POINT TO POINT

SOUTH Wales trainer Tim Vaughan’s decision to make the 375-mile journey from Cowbridge to Kelso was made worthwhile by the victories of Jean Genie and Ocojohn in the hands of son Ed on the weekend’s Buccleuch card, writes PETER BURGON.

After being placed in 15 of 30 career starts under all codes, nobody could begrudge Jean Genie his moment of glory in the 3m Maiden Conditions Race.

Eased into contention on the final circuit, the eight-year-old headed longtime leader Bentley Road two out before drawing clear to score by five lengths.

Ocojohn was always close up in the Restricted Race and, after taking it up from the pace-setting Burtown four out, it was one-way traffic in the closing stages as he cruised home 25 lengths ahead of Eagles Rock.

Vaughan Jnr, a 16-year-old A-level student in Cardiff and former pony racing champion on both sides of the Irish Sea, said: ‘’He was suited by the strong gallop set by Burtown and hasn’t looked back since getting off the mark in a first-time hood at Milbourne St Andrew two starts ago.’’

The double took his seasonal tally to eight and extended his lead in the National Men’s Novice Riders Championship.

Champion jockey James King steered Cheltenham raider Jay Bee Whiskey to a fifth win in a row in the 2m4f Mixed Open Race.

Sent clear half-a-mile from home, the progressive nine-year-old kept on strongly to beat Kingrullah by eight lengths.

Swindon-based owner Kevin Crawford said: ‘’Getting his neck and back ailments cured has proved to be the best money I’ve ever spent on a horse and I’m sure we’ll have plenty more fun with him this season.’’

The unfancied Any Job Will Do caused an upset in the 2m4f Maiden Race under a well-judged front-running ride from Joe Wright and just had enough left in the tank to repel a late challenge from Trust Me Nate by a length.

Winning owner/trainer Jackie Stephen said: ‘’He lost his way under Rules but has now got his confidence back and was suited by the shorter trip on better ground.’’

Ask Cory made it three wins from four starts since joining Briony Ewart’s Langholm yard when following up last month’s course success in the 3m Novice Riders Mixed Open Race.

Produced with a perfectly timed challenge by owner/rider Chloe McHattie to lead at the last, the 11-year-old had to dig deep to hold off Bintheredonethat and Wild Romance in a blanket finish and secure a neck verdict.

A change of scenery and drop in class has worked the oracle with ex-Irish hurdler/chaser Nick Lost, who joined James Cookson’s Morpeth yard four months ago. Given a peach of a ride by daughter Natasha, the evergreen 12-year-old galloped his six rivals into submission in the concluding NPPA Conditions Race to end a long losing sequence stretching back to July 2018.

RESULTS

1pm, 2m4f Maiden Race: 1, Any Job Will Do (J Wright) 12/1, 2, Trust Me Nate (J Dawson) 2/1 fav, 3, Shantou’s Temple (L Hodgins) 5/2, 12 Ran, 1,0.5.

1.30pm, 3m Maiden Conditions Race: 1, Jean Genie (E Vaughan) 3/1, 2, Bentley Road (J Wright) 3/1, 3, Reve De Niamh (Miss L Brown) 12/1, 12 Ran, 5,Nk.

2pm, Restricted Race: 1, Ocojohn (E Vaughan) 7/4 fav, 2, Eagles Rock (J Dawson) 12/1, 3, Burtown (J King) 5/2, 7 Ran, 25,3.

2.30pm, 2m4f Mixed Open Race: 1, Jay Bee Whiskey (J King) 1/3 fav, 2, Kingrullah (Miss L Fenwick) 5/1, 3, Thosedaysaregone (Miss I Mactaggart) 7/2, 7 Ran, 8,8.

3pm, Novice Riders Mixed Open Race: 1, Ask Cory (Miss C McHattie) 2/1, 2, Bintheredonethat (Miss E Justice-Vose) 5/1, 3, Wild Romance (S Halton) 4/1, 9 Ran, Nk,Hd.

3.30pm, NPPA Conditions Race: 1, Nick Lost (Miss N Cookson) 9/2, 2, Oscar Wilde (Miss A Coltherd) 6/4 fav, 3, Teds Charley Roe (Miss L Brown) 8/1, 7 Ran, 15,7.