Arrowsmith hits the target in latest harness racing action

David Arrowsmith bagged a hat-trick of wins as the wonderful open track in Herefordshire near Almeley, played host to the latest Wales & Border harness racing action.

The first races were the Baby Novices and Arrowsmith steered Austin Hughes' (New Radnor) Matisse to win from newcomer Evenwoodbittasweet (Reynolds, Orleton) with Fold Take Flight and owner Myfanwy Miles from Merthyr in third.

In the second Baby Novice, Arrowsmith was first passed the post again, this time with Tracey Gale from Gorslas’s Dernol Lucky Strike, who now moves to the Novice class. Buster Bradie (Eggerton, Norton Canon) took second and Isolation (Collingwood, Huntington) third.

In the Novice race which followed, Finn Bevan from Builth Wells partnered his grandfather Michael’s Blazing Eagle to victory in front of Glenfield Thomas (Billington, Leicester) while Begwyns Trust (Lloyd, Painscastle) was third.

The first Grade B race saw the talented Fold Fearless, with Mathew Tromans on board, claim victory for owner John Perks from Presteigne - earning him promotion to the premiere division of the sport. Full Closure (Bevan, Llanddewi) took second while Hannibal (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) was third.

The Weigel stable companion Stateside Icon, driven by Lee Price, took top honours in the second B race with Manceys Deuce (Hawkes, Orleton) second and Evenwood Itchyfeet (Mills, Llanddewi) third.

In the Grade A, the speedy mare Blue Guns N Roses (Thomas, Bridgend), with Perry Thomas at the controls, took an early lead and dictated the race to win from Fold Megastar (Perks, Presteigne) with World Famous (Bevan, Builth Wells) in third.

In the Nursery race, Dragoon (Shane Eggerton, Norton Canon) was first past the post from Slingshot (Greenway, Michaelchurch Eskley) while Landafew (Rowlands, Nantmel) was third.

This year the saddle race has seen a revival, with six entries this week, and perhaps it was no surprise that Jayne Bevan and veteran favourite Ontop Shouda Cuda won comfortably from Archie Camden (Gale, Gorslas) and Manhattan Gangster (Munro, Bridgend).

In the Dash, Best in Flight (Gale, Gorslas) showed she has lost none of her speed, despite advancing years, to give Arrowsmith a third win on the day as they came home ahead of Allibis Dream (Lloyd, Gladestry) with Oakwood Ideal (Bowen, Llanbister) in third.

Five entries in the Junior race brought more excitement and saw Jacob Bird from Evenjobb claim victory with his mother’s Fold Megastar. Second went to Evenwood Itchyfeet, with Lola Mills from Llanddewi on board, while third place went to Sonny Camden and Lexey Millard from Stourbridge.

The Non whip race had a full compliment of nine runners with new driver Morgan Wolfe, driving Sealofapproval, registering his first win for the Munro family from Bridgend. Red Cash (Sergeant, Newbridge) came home second with Carrie on Fred (Middleton, Llandrindod) third.

There were only two entries in the mile and a half, so tactics proved important as Ellavafella, with Rachel Bevan from Builth Wells on board, played a waiting game to claim victory from Begwyns Trust (Lloyd, Painscastle).

The final race of the day was the STAGBI sponsored four and five year old race and it was last year’s winner Hillbilly Jackson that stormed up the home straight in front, steered as always by trainer Andrew Bevan on the family owned star. In second was Lucifer (Lloyd, Painscastle) with the fast-finishing Don Bobby (Rowlands, Nantmel) in third.

This Saturday's action is the prestigious Penybont meeting (1.30pm).