The Dartmoor Foxhounds hosted the meeting on Easter Saturday, at the stunning Flete Park location, where a huge family crowd were treated to an exiting days racing.
With weather conditions ideal for countryside events, the organisers and assisted team, had put in a huge effort to make racing safe for the horses and jockeys entered.
The four-mile Mixed Open race, sponsored by The Gun Room, was the feature of the day and didn’t disappoint, with five quality entries. Jockey James Dawkins rode a cunning race on top rated Raddon Top, who was sent off 4-1 at the start. Knowing the horse was a good stayer, James held Raddon Top up behind the others, making his move down the final hill, overtaking the favourite Young Buck under Rian Cocoran, and Drop Flight, another who was fancied under leading jockey Josh Newman. James Dawkins took up the running over the last on Raddon Top who had stayed on well, going on to win nicely. Quoting afterwards, “Mum trains and owns him, he was not happy early on, until I overtook the 4th horse, then he stayed on, pricked his ears and was away.” Trainer and joint owner Lara Pope quoted “I bought him from Sue Trump for James to ride, who is now in the middle of his A-Levels, plans are to come back here in two-weeks, we are going for leading Veteran title.”
The day started with the Bartons Solicitors Restricted race, with seven entries. Noble Blue, under Josh Newman, was sent off the 6/4 favourite, with entry Fongs Way under Rian Cocoran, second favourite. It was a fast run race with Fongs Way leading until the final ditch, where he looked to slip and crash out over the wing. Thankfully horse and jockey were both uninjured. This left a battle between Noble Blue, Conor’s Gift and Kakadu Park. With Noble Blue and Josh Newman leading over two fences out and going on to win. “I’m glad for him to be back on track, this was the right opportunity to bring him here.” quoted trainer/ jockey Josh. Syndicate part owner Rose Vickery was thrilled, explaining “Kayley found him for us in Ireland in December, we hope he will go on and win an Intermediate.” with Josh Newman adding “We are glad for him to be back on track, like a few he didn’t like the heavy going at the previous meeting, and it was the right opportunity to bring him here.”
Following on was the Artemis Morgan Totnes & Bridgetown Races Grass Roots Conditions race, with seven entries. Doc Carver was sent off favourite, but it was Jubertilee for trainer Emma Summersby and jockey Rian Cocoran scoring here. With Jubertilee held up until two fences from home, then sent into the lead coming away ahead of Caspers Court in second. Jubilant jockey Rian Cocoran, who has a good lead in the Mens Novice Championship, and works between David Pipes yard along with Emma and Dean Summersby’s stated “He ran his race at start and was a bit wound up, but is genuine.” Owner Mike Bickell added “He is named after my grandson Bertie, having bought him at the time of the Queens jubilee.”
In the Luscombe Maye-sponsored Maiden race, four runners were sent off at the start, with all jumping really well, with the battle on down the hill between What’s Up Harry and Blazing Littern. It was What’s Up Harry who stayed on the better, under jockey Ed Vaughan, coming home the impressive winner and improving on his recent Buckfastleigh run. Delighted trainer, Ed Rees stated “It’s Mum and Dad’s first home bred winner, and my second trained winner in seven days, making up for a tough time we have had recently.”
It was the first of a double on the day for jockey Ed Vaughan, who then rode Mourzouk in the Elizabeth May Memorial Conditions race. Being held up by the jockey early on, Mourzouk was produced three fences from home, battling out the finish with Grangeclare Glory, getting up to win by half-a-length. Mouzouck’s trainer Tim Vaughan stated “He lost his way under rules, so we gave him a spin pointing and Ed gave him a lovely ride.”
Finally up was the Slates & Ladders Roofing three mile Maiden race, in which was well supported with eight runners. This gave jockey Josh Newman his double of wins for the day, riding Banzigkane in this race. Another shrewd ridden race, the horse was held up and produced down the final hill, taking up the lead over last fence going onto win by a length. Delighted owner Caroline Furze, who is a farmers wife and secretary of the Eggesford, stated “I bought him from Alan Walters, originally i used to load him up and take him to trainer Sarah Dennis’s, and I really couldn’t do without Sarah, Tim and Jill’s help with what they have done with him whilst he has been there.” with jockey Josh Newman adding “I am very thankful for the ride as his normal jockey Jake Bament is off at the moment, It’s always nice to ride an experienced maiden.”
The next meeting at the super scenic track at Flete Park, takes place on Saturday 3rd May.