Beautiful Yorkshire sunshine for AGA - Super Sam bags another 10 points as the northern challenge gathers momentum

What a contrast, last week we had rain, snow and freezing temperatures in Yorkshire, this week we had blazing sunshine, a huge crowd and the ice cream man was flat out all day! The racing wasn't bad either and those determined Yorkshire lasses served up another cracking AGA Ladies Open.

Time for a quick coffee after setting up - check out the blue sky!

The clear blue sky was a very welcome sight indeed and the crowd - who have a reputation for a being a friendly one, were in good spirits from the start. Picnics were the order of the day and all of the car parks were heaving by the time the runners entered the paddock for the first race.

Chris about to give the AGA a quick polish

The hospitality tent - Yorkshire cake for the
3rd time this year

I hadn't seen this chap for 12 years!

With 9 entries for the AGA Ladies Open my midweek prediction was for 6 runners and I was spot on. The race looked as if it would be competitive and so it proved as you can see from the photos below (click to enlarge), with Sam Drake and Keeverfield eventually prevailing from Jacqueline Coward and Narciso.  


Sammy in front ... AGA signs looking good!

Keeverfield was chased hard all the way to the line and the front two were followed home by Lucy Egerton and Desert Tommy, whose pre-race instructions from Nicky Tinkler had been "drive on Lucy".

Sam and Keeverfield clear the last

The winner was led up by Sam's mum who had to dash out of the paddock and back on to the course to retrieve Sam's gumshield which had been lost while jumping the last. The gum shield was found and mum was back in time for the post race interview! 

Sam and her proud mum - note the pink "I'm In Total Control" polo shirt

Mum was sporting Sam's pink AGA "I'm In Total Control" polo shirt and as she led the winner up I think she should also get the fleece, however, Sam slipped that on for her post race interview and didn't look like she was about to relinquish it any time soon.

He needed that!

Mrs Drake - just before dashing off to find Sam's gumshield

There was a sense of deja vu at the presentation as we had stood in the same spot last season, although I had the distinct impression that the clock was a more popular prize than the vase which was won by Sam last year.

Sam meets Beazo's microphone for the first time this season

The post race interview went like clockwork (not) and after "take 2" Beazo was happy and shouted "it's a wrap". Sam then dashed off to get ready for her next ride but not before begging to have her photo taken with 2 of the AGA boys - Derek and Chris were only too happy to oblige! 

The boys Derek and Chris, with Sam (as Mrs Drake led up
shouldn't she get the fleece?)

Gemma Tutty popped over to say hello and to pick up her AGA "I'm In Total Control" polo shirt, then after complimenting me on my nice blue jumper she also begged to have her photo taken with the boys. Gemma, who turns apprentice very soon, also asked whether I like custard creams ... I don't have a clue what she meant!

Derek and Chris with Gemma Tutty