Cotswold youngsters hit the front at Lockinge

Harry Greasby and Skipthecuddles have both had to wait to record their first wins between the flags, but they finally cracked it in the Luck Greayer Keeper-Jockey Conditions Race (Level 2).

Greasby, 19, who hails from Winchcombe and now works for Alan and Lawney Hill at Aston Rowant, was having his 26th ride when partnering the 12-year-old owned and trained by Tim Underwood at Beedon, near Newbury.

Skipthecuddles, who won a bumper, two hurdles and a chase under rules for Graeme McPherson, meanwhile, was opening his pointing account at the 13th attempt after being purchased for £12,000 at the Goffs UK Doncaster Sales in August 2021. Greasby struck the front after winging the third-last and, despite drifting down the hill on the run-in, his mount still had enough left to hold off Frisson Collonges and Freddie Henderson by three lengths.

Greasby said: "It is just brilliant. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the way. He's a very quirky horse. He needs to be amongst horses and not away from them."

Underwood admitted Skipthecuddles had been frustrating, saying: "He is lairy. He was only four lengths behind Kemboy at Cheltenham. He is such a thinker. I have tried cheekpieces and blinkers. I might blindfold him next time!" Not needed for his rider just yet one thinks. 

The meeting was preceded by three pony races, sponsored by Pinewood School, and the opener for novice riders saw a first winner for Rosie Twiston-Davies, 9, daughter of Naunton trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, on Follow The Stars. The family has form in pony racing. Both Sam and Willie were in the vanguard of pony racing's introduction to the British market, and are living proof, were it needed that starting early is a sound move.