Ashclyst put up a superb front-running performance to land the Intermediate race at Badbury Rings.

The Portman at Badbury Rings, nr Wimborne, Dorset

Saturday 10 April 2010

Ashclyst put up a superb front-running performance to land the Intermediate race at Badbury Rings. Michael Miller sent Sue Trump's eight-year-old straight into the lead and the pair maintained a 15-length advantage throughout. "Ashclyst's regular rider Darren Edwards is at Great Trethew, so I asked Michael, who I regard as the Badbury Rings specialist, to ride", said Honiton trainer Leslie Jefford, who was National Champion rider in 2000 with 42 winners. "Our horse settles well these days and Michael has given him a brilliant ride from the front".

John Daniell - named after the 1961 National Champion rider - impressed with his one-length win in the Maiden contest. "He's my pocket rocket", smiled jockey Amanda Bush, whose mother Ollie Bush trains the five-year-old. She added: "He was awesome today. I had to keep taking pulls and Michael Miller looked across at the third last and couldn't believe how well we were going". Ollie said: "He's home-bred out of Hottentot, who won two races for John in 2003. John got me started in hunting and racing and I'm so pleased that the horse has won for him and is carrying his name. John has been in a nursing home lately but he's coming out next week. He and the horse are the same - they're as hard as nails".

Pertinent (Dan Collins) led throughout the final circuit of the Novice Riders race to deny current Leading Horse Fully Loaded, who was seeking a seventh win of the season. Wellow owner-trainer Charles Whittaker felt that a Newton Abbot hunter chase could be next on the agenda.

Jack Barber took his seasonal tally to 10 with a double on Thisthatandtother and My Minds Maid, both trained by Jack's grandfather, Richard Barber. Thisthatandtother broke six minutes in the Men's Open after a battle over the last six fences with stable companion Mustangsallyrally (Ryan Mahon). My Minds Maid, owned by Jack's mother, Sarah Barber, put up a fine jumping performance to lead throughout the final circuit of the Restricted.

Intermediate (5 runners) - 15 lengths, 5. Six minutes: 08 secs

1. ASHCLYST (IRE)M Miller, 10-1

2. DELOUGHTANE (IRE)Miss A Pearn, 8-1

3. DIFFERENT TRADES (IRE)J Barber, 4-7F

Hunt Members (2 runners) - 25. 6:15

1. TRADE OFF (IRE)S Allwood, 1-4F

2. COOLERS QUESTJ Barnes, 2-1

CA Club Members (Nov Rdrs) (9 runners) - 7, 20. 6:00

1. PERTINENT (FR)D Collins, 6-4F

2. FULLY LOADED (IRE)Miss L Pugsley, 2-1

3. SMOKE TRAIL (IRE)J Evans, 12-1

Mixed Open (10 runners) - 5, 25. 6:00

1. THISTHATANDTOTHER (IRE)J Barber, 6-4F

2. MUSTANGSALLYRALLY (IRE)R Mahon, 7-4

3. SHANNON SPRINGS (IRE)Miss C Tizzard, 8-1

Restricted (9 runners) - 11/2, 3. 6:11

1. MY MINDS MAIDJ Barber, 5-1

2. ARBOUR HILL (IRE)C Sands, 8-1

3. IN THE CIRCLE (IRE)R Bliss, 6-4F

Open Maiden (15 runners) - 1, 1. 6:15

1. JOHN DANIELLMiss A Bush, 7-1

2. FAMILY GUY (IRE)R Mahon, 7-2

3. THE JOLLY HARE (IRE)G Hiscock, 20-1