HANNAH PARTRIDGE may not have beaten Michael Owen but she was a very fine fourth in the Prince Of Wales’ Charity race at Ascot yesterday aboard Soaring Spirits.
The pre-race publicity all centred around former England international footballer, Michael Owen’s racing debut. While he did finish second, Hannah can be very proud as her horse was wrong at the weights compared with Owen’s mount, Calder Prince to the tune of 13lbs and yet was only beaten five and half lengths.
While the 7f trip was right up Soaring Spirits’ street, the race was a flag start and unfortunately for Hannah and Spirits, they were slightly left at the start. However, she made good ground and commented afterwards that she thought at one time she might go and win but it was not to be.
The winner was Golden Wedding, rated 80 and the successful rider, Tom Chatfield-Roberts was one of the most experienced riders in the field with 20 winnners to his name. However, Hannah’s mount was not only wrong at the weights with the winner but of the four female riders, she was the best finisher, the other three filling the last three places.
The race was being run in the name of charity, the Prince’s Countryside Fund, which seeks to help support ailing rural communities. Hannah grew up in the countryside in Wiltshire, so this is a charity close to her heart.
Hannah was at Harper Lodge Farm this morning and she couldn’t contain her excitement, beaming from ear to ear. Needless to say, she was quick to praise Spirits who received plenty of pats and one suspects a few mints!
Hannah is closing in on her target of £5,000 for the charity but if you would like to help her get across the line, this is a link to her giving page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/backtowin
Hurrah for Hannah!