BON VOYAGE . . . staff and friends from the Market Inn, Castle Douglas, bid a fond farewell to their popular French-born barman Benjamin Richards after sponsoring a surprise race at Gretna in his name before he returned home to France PICTURE: CRAIG NORMAN
The three-year-old bitch from Frannie Hill of Hawick won the Benjamin Richards Handicap by 1.5 lengths as 3/1 shot in this shock Halcrow Stadium result.
She was followed home by the main fancy Flaming Bird, a three-year-old from regular Gretna trainer Tony Hopper.
The trophy was presented to Frannie Hill by staff and friends of the Market Inn at Castle Douglas, who were saying bon voyage by sponsoring and dedicating the surprise race to their popular French-born barman Benjamin Richards, who is returning to his native country.
There was an equally competitive final middle distance race when Tony Hopper took the top honours.
His two-year-old bitch Flaming Patsie powered home to win by 1.5 lengths from Macca Mini, entered by the Bowie kennels at Cleator Moor.
RESULTS and STARTING PRICES
First race (7.30) – 1, Beezer, trap 3, price 5/4; 2, Tom’s Pal, 5, 5/4; distance 3.75 lengths; distance 3.75 lengths; winning time 17.35 seconds.
Second (7.45) – 1, Fatman, 2, 7/4; 2, Park Lane, 5, 6/4; a neck; 17.39.
Third (8.00) – 1, Bet’s Pet, 1, 4/6; 2, Tina’s Fault, 4, 6/4; short head; 17.15.
Fourth (8.15) – 1, Zig Zag, 2, 2/1; 2, Rosemary, 4, 5/2; 2.5; 17.68.
Fifth (8.30) – race cancelled.
Sixth (8.45) – 1, Magic Dream, 2, 3/1; 2, Flaming Bird, 3, 7/4; .5; 29.24.
Seventh (9.00) – 1, Flaming Patsie, 4, 5/4; 2, Macca Mini, 1, 5/2; 1.5; 29.43.
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