Torrential rain on the friday before The Scurry was not what was wanted, particularly as this years Scurry was on Saturday. The going looked as if it was going to be very heavy. Saturday dawned bright and clear however and true to past performances, The Glebe started to dry up faster thaan a Glasgow Bar before an Auld Firm Derby.
Come the off and the going was good, perhaps too good for the non thoroughbreds.
There was a new starting point this year, with a quick dash into first hedge. Mayhew then quickly ensued with Will Hickman running out at the second fence and one or two fallers shortly there after. The middle of the race was comparatively quiet with the thoroughbreds starting to show their speed, albeit that Hannah Grissell struck out at the 9th but was seen running off after her horse at speed to rival some of the back markers.
Then came the rail in the middle field.
Stuart Robinson, finding his tight line blocked by the crowd, gently requested they let him through. He jumped the fence at an impossible angle and was away ahead of the field. A run out by Lucy Holland took Frazer Marshall out too - he was seen bouncing down the course like a circus acrobat. Both were quickly off again thought
By this stage the crowd could see horses strung out over 1/2 mile and criss crossing courses.
The leaders were now at the bottom of the course with a free line back to the finish. Will Hickman had been making ground all the time and stormed past several horses in an attempt to catch the leaders of Pippa Hall, Rose Grissell and Stuart Robinson and Lucy Holland. Would he get there in time? This was not to be. Pippa crossed the line ahead of Rose and Stuart to claim her first Scurry victory.
Another cracking race over a wonderful course on some of the best ground for years.
1st Joe Mrs Pippa Hall also first non-ESRM
2nd Glory Trail Miss Rose Grissell also first ESRM member
3rd Black Glen Mr Stuart Robinson
4th Guilsborough Gorse Mrs Lucy Holland first Scurry Virgin
5th Native Performance Mr William Hickman
6th Buddy Mr Tom Robinson
7th Merkin Mr Robert Miles first Heavyweight
8th Mac Ms Renee Willis
9th Joe Black Miss Lisa Baker
10th Kenny Mr Tim Laite
11th Drummer Mr Ivan Massow
12th Blondie Mrs Anna Calthorpe
13th Spanish Point Mrs Hannah Grissell
16 starters, 13 finishers.
1. Joe Black Lisa Baker - also first non-ESRM member
Me........well a few places better than last year and Who Cares anyway? I had a blast and enjoyed every minute of the race even if I didn't win one of the Scurry Mugs. There is always next year.
Leo
Peter Webb had a nasty fall at the fourth. Sussex Air Ambulance were fantasitic and there very quickly. He was quickly out of hospital and recovering at home with broken ribs.
The crowd responded magnficently and an impromptu collection was mounted for the Air Ambulance.
1. David Robinson Dennis
2. Charlotte Marshall - Fly Like a Bird (1st ESRM member)
