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NAUNTON BROOK: completed a double for Willie Twiston-Davies
photo: Jackie Oliver

On a freezing cold Sunday in January Prime Minister David Cameron was on hand to witness a splendid afternoon of racing displaying some future superstars, both human and equine.

Split on declaration, the first leg of the Open Maiden was won by Rythym Seeker, ridden by Oliver Murphy; after an unsuccessful campaign under Rules whilst trained by Oliver's mother Annabel King it was decided that an attempt to win a Maiden was worth a try, so the horse was sent to Antonia Bealby. It is likely that the eight-year-old gelding will now go hurdling having got his head in front.

Rocalixjide, partnered by his Owner/Trainer/Rider Sam Alwood, won the second division; he had been bought in the summer at the sales having only ran once in a bumper and was providing a first training success for Sam.

Himalayan Express provided local Owner/Trainer Celia Plunkett with a popular success in the Brightwells/PPA 2m4f Maiden, for which six of the seven entered went to post; partnered here by Will Telfer, the homebred Rakoposhi King gelding battled on well to beat Gioiello.

Doubles were order of the day for the Twiston-Davies camp and the Sarah-Jayne Davies/Jeremy Mahot team. William Twiston Davies, who turned 16 on December 1st, has had to wait very patiently for this first ride between the flags; only four went to post for the Members race and the strongly fancied Battlecry, who enjoyed an illustrious career whilst trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, led pretty much from pillar to post to provide his jockey with a win on his first ride.

Less than two hours later the young jockey showed determination and skill that usually comes with seasons of experience to drive David Langdon's Naunton Brook to victory in the feature race, the four-mile Mens Open for the Lord Ashton of Hyde's Cup.

In a hot contest the Alderbrook 12-year-old, who had been second in a Conditions race at Larkhill earlier in the month, looked none too keen going past the stands with a circuit to run but, as they headed to six out, William had driven him back to the front and from there was always in command. Cathy Twiston-Davies reported that this was a "particularly special victory as Owner Willie the builder, as I call him, converted the barns to stables originally and built the house I live in now; he has had horses with Nigel for years and has always supported us".

Sarah-Jayne Davies trained a double here and also rode the first herself; always going comfortably, Upton Springs had the measure of favourite Chiaro from the second last in the AGA 3m5f Ladies Open to spring a 20/1 surprise. Owned by Peter Corbett, who farms next door to where Sarah trains, the 10-year-old mare was equipped with blinkers for the second time. Sarah reported that she usually sticks to the training side of things and has now sent out around 20 winners.

Continuing the good day was Miss Lightning, who was a most impressive winner of the Restricted; owned by a syndicate of friends headed by Sarahs mum, it will be no suprise to see her climb the ladder with ease and she is clearly liked by her jockey here, Jeremy Mahot.

The most exciting finish was in the Novice Riders event; 14 went to post and turning down the hill into the straight there were six in with a shout. A blanket could have covered the first four but it was 10-year-old Coppingers Court who came out best, partnered here by Ian Williams's Amateur Jake Hodson who was enjoying a first Pointing success. Previously a winner of a Restricted this was a good reward for his Trainer who had always thought he was a good horse. Shannon Springs, who was second, Noadibou (third) and Rathcoole Dancer (fourth) are sure to pick up races of this sort soon.

Though cold, a thoroughly enjoyable day with excellent racing. We now look forward to the next Area meeting at Whitfield Racecourse on 6th February.

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