Renowned track hosts riders in spectacular races
This year’s Almeley meeting on Saturday was a glorious summer’s day, in stark contrast to last year when the rain poured down. The crowd were treated to a wonderful afternoon of spectacular racing on one of the area’s best grass tracks.
The nursery race, for newcomers to the sport, provided a win for Brecon-based Brywins Awesome ahead of the improving Evenwood Predator (Duggan, Howey).
The afternoon consisted of all straight races, with no heats and finals. The first Novice race provided a win for the lightly raced Second Affair (Thomas, Rhymney), driven as usual by Mark Evans. In second was Evenwood Thumps Up (Lewis, Llanbister) just returning from injury.
Rhyds Panalulah (Gething, Ewyas Harold), with trainer Derek Pritchard in the seat, continued in winning ways in the second Novice race ahead of The Chancer (Knox, Pandy), while Howdya Likemenow (Perks, Presteigne) and Wellfield Wally (Bevan, Builth Wells) shared third. Greenhill Lillian (Thomas, Rhymney) has been the season’s sensation and added to her reputation by winning the third Novice with the help of driver Mark Evans. In second was the improving Hurricane Howard (Duggan, Llangunllo).
This week the open races were a mile and a quarter. The Grade B rewarded the connections of Lakeview Meg (Atherton-Rees, Narberth) for their long journey, helped as always by Mathew Tromans, and in second was the lanky Made in Wales (Hawkes, Llanddewi).
Ithon Inmate (Price, Brecon) loves the Almeley track and responded with a good win for his partner Derek Pritchard, beating another star performer Chinatown Kolt (Jones, Llanllwni). In the second Grade A the backmarker Lakeside Pan (Elder, New Quay), with trainer Wayne Elder at the controls, snatched victory on the line from last week’s winner Rebus (Thomas, Rhymney).
Beg For Mercy, with owner trainer Mathew Tromans from Newcastle Emlyn in the seat, took the first Baby Novice race from newly promoted Dernol Yankee (Wozencraft, Llangurig). Garth Vader (Williams, Brecon), driven by trainer Andrew Hardwick, looks an exciting prospect for the future, just winning the second Baby Novice from Bad Romance (Eggerton, Norton Canon).
This week’s saddle race was possibly the best of the season, with seven horses lined up, including the mother-daughter combination of Myfanwy Miles and Rebecca Williams. On this occasion it was the daughter who prevailed, with the enthusiastic Fold the Notes (Perks, Presteigne), while in second was Brywins Jo Jo (Jones, Ammanford).
In the Junior race the advantage of a saddle horse sticking to the pegs was apparent as Issy John on Hurricane Howard (Duggan, Llangunllo), the horse she trains at home, just got the verdict from Wellfield Wally (Bevan, Builth wells) and Rachel Bevan-Thomas.
The Dash had a full complement of nine runners, with the Novice Greenhill Lillian (Thomas, Rhymney) claiming her second win of the day, aided by driver Mark Evans, giving him a hat trick of wins. In second was the consistent Turn the Paige (Miles, Merthyr). This win puts Greenhill Lillian into open racing.
The final race of the day was the much-anticipated Free For All. Ithon Inmate (Price, Brecon) claimed his third victory in this race with trainer Derek Pritchard at the controls, with the in-form Rebus (Thomas, Rhymney) in second.
Next weekend’s racing is demonstration at Kington Show at 1pm Saturday 9 with a full meeting providing a finale to Beulah Show, Saturday September 9 starting at 4pm.