Bratton Down held their first fixture on Sunday, signalling that we are heading to the end of the season.
Spectators were not only blessed with stunning views of Exmoor but also with beautiful sunshine to boot.
As expected, the going was firm, due to such dry weather of late, and they are unable to water at this course. Six races were due to take place; however, unfortunately, only four ran due to two walkovers.
Race one, the Goffs four and five-year-old Maiden, saw the biggest field of the day with three runners. All Walks Of Life cruised to a comfortable win to provide Rian Corcoran with his 22nd win of the season.
James King attempted to make all aboard Fifty Shades Of Bay, however, All Walks Of Life, who had tracked him all the way, took over after the second last and went on to win by 12 lengths.
Speaking after the race, Rian said; She’s a smart mare, she has improved since winning at Stafford Cross.
“She did it comfortably, for a small horse, she jumps well, she’s like a little bunny!”
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Race Two
Race two was the South Molton Transport Maiden. What A Pleasure made Henry Moore use his horsemanship, producing several hairy leaps and jumping out to his right at many obstacles.
James King was happy to let his solitary rival go on. It appeared that he could take over whenever he wanted, but give credit to What A Pleasure, he was game and kept on readily to match his jockey’s perseverance.
The two horses jumped the last together with both jockeys asking their mounts for maximum effort; before Out Out got his head in front in the final 100 yards and crossed the line 3 lengths clear.
This gave title leader James King his 50th win of the campaign and trainer Luke Price his 20th. Speaking after the race, the Jockey said, “It’s absolutely great. I know it sounds a bit far-fetched, but my seasonal target every season is to get 50 wins. I think that’s good going.
“I ride for some brilliant trainers and it’s very achievable and to do it, Bratton down, a course I have done so well at over the years, is great.”
Race Three
Race three was the P.J. Hobbs and Johnson White Training Bratton Down Conditions Race, and it proved to be lucky number 13 for James Shaw as he made every yard aboard Skilfull Lord to land his 13th winner this season.
Skilfull Lord already had a brace of wins at this course dating back to 2022 and 2023. The 1-3 favourite pulled clear to win by 30 lengths from his only rival, Funky Sensation.
Skilfull Lord has been a loyal servant to trainer Danielle Kenealy, who was enjoying her 9th win of the campaign.
After the race, James said, “He was wondering why we weren’t going around again! He has won three in a row this season, it’s his best season yet.
“He has matured a lot. You wouldn’t have wanted to make the running a couple of seasons ago, you could hardly get him up the gallops in front.
“He has won two good races this season and now this, he’s a nice horse.”
Sizing Cusimano was the only declared runner for the Brends Hotels Mixed Open, so he walked over.
Well done to connections for at least giving the spectators something to see by cantering up past.
Race Five
Race Five went the same way, and Lavorante gave James King and Luke Price another winner despite not stepping foot on the course.
Mustmeetforapint and Grove Ash clashed in the last race of the day, the Totnes and Bridgetown Conditions Race.
Shannon Holmes kept it simple on Grove Ash and dictated the pace.
Mustmeetforapint and Henry Moore joined them from the third last flight and momentarily took the lead turning the bend before Grove Ash loomed upsides and the two horses battled over the last and up the hill, producing a good finish with Grove Ash finding enough to prevail by 3 lengths.
This was Shannon Holmes’s third career win and in reflection said, “He will come back here in two weeks for the Members race, he likes it around here, he ran at all three meetings last year, finishing second twice and then third.
“For such a big horse, he handles it well here. He was my first ride when I was 16, I fell off him twice, so it’s nice three years later to win on him for the owners.”
Bratton Down have lost their fixture on this coming Sunday due to continuous dry weather; however, Upcott Cross hosts a six-race card on Monday and has attained 58 entries.
By Mike Drowne
