24 March 2010 Report: Mendip Farmers - Ston Easton
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
Napolitain (Ryan Bliss) wore down 4/7F Mustangsallyrally (Nick Williams) to take the Mens Open at Ston Easton. Mustangsallyrally looked the winner throughout most of the last mile, but Napolitain wouldn't go away and finally gained the advantage on the flat.
"He's our first horse and first winner", beamed Bruton owner-trainers Rose and Sam Loxton. "I used to ride him at Paul Nicholls', but he broke down in the Scottish National three years ago and Andy Stewart gave him to me when I offered the horse a good home", added Rose, who currently looks after dual-World Hurdle winner Big Buck's and Grand National candidate Tricky Trickster at the Champion Trainer's Ditcheat yard. "I go home at lunchtime to exercise him, but Sam feeds him in the mornings and evenings and did the work while I was at Cheltenham on Thursday and Friday".
Ask Again recorded the day's only sub-six minute time in the Ladies Open. Sent straight into the lead by trainer Sarah West, Ask Again quickly had most of his rivals toiling and stayed on resolutely from last year's winner Coombe Hill, who never quite got on terms. "Ask Again is stabled at Helen Barber's in Ditcheat and his only neighbour, In The Circle, won at Siddington yesterday. We'll have a yard celebration tonight", smiled Sarah.
Coombe Hill's trainer-rider Charlotte Tizzard gained compensation on Kings Bitter, who came from well off the pace to land the Restricted. "We didn't think he would run again when he broke down two years ago", admitted Avon Vale Point-to-Point Secretary Robert Fear, who bred the 8yo out of six-time winning Point-to-Pointer Panda Shandy.
First-time winners took the other three races. Bruton Girls' School pupil Sarah Gould, 17, returned from injury to open her account on her father John's Doncaster purchase Gabor, who made all in the Hunt race. "Sarah broke her arm at Milborne St Andrew five weeks ago", explained John. "She had the cast removed on Thursday and said ‘That's that, I'm going to ride on Sunday'", he added, admiring his daughter's determination.
Second season Maiden Bradley trainer Camilla Baylis got off the mark with her boss William Harrison-Allan's Shooters Wood, who regained the lead after being headed on the flat by Aironageestring in the 2m 4f Maiden. "We've about 25 thoroughbreds at Baycliffe Farm including broodmares and I break and pre-train the youngsters before they go to trainers including Brian Meehan and Charlie Mann", said Camilla. Jockey Rob Lee was pleased that his mount fought back on the run-in - he had galloped and schooled the runner-up for trainer-rider Chloe Roddick the previous day.
Richard Barber introduced a nice prospect when 4yo That'lldoboy took the 2m 4f Maiden under Ryan Mahon. Bought at Doncaster in May, That'lldoboy was a first pointing success for Stanton Drew owners Kelston and Kathleen Sparkes, who have horses under Rules with Paul Nicholls.
