Review of first race meeting at Salisbury

Posted May 3rd 2011

A pair of winners for trainer Mick Channon heralded the opening of Salisbury Racecourse's 2011 season on what proved a record-breaking afternoon.

The West Ilsley-based trainer had the winner of the second race with 14/1 outsider Chilworth Lad and quickly followed up with Momkinzain in the day's penultimate contest.

A crowd of 6,200 adults and approximately 2,000 children were at the Netherhampton venue to see Henry Candy and Dane O'Neill land the honours in the day's curtain-raiser with 11-10 favourite L'Ami Louis. Named after a rather select restaurant, L'Ami Louis broke the course record over six furlongs, getting the better of Foxtrot Hotel in an impressive time of 1:11.09 minutes.

Chilworth Lad then had connections celebrating in the day's feature race – the Bet On The Guineas At totesport.com Handicap Stakes, which was also shown live on Channel 4 Racing. His time of 1:24.91 minutes was also a course record. The fast times were due to the firm ground and a tail wind. Clerk of the Course, Jeremy Martin added - 'The jockeys all said the ground was quite firm but perfectly safe and with an excellent covering of grass. We have been watering the course in recent days because of the lack of rain'.

Favourite backers were cheering again when Cathy Gannon delivered Cockney Fire (10/11) in the 5 furlong race for 2 year old fillies.

Boogie Shoes hit the right beat in the fourth race for trainer Roger Varian, and it was then business as usual for Salisbury's number one trainer, Richard Hannon, in the fifth contest with the useful-looking Reflect, at 1-3 favourite. Pat Dobbs was aboard the three-year-old, who still holds a Derby entry.

"We'll have a sit down and decide what to do next with him," said Hannon, who was denied a double when Patrick Hills and Aurorian were outpaced by Channon's Momkinzain in the penultimate contest. Cape Kimberley and Miss CH Jones got the better of George Baker in the finale for lady amateur riders. The next race meeting at Salisbury is on Thursday 12th May.