Don Bobby secured a victory in the novice race held at Almeley in Herefordshire, a fixture on the Wales & Border harness racing calendar. The win was achieved under the guidance of trainer Lynne Boxhall, who also handled the horse's driving duties during the event.
A field of five horses contested the race on the standard 1,000‑metre track, with Full Closure, owned and trained by Jayne Bevan of Llanddewi, finishing in second place. Manhattan Gan completed the placing, taking third behind the winning pair.
The result enhances Don Bobby's reputation within the regional circuit and provides a strong start to the season for Boxhall's training operation.
Race Conditions and Entrants
The Almeley meeting was run on a dry, fast surface, offering optimal conditions for sprint distances. The novice race covered a distance of 1,600 metres and featured a mixture of seasoned runners and newer entries, reflecting the depth of talent in the Wales & Border series.
All five starters broke from the starting gates cleanly, and the early pace was set by a pace‑setter that faded halfway through, allowing the front‑runners to dictate the finish.
Don Bobby's Performance
Don Bobby displayed a commanding finish, pulling clear of the field in the final 200 metres to claim the win by a margin of three lengths. The horse recorded a time of 1:55.2, a respectable performance for a novice distance race on the Almeley track.
Boxhall praised the horse's conditioning and tactical placement, noting that the timing of the final drive was crucial to securing the victory.
Impact on the Wales & Border Series
The triumph positions Don Bobby as a contender for upcoming novice and open races within the Wales & Border circuit, where points accumulated from each meeting determine series rankings.
Full Closure's runner‑up performance also contributes valuable points for Jayne Bevan's stable, while Manhattan Gan's third‑place finish maintains its competitive standing heading into the next race meeting.