No place like home for Anna

12:11pm Thursday 1st May 2008

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From Paris in April to York in May - that's the route set to be taken by Ryedale's top-rated filly, following a wasted weekend in France.

Anna Pavlova returned to Longchamp, where she had won a Group 2 race last October, for her seasonal reappearance last Sunday, but she returned home without having a race.

The prestigious Prix Ganay had been within the sights of the Richard Fahey-trained mudlark, but, although the ground was officially described as soft at Longchamp, closer inspection revealed it was much more like good going, an impression subsequently borne out by the times of the races. Consequently, Fahey withdrew Anna Pavlova from her Group 1 target.

"We knew, from the weather forecast when we sent her over, that the ground, which was officially heavy earlier in the week, would dry out a lot. It was still frustrating to say the least to have to pull her out, but I can't risk her when conditions aren't suitable," said the Malton trainer. "She has an engagement at Newmarket this weekend, but I would say she's more likely now to wait for York the week after next and go for the Yorkshire Cup, assuming, of course, the ground doesn't come up fast in the meantime."

Last Sunday was hardly blessed with the best of weather, but it didn't put off racing enthusiasts from grasping the opportunity of visiting three Norton trainers, who opened their doors to the public to give an insight into what goes on behind the scenes in a racing yard.

Brian Ellison, Tim Etherington and Julie Camacho joined forces to conduct the Open Day and were handsomely rewarded for their efforts by drawing a good turnout.

"About 200 came, which, given that we organised it at fairly short notice, and the weather wasn't good, was a pleasing number," said Ellison.

"We gave them free tea and coffee and had a hog-roast, the kids had a great time, dressing-up in racing colours and having their pictures taken, and everyone who came seemed to enjoy themselves and find it interesting."

Ellison estimates that proceeds from the day will total around £600. "It'll be shared between Racing Welfare, Spring Cottage Residential Home, and Malton Hospital," he said.

All signs might point to Newmarket this weekend for the first Classics of the season, but the local highlight is Saturday's Thirsk Hunt Cup.

Ryedale trainers will be out in force to try and bag this historic handicap - sponsored by Totesport - with Tim Easterby (Collateral Damage), Julie Camacho (Rio Riva) and Brian Ellison (Kingsdale Orion) leading the charge.

Jamie Moriarty was seen at his strongest on behalf of Westow trainer Paul Midgley at Beverley last week when landing a 17-2 success on Dispol Diva, but the Malton-based apprentice earned himself a trip into the stewards' room, which resulted in him picking-up a six-day ban.

Moriarty was adjudged guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency and of hitting his mount in the incorrect place.

Fortunately for him, his suspension will not prevent him riding Halla San in next week's Chester Cup and he misses only the first day of York's three-day meeting the following week.

Moriarty's boss, Richard Fahey, landed the feature race at Beverley with Albaqaa, the mount of Paul Hanagan, while Alan Brown was also on the mark with Karmest, who won the fillies' handicap to justify her position as the 3-1 favourite.

John Wainwright opened his winning account for the Flat turf season at Ripon on Saturday when Sandwith defied his 22-1 odds by capturing the sprint handicap by a neck in the hands of PJ McDonald.

The five-year-old, who paid almost 30-1 on the Tote, has not been the easiest of horses to train. "He's had his problems, but we seem to have got him right now and I think there should be some improvement to come from him," said Kennythorpe-based Wainwright.

Warthill trainer Mel Brittain, enjoying an excellent start from the season, sent out Caranbola to win the juvenile race, while David Allan joined forces with Sledmere trainer Declan Carroll to claim the seller with Cherri Fosfate.

After eight months without a winner, Peter Niven christened the new jumps season in style at Wetherby last Sunday when Ballyhale came up trumps at 16-1 in the feature race on the card.

Partnered by Brian Hughes, the 10-year-old came home six lengths clear, after striking the front three out, and provided Niven with his first winner for eight months.

"Paul Nicholls had better watch out!" joked the Barton-le-Street handler, referring to the champion trainer.

Niven had given Ballyhale a break to wait for better ground, but he was unsure that he had found it at Wetherby. "With the rain we had, overnight and during the day, I thought he wouldn't like it, because ideally he wants it like a road," said Peter.

Richard Fahey also added his name to the Wetherby scoreboard, courtesy of Painted Sky, who lifted the lady riders' handicap hurdle under a cool ride from Irish amateur Jacqui Kidd, who refused to panic when her mount got well behind after failing to handle the rain-softened ground down the back straight.

"Jacqui had me worried for a while, but all credit to her; she felt the horse wasn't enjoying it and had the confidence to let him find his feet after the leaders had gone off very quickly," said Fahey, who had also given Kidd the leg-up on Painted Sky when he won at Huntingdon last month. "There's nobody better than her in those ladies and amateur races," he said.

Six months into a training career has been a steep new learning curve for Ollie Pears, who, having enjoyed a number of highs, suffered a steep low at Market Rasen last Saturday.

The former jockey saddled Ilviz in the selling hurdle and having fancied him strongly to take the spoils, was sitting pretty when the 11-2 shot bounded six lengths clear after the second-last flight with victory firmly in his sights.

Alas, the six-year-old grey got the last all wrong and took a heavy fall under Brian Hughes, who, miraculously none the worse, was crowned champion conditional jockey later in the afternoon.

Ilviz was not so lucky. Although he eventually got to his feet and was led back to the racecourse stables, he was found to have suffered a major injury and had to be put down.

"It wasn't good; it was a horrible day, and a horrible experience," said Pears. "The poor horse didn't deserve that and he was owned by my girlfriend, who also led him up. She was devastated."

The race fell to Blushing Hilary, ridden by Dougie Costello and trained by Julie Camacho, who has hit a rich vein of form in recent days.

The Norton trainer completed a first and last race double at Southwell on Monday evening when Young Gladiator and Pegasus Prince both obliged for the Star Cottage trainer.

Young Gladiator justified 13-8 favouritism in convincing style in the six furlong maiden when putting two-and-a-half lengths between himself and his rivals at the line, while Pegasus Prince, likewise ridden by Tom Eaves, scored by half-a-length in the staying handicap.

Also on the mark at Southwell were Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan with Bo McGinty, whose hard-earned success in the five furlong handicap saw him scramble home by a short-head from Pawan after coming from last to first under a never-say-die ride.

This success for the seven-year-old gelding, who carries the colours of Ryedale owners, Paddy McGinty and Bo Turnbull, took him within £500 of breaking through the magical £100,000 prize money barrier in his career, which has yielded eight wins and more than 20 placed efforts.