Watch out for Hayley! Its Ascot Longines time! And a good day for jump ladies too!

21-07-2012

Many congratulations to Hayley Moore for a repeat success story at Ascot exactly 12 months after she won her first Longines!

Having made the difficult decision to give up her Fegentri ride in Sweden (for which Louise Allan ably deputised finishing 3rd despite a slipped saddle), Hayley’s success vindicated her choice when she prevailed on REDVERS for Ed Vaughan by just a nose from Leanne Masterson and APOSTLE in the tightest of finishes.

Keeping her mount for as late a run as possible, Hayley made her move over a furlong out and REDVERS responded and managed to stay on by the skin of his teeth.  All credit to Leanne and APOSTLE who rallied gamely and very nearly got up.

Meanwhile lady jump jockeys were busy elsewhere around the country, with the valuable Cartmel Cheeses ladies pro/am hurdle at Cartmel won by ex-amateur Lucy Alexander.  Amateur ladies were not to be denied success there on the day however with the Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer Handicap Chase.  A shambolic start did not deter either Alice Mills on Epee Celeste or Sam Drake on Leac An Scail who both set a strong pace from the off, with Alice Mills driving her horse home in the final half mile to score easily.

And at the other end of the country Harriet Bethell enjoyed her visit to Market Rasen where she gave FORGOTTEN SYMPHONY a gritty ride for Brian Ellison.  Pushing her horse along from early on, Harriet never gave up and mounted a sustained challenge at the 2nd last to lead on the flat despite clouting the last and just clung on by a short head.