It was definitely a day of two halves with the weather making the first half of the New Forest meeting very wet with spectators seeking cover and the visibility made the first three races very difficult to follow. However, the sun made a welcome appearance for the final two races and the day finished in bright clear winter sunshine. On the course there was a riding double for James King, a first training success and the first winners this season for three riders.
Teetotaller was a comfortable winner of the Flat race sponsored by Merlin Ferris under a strong ride under the champion jockey Will Biddick. Trained by Myles Osborne for a partnership consisting of Gavin Mennell, Robert Logan and Sue and George Coneyworths Gavin explained that they had bought the gelding as a 3-year-old store and had been patient with him. Hailing from Hull, Gavin had had a four and a half hours trip to the course but was delighted he had made the effort. A full brother to the recent Badger Beer winner Blackjack Magic, he is now likely to go into training with Fergal O’Brien and a Hurdles campaign will be planned for him.
The Four- and Five-Year-Old Maiden race sponsored by GG Law produced an impressive winner in the form of Let’s Sail Away ridden by James King for trainer Eamonn O’Donnabhain. Making his racecourse debut he showed a good turn of foot from the last fence to beat his 11 rivals comfortably. A home bred gelding who is a half-brother to the prolific Twig he is owned by Laurie and Alicia Strangman from Buckinghamshire. They have decided to send this gelding to the sales as they have others as home including Ivetwiggedit who won three races last season for Tom Lacey where Eamonn is his Head Lad.
James completed his double in facile style when Grace a Vous Enki was too good for his rivals in the Mixed Open race sponsored by Southwick Court Fine Wines. Previously trained by Paul Nicholls for his owner Joan Hitchings, the wife of Clive, he had rather lost his way under rules but a switch to Nicky Sheppard’s stable seems to have transformed him. With the more fancied rivals disappointing he was followed home by the veteran Step Back ridden by Lily Bradstock. On the evidence of this outing the winner looks one to follow this season.
Happy Day Emery was a short price to win the Restricted race sponsored by Earlcoate Construction but a shuddering error at the second last fence put him on the back foot and allowed My Brother John who had been held up by his rider Walter Barnett to come sweeping by on the outside and record a six lengths victory. Recording only his second career win and the first this season Walter,20, who comes from Newton Abbott is now the Novice Rider based at Alan Hills yard. Explaining how the role came about, his mother saw an advert for the post and after speaking to Lawney he joined the yard last season. Describing this as a ‘brilliant job’ he was grateful to joint owner Ian Cobbold for the chance to ride the gelding. Acey Milan was always prominent in the Conditions Race sponsored by Le Mieux and had six lengths in hand over the fast-finishing Palmaria ridden by Ella Ortewell. Ridden by Chad Bament for his employer NH trainer Anthony Honeyball he had experienced a slipping saddle after being jumped into at the second last but managed to keep everything in place on the run in. Recording his third consecutive victory this former classy individual who started as favourite for the 2018 Cheltenham Bumper is enjoying his experiences in the point-to-point field and has now given his capable rider his eighth career victory and the first for the current season.