A damp and drizzly day did not deter either a decent crowd or those trainers keen to run on the new course at South Hill, just outside Dulverton...
Organisers had done a great job getting the course ready in time and were rewarded with some excellent racing, trebles for jockey Darren Edwards and trainer Dean Summersby and a first win for young Jack Instance on the aptly named Aheadfullofdreams.
The standout moment of the day came in the Novice Riders race when Aheadfullofdreams won by a wide margin to give his young pilot a first win. Always dictating the race, the gelding thoroughly relished his front running role, and the result was never in doubt. Sixteen-year-old Jack had long dreamt of being a jockey having been so obsessed with horses he used to make his non-horsey parents drive past the local Lloyds Bank so he could look at the black sign. Eighteen months ago, he posted a request on Facebook that he was looking to ride out at a yard and trainer Dean Summersby was tagged. Dean found a horse for Jack in Aheadfullofdreams purchased from the Skelton yard as a suitable schoolmaster and while his parents, Harvey and Claire, had owned horses before this was their first winner and it was proved a very emotional one. Currently doing his GCSEs, Jack will be attending the British Racing School in August and will then go to David Pipe’s.
The first race of the day, the Hunt Members, proved to be a welcome tonic for trainer Keith Cummings whose daughter Jo had been in hospital and was due to be allowed home today. His Dr Rhythm had suffered a heavy fall last time at Exeter but apart from disagreeing with jockey Josh Newman at the open ditch put in a more confident round to beat sole rival McNamara’s Band. Josh allowed Dr Rhythm to lead throughout and although Kiana James-Thomas tried to make a race of it, the winner was always going better.
The Maiden race attracted 6 runners but despite favourite Meditur looking menacing at one point, the final half mile found him out and he faded into third behind Catch the Monarch under Darren Edwards and Flash Gorcombe who had been held up under Josh Newman as the rain started to open up the ground. The winner had been purchased by trainer Dean Summersby a few weeks previously from Ireland where he had run three times failing to complete on much softer ground. Darren explained that the ex-Irish gelding was very straightforward and with Dean wishing to sell him on now privately, he could prove a nice pointer to get involved with.
The Mixed Open had attracted some quality not least the season’s current leading horse, Southfield Theatre who had been pulled out the day before at Chilfrome. Darren Edwards however riding Sykes for trainer Nicky Martin was determined to spoil the party and stalked the favourite as he bowled along in front. Sitting quietly in his slipstream, Darren waited until the home straight until he pounced and drew just over 3 lengths clear at the line. A disappointed Lily Bradstock on the second explained that he had not handled the undulations well and preferred a more galloping track. Sykes’ trainer Nicky Martin has a huge soft spot for the winner who she trains less than three miles from the course. “He is a wonderful horse to have in the yard. I have retired him from Rules racing but he just so enthusiastic and loves pointing so we will combine this with continuing to lead the babies out at home.” She added that he may go to Bratton Down next.
Darren completed his treble and also one for trainer Dean Summersby in the final race, a Restricted, when Ask the Lady won by the widest margin of the day for owners Tony and Eileen Worth. Always wanting to get on with things, this improving mare who was purchased by Dean from Fergal O’Brien, pulled further and further away from her rivals and never came under any pressure. Darren felt it would have given her plenty of confidence winning easily and she should win again. Dean was quick to compliment the organisers at South Hill on the course and the ground.
The Men’s title race has been neck and neck all season and so it continued yesterday with James King and Will Biddick arriving on 39 winners a piece and faced each other as first and second favourite in the Conditions race. The 5 runners went a decent pace and James King got some good jumps out of veteran Spencer Moon setting him up for a duel from the open ditch on the last circuit with Beau du Brizais under Will Biddick. Eventually it was the Luke Price trained Spencer Moon who stayed on the stronger to win by 12 lengths and put James back in front. Although 14 years old, Spencer Moon is clearly rejuvenated this season winning for the third time and connections explained they had discovered a haematoma in his groin area which had probably caused him some discomfort.