A picturesque course bathed in sunshine, six competitive races and a resilient betting market - little wonder that all roads led to Didmarton on Saturday for this year's renewal of the annual Bathurst point to point, writes Andrew King.

 

Although this term has not been as straightforward for Ed Vaughan as last season when crowned a clear cut champion novice rider, he remains a regular in the winner's circle and again showed his ability in the saddle when lifting the featured Mixed Open on Dalamoi.

 

Trained by his father Tim, the eight-year-old maintained his blemish free record in points by following up his recent Wadebridge success when outpointing 5/4 favourite IK Brunel a length-and-a-half.

 

Vaughan jnr said: "It was a nice prize to win and I was glad to see it cut up a little but the horse has done nothing wrong - he has been relatively lightly raced of late as he is tricky to train and has his issues

 

"I will have to speak to Dad about it but I suspect he will have one, or maybe two more runs in points and then the chances are he will probably end up back under Rules."

 

 

Crocodile Lounge made it back to back victories in the Restricted when following up his 2024 success by digging deep throughout the final mile of race to deny Perryville. There was a length-and-a-half between the pair at the line.

 

Successful trainer and winning rider Bradley Gibbs reported: "Crocodile Lounge was very brave there as he keeps finding the more you ask of him and it's brilliant for all concerned that he has repeated last year's win in this race."

 

Hinting that his string was back in good heart after a slowish start to the term, Gibbs added: "One or two of our horses were not quite right but things are now back on track hopefully as they all seem well in themselves at present."

 

At a subsequent enquiry the raceday stewards stood Gibbs down for the remainder of the card. 

 

The Angela Slatter-trained Alaphilippe was well supported into 7/4 market leader for the Conditions (Level 2) contest and dully delivered when staying on strongly from the second last fence to see off Doc Carver by four lengths.

 

Slatter said: "He was beaten at Milborne St Andrew  when ridden prominently so we decided to be a bit more patient on him this time and James (King,

 jockey) has come there with a perfectly timed challenge before going on to win

 

The trainer concluded: "A few years ago he was a useful hurdler and was second in the Pertemps Hurdle final at the Cheltenham Festival but those days are far behind him now and we will be looking at another point to point in a few weeks or so."

 

 

Punters who noticed that Gina Andrews had journeyed to Gloucestershire for just the one ride were well rewarded after Huckleberry Sting quickened away to land the Maiden in impressive style.

 

She said "He is a lovely big horse who came to the yard from Dan Skelton and has a very nice way of doing things and the hope will be that we can channel all his attributes in the right direction and he can progress."

 

Western Cowboy benefitted from a nicely judged ride by Will Badlan to collect the spoils aboard the Jo Priest-trained Western Cowboy who saw off Powerstown Park for the Grass Roots Riders Conditions race.

 

Badlan sat off the frenetic early pace before cajoling his mount into a timely challenge two fences from home and pulling clear for an eight lengths verdict.

 

Fil D'Ariane started the shortest price favourite of the afternoon when sent off 2/5 favourite for the Members and comfortably landed the spoils in all the way fashion under Douglas White.

 

The rider said: "It was a bit of a steering job the way things panned out. In the longer term I would like to qualify him for the Aintree Foxhunters next year, that maybe a bit of a pipedream but you never know."