The ultra-consistent Midnight Legend mare Singapore Saga returned to point-to-pointing at Stafford Cross after a successful foray into hunter chases to take the Lee Clifford Engineering sponsored Mixed Open under Darren Andrews, writes Granville Taylor.
On perfect ground after leading from four out, odds-on favourite Singapore Saga shook off the challenge of Lakota Warrior (Darren Edwards) in the home straight to score for the fifth time this season at the Axe Vale Harriers meeting, held last Sunday (April 23) near Seaton in East Devon.
Okehampton trainer John Heard, who was saddling his ninth point-to-point winner of the season, said: “We will go for the mares’ race at the Cheltenham evening meeting so long as the ground stays on the soft side.”
Singapore Saga’s jockey Darren Andrews, enjoying his best season with 17 winners so far, partnered odds-on Bang on Target in the Level 3 Conditions race sponsored by J & FJ Baker Co Ltd. The Milan mare however failed to add to her trio of wins this season, finishing last of three behind His Own Star and Manofmanywords.
Will Biddick had the mount on Ron Alford’s His Own Star, who got his head in front for the first time this season after a fruitful campaign last year. His relieved trainer Stuart Sampson, saddling his first winner of the season, said: “ Our horses have been wrong so far. This was a good performance as he was giving 10lbs to the others. He will probably run at Upcott Cross next.”
Will was partnering his 37th winner of the season, giving him a lead of three over nearest rival Jack Andrews.
Cuzzicombe had been an unlucky loser at Larkhill last time, but gained consolation with a smooth seven lengths success in the Hammett Associates Restricted. Trained by Ed Walker at Ottery St Mary, the eight-year-old showed a nice turn of foot in the home straight to beat the strong finishing Kimarelli and Russian Invasion. ”He wants good ground and wouldn’t go on heavy,” remarked John Pearn, who owns the gelding in conjunction with John Dorse.
John and Sonia Gardener’s colours were carried successfully as their rangy grey Melvyn made all the running in the three-runner WBW Solicitors Hunt race. This gave Charlotte Summersby her fifth career winner. Her father Dean, whose string are steadily regaining their form, remarked: “He prefers a right-hand course and needs decent ground.”
The reigning Devon and Cornwall area novice lady title holder, Anna Johnston, had to settle for runner-up on Businessman in the Hunt race, but opened her account for the season when promising five-year-old Maple Leaf, like Businessman from the Leslie Jefford yard, came home with seven lengths to spare in the Scott Rowe Solicitors Maiden. “We had a bit of a bug in the yard but they seem back to form now,” reported the trainer.
French bred Maple Leaf, who runs for a small local syndicate, was sourced by TJ Bloodstock via the online French auction site Auctav.
Anna, 26, said afterwards: “I am now based in Ireland at Aidan Fitzgerald’s and fly back over here for rides. I broke my neck schooling seven weeks ago, fracturing the C6 bone. Luckily it healed well after I spent four weeks in a neck brace.”
Callum Pritchard quickly followed up his double at Holnicote on the previous day by standing in successfully for the sidelined Josh Newman on Ed The Red in the Totnes & Bridgetown Races Co Ltd Grassroots Conditions race.
The 22-year-old jockey, recommended for the ride by Josh, hails from Carmarthenshire and works for the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White yard. “I spent five years in hunt service and came to Bilbrook last February,” said the rider, who had ridden his first winner at Cotley Farm just one week ago.
Seven-year-old Ed The Red has been a revelation since joining Chloe Newman’s small Woolminstone yard near Crewkerne from Henry De Bromhead last autumn. The Sholokov gelding has now won four of his five points this year.
The Sam Loxton-trained My Way had given Alfie Shalliker his first winner at Larkhill four weeks ago and the combination took the honours again in the Lentells Chartered Accountants Novice Riders’ event, holding the challenge of Millbank Flyer (Ed Rees). The 17-year-old rider, who stands just over six feet tall, works for Paul Nicholls at Ditcheat and carried his bosses’ familiar violet and white checked colours.
