THIS week’s racing was on the open track at Ivington near Leominster, a lovely day with very good racing which was enjoyed by an enthusiastic crowd, writes Maureen Lloyd.

The day began as usual with the Novice class, although this week, it was a straight race, as many of the competitors have made progress through the system into open racing. It was Matteuceous driven by Dai Arrowsmith for Tracey Gale from Gorslas who was first passed the post ahead of Rhyds Louie (Millard, Stourbridge) while another from the Gorslas stable Dernol Lucky Strike was third.

In the first Grade B heat Steve Williams driving the Bevan, Llanddewi trained Oakwood Ideal for Liz Bowen from Llanbister took top honours from another Radnorshire participant Evenwood Itchyfeet (Mills, Llanddewi) while Manceys Deuce (Hawkes, Orleton) was third. Blazing Eagle continued in winning ways in the second heat with the supersonic youngster Finn Bevan at the controls for Mike Bevan from Builth, in second was Full Closure (Bevan, Llanddewi) while Ellavafella and Rachel Bevan from Builth were third.

In the first Grade A heat the lightly raced Archie Camden driven by David Arrowsmith for the Gale stable at Gorslas, won from one of the back markers, World Famous (Bevan, Builth Wells), while Fold Megastar (Perks, Presteigne) was third. Stable mate Fold Fearless won the second heat driven by Mathew Tromans, for the Perks family from Presteigne, with Blue Guns N Roses (Thomas, Pontypridd) in second while Mahogany Caio (Jones, Cribyn) was third.

In the Baby Novice the lately promoted Dragoon, driven by his owner, trainer Shane Eggerton from Norton Canon took first prize from Isolation (Collingwood, Huntington) while Money Talks and Keith Young from Newent was third.

The next race was the dash which was won by the iconic Ontop Shouda Cuda driven by Steve Williams for Jayne Bevan from Llanddewi, who trailing 40 yards quickly made up ground beating Dernol Lucky Strike (Gale, Gorslas) into second with stable mate Matteuceous (Gale, Gorslas) claiming third.

There were five entries in the Junior race which was once again a wonderful spectacle showing the future of the sport is in safe hands. In first place was old timer Jacob Bird on board Dai’s Silver Talk (Bevan, Builth Wells) while Harriet Holloway riding Brywins Saturn (Tomkins, Clyro) was second, Wye Doon (Hawkes, Orleton) and granddaughter Evie Davies was third, closely followed by Lexey Millard and Mylie Jones.

In the non whip the talented Hillbilly Jackson partnered by Andrew Bevan from Builth Wells claimed victory from Sonny Camden (Millard, Stourbridge) and Alibis Dream (Lloyd, Gladestry).

The two finals completed the day’s racing, in the Grade B Blazing Eagle continued his unbeaten run with Finn Bevan at the controls for grandad Mike Bevan from Builth Wells in second was Full Closure from the Bevan in Llanddewi stable, while Evenwood Itchyfeet (Mills, Llanddewi) was third.

In the first Grade A final of the season Finn claimed a back to back double as he partnered the other horse belonging to his grandad, World Famous a horse who has already won six races in top class company, added another to his tally when beating a restored Mahogany Caio (Jones, Cribyn) with Fold Fearless (Perks, Presteigne) in third.

Next week racing returns to the iconic track alongside the river Ithon at Penybont when the Llandrindod committee play hosts. Racing is on Saturday August 22nd starting at 1.30pm.