REPORT – MINEHEAD HARRIERS AND WEST SOMERSET (SATURDAY 9TH MAY)

Holnicote point to point course situated at the base of Dunkery Beacon is possibly one of the most idyllic places to spend an afternoon and with some superb racing on offer, spectators were treated to a great day out in the spring sunshine at the Minehead and West Somerset meeting. The ground staff headed by Clerk of the Course Mike Harding and assisted by local trainers Johnson White and Jeremy Scott had produced some beautiful ground and trainers Chris Barber and Paul Nicholls were fulsome in their praise for the condition of the course. Highlights from the day were a brilliant ride from 16 year old Lucas Murphy, a training and riding double for the formidable Chris Barber/Ed Doggrell team and a riding double for Josh Newman.

Lucas Murphy is the son of Grand National winning jockey, Timmy Murphy and has long been catching the eye from the days when he rode in Shetland Pony Grand Nationals. Often in Novice Riders races it pays to side with the rider and in this case Lucas gave a clear indicator of why he is one to watch even causing trainer Paul Nicholls to eulogise on his ability and he was also awarded the Lalors Ride of the Day kindly sponsored by Steph Jones. Galileo Silver set a steady early pace with Emailandy settled by Lucas in fourth for much of the way. With three fences to jump, Lucas squeezed Emailandy up the inside of the leader closely pursued by Barnaby Treneer on Pirates Tale who appeared to be going the better. Barnaby then tried to kick clear but underestimated his opponent and although they came over the last together, Lucas was able to galvanise Emailandy to win by 1.5 lengths. Afterwards, Lucas admitted, “I think we were always going to get there, he was just a bit lazy but his jumping was great all the way round.” Paul quickly added, “He is now for sale and is an ideal schoolmaster for any young jockey out there.”

At the opposite end of the riding spectrum sit the remaining winning jockeys from today, James King, Josh Newman and Ed Doggrell who are 1,2,3 in the National title race and it was the latter two who posted doubles to add to their pressure on James King the current leader. Ed in particular has struck up a great partnership with trainer Chris Barber and their first winner of the day came in the Mixed Open when the highly progressive 6 year old Jewel in the Park finally got to run after several frustrating weekends. The 4 runners were closely matched on paper but it was the younger horse who repaid his trainer’s faith in him running home a 5 length winner from early leader Lavorante and a gallant Ninth Wave not far behind in third. Owned by the Always Broke partnership, a syndicate made up of friends and family of Ed’s, Chris said “he’s an absolute belter of a horse. We had a few niggles early in the season but he’s thriving at the moment so we will probably keep going with him. He is just loving his racing.”

Ed and Chris’ second win came in the Restricted race when the very good looking King’s Affinity shrugged off the opposition to win impressively from Ghost Jury and Eco Pete. Ed was beaming when he returned saying, “He’s a very, very nice horse, jumped beautifully and loved being out in front.” Chris then added “I think he’s probably the nicest youngster I have had in the yard since Famous Clermont. We had an offer on the table before this run so I am hoping that is going to cement it. He has a big future ahead of him I think.”

Another progressive winner on show came in the first when Diamonds and Denim won the maiden having virtually just stepped off the boat from Ireland. Josh Newman has a good team behind him sourcing these types and he ran out a ready winner from Granny Smith and Thief of the Night. Ian Thompson who also owns El Capitaine in the yard bought him to sell on and he certainly looks a nice prospect despite Josh feeling he still had a bit to learn. He would either go to Doncaster Sales or be put on the open market. With a fair second in Ireland also on his CV, he has obvious potential and could prove a good buy.

Josh teamed up in the last with trainer Will Biddick who sent out the first and second in the Intermediate in Dollanstown and Far Out West. For a while it looked like the market had got it wrong and Far Out West did her best to stretch her odds-on stablemate but although they were level over the last, Dollanstown proved the classier and recorded his 4th win of the season for owner Jeremy Hill. This win means he is 17 points clear in both the Wincanton Novice horse title as well as the Brian Armstrong/Pete Mansell Award for Champion Novice within Wessex and West Mercia, a fitting tribute as Holnicote was the late Brian Armstrong’s favourite point to point course.

Barely a Wessex meeting goes by in spring without a Luke Price winner and he duly obliged with Galudon who followed up a win at Cotley to take the Conditions race. James King sent Galudon on at the open ditch and although Getaway Drumlee threw down a serious challenge over the last, Galudon ground out a gritty win and was 3 lengths to the good at the line. A thrilled owner, Mike Owen said, “He’s tough as nails and just doesn’t like getting passed. He’s the same at home up the gallops too.”

The day had started with a charity race which was held in the memory of young Oliver Price and over £3,000 was raised by the four participants which would be split between the Air Ambulance, Exmoor Search & Rescue and Minehead Middle School. With 4 going to post, only one rider had race riding experience but it looked like Maddie Stevens on Love Whisper could make every post a winning one when the mare took a fierce hold from the start. However the pack closed and reeled her in with three furlongs to run and it was 16 year old Imogen Manning (who studies Equine Management at Cannington College) who emerged victorious riding Keith Baylis’ Captain’s Pick who was formerly with Christian Williams. Special mention must go to the evergreen Bathwick Scanno who relished his return to racing under trainer Teresa Clark and they finished a creditable second.