REPORT – HOLDERNESS – SUNDAY 23RD MARCH

The idyllic parkland setting at Dalton Hall near Beverley brought out the usual large crowd for the Holderness meeting and the old turf provided perfect going for the forty horses who turned out to make six competitive races and some thrilling finishes.

The feature race of the day was the Gilbert Baitson Mixed Open and it set up an emotional day for the connections of Matts Commission. Lining up he was defending a perfect four out of four winning record at Dalton Park and he was also attempting to win this race for the third straight year but he had failed to sparkle in his previous outings this season. Having been shaken up by a fall in the first, intended pilot Jack Teal had to hand the ride to sister Lois in a late jockey switch but in the race itself all went well and he was rejuvenated at a course he clearly loves, coming home five lengths ahead of favourite Red Opium (Rosie Howarth). Having done his owners Rita Williams and Jackie Teal proud with a total of thirteen point to point wins together with success in the prestigious Heart Of All England Hunter Chase in 2023 the decision was made to end his career on a high and he now heads into an honourable retirement. Winning trainer Jack Teal confessed that it was a bit emotional with winning jockey Lois adding “he’s been a good servant to us”. The win continued the yard’s good run of form following a double at Overton the day before.

The day had opened with a thrilling battle for the Smailes Goldie Members, Subscribers and Farmers race which saw Blue Sans and Joe Wright prevail by a head in a ding dong finish over Sunset On Fire (Rosie Howarth). The winner is owned and trained by Charles and Emma Clark with the runner up being owned by Chris Richardson and it was a fitting conclusion as Charles and Chris, having both just retired after long stints as masters of the host hunt, had put in a great many hours working together to set the course up for the meeting.

Speaking afterwards Charles said “ We got her from Fergal O’Brien. She’s a firm ground horse. She’s difficult in early season but settles after a run”. The win continues the Clarks’ good season who train their small string at home on their farm and the mare was repeating her win in this race last year.

The winning jockey there, Joe Wright, completed a first and last race double when partnering the newcomer Elusive Knight to a stylish success in the Spillers and Trophy Pet Foods Maiden race in memory of Marie Dickenson. Run over the shorter trip of two miles six furlongs and featuring the day’s biggest field of thirteen, the winner seized the initiative some way out and finished strongly to beat Jardin Carre (Pippa Brown) by a very comfortable three lengths. Owned and trained by Anthony Ross, the five year old gelding by Elusive Pimpernel is out of an unraced mare who comes from a family packed with winners and was bought in Ireland as a three year old store. His next appearance will be in the sales ring, hopefully Cheltenham in April. “ He’s a bit raw and green but he’s a lovely horse” commented Anthony afterwards.

Another double came via trainer Will Easterby who sent out two winners in the colours of his mother Sarah. The first of these came in the Peter Ward Homes Conditions race level 2 when Morozov Cocktail, with Will’s brother Tom in the saddle, justified punters’ confidence with a three length defeat of Courting Flow (Christy Furness) at a shade of odds on. The victory didn’t always look assured and but the favourite was strong at the finish coming through to assert late on and relished every yard of the stayers course. “He’s brilliant to train” enthused the winning jockey afterwards “its a real family affair as sister Emily is assistant trainer to Will. Morozov Cocktail is ultra straightforward, he makes me work hard but he’s good when he gets going”.

The Easterby family double was completed in the Agrii Conditions race level 1 which was another run over the shorter two miles six furlongs trip. As they swung round the home bend, passing the magnificent spire of St Mary’s church, five of them could be covered by the proverbial horse blanket. Largy Shark, partnered by trainer Will Easterby, had been at the head of affairs for much of the race and try as his rivals might he repelled all challengers. The nearest pursuer ultimately proved to be another Easterby family horse Pete The Brief ridden by Will’s brother Tom but by the line the gap had grown to three lengths.

After collecting another trophy, winning owner Sarah Easterby said “it was an exciting finish between the two brothers. This is Largy Shark’s first season with us and it has taken us a bit of time to get to know him”.

The ResQ Restricted race fell to one of the day’s longest travellers when Newmarket raider Desert Fortune and Henry Crow got the verdict in a fantastic battle with favourite Great Notions (John Dawson). The pair duelled from some way out and were still locked together on the run in and the race was decided on a bob of heads. The winner is owned and trained by David Bingham and was a first winner for him in either sphere. “It was a very exciting race…….too exciting!” joked a delighted David afterwards who has another three or four other horses at home to hopefully add to the winning tally.

The next meeting of the Yorkshire Area season is the Badsworth and Bramham Moor and York and Ainsty at Askham Bryan College near York on Sunday March 30^th where the first of the six scheduled races is due off at 2pm.