SPECTATORS and punters were treated to a superb day of racing at Minehead & West Somerset’s annual point to point at Holnicote.

The ground staff headed by Clerk of the Course Mike Harding and assisted by local trainers Johnson White and Jeremy Scott had produced some beautiful ground and trainers Chris Barber and Paul Nicholls were fulsome in their praise for the condition of the course.

Highlights from the day were a brilliant ride from 16 year old Lucas Murphy, a training and riding double for the formidable Chris Barber/Ed Doggrell team and a riding double for Josh Newman.

Lucas Murphy is the son of Grand National winning jockey, Timmy Murphy and has long been catching the eye from the days when he rode in Shetland Pony Grand Nationals. Often in Novice Riders races it pays to side with the rider and in this case Lucas gave a clear indicator of why he is one to watch even causing trainer Paul Nicholls to eulogise on his ability and he was also awarded the Lalors Ride of the Day kindly sponsored by Steph Jones.

At the opposite end of the riding spectrum sit the remaining winning jockeys from today, James King, Josh Newman and Ed Doggrell who are 1,2,3 in the National title race and it was the latter two who posted doubles to add to their pressure on James King, the current leader.

Ed in particular has struck up a great partnership with trainer Chris Barber and their first winner of the day came in the Mixed Open when the highly progressive 6 year old Jewel in the Park finally got to run after several frustrating weekends. The 4 runners were closely matched on paper but it was the younger horse who repaid his trainer’s faith in him.

Ed and Chris’ second win came in the Restricted race when the very good looking King’s Affinity shrugged off the opposition to win impressively from Ghost Jury and Eco Pete.

Another progressive winner on show came in the first when Diamonds and Denim won the maiden. having virtually just stepped off the boat from Ireland. Josh Newman has a good team behind him sourcing these types and he ran out a ready winner from Granny Smith and Thief of the Night.

Josh teamed up in the last with trainer Will Biddick who sent out the first and second in the Intermediate in Dollanstown and Far Out West. For a while it looked like the market had got it wrong and Far Out West did her best to stretch her odds-on stablemate but although they were level over the last, Dollanstown proved the classier and recorded his 4th win of the season for owner Jeremy Hill.

Barely a Wessex meeting goes by in spring without a Luke Price winner and he duly obliged with Galudon who followed up a win at Cotley to take the Conditions race.

The day had started with a charity race which was held in the memory of young Oliver Price and over £3,000 was raised by the four participants which would be split between the Air Ambulance, Exmoor Search & Rescue and Minehead Middle School.

It was 16 year old Imogen Manning (who studies Equine Management at Cannington College) who emerged victorious riding Keith Baylis’ Captain’s Pick.

KIRSTY BOUTFLOW