NORTH-WEST
Sharon Marshall won two prelims with a horse who has survived a rare illness normally associated with drought conditions in the Antipodes.
Sharon bought the French-bred Master Enrico D’Epris as a fouryear-old, but the following year the horse started to exhibit some alarming symptoms.
“He was ataxic behind with moments of hyperflexion and was in and out of the vets for a year, having every scan under the sun,” said Sharon. “They couldn’t find what was wrong and I’d decided to turn him out for a year when someone suggested Campbell Thompson look at him. He diagnosed Australian stringhalt, removed his lateral digital flexor tendons and it was a miracle cure.”
Former broodmare Bowland Donner Hit (Sandro Hit x Donnerschwee) won both novices at Northcote Stud with plus-70% for owner/rider Collette Hincks.
Collette bought the mare, who’d had three foals, directly from Bowland Stud.
“I was looking for a smaller horse — she’s only 15.2hh — and having been backed late she was that bit cheaper,” said Collette. “She was very green but you could see the potential.”
Stuart Mason scored 78.39% in a novice at Aintree EC, winning by over 10% on the Countess of Derby’s Hollywood VI.
Stuart, a regular competitor in the show ring, took on the ride at the beginning of the year, having worked for the Derbys 10 years ago before going freelance as a rider and trainer.
“I love the challenge of both worlds,” said Stuart. “Whether they’re a show horse or a dressage horse they should go well.”