Paul Finch

Paul Finch

Article by Alan Trout

Paul James Fiunch rode three winners over jumps during a 20-day spell in late 1984. A conditional with for top National Hunt jockey Ken White, he had his first ride on Gaelic Touch in the Pershore Novices’ Hurdle at Worcester on May 1, 1982, their race ending in a fall. 

He rode his first winner at Ludlow on November 28, 1984, when the six-year-old Crisp And Keen, trained by Ken White, took the lead at the third flight and was never headed after that, coming home eight lengths clear. 

Just two days later he doubled his score when Ensigns Kit, trained by permit holder Tony Brisbourne, finished strongly to take the Waltham Handicap Hurdle at Leicester by half a length. 

Back at Ludlow on December 18, the five-year-old Kalo Astro survived veering right on the run-in to take the Amontillado Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle by two and a half lengths. 

Although Paul kept the ride on Kalo Astro for two further starts he had to settle for one third place and did not win again, although he rode for at least one more season. One of his final rides was on Ferndale, finishing last but one in the Peter Blackburn Memorial Challenge Trophy, a handicap chase, at Taunton on May 2, 1986.

Paul Finch’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Crisp And Keen, Ludlow, November 28, 1984

2. Ensigns Kit, Leicester, November 30, 1984

3. Kalo Astro, Ludlow, December 18, 1984