REPORT – BLACKMORE AND SPARKFORD VALE (SUNDAY 8TH MARCH)

A grey mist descended on the Charlton Horethorne course situated on the Dorset/Somerset border which put the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale point to point in some doubt as to whether it would be possible for the meeting to take place. However, just as the pony racing was announced as being cancelled the weather relented and enough visibility emerged to allow both the pony racing and the seven point-to-point races to go ahead. Josh Newman was the jockey and trainer to follow with another treble; James King had a double and Darren Andrews a landmark career achievement.

On a day full of emotion after the awful news broke about Sam Lee and a minute’s silence before racing Darren winning the Hunt race aboard Gelino Bello paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend and weighing room colleague. The race provided Darren with his 100th winning point to point ride and although tinged with sadness this was a notable result for him and he was delighted that it was for Charlie Sprake still at the beginning of his training career.

Recalling his first winner at Cothelstone in April 2013 aboard Hugo Froud’s Bishop’s Lane which was a spare ride he then nominated the mares River Myth and Fishy Story and the geldings Navanman and Quintin’s Man as the horses which have been most influential in advancing his career. He has registered a further 10 Hunter Chase wins and two Bumper successes to his name to date.

Charlie Sprake was thrilled with the success of his gelding giving the Sprake family their first ever win in the Hunt race run on land owned by them. Always prominent his charge held off the late challenge from Illico De Cotte ridden by Molly Armytage to supplement his Larkhill win. Explaining the change of scene Charlie’s partner Winnie Ortewell said ‘ he gets turned out every day which he really enjoys, is ridden round the fields and goes to Kathy Turner’s all weather periodically’

Josh Newman introduced a smart newcomer in the form of Micky Haller in the Tattersalls GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden. Tracking the two leaders of Hoo’s The Jet and Noble Thistle for most of the race Josh allowed the gelding to learn to race and fence and then produced him as the field approached the second last and won going away. Bought by Kayley Woollacott and Lauren Reed at Goffs Arkle Sale for Euros 13K he now runs in the name of the Lincoln Partnership which is a clue to how he came to be named. Based on a fictional lawyer in a novel called The Lincoln Lawyer Micky Haller is a Los Angeles based Defense lawyer. He is for sale and is entered in the Cheltenham Sale on Thursday. .

Josh recorded his second winner when steering Make Idaho Great to win the Maiden race over three miles. Lily’s Choice ridden by Charlie Marshall was ahead approaching the second last but Josh soon had his Idaho gelding in front to record a comfortable victory. Bought privately through J D Moore for Kayley Woollacott who described the owners John and Sonia Gardener ‘ as’ our brilliant supporters’ he was placed in two of his three outings in Ireland including when finishing third in a race when Carrillo ( see below) finished fourth. He looks like one to follow for the season and is another good advert for his sire Idaho.

Josh secured his treble and overall training six winners over the weekend when comfortably winning the Paul Barber Mixed Open race aboard John and Floss Symes’s Al Gasparo. Dropped out last for most of the race he went to the front after the third last and had too much in hand for Walk of No Shame ridden by Olive Nicholls. Reflecting on his brace of Open winners for the weekend John was delighted with Beacon Edge and Al Gasparo who were both new purchases this season. Al Gasparo had won a Listed Hurdle for Gavin Cromwell and had been placed over fences. He is likely to now have a break having won his first three races in England and with next season in mind he does not have any immediate targets in mind for the gelding.

There was an unexpected winner in the Alec Jarrett Conditions Race when the odds on favourite Lavorante ridden by James King was well beaten by Madame L’Estrange trained by Will Biddick and ridden by Charlie Marshall. The winner of a Maiden at Wadebridge she had not been involved in her next outing at the Cornish course. Having given her a lengthy break she sat behind the leaders until taking it up after the final ditch and stayed on well. Owned by a group of friends under the name of Proper Job after a Cornish beer she is likely to be aimed at an Intermediate qualifier for the Exeter final due to be held at Trebudannon.

James King rode his first winner of the day when partnering Carrillo to comfortably winning the Restricted race for owners Nick and Alison Hitchings and trainer Chris Barber. After creating a strong impression when winning a Maiden at Larkhill on his English debut he was then bought by Nick and Alison as their first horse. Placed third behind two promising types last time James explained that ‘ I gave him an easier race when I knew he could not catch the two leaders and he has benefitted from that decision and he showed a real turn of foot when I asked him to quicken after the third last’. Nick and Alison, the son and daughter in law of Clive and Joan Hitchings were thrilled with their success and Nick added that he had chosen their racing colours in a similar vein to those worn by Rubstic the winner of the 1979 Grand National which had created a lasting impression.

James followed up in the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate qualifier race when partnering Coeur D’Alene to a straightforward winner over his principal rival Ultimate Survivor ridden by Darren Andrews. After drawing clear after jumping the third last he was soon in command and had eight lengths in hand at the line. Now the winner of three races this season Chris Barber his trainer explained that ‘ he is now much more streetwise and races enthusiastically’ .He may have an entry in the final of this race but his part owner Paul Thorman is undecided about regulation fences and commented that ‘ it is lovely to have so much fun with him pointing this season’