Secretary: Mr Anthony Palmer
Address: Holdscroft Farm, Marshwood, Bridport, DT6 5QL
T: 01297 678525
M: 07804 163118
Entries: Mrs Marie Handel
Address: Rose Cottage, Furley, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7TU
T/F: 01404 881699
M: 07831 537684
Entry Fee: £30 for a single race, £15 per additional race same horse
Entries Close: Sunday 23rd March, 8.00 pm
Races: Members - CA Conditions - 4,5,6 & 7 year old Maiden (2m4f) - Mixed Open - Restricted - Open Maiden
Join Together, who made a winning point-to-point debut at Charlton Horethorne, can make it two-from-two in the Cotley Mixed Open on Sunday. Opposition may include unchallenged Wadebridge winner Bellflower Boy, Treborough Hill second and third Checkerboard and Getaway Driver, Constantius - returning from a two-year absence - and Gordon Herrod’s Lajidaal, a July Ascot purchase after winning on the flat, over hurdles and over fences, but Subtle Sovereign has already won three races this season and looks the main danger.
Lajidaal is among the seven entries for the Hunt Members race, along with Kasimali, a good third in his only appearance between the flags at Black Forest Lodge 12 months ago. Stafford Cross winner Rush’N’Roll is another for the shortlist, but Steeltown has run two good races at Buckfastleigh and is the one.
Rush’N’Roll is among the 15 entries for the Conditions race, along with Arthurian Legend, who completed a seasonal hat-trick at Hackwood Park on Sunday. The short list includes course winner Ailanthus, dual 2014 winner Level Spirit, Quantock Staghounds winner Lightening Jack, Treborough Hill fourth Talab and The Donserelli, a good third in Lightening Jack’s Cothelstone contest. The Llangeinor-qualified Dunraven Prince has won four of his six point-to-points and will get the vote if making the journey from Wales.
The 13 entries for the Restricted include Soul Native, a strong finishing runner-up at Black Forest Lodge before departing at the first at Buckfastleigh. The two to choose from are Glacial Oscar, who made a winning debut for the in-form Henderson team at Treborough Hill, and Pure Oxygen, an equally effortless Buckfastleigh winner for the Roach/Barber/Biddick combination a fortnight ago.
Two Maiden contests complete the six-race card. Grey Dream and Kilda’s Rock are two suggestions for the 2m4f contest. Big Mick and Just Imagine It are two to consider for the 3-mile race.
The course is signposted 1 mile off the A30, 1½ miles SW of Chard (TA20 3EP). First race: 1.30pm, with two pony races at the end of the afternoon’s racing.
Hunt Members (3 ran)
CA Club Members Conditions (8 ran)
Open Maiden 456&7yo 2m4f (7 ran)
Mixed Open (4 ran)
Restricted (11 ran)
Open Maiden (5 ran)
Race 1 - 138 cms & under
1st: Wee Antony - William Cox
2nd: Talponciau Perfect Print - Hamish Clarke
3rd: Mayday Black Mink - Charlie Sprake
4th: Mocking Bird - Ben Godfrey
5th: Minky - Zoe Stanbury
6th: Becca Walk O Wild Side - Arron Butterfield
7th: Kallangur Liquid Amber - Benjamin Steel
Race 2 - 148 cms & under
1st: Wotarisk - Lorcan Williams
2nd: Goldswell Gucci - Harriet Godfrey
3rd: Calypso - Harry Cobden
4th: Petite Pois - Tom Marquard
5th: Mick The Miller - Megan Bevan
Trainer Kayley Woollacott had the first leg of a double in the Cotley Hunt Members race. Steeltown took up the running five out from pacesetting Rush’N’Roll and cruised to easy victory. Owner, John Symes, is always delighted to win the event and jockey John Mathias, making his first visit to Cotley, duly provided him with his 20 length winner.
Kayley’s second win came in the 2m4f Maiden. Templeton put a disappointing run last time out at Cothelstone behind him when easily accounting for his six rivals here, taking the lead four from home. The winning owner partnership – Roy Britton, John Gardner and Peter Wade – bought the horse from Ireland as a replacement for Jopero, now retired as a schoolmaster. Richard Woollacott, representing his wife, advised, diplomatically: “Leave future plans to the trainer.”
The Mixed Open saw Bellflower Boy lead from flag fall to run his rivals ragged. Both trainer, Stuart Sampson, and owner/rider, Ben Robarts, were full of praise for the 4/6 favourite, who recorded a 6 length easy victory over his pursuer, Dandooley, followed by a neck by Checkerboard in the final strides. “The horse jumped fantastically,” smiled Ben. “He’s an old handicapper who definitely knows his job.”
Arthurian Legend stayed on dourly in the Countryside Alliance Club Members race to record his fourth win of the season under his usual partner, Zac Baker. “This is a lovely horse and a joy to ride,” said Zac, of Godfrey Maundrell’s in-form 9-year-old gelding, which is trained by Paul Thompson.
The Richard Barber-trained Pure Oxygen followed up his Buckfastleigh Maiden win under Will Biddick to effortlessly take up the Restricted. “He has had a multitude of problems – a year ago he was so weak, we didn’t know what to do with him,” confided owner, Graham Roach, but the 6-year old Presenting gelding, half-brother to Gold Cup winner Best Mate, now looks like one for the notebook.
The 3-mile Maiden was a family affair, won by Tikkeche, who is owned by Ros Newman, trained by daughter Chloe and ridden by grandson, Josh. The 6-year-old mare ran 17 races before winning her Maiden, but: “She has filled out, grown up and is learning to stay better,” reported her trainer.
The two concluding pony races were won by William Cox aboard Wee Anthony (138cm race) and Lorcan Williams riding Wotarisk (148cm).