Pocket rocket springs a surprise

Annabel Widdowson launches her 2025 campaign with a double qualification and a 15.2hh mare is flying

- SARAH RADFORD

Aintree International EC Small Pony Premier, Liverpool

ANNABEL WIDDOWSON launched her 2025 campaign by claiming two 128cm Royal International (RIHS) tickets, one with previous Hickstead champion Bunbury Conquest and the other with new ride Desdemone De Marquais.

Both of the show's winter 128cm qualifiers ended with a tie when nine-year-old Annabel delivered one of only two clears in the second round.

In Saturday's class, she piloted Desdemone Du Marquais to joint victory with Hugo Oakes (Jonny Be Good), while on Sunday she shared the spoils with Kobi Hunter Watt (Hill Garth Bailey Cream).

Annabel took over the ride on “Wolfie”, who was produced very successfully by Lucia Caroline, only shortly before Christmas.

“We were shocked,” Annabel’s mother Kathleen said. “We went out to Forest Edge on 28 and 29 December and won both of the winter first rounds to get the double clears and then came straight to Aintree, so we weren’t expecting much.

“He is a pocket rocket and very strong, and Annabel had a bit of a testing time in the week with him. There’s still lots of room for improvement for them - he’s very brave and powerful for his size.”

Legendary veteran Questy, who is 24 this year, had an uncharacteristic pole on the first day but returned to jump two faultless rounds to head Sunday’s line-up.

“I think he had a point to prove and didn’t want to be upstaged!” Kathleen said. “Now he’s qualified, we’ll probably put him to bed until Pony of the Year Show.”

OAKES IS SO GOOD

HUGO OAKES was collecting his first RIHS ticket aboard 15-year-old Jonny Be Good, who he started jumping in Springboard classes three years ago and has taken up the levels.

“It was one of the bigger tracks Hugo has jumped and we didn’t know what to expect at the first one of the year,” his mother Emma said. “Hugo is as cool as anything though and just goes out there and jumps the jumps.”