A DRY spring has resulted in many point to points struggling to produce satisfactory ground conditions which has impacted on the number of runners.
However, under the expert guidance of Cothelstone Clerk of the Course, Nigel Payne, the final Wessex meeting of the season run under the banner of the Weston and Banwell and West Somerset Vale, was in the enviable position of posting a creditable 37 runners on the evening.
A double for jockey/trainer combination of Robbie David and Harry Ryall, another win for National Novice Champion elect Rian Corcoran and good value for punters with only one outright favourite winning ensured an excellent night’s racing.
The opening Conditions race was a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure for Bob Butler’s Scoresby who won three times last season for Robbie David and Harry Ryall but had failed to add to that tally this season. With only one opponent, Scoresby really looked to enjoy himself as he made the running and some good jumping meant that Josh Newman on Walk in The Wild had to accept defeat as the winner cruised to an easy 19 length victory.
The second winner for their team came in the following race when Pebble Rebel took the young Maiden in impressive fashion and she looks like a very decent prospect. With 8 sent to post, this looked a good race on looks in the paddock but the winner had 12 lengths to spare over favourite Silver Fish at the line, indicating she has a bright future.
Rian Corcoran should always be followed in Novice Riders races and it was even more apparent here as he judged the race to perfection despite Kauto Riko setting a fierce pace being 20 lengths clear at one point. Sitting quietly in third on Jubertilee, Rian had the leader in his sights and with the favourite Acey Milan jumping right, he bided his time to quicken clear of eventual second Kauto Riko with Acey Milan back in third.
Rian and Emma Summersby also took the Men’s Open with Lakota Warrior which was a walkover. Mike Felton could be regarded as Pointing Royalty having been Champion Jockey three times with his first winner coming back in 1978 and now training a few, his Boys Will Be Boys supplemented a win on quick ground at Bratton Down last season with an easy win in the Restricted race under Freddie Philipson-Stow. This was possibly made easier when rival Rocky Creed slipped up on the last bend when looking like having a chance.
The Ladies Open was run at a fast pace and went to Soldier of Destiny who quickly bounced out and gave a bold front running display for jockey Megan Bevan to win by the run-in after favourite Ninth Wave was another to slip on the bend.
The final race of the night went to favourite Testflight under James Shaw as they took the longer Maiden for trainer Lucy Gardner despite Middleton Fox trying to mount a challenge under Josh Newman. A good jump at the last sealed victory for them and they came away to win by 4 lengths.
The final race of the night went to favourite Testflight under James Shaw as they took the longer Maiden for trainer Lucy Gardner despite Middleton Fox trying to mount a challenge under Josh Newman.