“Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun”….. Richard III, William Shakespeare 1564-1616
You are spot on Mr Shakespeare. After the disappointing memories of the postponements and cancellations of the wet spring, we were blessed with a perfect afternoon with Exmoor seen at its best. Local pointing enthusiasts were out in force enjoying competitive point-to-point racing with a massive crowd basking in warm sunshine.
A total of 45 runners lined up for the six races which featured a double for champion novice jockey Ed Vaughan, plus one of the best Ladies’ Opens seen in the area this season
The Vaughan lorry clocked up another 280 miles to add to numerous trips up and down the UK this season, and the visit to Bratton Down was amply rewarded.
Tim Vaughan’s Glamorgan qualified State of Fame successfully upgraded to Intermediate company, but had to pull out all the stops to catch Champions Hill on the line in the race sponsored by Moore Scarrott. “He had lost his form on the soft ground after winning at Great Trethew. I just wanted him to settle just behind today and he did it well,” said Vaughan the younger.
Ringsend John completed Ed Vaughan’s double in the colours of Luke Price. The strong gelding led his ten rivals a merry dance in the Witheridge Garage Restricted, jumping soundly and comfortably holding Maple Leaf. The eight-year-old is likely to have a future under rules. 16-year-old Vaughan was partnering his 30th winner of the season, equalling the record total for a novice set by James Bowen in 2017.
Anna Johnston is the champion lady novice rider this year and partnered John Dorse’s Walkin Out to win the Greenslade Taylor Hunt Ladies’ Open after a sustained battle on the run in with the Jo Supple ridden His Own Star. Lakota Warrior and Ella Herbison took their six rivals along at a strong pace and were still in with a chance at the last, but on the steep climb to the judge the winner and runner up raced clear, locked together like prize fighters. Walkin Out got the verdict, cleared of any interference after a brief steward’s enquiry.
The gallant Ninth Wave is a Bratton Down specialist and took the ucanstore.com Mens’ Open to notch his fifth win on this track, drawing clear of Len Brennan and Slievegar from the final bend. Owned by Peter and Kathy Musgrave, the ten-year-old was gaining his 11th point-to-point success. He is one of only two horses stabled with Teresa Clark on the Quantocks and was ridden by Callum Pritchard. “This was the hardest race he has had. He was never really travelling but is so game and we never looked like being beaten,” reported the rider who will be turning conditional at the end of July.
Josh Newman has also brought a National title to the West Country this year. The Woolminstone handler is the leading trainer in the category of 15 horses plus and saddled and rode Holiday Fund to win the Maiden. The five-year-old looked to have a lot to do round the final bend, but stayed on in impressive style to catch Whatchagotder (Sean O’Connor) in the dying strides. “We bought him from Sean Doyle. It was too soft for him on his two runs in Ireland but he is progressing nicely. He is for sale,” said Kayley Woollacott who runs the ownership group The Blackmore Racing Club.
Diligent made all to win the Winston Pincombe Land Rovers Hunt race in the hands of Shannon Holmes. The 11-year-old runs in the colours of The Devon Diamond Friends and is trained by the rider’s grandmother Mary Sanderson who said. “We took the gag off and used a bar bit today. Shannon gave him a good, positive ride.” The 18-year-old jockey, who has ridden Diligent to both his wins this season, is based with Nigel Hawke.