Quantock Staghounds Kicks for Free retained his 100% point-to-point record – three from three – for Angela and William Rucker in the Quantock Staghounds Ladies' Open. The 10-year-old quickened clear of Croix De Guerre in the straight to register Angela's first training and riding success since his Cottenham win on January 2. Cheltenham's AGA Final on 4 May and Stratford's Ladies Hunter Chase (27 May) are possible targets. Local Lawford owner-trainers George and Debbie Beilby combined with Philip Hobbs' employee Matt Hampton to record their first-ever successes with Constantius (Confined) and Soggy Dollar (second Maiden). "We've been training intermittently for 10 years", said George. "I'm in the Royal Marines, so am often away, while Debbie works at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital, so we've never been able to devote all of the necessary time. I think Constantius and Soggy Dollar are the first two good horses that we've ever had, but we still have to train them at 5.00am each day". Jockey Ed Barrett was in double form with
Restricted winner Dollydo, trained by 14-year-old Joe Ponting, and
Not A Doctor (first Maiden). The former made virtually all the
running, although Ed worked wonders to survive the mare's blunder
with a circuit to go. Not A Doctor, formerly trained by Ed Walker
and Polly Gundry, was the second leg of a first-ever double for
Payhembury trainer Leslie Jefford, who was National Champion Rider
in 2000 with 42 winners. Leslie had opened his day's account with
four-year-old Upton Mead, owned by Leslie's wife Lisa and ridden by
Jo Buck. Upton Mead disputed the lead with My Runaway (Richard
Woollacott) throughout the race and just proved the stronger after
the last. Micheal Nolan – another Philip Hobbs employee – joined Ed Barrett on the five-winner mark, level with James Ridley, Willie Twiston-Davies and Rob Jarrett at the head of the National Novice Riders' list, on Bryn Wright's surprise Hunt race winner Nobile. Micheal produced Nobile to collar Stealing Moments (Charlotte Tizzard) after the last after 1/4F Chiaro had dropped out of main contention after only a circuit. Will White doubled his 2011 account on third Maiden winner Barton Stacey, trained by Mike Trickey for his wife, Claire, and Rosie Brook. Graham and Paula Hullett's homebred The Deerhopper fought back to take the fourth Maiden after making much of the running under trainer-rider Geoff Barfoot-Saunt.
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