King’s classy double

One jockey ended his year in style, while pace proves crucial for another horse's victory

- STEPHANIE BATEMAN

JOCKEY James King ended his year in style by landing a double at Larkhill, which kicked off with a maiden victory aboard four-year-old Gasmani. The David Dennisowned and trained gelding was making his first start over fences, having run in two pointing bumpers previously.

“I rode him in a point-to-point bumper last year as a very weak four-year-old,” said James of the promising youngster by Getaway. “The summer break has done him the world of good. I just dropped him in and hunted him away and his class shone through. He jumped very well and hopefully, he’ll have a bright future. He’s a bit quirky, so we’re trying him pointing before he goes under Rules.”

James’s second win came in the men’s open, riding Grace A Vous Enki for trainer Nicky Sheppard and owner Mrs J Hitchings. This was the second win from as many starts for the Dream Well seven-year-old.

“I won on him at the last Larkhill meeting and obviously had stiffer competition today,” added James. “Having a run under his belt and with his course form, we went a strong gallop, he jumped well and powered away at the end. The Sheppard family have done a great job to get him back, because he lost his way under Rules, and to get him back to achieving that is great.”

Another horse to win on the bounce was Deise Aba, who landed the conditions (level two) under Zac Baker for trainer Francesca Poste and owners Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings. The 10-year-old gelding won last time out at Chaddesley Corbett.