Hurricane runs a storm at popular Aberystwyth race
The Aberystwyth race meeting is always a popular event on the mid Wales circuit and this year was no exception. The earlymorning rain was blown away by the breeze off Cardigan Bay, while the racing provided a full afternoon of excitement.
The two Nursery races were won by two impressive youngsters, Kentucky Roam (Perks, Presteigne) took the first, while Ithon Nipper (Lewis, Welshpool) looks set to enhance that stable’s considerable reputation.
In the first heat of the Novice, Fronfelin Duchess (Hawkes, Llanddewi) continued to improve under the guidance of her trainer Ollie Preece, from Gladestry, to win. Ook Whos Coming, with his owner Mark Evans from Brecon at the controls, continued to enhance his reputation with a win, in front of Tyssul Pennylane, who ran well for the Broome family from Bromfield.
It was a dead heat for first place in the first heat of the Grade B as Hyar Temptation, with owner Janet Thomas from Llandysul on board, had to share the spoils from last week’s winner, The Bold Jack and his young owner-driver Jonny James from Dorstone.
Tillies Larg, another talented horse from the Evans stable in Brecon, piloted as usual by Mark Evans, took the second heat of the Grade B from another young star, George Gentle with his owner Zak Lewis from Welshpool.
Ithon Inmate (Price, Brecon), with trainer Derek Pritchard on board, is always a great crowd-pleaser and he swept up the home straight to claim the first Grade A heat. Ayr Hero, bought in the off-season by the Bevan family from Llanddewi, this week took on the premier grade and, with Mel Langford at the controls, he showed he was well up to the task.
There were three Baby Novice races this week. In the first, Greenhill Lilian (Thomas, Rhymney) romped home with Mark Evans in the seat. Kentucky Roam (Perks, Presteigne), just graduated from the Nursery, gave Rebecca Williams another win in the second Baby Novice. Immortal Storm (Meaney, Merthyr) and partnered by Mel Langford took the last Baby Novice race in fine style.
The dash gave Mel Langford her third win of the afternoon when she partnered the speedy Evenwood Thumps Up (Lewis, Llanbister) to a fine win in front of Ayr Ontario (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey). Jayne Bevan took the saddle race with No Mercy (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey).
In the junior race, Ellie Tromans driving Makemeamillionayr (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) claimed first prize from Jess Samuel driving her family’s Camden Lock.
In the Novice final, Rebecca Williams picked up a catch drive on Hurricane Howard (Duggan, Llangunllo) and just claimed the decision from Ook Whos Coming (Evans, Brecon).
In the Grade B final, last week’s winner The Bold Jack, with his young owner Jonny James from Dorstone at the helm, continued in winning ways from the impressive Tillies Larg (Evans Brecon).
Ayr Hero, the new grey belonging to the Bevan family from Llanddewi, added the Grade A final to his heat win, driven by the in-form Mel Langford.
The final race of the day was the consolation, where Mel Langford claimed her fifth winner of the day on Chinatown Samuel (Moorhouse, Llandinam).
Next week is the Caersws meeting on July 22, starting at 1.30pm.