Exeter Racecourse off to a flying start as local hero Time To Bite shines

Exeter Racecourse launched its new season in fine style yesterday, with James Best riding a double and Devon’s most popular horse in training, Time To Bite, claiming the feature Download The PricedUp App Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Chris Honour just a few miles away at Sigford, the ten-year-old recorded his sixth win of the year, though this one came as a pleasant surprise to his connections.

Honour’s wife, Becky, said: “We knew we were going to give him a break after today, so we thought we’d come to our local track, so all his syndicate could come along, hopefully win a bit of prize money and have a nice day out. We’ll never have another horse like him. What he’s given us is incredible. He originally came to us from Ireland just to freshen him up and try to get him placed in a race, but he picked up an injury, and his owner said we might as well keep him. We rehabilitated him, freshened him up and created a racing club for him.”

But Time To Bite had other ideas about taking it easy. Under a confident ride from Bryan Carver – with whom he shares an excellent partnership – he took command early and held off the favourite, Bollintubber Boy, to win by half a length.

The afternoon began with a faultless display from Start Again in the PricedUp Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old, trained by Fergal O’Brien and ridden by Kielan Woods, pulled clear comfortably for owners The Tequila Tipsters.

James Best opened his account in the Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow Movies Limited Hurdle aboard Masonbrook Meadow. The 10-1 chance dug deep after the last to fend off Guillaume by three-quarters of a length for The 69 Racing Team.

Syndicate founder Simon Prout said: “I’ve had horses with Seamus for a long time, and a few years ago I decided to form a syndicate that’s affordable – 69 like-minded people paying £69 a month. You can’t knock it! It’s great to get the win today because we were starting to think Masonbrook Meadow might be nearing retirement, but James gave her a brilliant ride.”

Best completed his double in the concluding Weathers and Birdie Calendars “3yrs old” Junior National Hunt Flat Race, steering the Jane Williams-trained La Luna Artist to a one-length victory over Don’t Rein Me In, who ran an eye-catching race in second for the Honour-Carver team.

Elsewhere, Isobel Williams produced a well-judged ride aboard 6/4 favourite Where’s Cato to land the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, taking up the lead in the home straight and pulling four lengths clear of Jeremy Scott’s Miss Tiara.

Conditional jockey Isabeau Ryder, a former British junior showjumping team member, continued her fine run of form, winning the Mrs Patricia Gardner Memorial Handicap Hurdle on the Alexandra Dunn-trained Stage Show.

The Alan Jones-trained Hillsin, ridden by Ed Vaughan, held off favourite Ugo Bingo by a head in the PricedUp.bet Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle for Plymouth-based owner Alan Clegg.

Exeter’s next meeting is the prestigious BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup on Friday, 7 November, when Devon stops for racing. Tickets are available online at thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter.

Pictured: Time To Bite ridden by Bryan Carver and trained by Chris Honour at Sigford in Devon. Photo credit: Francesca Altoft Photography.