Ladies’ Day brings Moore Fontwell success

Sussex trainer Gary Moore is consistently successful at the track but he surpassed heven his own standards with a stunning 1,400/1 treble on a day when morning rain softened the ground but cleared just in time for race-goers to enjoy the action.

Moore’s run of victories began in the opener, the Sara Tiara Hat Wear Handicap Hurdle, when Fontwell’s top jockey Tom Cannon rode 7/1 chance Royal Battalion to a length-and-a-quarter victory over At First Light.

Things got better for Moore when George Gorman steered previous Fontwell victor Osgood to another win in the first division of the £50 Welcome Bonus At RaceBets.com Handicap Hurdle – despite starting odds of 20/1.

And Moore’s perfect day was complete when Andrew Glassonbury took the second division of the same race on 10/1 shot Shalianzi, a comfortable 16-length victory.

It was a difficult day on which to find a winner, with not one of the eight races taken by the favourite.

The George Digweed Sporting Agency Novices’ Hurdle was claimed by Richie McLernon on I’Dliketheoption at 13/2 for trainer Jonjo O’Neill, while Marie Des Anges (5/2) earned another Fontewell win for Anthony Honeyball in the Aviator Bar And Restaurant Bognor Regis Handicap Chase.

Tom Scudamore and David Pipe teamed up to take the Win A Football Fortune With Scoop6Soccer Handicap Hurdle with 3/1 starter For’n’Against and Mark Quinlan rode Sylvan Legend (13/2) first home for Neil Mulholland in the Maureen Sturt Ladies Day Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The meeting ended with Nicley Indeed (7/2) taking the Maureen Sturt Memorial Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race under jockey Mikey Hamill for trainer Seamus Durack.

A crowd of around 3,000 enjoyed the action and Fontwell marketing manager Max Roberts said: “After an iffy start because of torrential rain, the skies soon cleared for what turned out to be a glorious Ladies’ Day.

“The crowd seemed undeterred by the bad weather and turned out in their thousands to enjoy an afternoon of live music, fashion shows, best dressed competitions and eight exhilarating races.”

Meanwhile, Fontwell hosts a special Armed Forces raceday next Tuesday in aid of the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home, which supports physically disabled ex-servicemen and Sservicewomen.

Visitors on the day will be joined by the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, Royal Artillery, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Logistics Corps, offering plenty of free activities including assault courses, a marching band and military displays from tanks, boats and weaponry.

The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment will be bringing an arsenal of army weaponry and equipment for attendees to explore including a Stormer tracked vehicle mounting a starstreak missile system, MAN six tonne truck and Minimi light machine guns.

Simon Williams, Fontwell Park executive director, said: “We’re really looking forward to celebrating the Armed Forces on our special raceday. With so many activities and entertainment from the various regiments, alongside the racing, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at our third and final evening meeting of the year.”

Children under 18 get in free and there are savings on advance bookings.

Gates open at 3pm with racing starting at 4.50pm. For further information or to book tickets visit www.fontwellpark.co.uk or call 01243 543335.

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