King is twice crowned

A relatively new pairing claim victory in a brace of hunt races, but more familiar faces post wins as well

- CATHERINE AUSTEN

COTSWOLD SCURRY
25 FEBRUARY

CLARE KING and Cesar Et Rosalie got their spring campaign off to a flying start with a decisive victory over Zack Davidson and Crievehill at the Cotswold Scurry, held over the Bailey family's land at Charlton Abbotts.

Clare's husband, trainer Neil King, bought the 11-yearold Network gelding from Tattersalls' Ascot sale in December 2021, and the former chaser has taken well to his new life of hunting with the VWH and hunt races.

"He's been brilliant," said Clare. "I haven't had the right horse for these races for a while - it takes a pretty special one, and it is luck as to whether they will be brave enough and clever enough. He's very enthusiastic about everything and is a lovely, forward-going ride, but neat and sharp enough with his jumping to cope with the variety of fences you encounter in these races, which I think are the ultimate test of a hunter.

"This track suited him down to the ground because it was big, open and galloping and we had a really smooth ride. I sat in behind the leaders, and my horse just picked up beautifully to pass Zack at the end."

Henry Nicholson and Easter Eric finished third, with William Fox Grant fourth on Iona Lad. There were 30 finishers from 42 starters in the Ivy Lodge Farm Rehabilitation Centre-sponsored race, and former jump jockey Jason Maguire, who runs Ivy Lodge Farm with his wife Lauren, made his hunt race debut on a former event horse.

COTTESMORE SCURRY
5 MARCH

WILL BISHOP took the Cottesmore Scurry for the second year running on exracehorse Top Up The Fashion, with whom he won the Melton Hunt Club Ride last November.