cheltenham reflections – douglas longbottom

It has now been more than a week since the annual Cheltenham Hunter Chase evening, one of the highlights of the point-to-point season when owners, trainers and jockeys head to the home of National Hunt racing hoping to record a success which will live long in their memory after the meeting has finished.

The Wessex area had a particularly successful evening with two victories from the seven races commencing with the win for Crawter in the Intermediate Final owned by Stan Rawlins and his trainer Harriet Waight and ridden by Paddy Barlow who overcame the Harry Ryall trained Snap Fish ridden by Robbie David on the run in. Harriet, who trains close by to Larkhill, only has two horses in training and the success of Crawter during the season and culminating in this victory is a testimony to her training skills.

The second of the Wessex winners came in the next race. The Junior Jumpers Open Hunters Chase over three miles when Douglas Longbottom ridden by substitute rider Will Biddick in the absence of usual pilot Fly McIntyre, beat Glenmount partnered by James King in a close finish. Owned by Catherine Mitchell and trained by her niece Bea Coward at Barrow Street near Mere, Wiltshire this was a particularly notable landmark for both owner and trainer who were registering their first ever victories at Cheltenham and for Bea her first ever training winner under Rules.

The opportunity was taken to catch up with both Catherine and Bea in the aftermath of the success and to gain their thoughts and memories on the build up and the day itself.

Douglas Longbottom was bought for Catherine at Doncaster in May 2023 by Mel Smith and recorded two wins in the following season at Larkhill and Lockinge . This season, as Catherine recalled ‘I thought his second place to Givega on his seasonal debut at Larkhill was his best run until he came to Cheltenham’. Wins then followed at Larkhill, Buckfastleigh and Charlton Horethorne before the decision was made to run at the Hunter Chase evening.

Bea explained that ‘he was given entries in both the Intermediate race and the following race and then waited to decide on the choice’ The serious injury to Fly McIntyre who had been his regular partner in all of his previous outings for the stable caused a major rethink and in view of his lack of experience over regulation fences and the need for him to adjust to these led to the decision to approach Will Biddick for the ride. Bea added that ‘the plan to hold him up worked a treat as he did have a good look at some of his early fences including the water jump which he had never seen before’ He hit the front approaching the last under a masterful ride from Will and although idling on the run in he held on to record a half length victory. Bea explained that ‘I could see him pricking his ears on the run in and knew that if the other horse came any closer he would pick up again’

Catherine was thrilled with the success and delighted to be supporting her niece as her training career blossoms. She advised that ‘ I leave the decisions about where he runs to Bea and have been impressed with her attention to detail including bringing Rocky Creed (who is likely to run at Cothelstone on Wednesday) as his travelling companion to keep him as calm as possible’ The recent extended dry spell had not helped his preparation with the usual grass gallops used being too firm so he had to be boxed to Sutton Veny to use the all-weather gallop.

Both Catherine and her husband John, who live just outside Basingstoke come down to the yard on a very regular basis and both of them have been riding work during the season to help Bea.

Summing up the day Catherine described the whole day as ‘amazing’ and ‘one I will remember forever’ and said with a smile that’ the video has already been viewed many times and will continue to be watched’ Douglas is now on his summer holidays having enjoyed a very successful season.

Douglas Longbottom after his win at Cheltenham – John and Catherine Mitchell (leading in the horse) on the left and Bea Coward is on the right  **photo credit Will Shields