A biting wind did not deter a fair crowd and they were rewarded with over half the entered horses from running at the Quantock fixture, traditionally the first meeting of the year at Cothelstone. Highlights were a riding double for Will Biddick, the appearance of Aintree Foxhunter hero, Famous Clermont and a second victory for Purdy Peaster in the Hunt race, albeit a training one this time.
Purdy Peaster earned herself Wessex Ride of the Season in this race three years ago when cannily beating her rivals with a well-timed ride on Rocheston to swoop late at the odds of 16-1. This year’s race featured both Rocheston and Purdy’s former horse Sizing Cusimano who she was reluctantly forced to sell following a bad fall on him at Milborne St Andrew in early February. Having broken an array of bones, Purdy handed over the reins to her good friend Hannah Morgan and she proved an admirable substitute. Will Biddick made up the trio on Far Out West and he made the early running with Hannah keeping tabs on him from the rear. A good jump three fences from home sealed the outcome and Rocheston came home an easy 4 length winner from Far Out West. Purdy explained afterwards, “I have been working for Josh Newman (who deputised on Rocheston to win at Buckfastleigh) this season and the whole yard have been brilliant helping me with training the horse after my accident. I was forced to sell Sizing Cusimano which was not what I really wanted but had no choice. Hannah and I go way back so I’m pleased that she was able to ride here and she will hopefully keep the ride while I am off.”
Famous Clermont looked a picture of health in the paddock prior to the Conditions Race and despite Acey Milan trying to spoil the story, James King never looked out of first gear as they cruised into the lead on the bottom bend to win by 5 lengths with market rival Punches Cross another 15 away in third. Chris Barber felt that he had needed the run after not getting home on the tacky ground at Milborne in February and he confirmed that his stable star would now return to Aintree to regain the title he won in 2023.
The extended Mixed Open went to Norton Hill for trainer Harry Ryall and jockey Will Biddick setting up the first of his riding double. Sent off favourite, Norton Hill had run with promise on his pointing debut at Badbury Rings when 3rd behind Dr Rhythm and he showed a willing attitude here to win easily by 7 lengths from Assassin’s Lullaby. Joint-owner, Sarah Barber explained “he wasn’t really good enough under Rules so we felt he should go pointing and Will has really got him jumping well today, giving him loads of confidence. It’s lovely to see the horse every day too as Harry trains from our yard and he’s one of four we have with him.”
Will’s second winner was on one he also trained when Good Boy Eric took a competitive Restricted. Ed Vaughan sent the other joint-favourite Posh Dude into an early lead and the pace was a quick one with Will happy to sit quietly in 4th. Posh Dude departed out of sight at the third last to leave Good Boy Eric to score from outsider Bobarelli. Owners Stephen and Brenda Bowditch bred the good-looking son of Bollin Eric, whom they stood at stud, and they were keen to stress that they would take their time with the winner. He would probably have another season Pointing and maybe take in a Hunter Chase before hopefully going on to run under Rules.
The two maidens featured some very nice types in the paddock with the earlier young horse short Maiden going to Just A Glance for Robert Chanin and Darren Andrews. Just A Glance had run out a good winner of a pointing bumper at Godstone last May and was joint favourite here to go one better. Darren Andrews explained “They got racing a long way out and she was pulling my arms out all the way round.” Very clever at her fences, the 5 year old mare was bred by her owners John and Michelle Frampton from a mare they had in training with Ron Hodges who had won ten races for them. They were undecided as to her future but with Ian Chanin in the process of taking out a licence under Rules, they hinted that the mare may end up with him. The Older maiden went to Hannah Clarke’s Catch Me Quick under Charlie Marshall who scored by a cosy 4 lengths from another promising type in Valentin de Maine. A beaming Hannah said “I wanted this horse so badly when I saw him at the Doncaster May Sales, that I stood outside in the rain until 9pm! We gave him the summer off and he’s really strengthened up well.” The horse, who was the pick of the paddock, may now well go back to the sales and would be a nice addition to any yard.
