Torrential overnight and morning rain led to 22 non-runners from the originally declared 91 runners. The going was soft (heavy in places).
This was Dunraven Bowl Race Night, the championship race for novice pointers to pointers in South and West Wales. The 11-10 favourite Tinkers Hill Tommy, runner-up to Repeat Business in 2017, made no mistake this time and was eased down to win by nineteen lengths under jockey Peter Bryan for trainer Bridget Lewis. Kilcrea Bridge was second with Robin Des People, owned by Dunraven chairman David Brace, finishing third.
Tom Scudamore had a good evening riding a double on Molineaux and Inaminna. Molineaux, trained by Colin Tizzard, made all in the opening novices’ hurdle over two and a half miles and never really looked in any danger to score by three and a quarter lengths from All Together. Tom’s second winner, Inaminna, was making his fourth start for trainer Neil Mulholland. The winning distance over Unblinking in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle was four and a half lengths.
Jockey Bryony Frost can do little wrong at the moment and following two victories at two different tracks on Thursday, she was again in the winners’ enclosure. This time it was aboard the Fiona Shaw trained Hollywood Ken who had won easily at Fontwell earlier in the month. The winning margin over Marmont was three and a half lengths.
The handicap chase over two and a half miles produced an exciting finish. Beallandendall looked set for a comfortable success after sweeping seven lengths clear in the straight but he faded in the closing stages and was collared by long time leader Lord Bryan who rallied under pressure for jockey Robbie Dunne. Peter Bowen was the successful trainer.
Astigos, ridden by Lorna Brooke and trained by Lady Susan Brooke, produced a 16-1 surprise in the handicap chase over three miles and two furlongs. The gelding had been beaten a total of 100 lengths on his previous four outings but it was a different story tonight as he registered a two and a quarter length victory over Leith Hill Legasi.
Bridgend trainer John Flint closed the evening with a success for his consistent mare Arian. The six year old, sent off the 2-1 favourite, made virtually all in the maiden hurdle over two miles to provide jockey Robbie Dunne with a double.
