Horse racing: Aneyeforaneye wins in thriller at Perth

ANEYEFORANEYE got the better of Carlito Birgante in a thrilling finish to the Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer Novices’ Chase on the final card of Perth’s racing year.

The mare, sent off at 12-1 and trained by Malcolm Jefferson, edged out the Irish raider and 2011 Coral Cup hero by a neck.

Malton-based Jefferson said: “She’ll make a nice sort for mares’ races as she jumps well and has quite a decent turn of foot.”

Locally-based Lucinda Russell struck in the opening Check Betfair Before You Bet novices’ Hurdle with Ryton Runner partnered by Tom Scudamore.

Saddling her 20th winner of the campaign, Russell said: “He’s the last one of the batch we bought at Newmarket Sales last year to win and he definitely needs this three-mile trip. We’ve got the leading trainer award here in 2012 and it’s always nice to do well at our local course as the owners love it.”

Jason Maguire, the leading jockey at Perth this season, teamed up with Gordon Elliott to take the George Stubbs Insurance Handicap Hurdle with Romanesco. Hawick-trained Hunters Belt won the Anderson Anderson And Brown Handicap Hurdle for the father and son combination of George and Jonathon Bewley. The winning trainer said: “The first-time visor helped as he can be a bit of a character. He does get further and he’s done it well today.”

Meanwhile, the future of Folkestone racecourse remains bleak after owners Arena Racing Company failed to get its plans approved by Shepway Council.

Arena announced in July the closure of Folkestone at the end of the year, but hoped it might only be temporary. That would hinge on planning permission being granted for a residential development on the site, the racecourse being redesigned and the facilities modernised.

A planning inspector rejected the proposal in May and a meeting on Wednesday again brought no cheer. Flat racing at the Kent track could be no more after the final scheduled fixture there on Tuesday was abandoned due to waterlogging. Folkestone now has just three jumps fixtures left before it is due to close. Clerk of the course Neil MacKenzie Ross said: “That was the last programmed Flat fixture. We’ve got three jumps fixtures to come in November and December.”