The second meeting at Milborne St Andrew drew a decent sized crowd as the Wilton staged their meeting last Saturday. A welcome drop of rain the night before, eased the ground slightly and there was some good racing with two close finishes. There were riding and training trebles for the Chris Barber and James King team while Rian Corcoran cemented his place in course history to become the first rider to win back to back Eric Dymott trophies for being the leading Novice Rider at Badbury Rings and Milborne St Andrew.
Novice rider, Rian Corcoran came to many people’s attention at this meeting last year when winning the Mixed Open on Itacare under a very polished performance more usually associated with a rider twice his age. Now in his second season riding, he is being given outside rides and Pembrokeshire-based trainer Abbie Willmott was keen to use him again in the Grass Roots Riders Conditions race on Powerstown Park following a second at Howick three weeks ago. After sitting quietly just behind the leaders for the first circuit, Rian sent Powerstown Park swiftly into the lead approaching the open ditch and put the race to bed comfortably winning by 6 lengths from Shanroe Smooth with Gallow Ford some way back in third. Abbie, who had left her yard just after 4am to get here, was delighted with the ride from Rian and said afterwards "I got him from Sam Thomas where he was known for being a very difficult ride. Sam thought he'd benefit from being in a smaller yard and it's certainly paid off. He's not really a Novice Riders horse either as he can pitch as he lands but Rian has worked him out brilliantly!" Plans were to go to the Dunraven Bowl at Chepstow next.
Chris Barber's horses have suddenly hit top form following his move to Herefordshire and the first of his and James King's three winners came in the first race when the mare, Tennessee Orange overcame the long time leader, Gig in the Park to record a length and a half victory. Chris felt that she had done better than the result suggested as a drop back in trip hadn't been ideal while James confirmed that he felt there was a lot more to come from the daughter of Doctor Dino. Owner Andy Powell had been lucky to get to the meeting having only flown back into the UK on Thursday and said "I thought I'd used all my luck up then not getting held up by the Heathrow fire and I could have been forced to listen to this from a beach in Barbados!"
The second Barber/King winner came in the following race when City Silk narrowly took a competitive Restricted from the favourite Two in Tune. The field was tightly grouped for most of the race until James pressed the button on City Silk which prompted a gear change. Two in Tune tried hard to go with him but failed by just under a length on the line. James said "I was very pleased with him today as his jumping was great and he's improving all the time." Sporting the "Big Sting" colours of Phil Fry, Chris and Phil's daughter Lorraine, had left Phil on his own at Doncaster Sales only to come back and found he'd bought the chestnut son of Cityscape. This was a nice performance and he should continue to improve.
Their third winner came courtesy of Move with the Beat who was long odds-on to beat his two rivals in the Conditions race. James merely went through his paces before cruising clear two fences out to record an easy win. Owned by James and Ferelith Drummond, Move with the Beat had been sent to Emma Lavelle for a spell under Rules but had lost his confidence. This easy win coupled with some excellent jumping will have done him a lot of good and Chris thanked James and Ferelith for their patience with the gelding. "He's clearly better than a pointer but wasn't enjoying himself at all under Rules so we are delighted that he's come back to us as we loved him before." James Drummond confirmed that he would now stay with Chris, certainly for the rest of the season and they stressed how much they enjoyed their pointing too.
A walkover in the Mixed Open was a disappointment for the organisers but the recipient, Dr Rhythm's connections should be applauded for the beautiful turn out of the horse despite only having to canter past the post under Will Biddick. Many would not have taken the time to do this and it only highlights the dedication from the staff at the Janet Cumings yard.
The finale was a Flat race for those yet to jump a fence in public and it went to the Harry Ryall-trained More than a Mule who was possibly one of the least experienced horses to have graced the course. A small mare who been purchased by co-owner Matt Morton from the online platform, Thoroughbid, she showed plenty of pace and determination as she held off the second Jack Torrance by a neck to produce the shortest winning margin of the day. Jockey Robbie David then struggled to pull her up having got her into top gear and it was a while before she came back to the winner's enclosure. A thrilled Matt said "she might only be small and I didn't pay very much for her but her dam was really decent winning four times under Rules and so I chucked a bid in, not thinking I'd get her." Harry was quick to praise Robbie who had done all the work at home on her and confessed that this was the first time she'd actually galloped on grass, loaded on a lorry or had a racing saddle on. Plans were unclear as to her future bar celebrating with a beer, but although on the small side, she showed a very willing attitude and could have a future over hurdles.
