By Mike Drowne
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As well as chocolate, Easter weekend brought a busy weekend of racing with Flete Park on Saturday, followed by Trebudannon on Monday.
As always, plenty of folk flocked to the Cornish track with plenty of holidaymakers enjoying the action.
The opening race of the day saw the prolific point-to-point winner El Capitaine land his fifth win of the season under Josh Newman, who also trained the seven-year-old.
Despite being the 2-9 favourite, he was made to work for it by Share a Momen,t who is locally trained by Ryan Chapman and was the only other runner.
Race two, The St Ewe Eggs Restricted Race saw recent winner, Dawn Supreme do battle with Holkhan Hall.
The latter looked to have secured the honours heading to the last fence, however, James Shaw galvanised another effort from Dawn Supreme and was closing down his challenger with every stride.
The judge was needed to reveal the winner and a dead heat was announced.
James Shaw
Reflecting on the win, Shaw said; “I thought we were beat jumping two out, he filled his lungs and went again.
“He’s obviously a nice horse, to be headed jumping the last and then still come back is a good effort and we just got there on the line.”
Rian Corcoran rode the Amie Treacy trained, Holkham Hall and said; “It’s good to see Holkham Hall back to his old self, he’s had a couple of disappointing runs but he was back on song today.
“I probably got there soon enough on him but luckily he just held on.”
The large crowd were treated to another close finish in the next race, The TLS Solicitors Ladies Open Race.
Four went to post for the contest, and it was the 14-year-old The Kings Writ who was best fancied, at odds of 7-5 to land his third race of the season and follow up from his 30-length romp here last month.
Recent winner, Jet Smart ran out at the first fence in the back straight and with Doctor Doyen pulling up, it was left to The Kings Writ and Walkin Out to fight it out for the final half a circuit.
Walkin Out held the advantage at the final fence, but the 14-year-old was clawing back his rival and proving yet again his zest for the sport. In reflection, winning rider, Anna Johnston said; “She’s a fantastic mare, she’s won a couple of times here now.
“I knew The Kings Writ would be the one to beat, but she’s so game and so tough. I’m delighted with her, she’s a privilege to ride.”
Race Four
Race four was the Truro Tractors four and five-year-old Maiden Race.
Six runners lined up and it produced another thrilling finish. Absolut Grey made the running under Rian Corcoran but it was Knock Of Soxs, who had been dropped out, that took the lead with three to jump.
An error at the last by Kock Of Soxs handed the advantage to Absolut Grey but Josh Newman, who also trains the four-year-old, was able to urge another effort out Knock Of Soxs to fend off Absolute Grey and Get To The Point.
The feature race of the day, The John Parnall Memorial Cornish National Men’s Open, saw a dominant display from the Liam Corcoran-trained Duc De Beauchene.
The 12-year-old cruised to victory for a wide margain win under Rian Corcoran who only had to ask his mount for minimal effort.
The 12-year-old won at the previous Trebudannon meeting by 12 lengths and also won by 15 lengths at Buckfastleigh last month.
He won the Norfolk National in 2023 when trained by David Pipe and has been a loyal servant for the Corcoran family this season.
Rian Corcoran
Speaking after yet another successful weekend for the young rider, Rian said; “He’s a proper good horse.
“He settled nicely and I took it up goin going out on the last circuit to make sure it was a true test and he did it comfortably.”
The final race of the day The Kivells and Trebudannon Manor Maiden, proved to be a memorable race for Tanisha Little, who was enjoying her first ever winner Aboard the Janet Ackner trained, Walking It Off.
The pair had gone very close at the previous meeting at the track but wern’t to be denied this time. As Walking It Off crossed the line, Tanisha stood aloft and gave an animated wave of her whip.
A fitting celebration for a memorable win. Speaking after the race, a delighted Tanisha said; “She went to the front a little bit earlier than I wanted, but she’s quite a game little mare and she wanted to get there so I let her be.
She’s really tricky, she will plant and mess around at the start but once she gets on the track she is very professional. I have been riding for five years and that’s my first win, but it made it worthwhile.”
