11 March 2008 Blackmore & Sparkford Vale - Charlton Horethorne
Rachael Green: moved onto the 11 winner mark for the season
Shepherds Hut was the impressive winner of the Men's Open at Charlton Horethorne on Sunday. Jumping superbly - "he gained lengths at the fences", said rider Ian Chanin - Shepherds Hut led for most of the last circuit and easily recorded the day's fastest time. The nine-year-old won two races in 2006, but missed 2007 and was making only his seventh racecourse appearance on Sunday. On this evidence, owner trainers Richard and Sherilyn King have much to look forward to.
Richard and Sherilyn had hopes of a double in the Restricted with odds-on Pitchfork, but the mare already looked beaten when falling at the second last. Victory went to Barney Blue, who galloped on resolutely under Ryan Bliss to reward his owners, the 10-strong Nyland Partnership.
Rimpton Boy recorded his 25th career success in the Ladies' Open, although there were some alarms as he appeared to wander when challenged by Dizzy Future (Suzy Berry) approaching the last. "Rimpton" is normally held up, but this time took the lead on the far side of the course. "We thought it might be a slow run race and we didn't want to be out sprinted, so we changed tactics", explained Rachael Green, now on the 11th winner mark for the season.
Goblet Of Fire took the opening Hunt race in the hands of trainer Chloe Roddick, who delayed her challenge until the last 50 yards. "He has to be ridden like that and has always been the same", said owner Paul Nicholls, enjoying a day off before the Cheltenham Festival and delighted to win the BSV hunt race for the first time.
Supreme Royal and Alex Charles-Jones turned the Maiden into a procession to the delight of his enthusiastic owners, the Supremely Royal Family (John Rees, John Sherwin, Charles Clark, Rupert Snook, Mike Chedgy, Julia Talbot-Williams and Alan Woollacott). "We bought him out of Philip Hobbs's yard and he's a full brother to Limerick Leader", explained John Rees. The win took Spaxton trainer Marie McGuinness into double figures for the campaign.
The Restricted went to Gloucestershire raider Jaunty Journey (Mark Wall) who stayed on strongly to hold off Sericina (Chloe Roddick) and Cousin John (James Tudor). The winner is trained in Gloucestershire by Fergal O'Brien "but we came here as this is a stayer's course and we knew he would be suited by the ground", explained owners Sue and Jim Collett.
Chloe Roddick took the Jane Dufosee Trophy (for the day's leading rider), presented by John Dufosee.
