Henry Not Tested In Riddiford Steeples

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31114, 18 July 1966, Page 4

Henry Not Tested In Riddiford Steeples

sgg Riddiford Steeplechase, with a very rewarding result.

Henrv won easily to earn £1950. This was his second win in three starts at the meeting, and he was second at his other appearance. His earnings at the meeting amounted to £3125.

There was not much doubt what would win when Mr W. H. Steel’s seven-year-old passed No Offence to run clear near the five furlongs. He came to the straight with a lead of 10 lengths and won coasting by six lengths from Kingston, another lightweight. No Offence, though tiring, outstayed the top-weight, Ringlock, for third. Wheroma was quickly in front, the role he had also filled in the Wellington Steeplechase, but he was never allowed to get far away from No Offence, Henry, and Kingston. Henry and Wheroma led No Offence by three lengths starting the last round, but Mr A. Clouston’s chestnut jumped as brilliantly as ever to pick up ground going down the back.

No offence led at the six furlongs, but Henry, showing greatly superior speed and stamina, dashed dear a moment later and it was all over. Kingston was a clear second from the home turn. Indifferent jumping bn the last round cost Ringlock a chance of beating No Offence for third. Erewhon was 75 yards back fifth, just ahead of Triomphe, which jumped badly at the tail of the field. Brevity lost her rider at the second to last fence when hopelessly out of it Wheroma landed badly at

the last fence and bumped bds rider to the ground. Prettypeen was withdrawn from the race after her preliminary because she was lamb. Investments were refunded. Strong Record Others to eomplte doubles for the meeting on Saturday were the hurdlers. Kumai and Beyond. , . Beyond improved an already spectacular record by winning the Talavera Hurdles on Saturday. „ Beyond had won the Corunna Hurdles on the second day of the meeting and his record as a jumper is now four wins from five starts. Mr A. H. J. Gudsell’s Red Mars gelding had to battle hard for his latest win. He was hotly challenged right at the end by Magog, which made his late claim down the inside, and missed by only a head. Eiffel Tower was another head back third and Emphatique was a close fourth, so it was a spectacular finish at the end of a hard two mile event. Eiffel Tower looked very likely when he passed Ernphatique to lead the chase after Beyond around the home turn, but he . still had to make up six lengths from that point, and he found it just beyond him. Beyond passed Kalmoi Star to reach the lead seven furlongs out. Hard Struggle

A bad jump four fences out almost certainly cost the topweight Hi There, victory in the Haywards Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase. The favourite lost some ground and vitality when he hooked the boards, and Surami, carrying 231 b less, just managed to top him Off after a thrilling sustained

battle, one that developed nearly half a mile out. Surami battled into a short lead going to the last fence, but Hi There joined him again on the outside, and no-one could have been sure what would win until the very last stride. G. A. Walter* rode the Ocean Spray II gelding well hack in the field for a start, but took him forward steadily to be third a round from home and in a challenging position beyond the half mile. Ha There’s spectacular jumping in the first mile and a half kept him near the front. He had a duel with Voltaire for a good way, but the Blenheim horse felt the strain and faded to third In a gap of 20 lengths. Young Sou venir was fourth in a gap of 10 lengths. Blue Stand fell a mile and a half from home. Campdcn and Nebulae crashed at the first of the stand double, and Taidapa came down at the six furlongs.