Two Devon-trained winners shine at Exeter Racecourse on Devon AIr Ambulance Day

Devon enjoyed success at Exeter Racecourse on Sunday on Devon Air Ambulance Day as two local-trained horses took wins on a busy day of racing.

Tenter Le Tout, a three-year-old filly trained by Chester Williams at George Nympton, ran out an easy winner in the South West Rail Solutions EBF National Hunt Hurdle. Ridden by Harry Cobden, she took the lead approaching the final flight and won by two and a half lengths. Williams said: “We’ll go for some black type or a listed race, and might go for the final at Chepstow next month. She loves the soft ground.” Williams’ mother, Jane, who also trains at George Nympton, finished second in the same race with favourite Mwabani.

Square Du Roule, trained by Nigel Hawke near Tiverton, completed the day’s Devon success in the Stag Environmental Polaris Dealer Devon, Somerset Handicap Hurdle, taking the lead on the run-in to win by a length.

Cobden rode a treble on the seven-race card. Other winners included Tashan, who held on by a short head in the Marley Comms Full Signal Sprint Four Years Old Handicap Hurdle. Trainer Emma Lavelle said: “He’s a very nice horse but we just need to take it slowly with him and make sure he learns to do everything properly. He needs to settle, jump a little better, and then we’ll see where we can go with him.”

The feature Marley Comms Ceri Thomas Memorial Novices Limited Handicap Chase was won by Blenkinsop, giving Sam Twiston-Davies the first half of a double. Owner Phil Humphrey-Cuff, whose mother-in-law Lucy Dixon owns the horse, said: “He was injured in the summer of 2023 and we’ve been holding our breaths that he makes a full recovery. He’s a lovely horse, a real trooper. This is just his second time over fences after his first start at Cheltenham last month. He’s bred to stay and this was the perfect race.”

Twiston-Davies followed up with Good Friday Fairy in the Pencarrie Derby Handicap Chase. Other winners included Pottersville in the Tozers Community Spirit Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and rising star Alice Stevens, who impressed on the Tom Lacey-trained Luttreel Lad in the Galloping For Good Handelsbanken Handicap Hurdle.

The raceday also raised funds for the Devon Air Ambulance. Founder and life president Ann Ralli said: “My son was killed in an accident in 1986 and the surgeon said if we’d had an ambulance he would have been saved. It took us four years to get it together. It’s been a very good day today and a wonderful fundraiser for the charity.”

Exeter’s next raceday is the Elf Raceday on Friday 5 December, supporting the Exeter Leukaemia Fund. Visitors who dress in festive attire, at least a jack and hat, receive a free drink. First race is at 12.31pm, with free buses from Exeter St David’s.

Main image: Tenter Le Tout and Harry Cobden. Photo: Franchesca Altoft