AN EXCELLENT day’s racing took place at Milborne St Andrew.

The highlights of the day were an impressive seasonal debut of Master Baker who captured the Mixed Open race, Moscow Prices who also won his race on his seasonal debut under Lucy Mager, another gritty performance by Robin de Boss and a first win from her new stable at Mappowder for Harriet Brown’s Gracious Prince in the concluding race.

The opening race, the Maiden, was won in convincing style by The Jaffna Queen, ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen. Making virtually all in the two and a half mile contest the mare had 15 lengths in hand at the line from nearest rival Artson with the remaining finishers virtually walking over in the line.

One Big Love followed up her win at Buckfastleigh when taking the Restricted race under Lorcan Williams. Held up she made steady headway through the field and taking up the lead approaching the last she drew clear on the run-in to win by four lengths from the fast finishing Ballybruff.

Moscow Prices was a game winner of the Countryside Alliance Club Members’ race in beating favourite Fly West, ridden by Will Biddick. Always prominent, Lucy Mager sent her mount into the lead at the third last and held off the challenge of Fly West by two lengths.

There was a remarkable finish to the feature race, the Mixed Open, with four horses still in contention. Tom Barton, who had made much of the running, had been headed at the second last and Alternatif, ridden by Gordon Treacy, had taken it up and looked to have stolen a march on his rivals. Sam Waley-Cohen, aboard Facile Bien, had no more to give at the last fence but Jo Supple (nee Buck) galvanised her mount Master Baker and with a bold jump at the last he drew clear on the flat to win by three lengths.

Robin de Boss followed up his victory in the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt race when taking the Novice and Veteran Riders’ race under Jamie Hepburn.

The concluding race, the Open Maiden for six-year-olds and over run over two-and-a-half miles, attracted the biggest field of the day with 13 horses starting. Favourite Dragon de la Tour looked to be in command approaching the last but, as his stride shortened, George Hiscock aboard Gracious Prince saw his opportunity and his mount responded well on the flat to record a two-length victory.

Prior to the point-to-point racing the charity flat race was won in stylish fashion by up-and-coming point-to-point trainer Annie Bacon on her first ride in public.

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