The former North-West Area now being part of the West Mercian fixture list, the Sir William Wynn's and Flint & Denbigh forms part of the fixture list. This year's March meeting took place in gloomy wet conditions on heavy ground last Sunday, with the going becoming very testing throughout the afternoon. The last fence was omitted for all races due to the state of the ground.

The highlights of the day were a double for Trainer Phil Rowley and his jockey Darren Andrews in the opening two contests on Bear Market and Subtle Fortune; and a double for Henry Crow aboard Encounter A Giant and Perfect Attitude, writes Rory Alkin

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In the opening four and five-year-old flat race over two miles, Phil Rowley’s Ballymena Boy ridden by Murray Dodd took up the running after half a mile and led into the straight, where he was passed by his stablemate Bear Market in the final furlong, with the latter running on well to win by four lengths. The five-year-old gelding was acquired by former jockey Jerry McGrath at Goffs two years ago for owner George Barlow who had previously enjoyed success with his half-brother Follow The Bear, trained by Nicky Henderson. George’s wife Anne said that the gelding had been outstanding at dressage prior to going into training, but they now have an exciting racehorse in the making.

 

In the five-year-old and upwards Maiden, Andrews on Subtle Fortune made progress throughout the final circuit and took it up a the second last from Iconic Rock and went clear to win by seventeen lengths. The winning six-year-old mare is owned by the trainer Phil Rowley and was bred by Juliet Minton.

 

In the Mixed Open, Iola Sankey on Dounikos led into the straight and was passed by Henry Crow on Encounter A Giant, who stayed on well to win by three-and-a-half lengths. The Tom Britten trained twelve-year-old likes it here and made it three from three at the course, having also won the same race last year, before going on to win the prestigious Lady Dudley Cup. Crow was fined £75 by the Stewards for careless riding, due to interference with the runner-up after the final fence.

 

 

The second leg of Crow’s riding double came in the Conditions Race (Level 3) aboard Perfect Attitude, where he took it up on the final circuit and battled back to beat Toby McCain-Mitchell on Chenery by three quarters of a length, having been passed momentarily after the last. The eight-year-old was bought by the trainer Tim Garton for his family at the Goffs Sales last August for £12,000 from Gordon Elliott, having previously won over hurdles.

 

Immy Robinson led on Golden Tobouggan for most of the Ladies Conditions (Level 2) over two and a half miles and was headed by Aimee Jones on Shang Tang before the last, who stayed on to beat The Creadan Rogue by one and a half lengths. The winning ten-year-old, trained by Heidi Brookshaw, had a couple of good hunter chase runs earlier this season and enjoyed this drop in class. The owner Alison Sargeant bought the former Emma Lavelle - trained winning chaser at Tattersalls last July for a bargain £2,000 on a telephone bid, without viewing the horse.

 

Huw Edwards on Jeux d’Eau was prominent throughout and took it up before three out in the Restricted and was a convincing winner staying on to beat Money Spinner by seven lengths. The six-year-old had won its Maiden at Tabley last season and is trained by his partner Laura Richardson and owned by her and David Heys.

 

The Hunt held a charity race over a mile before racing with twelve runners. It was won by Rachael Lytham on Lucky Lover Boy from the Greenall/Guerriero stable, where she is travelling head lass.