Trainer Pearce lands a treble

Point-to-point

Nick Pearce completed an Easter treble as the sport’s two biggest days of the South East season at Charing and Aldington enjoyed good weather and big crowds. The Kent/East Sussex borders-based trainer, followed up his double success with Roll of the Dice and Don’t Do Mondays at the Ashford Valley Tickham meeting at Charing on Saturday, by saddling Clondaw Hill to victory on the East Kent with West Street card at Aldington on Monday. Pearce and owner Ruth Arnold topped and tailed events at Charing, with fiveyear-old Roll of The Dice winning the Open Maiden, and Don’t Do Mondays producing a front-running performance to beat his two rivals to win the Hunt finale. He was back in the winner’s enclosure at Aldington on Monday, when Clondaw Nell triumphed in the Open Maiden, under jockey Jack Andrews, who completed a double as Quick Oats outpaced his only rival West Lake to win the Club Members. Andrews replaced injured Charlie Marshall, while Oz Wedmore also benefited from his absence, by riding Adept Approach to win the Men’s Open. Phil York was the jockey in form at Charing, completing his hat-trick on Spiritofchartwell in the Restricted, left clear when Marshall and Minmore Present went through the wing at the third last. His other two winners came aboard The Gunner Brady in the Mixed Open and Merrydown Vintage in the Club Members’ Conditions, beating only rival Iheardu. Ella Gillings rode her first winner of the season on Letskeepit Simple in the Veteran & Novice Riders’ race. Victory looked unlikely around the home bend but Gillings timed her challenge well, going away on the seven-year-old, who is well on his way to be the area’s leading horse for the second year running. Despite being without a winner at Aldington on Monday, Shane Roche crept into a one point lead over Marshall in the Leading Gentleman Riders’ Championship, with three meetings to go. The Old Surrey Burstow & West Kent Hunt, hold their second meeting of the season at Penshurst on Saturday. The first of three pony races start at 12.30pm, with the six race card off at 2pm. Admission is £25 per car.