Presumptious doubles career tally
Presumptuous, part-owned by former trainer Jack Berry and his son Sam, landed his second race over timber in the hands of David O’Meara in the Betfred Handicap Hurdle at Southwell.
Sue Smith’s charge had run quite well at Doncaster last time despite breaking a blood vessel and, returning from a two-month break, he won in pleasing fashion.
After taking up the running two out, the 11-2 chance steadily drew clear to beat Calusa Charlie by 14 lengths.
Berry, who was present along with his wife Jo and the gelding’s other part-owner Colin Bradford-Nutter, said: “We also bred Presumptuous so that makes it even better.
“Ken Oliver trained her mother T O O Mamma’s for us and she was half tidy over hurdles.
“He is by Double Trigger so he will stay and I think that when he gets over fences he will be even better.
“It is nice to own one with Colin as he was one of our first owners when we trained at Doncaster – we sent the horse to Sue because Colin lives near her.”
Only five of the 14 that set out in the opening Betfred Novices’ Handicap Chase completed and they were led home by Lord Rodney in the hands of Tom Siddall.
The 33-1 shot went to the front after jumping the fifth-last and soon put plenty of daylight between himself and those still standing.
Winning trainer Peter Beaumont was represented by his assistant, Paddy Holmes, who said: “At Haydock last time he struck into himself so we left the back shoes off him just in case.
“Tom is based down south but he comes to school when he comes up north and he is a very good lad.”
Gino Carenza was seen to good effect when the Andy Turnell-trained Squires Lane got off the mark in the Dine In The Queen Mother Restaurant Beginners’ Chase.
Carenza sent the 5-2 shot into the lead at the fourth fence and the seven-year-old kept up the gallop in good style to score by two and a half lengths from Fight The Feeling.
Having had spells with Mick Easterby and Sue Smith in the north, Carenza is now based with Alan King, and he said: “I have been with Alan since July last year.
“I also ride out for Mr Turnell once a week and I have had three winners for him this season.”
Abalvino, winner of six races when trained by Paul Webber, gained his first success for owner-trainer Julie Wickens when she rode him to victory in the Book Tickets On-Line Hunters’ Chase.
She sent the gallant 12-year-old on from the start and he clearly did not mind the soft ground as he went on to beat Viscount Bankes by a distance, with River Pirate a similar distance away in third.
Miss Wickens has three horses in her care at Lingfield, where she also works part-time at the racecourse.
She said: “I work them on the all-weather there so it all works out very well.
“Noel Cronin has sent me three horses – Abalvino, Storm Castle and Spinetail Rufous and all three have won.”
Henry Oliver was stood down for the rest of the day after a fall on Heatherlea Squire in the first race and so missed a winning ride on his stable companion Benefit Fund, on whom Warren Marston deputised in the More Jumping on 3rd March Selling Hurdle.
Benefit Fund was retained without a bid and winning trainer David Wintle’s assistant, Graham McCourt, said: “He was pulled up first time out this season and he stopped as if he had been shot at Leicester last time, but he had been travelling well in to the straight so we dropped him back in trip.
“The horses are in good form and we are delighted with the way they are going.”
Amateur rider Matthew Smith picked up a three-day ban (March 6-8) for using his whip with excessive force and frequency on fourth placed Karrnak.
Blinkers for the first time worked the oracle for Charlie Egerton’s Shamayoun, who made it third time lucky under Sam Thomas in the southwell-racecourse.co.uk Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.
He beat Tora Bora by 16 lengths, and Egerton’s assistant, David Plunkett, said: “He is not very straightforward and he was very disappointing first time for no apparent reason.
“Last time he tried to refuse two out so we schooled him in blinkers and thought today we would try and jump out and make the running and it has done the trick.”
Nicky Henderson’s Karello Bay landed the Book Hospitality Here Mares’ Intermediate Open NH Flat Race in the hands of Mick FitzGerald, who said: “She is very honest, very genuine, a real workmanlike type.”
Jimmy McCarthy was suspended for two days, March 5 and 6 for using his whip with excessive force on third placed Even Flo.
