Price is right as stewards deliver verdict

THERE were 50 races up and down the country on Saturday, but Wales only came out on top in one – and that was in the stewards’ room.

In the first race at Warwick, a novice hurdle, Tim Vaughan’s Mourzouk tried hard to overhaul the leader, and narrowed the deficit to a neck as they passed the post. However, the leader had crossed in front of Mourzouk on the run-in, causing Charlie Price to snatch him up, and the placings were reversed.

Brecon-born Price is fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a jockey, despite not sitting on a horse until he enlisted at the British Racing School at Newmarket. He started working for Vaughan as a stable lad and rode winners in Arab races before getting chances under National Hunt rules.

Price’s career has stalled since riding 23 winners in the 2019-20 season as second jockey for Vaughan. There were only five successes for him the year after and seven in the last campaign, which mirrors the decline in the stable’s fortunes.

However, in the last week the yard has hit form with a vengeance. They sent three horses to Ayr and won with two of them. Isle Of Aron took the first division of the handicap hurdle, and around 40 minutes later Bells Of Stanford won the second division. Both were ridden by Alan Johns.

On the same card Sean Bowen also landed a double, winning on Ted Hastings and Hollymount, both trained by Gordon Elliott.

Sunday was a much better day for Welsh participants at Ludlow. Richard Patrick rode the first winner, Fight For It, for the in-form John O’shea stable. The 6-1 shot travelled nicely behind the leaders and didn’t have too much trouble seeing off the opposition to win by eight lengths.

Connor Brace rode a cool race aboard Ultimate Getaway to win the three-mile novice chase, holding up the outsider of three until hitting the front on the run-in. His jumping was adequate rather than bold, but his liking for the fast ground more than made up for that.

In spite of pulling hard in the first half of the 2m5f novice hurdle, Gris Majeur cruised past his rivals to give Powys trainer Sheila Lewis her first winner of the new season.

Our next fixture at Ffos Las is on Monday. We have seven races from 1.10pm. Tickets are just £12 in advance and £17 on the day.