Charing Races and more
Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews notch up three victories at Charing, while an 18-year-old enjoys her first win
POWER couple Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews enjoyed a victorious return to pointing, landing three races at Charing.
The four-year-old gelding by Millenary, Time Please, kicked off their treble when heading the Tattersalls Cheltenham maiden 4&5yo in his debut run, and giving Gina a clean ride back after her injury at Cheltenham in March.
“I bought him as a foal from Doncaster and we broke him in this summer,” said Tom. “He is so straightforward and jumped brilliantly, winning a shade cosy. He is for sale now.”
Their Windsor Knot six-yearold gelding Young Rich was next in the winner’s enclosure after heading the maiden 6yo and up, also in his first start.
“We bought him in December after his form had tailed off in Ireland, but he has really appreciated the better going over here,” Tom explained. “He won nicely and the plan is to find a syndicate for him for next season.”
Their hat-trick was completed when eight-year-old Mahler gelding General Arrow won the conditions level two for The Odd Socks Partnership.
The gelding has been on a comeback mission after showing good form and winning three times on the bounce the year before last, but then tailing off and losing his spark.
“He ran horrendously last year and didn’t run overly well the first time back this season, so it was
Left: Time Please kicks off Gina Andrews’ hat-trick of triumphs
“It was lovely to watch them win so easily today” SARAH ASHBY ON HER DAUGHTER MARY’S WIN
nice to get him back on course today,” said Tom. “I have a theory that perhaps he’s more of a spring horse and appreciates the sun on his back.”
Gina and Tom have certainly made a successful return to pointing with 12 winners from 21 runners.
Also at Charing, 15-year-old former hunter chaser gelding by Systematic, Double Whammy, won the Oriental Club ownertrainer conditions level three, giving his 18-year-old jockey Mary Ashby her first win.
“Mary only had one ride on him last season and got tipped off, and then the rest of the season got cancelled, so it was lovely to watch them win so easily today,” said trainer and Mary’s mother Sarah Ashby. “He pinged every fence and she had a dream ride.”
Double Whammy’s previous owners attempted to retire him a few years ago from racing under Rules, but it didn’t suit him.
“He shows no signs of being uncomfortable or ready to stop yet,” said Sarah. “His owners gave him to us to give my daughter experience and not be massively competitive. But he’s so well at home and not showing his age at all. He went out in the field bucking and kicking like a fouryear-old the next day and it was lovely to see.”