Summer of Worcester racing going from strength to strength

Last week’s Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust race day not only raised an amazing £23,000 for the charity but also welcomed a bumper crowd for a Wednesday afternoon to enjoy the first eight-race card of the season.

Eighty-three horses had been declared to run, well in excess of previous race days this year.

The day was particularly noted for the support of a number of local trainers including Tom Weston (Hindlip), David Dennis (Hanley Swan), Tom Gretton (Inkberrow), John Spearing (Kinnersley), Roy Brotherton (Pershore) and Claire Dyson (Bromsgrove).

The big story of the day, however, belonged to ITV racing presenter Luke Harvey and his six-year old Nicky Henderson-trained gelding, Drumlynn.

Declared for the Conditional Jockeys & Amateur Rider’s National Hunt flat race following three placed efforts in Irish point-to-points in 2016 Drumlynn had been off the track for 402 days.

Described by Harvey in the winner’s enclosure afterwards as ‘green’ the horse ran well up the inner rail and saw off the challenges of Gordon Elliott’s Irish raider Captiva Island, steered by top amateur jockey Jamie Codd making his first visit to the course.

I am always interested in course specialists particularly when they relate to Worcester.

From time to time the success that often rather averagely-rated horses have at one track stands out.

In short the phrase horses for courses springs to mind.

Jigsaw Financial, owned and trained by Laura Young, is the perfect example.

Now 11 years old he has been running at Worcester since September 2010.

I can’t think of many horses who have run here over quite so many years.

From seven career wins to date four of those have been at Worcester.

In July 2013 he won on two consecutive occasions in the month and latterly ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies was again successful at Pitchcroft last August.

His victory last week came on the back of a second place at our ladies' day on June 3.

One to look out for when he next makes the trip from Somerset.

Another interesting fact emerged from last week’s race day.

In the Allelys General Haulage Claiming Hurdle 40 per cent of the field left the racecourse heading for a different trainer’s yard from the one they ran for on the day.

Ten horses were declared for the race with the purpose being that all the horses were for sale.

The racecard listed the cost price of each of the 10 horses and following their performances five were claimed.

Claines trainer Dr Richard Newland took home Beau Bay and Mr Caffrey, Sophie Leech took Gordon Elliott’s Buonarotti Boy back to Westbury-on-Severn, Gary Moore bought the runner-up Deebaj and the winner Ascendant was reclaimed by his owner following an outside claim.

The ever-popular family fun race day is on Sunday when aspiring little jockeys can enjoy complimentary pony rides and the first race is due off at 2.10pm.