There was a welcome winner for Bernard Llewellyn at Chester on Saturday in the shape of Polling Day, sent off at 33/1 in view of his last win being in 2021. That was over 1m4f and was followed by two and a half years off, then twelve runs on both codes in just twelve months. Strangely, this was the first time he’d been tried at that winning distance since. It was only his third start for Llewellyn. Jockey Elizabeth Gale, better known as a claimer over jumps, was cautioned by the stewards later for allowing her mount to drift right without correcting him promptly. The bookmakers appreciated the last race on the card being won by a 33/1 shot.
Jockey Charlie Price (photographed) was brought up in Brecon and began his career in racing with Tim Vaughan before working his way up to be the principal rider for Robbie Llewellyn. He also rides a few for Cumbria-based Maurice Barnes, and on Saturday steered his maiden chaser Conquer The Breeze to victory at Hexham. Neither horse nor jockey were winning out of turn. Conquer The Breeze had been placed in his last four outings. Price was in the saddle each time and this was his first winner for 81 days.
Winners for Sean Bowen were confidently expected from his six rides at Uttoxeter on Saturday night and Laravie was the first of three. For much of this three-horse race the mare was on and off the bridle, but she had won last time out over 2m6f staying on well, and this three-mile contest suited her even better.
The champion’s second winner came when Raby Mere made all the running in a 2m4f hurdle. A group of rivals gathered on his heels on the approach to the penultimate flight, only for Raby Mere to pull out more and a fine leap at the last sealed the issue. He will go chasing soon. It was the horse’s second win since joining Olly Murphy six weeks ago.
The treble came up in the finale on Murphy’s Stumps Or Slips, who completed a hat-trick in the 2m4f chase despite a lot of indifferent jumping. Bowen appeared confident he had petrol in the tank, and he needed it to collar the second favourite on the run-in.
Mickey and James Bowen had taken the 3m chase with the consistent Another Lord, carrying top weight and the colours of veteran owners Jayne and Gwyn Brace. Although he was eleven pounds higher in the handicap than when winning at Ffos Las in April, he was backed down to 13/8 favourite. James had to work hard to overhaul the leader from the last but ultimately won going away.
Our next fixture at Chepstow is Monday, 23rd June.
