The last renewal of the Seavington point to point at the popular Littlewindsor course was held on a chilly afternoon where the need for several layers of clothing was paramount but the racing kept racegoers warm with some competitive racing and some close finishes. 49 horses took part in the seven scheduled races with both Open races being won by horses that had travelled some distance to Dorset but closer to home there was an impressive debut by the Christopher Barber owned and trained The Greater Good in the young Maiden race and a competitive Restricted race fought out by three local horses and won by the Rose Loxton trained Earth Leader.
Ramble On, trained in Wales by Luke Price, was a game winner of the Men's Open race from his principal market rival Imogens Thunder ridden by Will Biddick. Always prominent the winner ridden by Byron Moorcroft kept finding more when chased by Imogens Thunder and had three and a half lengths at the line. Explaining his decision to come to the course Luke said 'he has to go right handed to be effective and this seemed an ideal opportunity for him.'
Claire Hardwick travelled Kazuri Kate from her Moreton-in –Marsh base to earn a hard fought victory in the Ladies Open race over One Big Love ridden by Lucy Mager. Always in front Kazuri Kate held off the challenge from One Big Love but there was only half a length between them at the winning post. Owned in partnership by Janet Bartlett, her daughter Julia and Simon Hart she has now secured 8 victories in her career and seemed to relish the slightly softer going on the course. Reminiscing about his previous visit to the course in 2012 Simon Hart said 'we brought Power Shared to win this race for Claire as part of her challenge for the Aga award so we have a 100% record here!'
There was a welcome winner for owner Gail Dare and trainer Chloe Newman when their mare Minim Mouse made all under Josh Newman to win the Hunt race. Bred by Michael and Gail she readily beat her rival Niteinshinarmour by ten lengths and Chloe hopes that this will now give the mare some confidence for the rest of the season. Michael who is a real supporter of point to point racing has two others in training with Chloe at Woolminstone but they have had only limited opportunities this season.
The Greater Good certainly created a striking impression when easily winning the young Maiden race for Christopher Barber and rider Martin McIntyre by twenty five lengths from nearest rival Snakelake Hill ridden by Harriet Tucker. Only a four year old the Tiger Groom gelding is out of a mare called Our Kes who won 10 flat races of which 9 were on the all -weather. Bought by bloodstock agent Ed Bailey he recounted the strange tale of buying him as a two year old on a foray to Cornwall from a Mark Lamey and meeting up with him at the ninth green of a golf course surrounded by 15 cobs. The Greater Good looks like one to follow as his career progresses hopefully into the National Hunt circuit.
The competitive Open Maiden for which a field of 15 went to post looked like it was going to be won by outsider Ichifoot ridden by Merv Woodward who made most of the running until being caught by Could Be Better ridden by Darren Andrews who drew away to win by four lengths. Owned by Michael Sweetland and trained by Stuart Sampson the seven year old Carlo Bank gelding had been a runner up on two occasions in Ireland before being bought by Michael at Ascot last July. Explaining that his purchase was 'more money that he is used to paying 'he hoped that after his last run behind a Tom Lacey owned gelding at Charlton Horethorne there was still more improvement and so this proved to be the case.
The Restricted race was another very competitive race which George Hiscock riding the Jade Barber trained Oscar Mor looked like the winner approaching the second last but Matt Hampton had other ideas. Riding the Roger Penny owned/Rose Loxton trained Earth Leader he timed his challenge to perfection and recorded a two length victory. Supplementing a very easy win at Ston Easton Rose commented that she thought that her charge had now 'grown up' and 'appreciated the different regime at her yard compared to Ditcheat'. Matt who rode the gelding at Ston Easton as well was involved with the early stages of training him when he was at Paul Nicholls stable.
The final race, the Novice Riders, produced the closest finish of the day with only a head separating Chosen Lucky and Chill Factor. Lauren Reed looked to have taken a winning advantage aboard the Rachael Honeyball trained Chill Factor but Liam Harrison galvanised his mount Chosen Lucky to just prevail near the winning post. Trained by Dean Summersby for the Little Acres Racing Club he has now provided Liam with three of his victories this season and keeps him in the lead for the leading Novice rider in the country.
