Martin McIntyre wins riding double at Cothelstone

Always popular with local racegoers and participants, the decent sized crowd were treated to some good racing with a riding double for Martin McIntyre, veteran Shantou Flyer showing age is no problem and a pulsating finish to the Ladies Open.

Jockey Izzie Marshall has thrown down the gauntlet to long time Ladies Champion, Gina Andrews and another winner on Back Bar last night pushed her two clear. 

Sent off even money favourite, Izzie dictated for much of the way taking the fresh ground on the inner.

L’Air du Vent under Megan Bevan, however tried to make life hard for her and when Sizing Cusimano joined in there were three in line over the second last with all to play for.

But Izzie galvanised Back Bar to get up for a narrow win although it took a few minutes for the judge to make the announcement. 

Trainer Alan Hill, who will soon be Izzie’s father-in-law, said afterwards, “I have about 15 horses left to run, and we are doing all we can to support Izzie so she wins the title.

I’m hoping that a few more trainers will do the same as she’s a very talented rider and really deserves this.”

Shantou Flyer has been a popular sight on Wessex courses over the past 6 seasons and although reaching the twilight of his career, still had enough class to fend off the challenge of the tough and consistent Dr Rhythm.

Both horses had won last time out at South Hill with the winner giving young Billy Broomfield the second winner of his career.

With Olive Nicholls still feeling sore from her fall from this horse at Stafford Cross when he uncharacteristically ran out, it was left to Billy to do the steering again.  Jumping well throughout, Shantou Flyer always slightly had the upper hand and prevailed by 5 lengths at the line.

Paul Nicholls was on hand to greet his winner and remarked. “He’s some kid for his age!” about 16 year old Billy who currently works for him while Olive confirmed that she hoped to be back in the saddle next week.

Another long-time favourite, Posh Totty, was present in the form of her son, Posh Dude and he confirmed the promise of his debut run in a bumper at Milborne St Andrew when he took the second division of the maiden under Will Biddick for thrilled owner-breeder Jeremy Barber and a relieved trainer Harry Ryall who is also Jeremy’s tenant.

Although the Max Comley trained favourite, Just Her Type tried hard to wear down the winner.

Will admitted afterwards: “He’s literally like a terrier, ears go flat back and he refused to let the second pass him.” 

The second should also go into the notebooks as she was last for most of the way under James King, before making rapid progress with three to jump.

It was her debut, and she will have learnt plenty. 

The earlier division was won by another debutant in Moonbow for the Josh Newman yard with Josh himself riding. 

A good-looking son of Spanish Moon, he was bought privately from Sean Doyle in Ireland.

Josh’s partner Kayley clearly holds the gelding in high regard and although he is now up for sale, she would dearly like to keep him in the yard.

She said: “He’s been so straightforward from day one and I just love him.”

The opening Conditions race looked quite competitive on paper and so it proved with a whole host of horses in with a chance with half a mile to run.

Eventually it was the Flat-bred Enchanted Magic who took the spoils under Maryland Hunt Cup winning rider, Charlie Marshall. 

A winner of a maiden hurdle in Ireland, he had then shown little in subsequent starts over there for both Willie Mullins and Colin McBratney. 

He looked like he could take a hand in the finish on his pointing debut at Milborne St Andrew only to fall at the last.

A big imposing son of Dark Angel, he looks to have improved significantly on what he showed in the three starts after that and possibly the firmer ground might be more to his liking.

The Novice Riders race went to Stadmallen who had been unlucky last time at South Hill when crashing out through the wing of a fence under trainer/jockey Heidi Stevens.

With Henry Moore taking the reins this time, Stadmallen kicked clear to record a 4-length success over favourite All Loved Up. 

Twenty-year-old Henry rides out for Heidi (whom she has known since he was 14) as well as doing the schooling and riding out for Les Jefford and Rod Millman. 

This was Stadmallen’s second win for Heidi who purchased him out of the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard.

The final two races were won by jockey Martin “Fly” McIntyre who took the Restricted on Rocky Creed for trainer Bea Coward and the Maiden Conditions on Born in the West for Jazmin Hosegood. 

Rocky Creed looks a nice type and should progress further following his earlier 12 length romp at Lockinge. 

Purchased by Mel Smith Bloodstock at Doncaster Sales after one run in Ireland, Bea explained: “He’s such a genuine horse. 

“He probably found the shorter trip at Larkhill too quick for him then he wasn’t right when we took him back there.

“But he made amends at Lockinge and is a very exciting horse for the Barrow Racing Club!” 

Fly’s second winner came on the grey Born in the West who proved a character on the way to post, bucking him off.

However, in the race, he was far more professional, and beat Beat the Poli and Keepitfrombecky with something in hand. 

He had finished a fair second on debut at Cotley before finding the ground at Cothelstone too testing on Easter Monday.