REPORT – SEAVINGTON (SUNDAY 19TH APRIL)

A pleasant day weather-wise plus some good racing on offer ensured that spectators enjoyed a second visit this season to the course at Cotley on Sunday. Highlights on the day included a first time win for 16 year old Stanley Dixon on the Philip Hobbs trained Tiny Tetley, a classy win for Will Biddick’s Dollanstown, a riding double for Josh Newman and a third course win for crowd favourite, Ninth Wave.

Young Stanley Dixon hails from a family steeped in racing and pointing, his father Ben having ridden this course for the legendary John Dufosee so it was fitting that all were present to see him record his first ever winner on Tiny Tetley for his boss, Philip Hobbs in the Mixed Open. Sent off the outsider of three, the combination had got no further than the first on their previous start when an exuberant Tiny Tetley took off too soon and parted company with his young pilot. Sensibly settling his mount in third position, Stanley bided his time in rear and despite occasionally looking outpaced, he didn’t panic and produced him with a perfectly timed run to win going away by 7 lengths from Shang Tang and Beacon Edge. A thrilled Sarah and Philip Hobbs, fresh from their Scottish Grand National triumph, greeted the pair as they returned to the winner’s enclosure. Stanley has worked full-time for the yard since the beginning of the season and was given the opportunity to ride Tiny Tetley when Philip felt the horse needed a confidence boost after making a serious mistake in a chase at Ludlow. Philip when asked about the Cothelstone mishap laughed and said, “One of those things but at least he’s done better than me here today! I rode a horse that my Dad bought for £200 and not only did it try to not start but when I rounded the bend to go up the hill, the horse slammed his brakes on and refused to go!”

A horse that has the opposite opinion of Cotley is Teresa Clark’s pride and joy, Ninth Wave who she admitted actually smiles when he arrives at the course. Owned by Peter and Kathy Musgrave, he was a winner of the Men’s Open at the last meeting, and “Trev” as he is known at home, was in his element bossing the Novice rider’s race under Jack Stenhouse who has struck up a good partnership with the horse. Always in the front rank, Ninth Wave won a shade cosier than the bare result of 2 lengths and led Jack to say afterwards, “That’s the best he has ever felt! He’s an absolute legend and so easy to ride. I had so much left in the tank and the quicker the ground, the better he is.” Teresa added, “He just loves this course and seems to be thriving this year. I have moved yards and now have access to turnout which he loves but only when he is with the right horse – in this case he’s keen on Granny Smith who ran earlier. He actually got a bit stressy when she went off to run and we had to keep walking him near others for company until she came back!”

The Restricted looked a nice race on paper but Will Biddick’s Dollanstown stood out in the paddock and he cruised home to a comfortable 7 length victory under Josh Newman from market rival, Skeeter Rock who made plenty of jumping errors. The shape of the race changed when Slide Rule fell bringing down early leader One Tree Hill and although Ed Doggrell chased the eventual winner, Dollanstown there was only going to be one result. Will was unsure where he would go next but added, “He’s had a fairly long season but is very versatile ground wise so I will have a think after I have chatted to owner, Jeremy Hill” (who was absent). Deputising in that role was Len Vickery who made sure that the post-race celebrations were up to standard with plenty of vocal encouragement!

The opening Maiden race saw 2 go to post with Fran Poste’s Laudable sent off the favourite. They went a decent gallop and although his opponent Freddie Fleetfoot did his best to get on terms, Laudable was able to assert easily to win by 10 lengths. Connections were absent but the gelding comes from a decent French family and now he has broken his maiden following two good seconds at Kingston Blount and Siddington, he should progress onto better things especially with the drying conditions clearly helping. The second maiden was won by Buyitdirect in good fashion cementing the promise he had shown at the previous meeting when just failing to get up on the line. Winning jockey, Walter Barnett said “He felt like the winner the whole way round. Jumped and travelled really well and so when I gave him a squeeze, it was easy.” Richard Denning who owns the gelding with Nigel Mackenzie, had only arrived back from New Zealand on Thursday having previously jointly owned others such as Steel Express and Lawsons Thorns in the yard. Trainer Mike Vanstone said, “They are my most loyal owners! I bought the horse at Doncaster Sales and although he had run in Ireland, he’s still growing and needed some time. I will add that Walter gave him a brilliant ride here and we might head to Holnicote next.”

The finale was another two horse race, and the admirable grey Talimar Pearl provided Josh Newman with his second winner of the day after he proved too good for his other opponent, Reiver’s Court who looked a picture in the paddock. Josh made virtually all the running on David Churches’ gelding and although Reivers Court moved upsides after one circuit, he found the tight turn difficult to negotiate and Josh seized the opportunity quickly putting the race to bed after injecting some pace. He clearly enjoyed his outing here and looks certain to win again before the season is finished