07 April 2009 Report: West Somerset Vale - Cothelstone
GENERAL BLACKTHORN: wins for the first time in 2009
Minehead jockey Matt Griffiths and Bratton Fleming trainer Rachel Jones took the honours with doubles at Cothelstone, where the crowd enjoyed eight races and watched the Grand National live on a Big Screen, along with other action from Aintree.
Matt kicked off with New Mill Moll, a second-ever training success for Charlton Adam ex-jockey Jimmy White after Imperial Sun's Littlewindsor win six days previously. Owned by Dougie Legg and Jimmy's father, Chris White, New Mill Moll got the better of longtime leader Shrewd Dude (Richard Hawker) entering the straight. Matt rode his seventh winner of the season - one behind Toby Greenall in the National Novices' table - on King's Wood in the Dodson & Horrell PPORA Novice Riders' race. A sixth winner of the season for Bampton trainer Ashley Farrant, King's Wood forged clear from the far corner to make it three wins in his last four appearances.
Rachel Jones turned out her first-ever winners when Mister Legend (Josh Guerriero) and Midnight Marine (Sam Allwood) took both divisions of the 3-mile Maiden, which was split at declaration. Mister Legend collared pacemaker Magical Flight (Richard Hawkins) on the flat. Midnight Marine was clear a long way out and coasted home from his eight rivals.
Dave Mansell reached the 25-winner mark for the season on Another Alliance in the Restricted. "I felt the best ground was on the inside and stayed there throughout", said Dave, who had paint marks on his left boot to prove his point.
Ewar Finch, trained by Julie Pocock for Stringston owners Ray and Margaret Richards, jumped back into the lead at the last to take the 2m 4f Maiden (Division 1). "She was caught on the run-in here in March, so Charlotte and I agreed we'd keep a bit in reserve and it's works perfectly", said Julie.
Mixed Open winner General Blackthorn (Michael Green) delighted his Witham Friary owner-trainer Norman Crouch. "I bred him from my own stallion General Gambul and mare Miss Blackthorn, who's 30 now, and I still hunt him at 83", beamed Norman.
Ryan Bliss went into double figures for the season on Ray Barrow's Hunt race winner, Murdol. The winner asserted four out and was already well clear when Sam Allwood pulled up sole rival Eliipop before the last.
