Whisper Roars To Victory

South View Development Classic, Cheshire 17-19 February

- Margaret Shaw

MENNELL WATSON and Whisper In The Wind saved their best until last, as two placings over the opening two days were a prelude to a superb winning performance in the final winter national 1.35m open.

“This is only his third outing after a break,” said Mennell. “It was a big test for him in the 1.40m on the first day, where he finished third,

‘She doesn’t have a massive stride, but if she leaves everything up, she’s difficult to beat’and this was a tough class, but he did what he had to do.”

Nine of the 19 starters contested the jump-off and five maintained a zero score in a close-run finish. From penultimate draw, Mennell knew what he had to beat and, although Whisper looked unhurried over the first part of the course, the nine year-old Cobretti stallion produced a stunning turn-back to the penultimate upright before bounding on to the last.

“He’s deceptively fast across the ground — he loves to roll on,” Mennell added.

At their first show of the year, Gemma Ellison and Rambler VDL started well with a 1.25m victory on the first day and they completed the weekend by finishing second to Mennell.

“The course asked plenty of questions, but he’s a competitive horse and is moving up confidently to 1.40m level,” said Gemma.

Angel Tough took the final ticket to the Addington spring championship show riding Callumbus. The 13-year-old rider netted an enviable ribbon haul during the weekend.

After being sidelined with broken ribs following a fall from a youngster at home, Stevie Crosby celebrated his return to competitive action with a 1.40m win riding his partner of six years, Trevor Farrington’s home-bred TGF Rubin.