Fil D'Ariane jumps to glory

Doug White pilots equine debutant Fil D’Ariane to the front of the pack in the VWH’s new hunt ride

- CATHERINE AUSTEN

DOUG WHITE nipped over the border from the Beaufort country to win the first running of the VWH’s new hunt race on Fil D’Ariane, finishing about three lengths ahead of Yvonne Goss and Jaffa.

Doug took a bold, early lead on the Gris De Gris six-yearold, who won over hurdles when trained by Tom Symonds. Although Yvonne seized the advantage when Doug went the wrong side of some bales at the start of the second circuit, he caught up and overtook her. Surviving a bad mistake at the last – he was nearly catapulted clear over his horse’s ears – Doug did well to hold on to victory.

“This was his first hunt race, and he took to it really well,” said Doug. “He pulled my arms out to start with, but he jumped brilliantly. I might run him in a point-to-point and see how he goes, but otherwise we’ll stick to these races.”

Taking the highly experienced Jaffa’s scalp on a first outing suggests that Fil D’Ariane could be a force to be reckoned with in these races, and it is to be hoped that the Ledbury’s Golden Button Ride-on 12 February brings the recent Melton, VWH and Yeomanry winners together for a showdown.

“Full marks to Doug for sitting that at the last,” said Yvonne. “Technically he was a goner, and I thought I might just get it, but he sat there and I thought, ‘Well done you.’”

She said that 13-year-old Jaffa was lame a week ago and therefore missed some work, but that the pair were just delighted to have such a good ride round.

“ONE OR TWO HAIRRAISING JUMPS”