REPORT – OVERTON RACES (SUNDAY 12TH APRIL)

Talented showjumper Fergal Holohan, 19, who is part of the British Nations Cup team competing in France this week, proved that he’s not just just a one trick pony with a first Pointing winner on only his third ride at the Overton Farm & St Andrew’s Hospice Family Fun Day fixture.

The win on ex-chaser Itwasfate, who was bought privately in Ireland last year out of Henry De Bromhead’s yard and has proved to be an ideal schoolmaster, was a real family affair as the nine-year-old is trained at Coylton near Ayr by his mother Fiona and owned by dad Ben who was a successful National Hunt jockey in the 1980’s.

Fergal’s mount settled well after being sent straight to the front in the 2m4f Clyde Valley Shorthorns Conditions Race for Novice Riders, and proceeded to gallop his five rivals into submission before cruising home twenty lengths ahead of All Ways And Ever (Ben Smoult).

Currently in his second year studying International Marketing at Glasgow Caledonian University, Fergal has to balance his studies with his showjumping commitments and stable duties at home, but seems to be able to keep all the plates spinning and headed to Overton on a high after winning the Under 25 Showjumping title at the 2026 Pony of the Year Championships in Grantham a couple of days earlier.

Northumbrian raider Idole Des Carnette (Paddy Barlow) was the most impressive winner of the day in the 2m4f Overton Point-to-Point Committee Maiden Race. Always prominent, the four-year-old was sent on a mile from home before quickening clear off the home turn to score, with plenty in hand, by ten lengths from Loch Frisa (Ben Smoult).

Owned and trained by Kate Leckenby, who rents a barn at Molesden near Morpeth from Simon Waugh, the youngster was bought privately last year. His debut in a hotly contested Young Horse Maiden at Maisemore Park on March 29 didn’t go to plan after being hampered at the first and losing his confidence but, back in much calmer waters at Overton, Barlow reported that he didn’t come off the bridle. Leckenby’s charge is now likely to be sold.

Batman For Ever’s success in the 3m Ian Tennant Northern Area Conditions Race continued the recent upturn in fortunes for Selkirk trainer Stuart Coltherd. Confidently ridden by daughter Amy, the nine-year-old forged clear approaching two out before coasting home ten lengths in front of Economic Editor (Sam Herdman).

The step up in trip wasn’t a problem for last month’s Overton Maiden winner Hurricane Harmony (Nick Orpwood) in the 3m Brownriggs Garage Services & Coach Hire Restricted Race. Patiently ridden, the progressive six-year-old was produced to challenge Whatudoing (Joana Walton) and Master Bricklayer (Jesika Rennie) after jumping three out before going on by half-a-length at the last from Master Bricklayer, and Orpwood’s mount maintained that advantage to the line in the best time of the day.

After being left in front at the first in the 3m St Andrew’s Hospice Mixed Open Race following Western Run’s crashing fall, Stirling University student Isobel Mactaggart’s mount Deerstalker continued his love affair with Overton by making every yard of the running to beat Clapton Hill (Ben Smoult) by a comfortable four lengths and take his course record to 3-3.

After a couple of disappointing runs at Friars Haugh and Tranwell last month, back treatment and the application of first-time blinkers worked the oracle with Ross Wilson-trained Foxinthebox (Amy Milburn) who landed the 3m Overton Farm Conditions Race by a diminishing head from Carrhill (Nick Orpwood), although it might have been a different story had the runner-up been more fluent at the last.

Having gone to Australia for 16 days on February 23 to work for trainer Gary Colvin and kept busy riding out eleven lots each morning, Amy ended up staying almost seven weeks as she was unable to get a flight back to the UK until last Friday due to the travel chaos caused by the Middle East crisis.

The main action was preceded by pony racing, with the JSC Estates 138cm contest won by Ingle Harry Brown (Robyn Coulson) from Silver (Freya Ainslie) and Warmwell Lizzie (Angus Dixon), while the 148cm Open Race went to Little Lady Yeats (Daniel Harrison) from Judge Fox (Kaden Beasley) and The Cork Man (Nancie Pigg).

In recognition of the recent big rise in fuel costs, the Fife Point-to-Point Committee have made the decision to refund entry fees for all horses declared to run at their fixture at Pusk near Leuchars on Saturday 25th April.

The card has a total prize fund of £4,150, with a first prize of £300 in 4 of the 6 races, a Ladies Open (the only one scheduled across six meetings nationwide that weekend) with £500 to the winner, and a £1,200 2m4f Mixed Open with £700 to the winner.