A REMARKABLE first ever treble for rider Tommie O’Brien on three unraced four-year-olds for three different trainers in the Maiden races was the highlight of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale point-to-point meeting at Charlton Horethorne.

The new course arrangements received positive reaction from jockeys, trainers and owners and on the softer going it was necessary to stay the trip to triumph but with 71 horses taking part in the seven races the committee should feel delighted with their revamping of the card.

Other highlights included a strong performance from Virak in the Mixed Open Race in addition to an impressive English debut for Tuff Nano in the Restricted race.

Virak is clearly enjoying his stay at Rose Loxton’s Bruton stable as he recorded his third success this season when capturing the Mixed Open race under Natalie Parker from a fast finishing Herbert Park ridden by Fergus Gillard.

Tommie O’Brien, 26, will certainly remember his first ever visit to Charlton Horethorne in recording his initial riding treble with the unusual achievement of winning on three unraced four-year-olds for three different trainers.

His treble started with a win in the first division of the divided Open Maiden over two miles four furlongs when he partnered Get Prepared to beat Breaking the Ice by six lengths.

His next win in the other division of the Open Maiden over two miles four furlongs for trainer Francesca Nimmo was aboard Presence of Mind who beat Five Gold Bars by five lengths.

Tommie’s treble was completed when he sent Cadzand trained by Sophie Lacey into a clear lead after jumping the third last in the Open Maiden race and he easily beat Doctor Wong ridden by Keagan Kirkby.

George Hiscock is building a good partnership with Jo Hepburn’s Robin de Boss and he maintained his impressive unbeaten record on the gelding when comfortably beating Saffron Wells ridden by Tom Doggrell in the Hunt Race.

Navanman was too good for his 10 rivals in the Conditions race where all riders had to have ridden less than 15 winners at the start of the season. Navanman and Bryan Carver have an excellent record together and this was their third victory in partnership this season.

The concluding race, the Restricted, was won in good style by the mare Tuff Nano ridden by Matt Hampton and trained by Teresa Clark for Weston- super-Mare owner Peter Gwyn.

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