This weekend saw the Holderness hold their meeting at Dalton Park and despite some rather damp weather, a large crowrd turned up to view a competitive six race card.
It would be a day to remember for young pilot Will Brown who partnered his first career success aboard Arthurs Seat in the Restricted. The pair made good progress halfway and turning for home challenged long time leader Il Padrino, with the pair upsides at the last, the latter crashed out allowing Brown to come home in easy fashion. Will who works for Kevin Ryan through the summer, shares his rides with sister Pippa who piloted this one to be second on his previous start "I'd had a few hairy rides at Charm so I decided to have a spin on this lad" laughed Will who through the winter spends his time working at home training the pointers.
The Mixed Open saw course specialist Matts Commission bounce back to form with an emphatic win, to beat Ballydonagh Boy and Isla John in second. Partnered by Jack Teal, Matts Commission committed for home with half a circuit to go and readily came clear in the home straight "he's been a hero for us, us always won one or two every year" said Teal, who now plans to aim the 11yo back to Aintree where he finished a gallant ninth last year "we could have two in the race all been well, but he'll go to Aintree now" enthused Jack. Ballydonagh Boy was second whilst favourite Dundrum Wood could never land a blow back in third.
The opening Hunt Members race saw Blue Sans get off the mark for Joe Wright and Charles Clark, a former Fergal O'brien inmate he looks one who could progress from this in the coming weeks. The southern raiders took the spoils in the Conditions races with Samantha Klug scoring with her talented El Presente, whilst Gina Andrews steered Loughan to an effortless success int 2m 6f Conditions and come home alone.
There were cheers all round in the Dawson camp as John trained and piloted Its A Diamond to success in the Open Maiden. A son of Diamond Boy, Its A Diamond was having first career start and toughed it out very nicely up the home straight and beat the well fancied Kelly Morgan trained Damekap under Gina Andrews. An imposing sort who looks only to improve with time, the winners next assignment will be at the sales "we'll try and get him in at the Cheltenham Sale, but he'll go to the sales now" said Dawson who was delighted with his debutant "he's a really nice chasing sort and I really like him" said John.