REPORT: SINNINGTON AT DUNCOMBE PARK – SATURDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2020

The Sinnington made it third time lucky and put in a tremendous effort in staging their meeting at Duncombe Park, Helmsley. The weather relented enough through the afternoon to allow racing to take place, and many people enjoyed the heated bar and live coverage of the meeting, at which the first point-to-point bumper in Yorkshire was held. Both Will Easterby and Joe Wright recorded doubles on the day, with the latter ending the afternoon with an impressive performance in the aforementioned bumper.

The opening Hunt Members’ race gave Joe Wright the first half of his double, as Snow Castle rallied strongly to deny Will Easterby and Greensalt. The latter looked to have the race won, but a strong finish from the Guy Brewer-trained eight-year-old saw him get up close home.

The Novice Riders’ race got owner-trainer Tom Sowersby off to a flying start as he saddled the 13-year-old Big Sound to victory. Tom acquired the son of Supreme Sound from his previous yard of Gill Walford last summer and has produced his first training success after only starting to ride last February. He was piloted to good effect by Lyall Hodgins, who currently works for trainer Nicky Richards and was recording only his second victory in the saddle. Tom, who hopes to build on his small string in time, works for his parents’ cleaning supplies company and fits in training Big Sound between work. The winner had to dig deep under his young pilot as he and the favourite Port Melon fought it out all the way up the run-in; however, the winner was gutsy and held on.

Will Easterby never leaves Duncombe Park without a winner and his first victory of the afternoon came courtesy of Panthers Creek (pictured) in the Restricted. Previously trained in Ireland, where he won his Maiden and then finished runner-up in a Tipperary hunter chase, he’s shown very little since coming to these shores; however, the application of blinkers looks to have revived some of his old form. “He’s a lovely big horse, but he’s been disappointing since we got him,” said Will. “We tried blinkers today which seemed to work, although it wasn’t a great race, next time will be the test.” Will hopes his charge can now build on this performance, the pair having made all the running with only Buzzkillbob (Leah Cooper) a threat after the last.

Although the Mixed Open featured only four runners, it was still a competitive event, Black River, Cup Final and One Conemara all fought it out in a bunched finish, but it would be the first-named who would find the most near the line and stretch on to win. “He needed the run at Alnwick and I think he’ll be aimed at the Grimthorpe Gold Cup,” said his trainer-rider Will Easterby. That race which could see all three of these reoppose in a month’s time at Sheriff Hutton, with runner-up Cup Final also having Yorkshire’s feature race as a target.

In the Confined, Six A Side continued his long run of consistent efforts for trainer-rider Will Milburn and just got up on the line to beat the Dale Peters-trained and -ridden The Unmentionable, with Things Change in third. “He had some niggly problems behind last year but touch wood our vet Charlie Cook seems to have fixed him,” said Will. “I was sure the ground would be too soft for him, but he’s tough!” Six A Side was recording his third victory from five runs at Duncombe Park and could turn out again next week at Charm Park depending on how he takes his race.

Without a doubt, the most impressive performance of the day came in the Open Maiden with trainer-rider Jack Teal steering Daly An Sceil to an impressive victory. The pair had only Trap For Fools (Will Easterby) to fend off but it was clear sailing from the second-last as they eased down near the line. “She came from Ireland from our usual source,” said Jack. “We’ve had to work on her jumping, but she had good Flat form.” The winner had run only once over hurdles, when tailed off, but Jack’s string is in fantastic form at the moment and he continues to turn out progressive-looking youngsters. Ballygown Bay (Natalya Irvine) finished second, whilst Trap For Fools looks a four-year-old to follow; he was making his debut and served it up to the winner for a long way.

The final race was the first bumper to be staged in Yorkshire and was well-supported. Ten runners went to post and it was the four-year-old Twist About who surged up the run-in to get up close home and beat the Gary Rutherford-trained Star of Markinch. Piloted by Joe Wright, who was completing his double, and trained by Steph Easterby, this home-bred son of Phoenix Reach produced a very likeable performance and will no doubt be winning again. “He put up 7lb overweight, but we didn’t mind because we knew he was a good horse,” said Mick Easterby, who was present to watch his daughter-in-law’s winner. Walk With Kings was well-fancied for Will Easterby’s yard and the first three home could all have bright futures.