This Listed Open Handicap event was run on Slow9 footing and drew a mediocre field at best with almost all runners out of form and having just two last start winners involved. Hunta Pence, an 8yo gelding, had not won a race since June of 2019 but today raced a distant second then moved up and led before the home turn going to score by a length in 2:10.99. The winners and where they turned for home were third (two-off the inside and two lengths from the leader), third (three-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), second (three-off the inside and a neck from the leader), seventh (six-off the inside and four lengths from the leader), sixth (two-off the inside and six lengths from the leader), fifth (six-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), led, (two lengths ahead turning for home and on the fence) and third (seven-off the inside and half a length from the leader). Today was the ninth win in fifty-four starts by Hunta Pence and interestingly six of his wins have come between 1900m and 2100m. Runner up was the 10yo Overthriver, ridden by an apprentice, which raced sixth the outer and moved up third wide across the top before racing second at the 250m. He last won a race in May of 2019. Sir Nate, also ridden by an apprentice, was the clear leader and run over after being headed before the homn turn to be beaten five and a half lengths. Nymph Monte ran on okay albeit distantly for fourth after a tardy start and he too was ridden an apprentice. The last time this now 9yo finished top three was when third on September of 2019. A deadheat for fifth came next between Obsessive and Hi I'm Nikita with the former racing fifth the inner mostly and the latter racing third the outer in the main. Both runners fought on fairly but had their chances. Vichy despised the wet ground and after racing fourth the outer drifted wide before the home turn and then one-batted through residual fitness to finish seventh. She is a different horse on top of the ground. Lubaya, which has run second at Listed lebvel leading into this ran an ordinary eighth after settling back ninth on her own. This 6yo mare has been a very hot and cold property of late. Watch This Space disappointed when next home ninth and the 9yo gelding last won a race way back in October of 2018. He was ridden by an apprentice too it must be noted, as were the last two home in this race, so a staggering six (more than half the field) were piloted by riders yet to get their full licence in this Listed event. This was not a very strong field at all and a lot of older horses were going around so hard to take this event too seriously and the glut of apprentice riders atop shows as such too.