REPORT – MENDIP FARMERS’ – SUNDAY 19TH MARCH

Bradley Gibbs has had a week he will never forget and he capped his triumph at Cheltenham on Friday with a dominant display at Ston Easton on Sunday. A large crowd enjoyed six good races on a dry and sunny spring afternoon where the other highlights were a riding double for Chloe Emsley, both trained by Ed Walker, the introduction of a promising 4 year old from the Christopher Barber stable and a very popular success for local owner Pat Bryant and trainer Caroline Keevil.

Bradley was warmly congratulated by many racegoers on his success at Cheltenham with Premier Magic who he reported was fine after his exertions. Fier Jaguen who missed a Hunter Chase outing at Leicester when that meeting was abandoned never saw a rival in the Men’s Open race and coasted home from Luke Harvey’s Notre Pari ridden by James King. Describing the gelding as ‘the slowest horse at home’ Bradley added that he ‘has plenty of toe on the racecourse’ and is able to race at any distance between two and three miles. Watched by his owner Julian Sheriff and Bradley’s father David, who had now come out of hospital having missed the Hunter Chase at Cheltenham, a party to celebrate both victories was now imminent. Bradley confirmed that the next outing for the winner would be the Aintree Foxhunters in April.

There was something of a surprise result in the Ladies Open when Born Survivor, ridden by Chloe Emsley, beat Caid du Berlais ridden by Natalie Parker thus ending the latter’s unbeaten point to point record which had extended to ten successive victories. Caid du Berlais set off to make every yard of the running with Chloe biding her time and sitting behind her rival until making a move after the third last and then staying on strongly to prevail by two lengths. Chloe had every confidence in her mount having built a good partnership together and added that ‘if he likes you then he is prepared to work with you’ The form of the Coronation Gold Cup was certainly franked by this performance and the winner is likely to be aimed for a Hunter Chase at Cheltenham in May.

Chloe brought up her double when steering Stuart Jarrett’s mare Glancing Glory to a three lengths victory over Aclassagold ridden by James King in the Restricted race. Bought at Doncaster in May last year by Polly Walker for £5000 out of Kim Bailey’s stable, Stuart was delighted to enjoy a change of fortune with the mare who had already been runner up twice this season. She should be able to progress through the ranks.

Another owner to appreciate a change in fortune was Arron Butterfield who not only trains but also rides Footloose who was successful in the opening Conditions Race. Taking up the running from the twelfth fence and despite giving weight to his three rivals he stayed on strongly to beat Frankly Speaking ridden by Kaitlin Perks. Greeting the winner with the words ‘Happy Days’ Arron’s father Alex explained that the gelding had been given a quiet week after his efforts at Cothelstone the week before when that race had not been run to Footloose’s strengths. Arron was securing his sixth career victory on board this gelding who is likely to have a break for 3 weeks or so before his next appearance.

Christopher Barber introduced a promising sort in the three runner Maiden race for four and five year olds in the form of Move with the Beat ridden by James King. None of the runners had previously jumped a fence in public but despite jumping left on some occasions the winner had too much in hand from There’s Claude ridden by Chloe Emsley. Bought by his trainer at Doncaster store sale last May, the Doyen gelding may be going to the sales after this success and describing him as ‘my best four year old in training’ he is sure to attract a lot of attention from potential buyers.

There was a very popular winner for the final race the Open Maiden when A Tipple or Two ridden by Chad Bament held off the strong challenge of Fusionice ridden by Martin McIntyre, by half a length. Owned by Pat Bryant and trained by Caroline Keevil the mare had previously been runner up six times in the past and she was starting to be the permanent bridesmaid. However the hard working Chad was determined to secure his first outside victory on her and his third career success as Caroline greeted her in the winner’s enclosure with the words ‘At last!’. Bred out of a mare that Caroline had trained under rules when she had a public license she was delighted with the victory.