Lucy’s luck changes a year after bad fall

Feb 26 2008 by Brian Lee, Western Mail

LUCY PEARCE-ROWSELL riding Lee Bridge’s Lunar Crystal made all to win the ladies’ open race at the Countryside Alliance Club meeting at Badbury Rings on Sunday.

Lunar Crystal, a 6-1 chance and a former inmate of David Pipe’s yard, is a winner of two hurdle races at Newton Abbot and Ludlow. Lucy, who was chalking up her third win of the season, said, “I’m having better luck now as this time last year I had such a bad fall that it was thought I would have to give up race-riding owing to my injuries.”

Reigning national champion James Tudor brought his season’s tally of wins to a dozen when scoring on the odds-on favourite Mid Dive And Creep (mares maiden) at Horseheath on Saturday.

Welsh enthusiasts are in for a busy weekend with the Carmarthenshire at Erw Lon on Saturday and the Curre & Llangibby at Howick on Sunday.

The Vale of Clettwr hunt held their fixture at Erw Lon a fortnight ago and one local paper reported that it was “probably the most successful point-to-point meeting ever held over the Erw Lon course”.

Course winner Tokpela will be well fancied to win the opening members’ race, but it might be worth taking a chance with Native Commander.

There are 13 down to run in the men’s open and Howdydoody could have most to fear from ex-National Hunt performer Sky Warrior.

Of the 26 entered for the ladies’ open event, Unmistakably, Chesnut Annie – who also entered at Howick – and Qabas catch the eye.

In the restricted, for which there are 21 entries, Margam Abbey and One For The Lads look best.

In fact, quite a number of horses here have also been entered at Howick, where the maiden race will be run in three divisions. Mrs Rae Jones’s course specialist Lough Ennel could face Iris’s Prince, Ballylusky and Mr Nemo in the 21-strong men’s open.

And the ladies’ open race could be a real thriller as the 31 entries include Chesnut Annie, Unmistakably, Club Royal, SeanTheSmuggler and recent North Hereford winner Lord Castle. The winner of this race will receive the Sylvester II perpetual challenge trophy.

Those whose memories go back to the 1950s will remember the front-running grey Sylvester II, whose riders included Bill Jones, April Budgen, Penny Pragnell and Daphne Williams.

Perhaps Sylvester II’s best season was in 1955 when he won six races twice defeating that good mare Sally-On, who went on to win a handicap chase under Dick Bowen at Chepstow later that year.

Racing gets under way at Howick with the members’ race at midday and Murdinga and Willoughby Flyer, who are no strangers to Howick, will both have their followers.

Welsh National Hunt trainer Evan Williams will be the guest speaker at a charity Cheltenham Festival preview evening at Ton Pentre Football Club on March 5 starting at 7.30pm. The event is sponsored by Ladbrokes as a fund-raiser with proceeds going to the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Rhondda Disabled Riding school among others.

Also in attendance will be up-and-coming Cowbridge trainer Tim Vaughan and Wales’ premier racecourse bookmaker John Lovell. who will be giving their thoughts on the coming four-day festival meeting. A spokesman said, “This is an evening not to be missed for racing enthusiasts everywhere, as there will be plenty of information and tips to be had.

“There will also be a raffle during the evening with many prizes ranging from tickets for a day at the races to free betting vouchers.”

Further information can be obtained from Kevin Moon on 07783 763683.

You can email your news/views to Brian Lee at leebrian @btinternet.com or telephone him on 029 2073 6438