Richards makes most of corner kick
Wetherby’s concluding race may have been run in virtual darkness, but the Nicky Richards-trained Cornerback did her best to light up a grey afternoon at the North Yorkshire venue.
Related to Cheltenham Gold Cup third Harbour Pilot, the 4-1 chance was making her debut in the concluding Doncaster Bloodstock Sales/EBF Mares Only Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
And she put a smile on Richards’ face when knuckling down well to land the odds under Tony Dobbin.
Richards said: “The owners lease her from Frank Motherway in Ireland. He has some nice mares and I’d say this is one of them.
“She’s a fine mare, but she does love soft ground and I was a bit worried about it here. I’d worked her with good horses on soft ground last season and she’d gone really well. I’d imagine we’ll go hurdling with her soon as she doesn’t look a real bumper horse.”
Another youngster who looks to have a bright future is the Tim Easterby-trained Lease Lend.
Third in a hot bumper at Aintree back in May, the imposing 15-8 chance got off the mark at the second attempt over timber in the Rocom Panasonic “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
Peter Easterby, father of the winning trainer said: “He jumped better and hopefully we can get a clear run at things with him now.”
Fearghal Davis picked up a one-day ban after punching home Football Crazy (14-1) in the opener, before Graham Lee enjoyed an armchair ride on 5-6 favourite Surricate, who came home alone in the Bramham Hall For Conferences & Banqueting Beginners’ Chase.
Hello Nod defied jumping inexperience and a price tag of 22-1 when winning the goracing.co.uk Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, while Ormello bounced back from a recent disappointment in the feature Neville Crump Memorial Handicap Chase.
The five-year-old was not beaten far by The Wicketkeeper two starts back but was pulled up at Chepstow just three weeks ago.
That flop did not dissuade punters, however, and the 5-2 chance cut down long-time leader Dalriath after the last before fending off the staying-on Bestofthebrownies by two lengths.
Representing winning trainer Lucinda Russell, Jamie Duff said: “We were a little bit nervous as they came around that top bend, but we were always fairly confident today.”
Own Line’s victory in the Buy Online For Boxing Day – wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Chase will be remembered with great fondness by former jockey Ollie Pears.
The not-unsupported 11-2 shot found plenty for pressure to make just about all the running and provide the rookie trainer with his first winner after gaining that all-important licence.
Pears said: “I’ve had a couple of seconds in the last few days and I had hoped I’d get off the mark at Lingfield the other day.
“But it’s even nicer to do it at a Yorkshire track and Keith Mercer has given him a peach of a ride. Everyone has been very helpful and it was great to spend some time with Michael Dickenson this summer. I’m thrilled. This does mean a lot as it’s what the game is all about.”
