REPORT – QUANTOCK – SATURDAY 12TH MARCH

Last Saturday’s meeting at Cothelstone produced some excellent racing and the judge had to resort to the newly introduced iPad technology to determine a couple of finishes

A double for jockey Martin McIntyre, highly impressive winner for ITV’s Luke Harvey and a memorable first win for jockey Purdy Peaster were just some of the highlights.

It has long been local girl, Purdy Peaster’s dream to ride in point to points (much against her father’s advice) and following her debut at Badbury Rings last month, she belied her inexperience to collar odds-on favourite, Molineaux on the line in the opening Hunt member’s race. The tacky ground following overnight rain possibly contributed to the favourite being caught having led from the start with market rival Footloose sitting in his slipstream. Purdy sat quietly in third place and galvanising Rocheston over the last, produced a perfectly timed finish to rapturous applause from her local fan club. Rocheston had won a hurdle race for Paul Nicholls but had disappointed afterwards including when moved to Tom George, for whom both Purdy and trainer Tom Doggrell work. There were huge cheers in the winner’s enclosure when the result was announced and this combination should continue to build on this first success together.

The Mares maiden race was divided and the first division went to the regally bred Miss May Hill who is a half-sister to none other than the mighty Shishkin. Following a nice introduction when second in a bumper at Barbury in December, the Clive Bennett owned and bred mare looked like she may have had cause for concern when Campsie Linn headed her going to the second last only for that rival to blunder and the jockey lost his irons necessitating pulling up. However jockey Tommie O’Brien who was aboard the winner felt he was always going to win. For trainer Lucy Smith it was a huge relief and she said “there’s been a lot of pressure on with her being a half-sister to Shishkin and it’s lovely to win with her. She’s far and away the best I have in the yard.” Plans were undecided for her next outing. The second division was slightly faster and went to Will Biddick on the diminutive Rocktreerunner who may have been dwarfed by others in the paddock but was very professional throughout the race, jumping well. Owners Kevin Corcoran and Chris Weare were present to see this half-sister to the prolific Bitofapuzzle, a 7-time winner for Harry Fry, win. She is by Saddler’s Rock for whom it is believed she was a first point to point winner and she could be one to follow.

The Mixed Open was run over three and a half miles for the first time and was an eventful contest. Eight runners went to post but with Cristal Spirit refusing to race and Chameron continuing with his jumping errors and unseating at the second, three more unseated and it was left to Gran Paradiso and Broadclyst to produce the tightest finish of the day with the favourite Beau du Brizlais crying enough between the last two fences. Once again the judge had to resort to his iPad and while Grand Paradiso was eventually given as the winner under jockey Martin McIntyre, the second’s connections can rightly be proud of both their horse and jockey too. Gran Paradiso has a rather unusual point to point pedigree being by Galileo out of a Storm Cat mare herself a half-sister to Derby winner Ruler of the World and Duke of Marmalade and he also started his career with Aidan O’Brien. While he may not have quite had the ability for that establishment, he certainly has toughness in abundance. Owned by the Barrow Racing Club made up of friends of Will Shields, step-father to trainer Bea Coward, Gran Paradiso had won at Charing earlier the season and couldn’t get a blow in behind impressive winner Rose of Arcadia last time.

The Restricted race can often throw up a future star and Luke Harvey brought Spanish Jump who had so impressed at Millborne St Andrew in January. James King always had the 6-year old well placed and he cruised into the lead with half a mile to run to win unchallenged. Bought from Jonjo O’Neill’s yard after three placed efforts under Rules, the horse, now known himself as “Jonjo” once again showed what a shrewd purchase he was by Luke. A jubilant Luke explained that ordinarily he would not have run him on ground as soft but due to work commitments at Cheltenham next week, he had no option as he rides him out at home and this meant the horse could have an easy week. In addition he confessed “I promised to take my fiancée, Charlotte to watch her beloved Crystal Palace play in the FA Cup quarter final next weekend so that ruled out a run then!” Charlotte herself had played a part in the horse’s education by taking him cross country schooling.

The Conditions race went to Rio Quinto who followed up his win at Badbury Rings under George Hiscock for owner/trainer Tacky MacGregor. Tacky explained how much the horse, who was formerly with Olly Murphy, was enjoying himself pointing. Known as “The Dinosaur” at home due to his size, he was led up by Natalie Craig who also rides him at home. Natalie had never ridden racehorses before having been a dressage rider and according to Tacky “loves Rio Quinto to bits!”

The finale was a maiden and this went to the 4 year old Top Target (completing Martin McIntyre’s double) who was making his debut for the Chris Barber stable having run once in Ireland. Handily placed throughout the race, he took up the running three fences from home and coasted in by a facile 17 lengths with his ears pricked. Although Chris admitted he was still a bit weak, he looks a nice genuine sort who could now go to the sales and on this appearance he should attract plenty of interest.