After the ongoing criticism of the Cheltenham Festival with its prohibitive costs and quagmire car-parks, it was a refreshing change to be at Milborne St Andrew where the course (and car parks) coped admirably with the overnight rain to produce some excellent racing for a happier crowd who brought children in for free and a colourful stag party seen enjoying the great value refreshments on offer. Highlights from the racing were two young horses continuing their progression, a riding double for Will Biddick and a pointer who doubles as a Pony Club horse taking the Open.

The Mixed Open was a family affair when Liam Corcoran's Itacare held off a rallying course favourite in Tom Barton under his 16 year old son, Rian to record his third winner since graduating from Pony Racing. Leased for the season by Richard Wilkin and Somerset Racing, Itacare has fast established himself as talented in other areas of equine sport attending the South Devon West Pony Club under Rian's 10 year old sister Niamh where he is enjoying dressage. She also schools him at home and across Dartmoor with occasional visits to the beach too. Rian's mum Clare explained "He's the most wonderful, kind horse who is even ridden by 7 year old Aoife and 5 year old Fionnaula - we just love him and are so grateful to Richard for this opportunity." Rian now works for Will Biddick full-time where he is getting plenty of tuition with weekly coaching from Rodi Greene and this certainly looks to be paying off.

Will Biddick recorded the first of his wins aboard Punches Cross who had finished behind Eritage the last time they met at this course in January. However Will decided a change in tactics may be in order and made every post a winning one to record a 14 length victory over Imogen's Thunder with a tired Eritage who tried to chase the winner, a long way back in third. It was the first winner in ten years for owner Michael Sweetland on hand in the winner's enclosure with wife Heather to greet Punches Cross. Michael explained, "I had planned to send another horse to Daniele and Joe but he'd had a foot injury which was taking an age to come right so Joe suggested we buy Punches Cross and this is his third run for us."

Will's second winner was more of a surprise as Locked Down Lad appeared from nowhere to take the second division of the Flat Race by 10 lengths from Weston Bay and long-time leader, The Astronomist who had looked likely to fight out the finish. This was a first home-bred winner for owner Kieran Johns who was delighted with the first foal of his winning pointing mare, Euro Bond. "We've got this breeding thing sorted!" he laughed as he went on to explain they had thought the gelding had really wanted faster ground and would very much need the experience. The earlier division had gone to Josh Newman on Go Johnny Go for the Picnic Production who had been successful last year with Paloma Blue at the meeting. This finish was much tighter as Josh just got the better of favourite Posh Dude with Just A Glance a close third. Steph Jones who runs the syndicate explained Simon Clare had so enjoyed his season last year with Paloma Blue, that he re-invested in some youngsters and she had also lured in some work colleagues for whom this was their first ever winner.

Another outfit enjoying their first winner was former jockey Gordon Treacy who's Pebbly Pour Toi dead-heated with Dean Summersby's Knock on Wood in the opening Maiden. For Gordon this was a dream start to his training career which had been put on hold when the horse had been walking around the paddock at Cothelstone last week only for it to be abandoned. This looked a nice horse both on paper being a half-brother to the very useful No Flies On Him and on this his debut and he could be one to keep an eye on although there was a possibility he could be for sale. For Dean Summerbsy this was a welcome winner having been on the "cold" list since last May. Knock On Wood is good-looking son of Gatewood and Darren Edwards said "this is the first horse of Dean's who's given me a really good feel and hopefully they are now turning a corner."

Glenmount continues his upward progress when taking the Restricted by 4 lengths under James King for trainer Julie Wadland and the 360 Racing Club. A facile winner at Badbury Rings, he jumped well, kicking clear two out and was too classy for the rest of the field. Paul Miller who runs the racing club said "all credit to Julie who has completely turned this horse around since he arrived from Ireland and he's really starting to fill his frame." Julie sourced the horse through Richard Curran and every horse he has found for her has won. Harry Ryall's Another Furlough is another who is progressing rapidly and he had enough left in the tank at the end of the race to put in a spectacular leap at the last under Rob David to record an easy 4 length victory over Duc de Bourbon with Young Buck a further 8 lengths away in third. This was a decent Conditions race and his next outing would now be the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham on May 3rd.