Trotting returns to Ludlow with some fine racing
It was good to see the return of Ludlow trotting races after last year, when the committee were unable to hire a suitable field. A new field but the same dedication to detail that has been a hallmark of this committee ensured a very successful day of racing.
The nursery races were won by Ithon Nipper, belonging to the Lewis family from Welshpool, and Dernol Yankee, a newcomer from the Wozencraft stable at Llangurig.
In the first Novice heat, Fronfelin Duchess, owned by the Hawkes family from Llanbister and driven by trainer Ollie Preece from Llanbister, surged up the home straight to claim first from the front-running Lane House Patch (Thomas, Merthyr).
Meadowland Olympic, belonging to the Evans family from Newcastle Emlyn with expert driver Mathew Tromans on board, won a convincing race from the impressive Evenwood Thumps Up (Lewis, Llanbister).
It was the kindly Habberley Haste (Lloyd, New Radnor), with his trainer Andrew Hardwick on board, that took the first heat of the Grade B, with Tyssul Pearl (Thomas Llanbister) taking second place. The Bold Jack, this week driven by his young owner Jonny James from Dorstone, ran a fantastic race to win the second Grade B heat, finishing in front of Fold the Notes (Perks, Presteigne).
The Grade A was a straight race in which Habberley Playboy (Johns & Gittins, Shrewsbury), with the canny Cardi, Mathew Tromans, in the seat, was first past the post after controlling the race, followed by a seemingly rejuvenated Dernol Duke for new owner Fran Morgan, from Knighton.
In the first Baby Novice race, the much-admired Hilltop Recon (Lloyd, New Radnor), with trainer Andrew Hardwick driving, dictated the race to win from the fast-finishing Bad Romance (Eggerton Norton Canon). Ook Whos Coming, with his owner Mark Evans from Brecon in the seat, claimed the spoils in the second Baby Novice, therefore earning his qualification into the Novice class. In second was the long-time leader Rhyds Panalulah (Gething, Ewyas Harold).
In the Novice Final, Mathew Tromans, with the talented Meadowland Olympic (Evans, Newcastle Emlyn), claimed his third win of the afternoon as they beat Lane House Patch (Thomas, Merthyr).
In the saddle race, the very experienced Jayne Bevan from Llanddewi piloted the family’s new recruit, Ayr Hero, to his first win with mid Wales racing, coming home ahead of Brywins Jo Jo (Jones, Ammanford).
In the Grade B Final, the well-fancied The Bold Jack, with his enthusiastic owner-trainer Johnny James from Dorstone, led from the gate and despite all her efforts, Lynn Boxhall driving Tyssul Pearl (Thomas Llanbister) had to settle for second place.
The three juniors this week raced over a shortened track with a count start. As usual, there was no shortage of enthusiasm as Wellfield Wally, with Rachel Bevan-Thomas from Builth, was first from the grey Camden Lock (Jess Samuel, Newchurch).
The afternoon ended with a consolation in which Tantalizing (Havard, Dinmore), with Martin Roberts at the controls, showed a remarkable turn of foot to get to the lead, which they just maintained past the winning post from Turn the Paige (Miles, Merthyr) in second.
Next week racing returns to Ceredigion with the prestigious Aberystwyth meeting on Saturday, July 15, starting at 1pm.