Don Bobby shines in latest harness racing outing

Don Bobby secured a victory and a step up in class during the latest round of Wales & Border harness racing.

The action took place at Almeley in Herefordshire, and Don Bobby, driven by trainer Lynne Boxhall, opened proceedings by claiming victory in the Novice Race.

Full Closure, owned and trained by Jayne Bevan from Llanddewi, took second, while Manhattan Gangster (Munro, Bridgend) was third.

Don Bobby now moves up a division into open racing in the Grade B.

The two heats of the Grade B brought the owners, the Weigel family from Llanddewi Velfrey a double success.

In the first, Stateside Icon driven, by Lee Price, won from Fold Fearless (Perks, Presteigne) with Evenwood Itchyfeet (Mills, Llanddewi) in third.

The second heat saw the other Weigel entry, Hannibal, driven by Mathew Tromans, claim first place in a blanket finish ahead of Sealofapproval (Munro, Bridgend). Carrie on Fred (Middleton, Llandrindod) was third.

In the Grade A, Hillbilly Jackson powered to victory with Andrew Bevan from Builth Wells on board. Zulu Warrior (Tromans, Newcastle Emlyn) took second and Fold Megastar (Perks, Presteigne) third.

The next races were the Baby Novices. In the first, Glenfield Thomas and Tromans took the win. He now moves up to the Novice division. In second was Matisse (Hughes, New Radnor), while Sonny Camden (Millard, Stourbridge) was third.

Mahogany Frankie was first past the post in the second Baby Novice, driven by Jason Munro, Bridgend, for son Jimmy. In second place was Money Talks (Young, Newent), with Beach Boy (Collard, Rhayader) in third.

The Nursery Race saw novice driver Morgan Wolfe and Manhattan Gangster (Munro, Bridgend) edge out Shelwick Solitaire (Harris, Hereford). Landafew (Rowlands, Nantmel) too third.

The first Saddle Race of the season saw Millstream Art, partnered by Liz George, cross the line first. Veteran mare Llwyns Mercy, and her owner Liz Collingwood from Huntington, took second and Brywins Saturn (Tompkins, Clyro) third.

The Dash is always fast and furious and saw Wye Doon with her willing partner Maddy Davies, driving for her gran Amanda Hawkes from Orleton, sweep to another victory, ahead of Oakwood Ideal (Bowen, Llanbister) and Victoria Penlan (Thomas, Pontypridd).

The Juniors Race proved close as Miley Jones on Afanbellsprincess claimed victory in front of Jacob Bird on Fold Megastar (Bird, Evenjobb), while Lexey Millard on Sonny Camden was third.

There was such demand for the Non whip race that it was split into the novice horses and the open horses.

The Novice section was won by Full Closure, driven by Steve Williams for Jayne Bevan from Llanddewi. The win earned promotion for next week.

In second was Dai’s Silver Talk (Bevan, Builth), while Begwyns Trust (Lloyd, Painscastle) was third.

In the open division, young Finn Bevan (Builth Wells) steered his grandad’s horse World Famous past all the other competitors to gain an impressive victory, while Zulu Warrior (Tromans, Newcastle Emlyn) was second and Ellavafella and Rachel Bevan (Builth) was third.

The racing closed with the final of the Grade B, in which the well named Fold Fearless, driven by Tromans for the Perks family from Presteigne, showed his class to overcome his handicap and claim a narrow victory from Stateside Icon (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey). Sealofapproval and Jimmy Munro (Bridgend) were third.

The action returns to the Almeley track again on Saturday (1.30pm).