Hendre Bob delights local crowds at Llanfair

WEST WALE, UK – After a worrying 24 hours through a damp Saturday evening and Sunday morning, the Lampeter Harness Racing Club's committee bit the bullet and decided to go ahead and run the meeting. By 5.30 pm on Sunday they were celebrating a successful day. With a vibrant vocal crowd there was a great atmosphere to greet the horses on the stretch drive.

The highlight of the day was the Lloyds Chip Shop final, in which the, 1st 2nd and 3rd from the three heats ran earlier in the day faced the starter. In the end it was local hero Hendre Bob in the hands of Alun Jones who put his eight rivals to the sword.

Alun also trains this 6 year old son of The Cammissioner- Stellas Allis who is in the form of his life having won a heat at Tregaron just last week. Owner Glenys Jones was beaming as she received the Mahogany Stables cup from race sponsor Stuart Lloyd. Ontop Mcardle was a good second in the hands of Michael O'Mahony with Masquerade Avenue and Colin Bevan finishing 3rd off their 20 yard trail.

The day kicked off with a battling front running display from Lakeside Bono (Pro Bono Best-Lakeside Rapture) With Mike Evans at the wheel this 3 year old gelding despite getting headed by Symlog Sofia past the three quarter pole fought on gamely to record his second success of the season. Gift of Life and Angie Dyer finished well to leave Symlog Sofia and Michael O'Mahony in third.

Race two was the first of the heats and In The Ayr (Daylon Alert-Out In The Opan) with Michael O'Mahony on board sneaked up the rail on the back straight to keep Masquerade Avenue and Colin Bevan two wide on the bend. The inform mare held a two length advantage over him at the wire with Blue Desperado and David Bevan taking third.

Fourth place getter Wilbro Maverick has been a great servant to this year's club President Wyndham Jones who paraded his pride and joy up the track after the race to a loud applause as commentator Darren Owen confirmed that this run had been his last. We wish him a happy retirement.

Heat two gave O'Mahony a quick double as his stables Ontop Mcardle (Mcardle-Penguins Can Dance) got his first win in over three years in an exciting tussle with Dizzy Miss Lizzy and Mark Pritchard, Quality Art snatched third for Jaimie Davies. Heat three gave favourite backers no worries as Hendre Bob and Alan Jones had a comfortable success over Kitehall Mighty and Garry O'Grady with Caenwood Dafydd and Julian Price taking the last spot in the final.

Race five saw the only two maidens in the race to the fore rounding the final bend with Starinthemaking (The Cammissioner-Wellfield Allison) and Huw Thomas proving too strong for Ayr Hostess (Michael O'Mahony). Afanbellsprincess and Mike Evans fared best of the novices in third.

The next race saw the new connections of Rhyds Firebird (Hasty Hall-Pontiac Pans Am) get a quick return on their investment as Johnny Connors steered the mare to an easy victory over Afan Mona Liza (Angie Dyer) and Brywins Jezabel(Emma Frieze).

Race seven was the first of the grade ones and it saw Michael O'Mahony record a treble on the three year old filly Meldoon (Doonbeg-Real Melody). He had to get serious to hold off the persistent challenge of Shark Penlan (Alan Jones) with Blackfield Button (Huw Thomas) in third.

The second division was won impressively by Dulais Daniel (The Cammissioner-Lily Savage) for owner trainer and driver Garry O'Grady. Following him home were Wellfield Picasso (Joel Richards) and Rhyds Mojo (Michael O'Mahony). The final Grade one brought up a driving double for Huw Thomas as his homebred mare Blackfield Bird (Share The Delight-Flirting) was too strong for Lakeside Ronaldo (Mike Evans) and Rosie Du (Jaimie Davies).

The penultimate race of the day was the Keith Thomas Pace- a preferential handicap for the top six horses entered on the day.

The previous two renewals were won by Ffynnon and he was back to defend his title. He didn't disappoint his large band of local followers as he put on a devastating display which saw his five rivals toiling as they left the final bend behind them. The son of Sable Matters-Hera Blue Chip stayed on strongly to take a seven length victory over the Wellfield pair of Earl (Lee Morris) and Official (Huw Thomas).

As the dust settles committee members are already making plans for next year's fixture and as top commentator Darren Owen stated "the event is well worth a visit in the future."

by Kayleigh Evans, for Lampeter Harness Racing Club