25 March 2008 North Cotswold - Paxford
Marblehead: the first leg of a double at the meeting for Fergal O'Brien
Naunton's Fergal O'Brien consolidated his position at the top of the trainer's table with a double at Mondays North Cotswold meeting at Paxford.
He took the first two races on the card with Marblehead and Jaunty Journey both scoring easy victories in their respective races.
Just four runners faced the starter in the Members Race but this was quickly reduced to three when Norwich Country parted company with Guy Disney at the second. The only possible challenge to Marblehead disappeared when Ran Morgan pulled up View Hollo approaching the 10th.
Taddington owner Sue Collett and O'Brien were back in the winners enclosure shortly afterwards when they took the Intermediate with Jaunty Journey. The winner was left in splendid isolation when Oscar Royal made a bad mistake and stumbled on landing after the 13th.
The biggest cheers of the day were reserved for Brooking's win in the 8-year-olds and over Maiden. The horse is co-owned by the meeting secretaries Robert and Belinda Symonds from Willesley and Jeremy Hulme.
Brooking's victory provided a first success on his very first ride for 23-year-old Dominic Ruane who joked afterwards that he "was going to retire now!"
The jockey is based near Bourton on the Water and comes from an eventing background but must have been impressing Guiting Power trainer Sarah Stafford to be offered the ride.
Ruane showed the coolness normally associated with more experienced jockeys by delivering his ‘coup de grace' at the final obstacle which allowed his mount to stroll clear to claim a well deserved success.
Stratford-on-Avon based Jack Watson scored his second success when High Rank saw off the persistent challenge of Hambaphambili during the closing stages of the Men's Open.
