 Bellieve 10 £0
99 Double Top Gate £0
99 Boomerang II 50 £0
Time: 2.224

Race 12 - Saddle
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Time Traveller Gate £50
2 Vyrnwy Chef 20 £20
3 Brets Delight 10 £10
Time: 2.232

Race 13 - Consolation
Position Horse Name Handicap Prize
1 Handsome Butch Gate £20
2 Maple Star 20 £10
3 Harry Penlan 30 £5
4 Highbrooks Cobra 50 £0
Time: 2.288