Cuckoo calls the win

A new event finally runs its inaugural fixture after Covid cancellations, and Tom Jackson scores his seventh win in a month

- CATHERINE AUSTEN

Cirencester Park (X), Glos

TOM JACKSON’S win and second place in the advanced sections at Cirencester Park added further fuel to the fire he has lit under the 2021 season so far. The victory – in section I aboard Billy Cuckoo – was his seventh in a month, and was backed up by Capels Hollow Drift’s runnerup spot behind Alex Bragg and Quindiva in section J.

“All the horses are going well, and it’s so nice to be able to reward owners for their outlay and patience last year,” said Tom in his understated way. “Cuckoo’s dressage hasn’t necessarily been her strong point, but we’ve been working hard at it. She normally finishes on her dressage score, but today she was right up there in a competitive place after the first phase [with 28.1].

“Her showjumping was lovely, and she made the time across country without really trying. She’s so nippy and easy to ride that she makes life easy for the jockey.”

Pippa Funnell passed on the ride on the Billy Congo mare, who is owned by Richard and Sarah Jewson, to Tom in 2017, but “is still very involved in her plans and her training,” said Tom, who hopes to take Cuckoo to her first CCI5* at Luhmühlen in June.

He finished 0.9 of a penalty in front of Ben Hobday and Shadow Man II in section I, while in section J he was 3.9 marks behind Alex Bragg after adding 4.4 crosscountry time-faults to a dressage mark of 30.2. Capels Hollow Drift, owned by Milly Simmie, Patricia Davenport and Sarah Webb, will aim for a first CCI4*-L at Bicton.