~ Wales and Border Harness Racing ~

Llandyfaelog Races

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On the most glorious summer’s day Llandyfaelog held the first grass meeting of the season on Bank Holiday Monday when a large enthusiastic crowd enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of racing.

The Nursery kicked off proceedings and although there were only three runners two of the drivers were experiencing their first drives in adult company. Jason Munro a few years back was champion junior and he showed he had forgotten nothing as he steered the old favourite Leprechaun into an unassailable lead. Bryn Evans driving Ceredigion-bred Non’s Choice was beaten by last year’s champion driver Melanie Langford on Wellfield Inspired, but would have gained valuable experience in the new category.

Derek Pritchard driving Lucky Nipper took the spoils in the Novice race and is already laying down a challenge to re-take the championship which Melanie claimed from him last year. The energetic Brywins Badlands with Richard Williams (Carmarthen) on board was second while James Evans (Capel Iwan) on his grey Ayr Force One was third. This win moves Lucky Nipper into the open grades.

In the Grade B lady driver Debbie Hitchcock thundered to the front with the willing Vyrnwy Chef and although Louisa Myers chased hard with Bon Bethan they had to be content with second while her stable companion Vodka Express driven by Louisa’s step-father Horst Weigel claimed third prize.

Purple Rain rewarded favouritism in the betting with his second win of the season driven as usual by Melanie Langford from Ludlow for Terry Edwards from Bromfield, Master Chance moved up one place to gain second prize for the elder family from Blaencelyn while Mathew Tromans in a catch drive steered Live the Dream into third for the Langford family from Pontardawe.

It was the back marker Handsome Butch, lately acquired by the Bevan and Sargeant partnership from Builth Wells & Newbridge, who dictated affairs in the Baby Novice race; they were leading by a huge margin on the back straight but driver Andrew Bevan was very glad to see the winning post as Sam the Man (Tromans Newcastle Emlyn) was catching fast, while Non’s Choice (Davies Drefach) having made an unfortunate mistake was third. Handsome butch now moves into the Novice class.

With the return to grass the saddle race makes its first appearance in the season. It is usually a race for the girls and today was no exception however young Rebecca Hitchcock last year’s junior champion has now graduated to the adults, she is soon to take up a place at the British Racing School in Newmarket to train for a career in racing. However she needed no lessons, as she launched Vyrnwy Chef into the lead and rode all the way to the line giving the horse his second win of the day, Vodka Express (Weigel Llanddewi Velfrey) tried to close the gap but had to concede, while Blackfield Willy (Barton Clundervwen) could only register third.

Bon Bethan (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) has returned home from each race meeting so far this season with at least one win to her credit and she kept this record intact as she and her favourite driver Louisa Myers took the honours in the Free For All beating the in form Lucky Nipper ( Thomas Llandeilo) with Live the Dream (Langford Pontardawe) third.

So with the end of a beautiful day we look forward to the traditional Mid-Wales season’s start at Knighton on Saturday May 17th first race 2 pm.

Detailed Results