'It's great to feel a part of it' - owners rejoice on return to the races

Wincanton welcomed 54 owners back to the racecourse, with a sense of normality restored to those lucky enough to be in attendance in the Somerset sunshine.

Johnny de la Hey and wife Sam enjoyed a winning feeling on their first racecourse visit of 2021, taking advantage of the easing of lockdown restrictions which allowed two owners to attend per horse.

They witnessed their exciting Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old Danny Kirwan romp home in the competitive 2m5½f novice hurdle, with the victory reminding them how enthralling a day at the races can be.

Danny Kirwan's owner Sam de la Hey looks on at her winnerCredit: Edward Whitaker

The couple are no strangers to owning impressive winners, having enjoyed plenty of brilliant days with top-class chaser Cyrname, and Johnny de la Hey said: "Being on course lets you feel closer to everything that's going on. Paul does a great job in keeping me informed, but it's great to really feel like a part of it rather than just watching it on TV.

"Even if you go racing you're not always winning – nine times out of ten the owner won't be – but it's about going out, seeing the horse, the connections and all the friends that go with it."

Jenny Perry had to persuade co-owner Celia Goaman to head to Wincanton, but the pair made the right decision after watching Kauto The King battle on bravely to land the 2m4f handicap chase.

"I didn't want to come as I had got so used to being at home," said Goaman. "This one [Jenny] told me to come as it was a day out, and we were hopeful about the horse. I thought we might be lucky and we have been. Nothing beats being here."

Victory for the Suzy Smith-trained Counteract prompted some emotional scenes in the winner's enclosure for his hands-on owner Sarah Palmer, who rides the six-year-old out every Saturday.

Their relationship was made obvious, with Counteract dipping his head over the rail to greet his owner and her son Tom after victory in the 2m4f novice handicap chase.

Counteract: impressive winner at WincantonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Palmer said: "I ride him every Saturday morning and when I walk in the yard he he shouts across the yard to me. He recognises me as well, which is kind of unusual. I've had him since he was a yearling, I broke him in and I ride him every weekend. It's incredible, it's a story from the beginning.

"I'm glad it's worked out that I could be here. It means everything – that's the whole point of having a horse."

Cobden clings to title hope

Harry Cobden kept his hopes of being crowned champion jockey alive with a 24-1 treble.

Cobden's fine start to the week takes his tally to 116 and closes the gap to 11 on leader Brian Hughes (127). Harry Skelton, who rode a four-timer at Stratford, is second on 124.

His success on maiden hurdle winner Confirmation Bias to go with his victory on Danny Kirwan saw him reach 150 winners for boss Paul Nicholls. The Colin Tizzard-trained Kauto The King secured the treble.

“I’m a long way off, but with horseracing anything can happen," Cobden said. "I’m not writing myself off yet, although I was after Cheltenham, but you bounce back and I’ve had winners nearly every day since, including three here. Don’t underestimate me."

125-1 winner

Amateur jockey Peter Summers rode his first career winner on 125-1 shot Catchin Time, but was so shocked on passing the post that he began to wonder whether he still had another circuit to go.

The victory was also notable for giving trainer Laura Hurley her first win since February 2018, as well as bringing to an end Catchin Time's winless run which itself stretched back to February 2017.

The 13-year-old was having just his second run in almost two years when landing the 2m5½f handicap hurdle, making almost all for a dominant four-and-a-quarter length romp.

Catchin Time: 125-1 winner at WincantonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I've been riding for six years now and that's my first winner," said Summers. "This horse means a lot to Laura, so it's a really special day.

"I was thinking 'do I have another circuit left' when nothing was coming to me. It probably sounds silly, but I kept looking over my shoulder and I couldn't believe it. He was galloping in my hands. He's a lovely little horse."

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