THE recent dry spell meant quick ground for this popular Cherrybrook fixture on the edge of Dartmoor.

Despite costly efforts by the Spooner's and West Dartmoor organisers to water the track, two walk overs and three two-horse races tell the story of the depleted action, played out before a very large and enthusiastic crowd.

The best pointer on display was Molineaux (Freddie Gingell) who recorded his sixth victory of the season in the DRB Cars Mixed Open. The 11-year-old made all the running and shook off a brave challenge from runner up Dry Ol' party (Chloe Emsley) going to the second last. 

16-year-old fledgling jockey Freddie Gingell, wearing the colours of his grandfather Colin Tizzard reported, "The track rode better than it walked," as he landed his seventh winner of the season, retaining his lead of two over Freddie Gordon for the Highflyer Bloodstock Novice Men's Championship.

Gingell, who had ridden his first point-to-point winner at Buckfastleigh in January and is already looking very accomplished said, "My pony racing experience has helped. I was 16 last December and have just taken my mock exams. I take my GCSE's in the summer," 

Grandfather Colin was on hand to saddle Molineaux and proudly recalled, "Freddie has been riding since he was not long out of nappies. We couldn't have found a better schoolmaster than Molineaux thanks to (former owners) John and Heather Snook and he hasn't had a hard race today. If he seems right on Friday we can run him again." 

Frome based Arron Butterfield is another young novice rider enjoying a successful campaign. His eight-year-old Footloose took the Owner Trainer Conditions race sponsored by HCL Architects to score for the fourth time this season. Footloose has proved a revelation since opening his account at Larkhill in December. "He is very consistent and game. We got him from Harriet Brown and the change of scenery has probably helped. I was happy to bide my time with him today," reported the young rider, who sent his mount past Dan's Wee Man ridden by 16-year-old Daisy White on the run to the second last.

Reflex Action is another consistent pointer and has not missed the placings in his last six runs. He was scoring for the second time this season in the Restricted sponsored by Olivia Tatton-Brown and the Kirkwood Family. This time he only had one opponent and Darren Edwards sent his mount clear of Eole D'Un Regard (Barnaby Treneer) after the third last to partner his 11th winner of the season. "He likes this faster ground and is holding his form fine. He has never been better and could go to Trebudannon next," remarked Combe Martin trainer Paul Nicholas who shares ownership with wife Lesley and Keith Parkin.

Gordon Chambers sent out former hurdles winner Bingo D'Olivate to win the Hunt race under Jake Bament. The evergreen Jimmy Cole chased home the winner on his home bred Starwalker. "We got the horse from James Ewart in Scotland about eight or nine months ago and Jake has done a good job with him," said the winning trainer.

Mahler Style won the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate to give jockey Ella Orttewell her fourth career success after this two horse race had become a one horse race at the fifth fence. Ironically the winning rider works for Will Biddick, who was ejected from long odds-on favourite Florrie Webb in spectacular style at the open ditch to leave the winner to stroll round in her own time.  Alan Walter trains the mare at Wiveliscombe for the quaintly named Ers and Mine Partnership. The duo is in fact Alan's wife Jane and Shirley Turner, and Mahler Style is an intended runner in the Exeter final. 

The champion jockey was on safer ground on his other two rides since they were both walk overs. Mad For Action, owned by Abigail Lewis and Harry Pike, took home the prize for the Condy Mathias Maiden, and the mare River Myth, who has served owners Terry Hamlin and John Gardener well,  only had to walk past the judge in the TRW Engineering Conditions race.