UNIONVILLE, Pa.--Leipers Fork Steeplechaser's Court Ruler, trained by Leslie Young and ridden by Freddie Procter, won the $20,00 Cheshire Bowl Open Timber by 22 1/2 lengths at the Cheshire Point-to-Point on Sunday, March 31.

Island Nation, right, ridden by Conor Tiierney, winning the Novice Timber (Photo by Tisa Dell-Volpe)
"We had a huge general admission at Cheshire," said Co-Chairman Kathy Neilson, who saddled two winners at the meet."We had a record day of ticket sales."

The first three races, the Cheshire Bowl the Apprentice Rider Timber and the Maiden Timber, were all NSA sanctioned races, and all the timber races were run at about three miles.

Court Ruler has been very good for us.," said Young. "He's won over hurdles, including at Saratoga, and he's won in steeplethon. He's been very productive. This was the second year in a row he won the Cheshire Bowl. I was very happy with him."

"We're looking maybe at the steeplethon at Middleburg for his next race," said Young.

Court Ruler went right to the front at Cheshire and led throughout while Royal Ruse, trained by Sanna Neilson, and Fashion Line, trained by Kathy Neilson, ran in tandem  second and third followed by Withoutmoreado, trained by Kathy Neilson.

Court Ruler drew off in the final three furlongs to win easily, finishing in 5:05 3/5, the fastest race of the day, while Royal Ruse was second and Fashion Line placed third with Withoutmoreado fourth..

 

WITHOUTMOREADO, who was ridden by Conor Tierney, and Royal Ruse, who was ridden by Parker Hendriks, finished first and second in last year's Maryland Hunt Cup and were using the Cheshire Bowl as a prep race.

Hey Teacher, right, ridden by Hunter Holm, winning the Novice Rider Flat (Photo by Tia Dell-Volpe)
"I told Conor to start fourth and finish fourth,' said Neilson. "The other horses had already had a race this year, and I knew it was going to be a fast race. I just wanted to give him a good exercise."

Riverdee Stable's Include It, trained by Todd Wyatt and ridden by Elizabeth Scully won the $15,000 Apprentice Rider Timber by 4 1/4 lengths in 5:17 3/5 over Awesome Adrian, trained by Kathy Neilson

"We've had Include It for about five years," said Wyatt. "He's run on the flat and over hurdles. He missed last year because of an injury, but before that he won five in a row over timber. Now he's won six in a row. We're looking at My Lady's Manor for him."

Keystone Thoroughbreds' Hard Strike, trained by Todd McKenna and ridden by Harry Beswick, won the $15,000 Maiden Timber by 4 3/4 lengths in 5:12 2/5 over Animal Kingdom, trained by Neil Morris.

"I've had him for three years," said McKenna. "He ran as we expected. He's foxhunted a lot. Harry knows him well. He'll probably run next at the Manor."

Irv Naylor's Island Nation, trained by Kathy Neilson and ridden by Tierney, won the Novice Timber in 5;52 over Left Bank, trained by Wyatt.

"Island Nation is a foxhunter moonlighting as a timber horse," said Neilson, "Sally Reed hunts him. His nickname is Pork Chop because of his build. He'll go to a sanctioned race next, either the maiden at the Manor or at the Grand National."

The Open Flat was divided, with Mrs. S.K. Johnston's Pure Courage, trained by Wyatt and ridden by Scully, winning the first section over High Deff, trained by Kathy Neilson.

Parker Hendriks and Sanna Neilson's Ti Sento, trained and ridden by Hendriks, won the second section over Wicked West, trained by Wyatt.

Hey Teacher Partners' Hey Teacher (GB), trained by Kathy Neilson and ridden by Hunter Holm, won the Novice Rider Flat over Prince Khozan, trained by Betty McCue.

"We ran him over hurdles, and he got seconds and thirds," said Neilson. "Then we hunted him and ran him over timber at Warrenton, where he tired. Hunter rides out for us.I told him to babysit Conor's horse in this race, and when he won he was afraid I'd be mad at him for winning and beating Conor's horse, (who was fifth)."

Sassy, ridden by William Slater, won the Small Pony flat, Spur of the Moment, ridden by Abby Taylor, won the Medium Pony, Mini, ridden by Pauly Aquilera won the Large Pony, and Violet, ridden by Caroline Martin, won the Lead Line Trot race.

Cheetah Beach, ridden by Lauren Apple, won the Side Saddle Flat race over Gun Lobby, ridden by Sally Smith.