REPORT – WILTON (SATURDAY 21ST MARCH)

A glorious sunny Spring morning welcomed racegoers and participants to Milborne St Andrew for the first time this year following the South Dorset’s abandonment in early February. There was a first pointing winner for young Freddie Robson, a couple of upsets including a 25-1 winner of a very competitive Restricted race and a win for The Baguettes possibly the cleverest naming of any owners partnership.

Jockey Charlie Marshall shrugged off a difficult week to give a master class in how to ride against one opponent taking the 0-110 Rated Series race on Scoresby from race favourite Walkin Out. Content to let Anna Johnston dictate the pace, Charlie made his move after the second last and managed to force Scoresby past the leader on the final bend before going on to win by 8 lengths. Trainer Harry Ryall said afterwards, “He literally has one burst of speed and you have to time it right which is what Charlie has done well.” A delighted owner Bob Butler and his wife Sue described Scoresby like “their third child.” Bob is also involved in Ooh Betty who won at Ascot before running well at the Cheltenham Festival in the County Hurdle. Harry is currently applying to take out a full licence under Rules and the Wessex Area would like to wish him every success in his new venture although he did explain that he would still hopefully be involved in pointing in some way.

Trainer Sally Alner has an excellent record at the Dorset course and recorded her 12th winner here when Go Sacre Go returned to where he broke his maiden so impressively 3 years ago to beat his sole opponent in the Conditions race. Ridden for the first time by Ed Doggrell, this nephew to the great Sprinter Sacre enjoyed making the running and while Charlie Marshall tried to employ the “stalk and pounce” tactics that had served him well in the previous race, class tells and he ran out an easy 10 length winner. Ed clearly got a buzz from riding him and said “He was just electric today and wow! I just loved him!” Owned by The Baguettes who are made up of Patsy Todd, Mary Smith, Hilary Cox and exors for the late Annie Tory, they describe themselves as “the Old Bags” and as the horse is French Bre(a)d the clever name was proposed.

The Restricted race looked very competitive on paper but the race went to the complete outsider when Off The Press made all to deny a fast finishing Follow My Order and favourite Good Boy Eric. Bouncing off the quicker ground under Fion Summers, the Jetaway gelding was a welcome first winner of the season for trainer Stuart Sampson. Stuart trains him for John and Isabel Harris who share him with Stuart’s mum, Delia for whom this is a first horse and that possibly should have been taken as an omen! Stuart added, “He came second in a maiden here and then won at Charlton Horethorne last year. I have always thought a lot of him but he does need this ground. Hopefully ground-willing, he will be back out again in a couple of weeks.”

A similar upset occurred in the Mixed Open when Humaniste, here on his best behaviour, managed to peg back early leader and favourite Hubrisko to go clear with two fences to jump and recorded a bloodless 35 length win under James Shaw. Joe Tickle was representing Danni Kenealy, who was leading up, and said afterwards, “All credit here goes to Danni as he’s not an easy horse to deal with. But he came back in earlier after a good break which I think helped and although he’s got his quirks, he’s now 9 from 18 in points which isn’t bad, is it?” Owner Kieran Johns, who was not present, bought him very cheaply out of Seamus Mullins’ yard and he has certainly enjoyed a fun time with the horse, running him on the Flat as well ridden by Taylor Fisher.

Will Biddick and Josh Newman have struck up a great partnership since Will’s retirement from the saddle recording five victories to date and Will brought a nice maiden in Uncle Boss to win the opener by a facile 25 lengths from long-time leader Wick Hill. Josh was full of praise for the horse afterwards who had been bought by Cornish–based owners Peter and Lyn Inch as a foal from the Goff’s Sales. Josh explained “I dropped him out as wanted to give him his confidence back after the fall last time and he’s just loved this quicker ground.” Lyn added, “Will used to come to our farm as a little boy and it’s lovely to be able to support him by having a horse with him.” She did add though that the horse was now on the market and he could make up into a nice hurdler.

Milborne St Andrew often throws up a jockey to watch and it was left until the last when Freddie Robson took the Flat race apart on Tim Vaughan’s Ruling Planet to record his first pointing winner to add to two under Rules. Mentioned by Alice Plunkett on ITV Racing as a jockey to watch out for following numerous wins Pony Racing, Freddie is the grandson of legendary Olympic Event rider, Ian Stark . Settled in fourth for most of the race, Freddie hit the turbo button around the last bend and the response was immediate, easily putting 25 lengths between himself and his closest pursuers, Maiden Over and Fashion House. Bought out of Charlie Appleby’s yard for £48,000, this son of Teofilio is regally bred and was far too classy for his 9 opponents. Vaughan’s assistant Mitchell Hunt said “I imagine he will now go under Rules and probably remain Freddie’s ride. He was very immature when in training on the Flat and has benefitted from being given time but he’s done it very well here under Freddie.”