CHARING, THORPE LODGE, DARREN EDWARDS COMMENT

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THE “Veterans Chase” concept has proven hugely

successful on the National Hunt scene, fi lling a void in the race programme for some of the sports best-known equines when they hit double digits in age.

Point-to-points have for a number of years o� ered alternative solace for some such former stars, whose connections have opted to revert to the amateur ranks to prolong their career. Big Fella Thanks and Carruthers are two prime examples this season.

I have concluded that 10 is no longer old. One of my best performers was a horse called Coombe Hill, whom I fi rst rode in 2012 when he was 11. At the time he was a fi fth-season pointer having won six races, but he had picked up the habit of being the bridesmaid in ladies’ races.

We clicked, and over the next four seasons I rode him 25 times, winning 11 and being placed on 10 other occasions. Having won three times as a 14-year-old, we decided to retire him fully intact, sound and healthy.

However, Coombe Hill was having none of it. Now, under the care of a teenaged handler in her fi rst season, the 15-year-old horse is enjoying his 10th season and looking a million dollars. He has been placed on both starts to date in open races.

The trend for running horses well into their teens is increasing. Every horse is di� erent and many are not as durable as Coombe Hill, but point-to-pointing is his domain and he continues to thrive when on the racecourse.

In human years he is 56. I sincerely hope I look and feel as well as him when I get to that age. H&H

DarrenEdwards

When is old too old?

COMMENT

Popaway pounces on first place

PAULINE HARKIN’S Popaway bounced back to form in spectacular style when winning the

ladies open by fi ve lengths at Thorpe Lodge (14 February).

Jockey Immy Robinson said a wind operation has transformed the 11-year-old mare.

“She’s so happy now,” said Immy. “I coasted round the fi nal bend and when I asked for a fi nal push, her ears pricked and she had lots to give.”

Another horse winning following a wind operation last summer was Midnight Monkey. The eight-year-old, ridden by Nick Meek and trained by Chris Henn, kept fi nding himself in front and stayed on well to head the maiden.

“This is a lucky course for our team,” said owner Jonathan Connell, as his family’s Legal Legend had netted the men’s open victory earlier in the day under Jonny Bailey.

“Legal Legend is everyone’s favourite at home,” said Lady Connell of the nine-year-old purchased as a foal by her husband, the late Sir Michael Connell.

The Rucker family’s Minella Friend won a well-contested restricted race, just beating Upton Venture and Desert Sting in the fi nal furlong.

The members’ conditions race attracted some experienced runners, Callhimwhatyouwant

MIDLANDS AREA CLUB

(Samantha Klug) leading for around two circuits before succumbing to pressure from the well-backed Thetalkinghorse (Tom McClorey), who went on to win comfortably for Gerald Bailey.

Peter Mason marked his return to race riding after a lay-off with a foot injury with a win in the intermediate on the self-trained You Too Pet, while Arthur’s Secret, a six-year-old trained in Worcester by Martin Weston, led the novice riders’ race from start to fi nish under Abigail Banks.

The second division of the maiden went the way of Agent For Chaos, who only arrived in

DUCKS & DOUBLESDoubles: William Easterby (Sinnington)Will Milburn (Duncombe Park)Tom David (Lydstep)

Ducks: Izzie Marshall (Charing)

trainer Tom Morgan’s yard three weeks earlier.

“He’s got plenty left in him; he’s a clever horse and marvellous to ride,” said jockey Kelly Morgan, who co-owns the nine-year-old with Tom Jackson. H&H

FIRST WINIzzie Marshall

WITH a childhood full of hunting, team chasing and pony racing, 16-year-old Izzie Marshall has had the perfect education for pointing. It came as no surprise to those familiar with the Marshall family when she expertly guided Conkies Lad (pictured, right) to victory in the ladies open at Charing on just her third ride.

“Our other horses had run really well and Conkies Lad had won twice with my brother Charlie, so I was feeling the pressure,” said Izzie. “But he travelled really well; I hit the front three out and thought ‘now just don’t fall off’.”

‘Everyone’s favourite’ — Legal Legend, bought by the Connell family as a foal,

repays their faith in him with a men’s open triumph, ridden by Jonny Bailey

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