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MARBLEHEAD: Winner of the first National Classic this season
photo: Jackie Oliver

It was fitting that the sun shone at Dunthrop on what was to be the final afternoon's racing at the 29-year-old course.

The meeting was well supported with 94 runners across the scheduled seven-race card, resulting in a division of the Open Maiden. A bumper crowd was in attendance despite the cold wind, the biggest this meeting has seen for many years. Official going was described as ‘good, good to firm in places'.

The feature of the day was the first of this season's four National ‘Classic' races - the Lord Ashton of Hyde's Cup - with Marblehead dictating proceedings in the final circuit, staying on well to secure a one length victory from King Of The Road. The ten-year-old dual Hunter Chase winner missed last season but looked rejuvenated as he gave jockey Mark Wall his sixth winner of the campaign. It was the grey's fifth success between the flags, his first coming in the Maiden at this very same meeting in 2008. Trainer Jelly O'Brien was quick to point out the mastermind behind the success: "Mark [Wall] has been nagging Jim [Collett] for three years now to run him in this race. He's the instigator of this win."

Upton Springs made all to win the AGA Ladies Open, run over 3m5f70y. Although held by Kicks For Free on her seasonal debut at Barbury in December, the mare went off as an odds-on favourite in the race she won last year. The determined owner/rider/trainer Sarah-Jayne Davies was thrilled that the eleven-year-old had got back to winning ways: "She's jumped them into submission today. She's only got one gear but it's a good one!"

A thorough stayer, the mare was recording her ninth career success and Davies confirmed this season would follow a similar pattern to the last: "The long term-plan is the AGA Final at Cheltenham again. I think we'll have a local area campaign in Ladies Opens until May." Second at Cheltenham last year, Davies thinks this will be her "last year riding" and it would be fitting to see her go out on a high.

Tom Weston showed perfect judgement in guiding Chiquilline to an impressive victory in the 2m4f Maiden. The six-year-old, displaying promise when second at Larkhill fifteen days previously, clearly possesses a turn of foot.

The Oxfordshire course is certainly a lucky place for owner Tessa Blazey. She was paying her first (and last) visit to Dunthrop since 1996, when she rode Sirisat to win the Ladies Open. Although Tessa prepared Chiquilline for his first run of the season at Chaddesley, she sent him to Tom Lacey's Cottage Field Stables after he unseated his rider. "He's got a few little quirks but Tom has done wonders," she said.

Sixteen-year-old jockey James Martin secured his first winner in only his fourth ride as Trifollet went on by twenty lengths to win the first division of the 3m Maiden. His father, Andy, a successful jockey and trainer in his own right, is overjoyed his son is keen to follow in his footsteps: "It's nice to have children who are interested. He probably gave her too much to do at Larkhill but today he's kept her handy and she's done the business."

Andy, whose wife Julia trains the mare, said that Hunter Chases may be on the horizon for the seven-year-old: "We might send her Hunter Chasing. It depends what's available to us. She's a lovely horse - she stays all day." James was already excited about a possible winner under Rules after breaking his duck in Points: "We'll get her into some harder work than what she's been in; I think she's ready for Hunter Chases now."

The second division provided Karen O'Neill with a surprise birthday present. The Herefordshire trainer saddled Rock And Ska to win by six lengths under James Ridley. O'Neill, clearly shocked with how well the seven-year-old had performed, said: "My daughter's ridden him hunting all season. That's literally all he's done, he's hardly touched a gallop."

After being runner-up last season, Menelaus went one better in the Hunt Members. Trained by Joan Johnston near Brackley, the eleven-year-old gradually made up ground under Matt Smith on eventual second Karasakal.

The last two races of the afternoon resulted in a huge 883/1 double.

Twocute took the Novice Riders event much to the amazement of the Dando family. Trainer David was almost lost for words after the race: "It was a very big shock. He's not very quick but he stays."

Although a novice with only two wins prior to the race, his son, Charlie, showed his experience as he pinched the inside from Brodie-Jade Hampson aboard Spare Change on the final turn. Charlie's sister, Lucy, had bought Twocute for herself to ride last season but that plan failed to materialize. Charlie, thankful to get the opportunity, commented: "I'm an apprentice farrier now so I don't get to ride out much."

With a previous career record of one win in 34 starts, the odds of 33/1 about Twocute were more than appropriate.

Newcomer Lewis Gordon caught the eye aboard Gypsy Mark to win the Restricted race and took the honour of being the last jockey to ride a winner at Dunthrop. The gelding was ninth at Cottenham in December but produced a much improved performance following a successful wind operation last week. "They went flat out from the start at Cottenham and he got left a bit but the hills helped him today as he could get a breather," said Gordon, finishing strongly to hold off Bright Decision by ¾ length in what was only his second ever race ride.

The seventeen-year-old spent six months with Nicky Henderson before joining the Masons in August. "We thought he had a good chance today. Peter [Mason] has very kindly given me this horse to ride and I can't thank him enough for that, hopefully he can go on a bit more," added Gordon. The triumph meant that Peter Mason is now the leading trainer in the South Midlands area this season.

The Heythrop hunt will continue to stage meetings at Aldsworth, near Burford. A new course is being prepared but it is, as yet, unconfirmed when the course will first welcome horses. A temporary venue for next season's meeting is a possible outcome.

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