ch g Shernazar - Approach The Dawn (IRE) (Orchestra)
Having established a big reputation on the Irish point-to-point scene for Co Wexford-based trainer John Berry during 2003, winning impressively at Wexford (twice) and Loughrea, Bewleys Berry made his first appearance under Rules in a bumper at Gowran Park in April, 2004, when he saw off 15 rivals in fine style to score by eight lengths. That victory prompted big-spending owner Graham Wylie to pull out the cheque book to secure Bewleys Berry, who was transferred to the Co Durham yard of Howard Johnson. He made his debut for his new connections in an extended two-mile novice hurdle at Hexham on December 15, 2004, recording a facile six-length success. On his next start 12 days later at Ayr over an extra half mile, Bewleys Berry suffered his first reverse at the hands of the promising Villon, but regained the winning thread in a Grade Two event over three miles at Doncaster in January, 2005, defeating Indy Mood by 10 lengths. Sent to the Cheltenham Festival that March, Bewleys Berry fell at the fifth flight in the Grade Two Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle, and failed to figure next time at Aintree in the John Smith's Sefton Novices' Hurdle, pulling up behind Asian Maze. His chasing career got off to a great start when he recorded a decisive 12-length success at Wetherby in November, 2005, however that was to be his first, and so far, only victory over fences. Although he ran some good races as a novice, including when a close third to Darkness in the Grade One Feltham Novices' Chase at Sandown in December, 2005, Bewleys Berry failed to figure at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals, finishing a well-beaten sixth in the Grade One Royal & SunAlliance Chase behind Star De Mohaison, and pulling up behind that same rival in the Grade Two John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase. Bewleys Berry ran respectably on his first outing of the 2006/2007 campaign at Ascot in October, coming home fourth to See You Sometime in a valuable three-mile contest, and then produced a fine performance to chase home Eurotrek in the totesport.com Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree on November 19, going down by eight lengths over three miles and a quarter. Next time out in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock, Bewleys Berry trailed home in ninth place behind Heltornic. He ran a fine race for a long way in the John Smith's Grand National on his final start of last season, taking it up at the 18th fence and finding a good rhythm until unfortunately crumpling at Becher's second time. He returned to action this term in the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree in November and again finished runner-up, this time to Mr Pointment. For the second year in succession, Bewleys Berry failed to run his race in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock. The 10-year-old was pulled up four from home in the extended three and half mile contest on February 16, which was won by Miko de Beauchene.
Race Record: Starts: 17; Wins: 4; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 1; Win and Place prize money: £91,917
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AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL 2008
