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Kimber ends lengthy barren spell with Newton Abbot hat-trick

3 minute read

Rider had not won a race in well over a year.

Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Harry Kimber ended a year-long losing streak by riding a remarkable near 340-1 treble at Newton Abbot – kickstarted when Oscars Fame  struck in the colours of his parents.

The 7lb claimer completed his and trainer Bill Turner's treble as Scrappy Jack made it back-to-back course-and-distance victories in the newtonabbotracing.com Juvenile Hurdle and Youvebrokenmydream took the Follow @WillHillRacing On Twitter Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

After the latter had registered the first treble of Kimber's career, arriving with a late challenge up the stands side to win by a length and a quarter at 11-2 from Easkey Lad, the young rider could hardly credit what had happened in the space of little more than two hours.

He told Sky Sports Racing: "I certainly cannot believe it.

"To go from not riding a winner in more than a year, to riding a treble, is unbelievable.

"I said to Bill this morning, there's not many days I come to the races and I've got three horses with good chances.

"Everyone knows that in this sport there are a lot more downs than ups – days like this don't come round very often, (so) I'll certainly have to make the most of it.

"I hadn't even ridden a double (before). This is absolutely fantastic, and I'd like to say a massive thank you to all the owners."

Kimber's first winner of the year came when Oscars Fame broke his duck under rules at the third attempt in the opening NewtonAbbotRace On Twitter Maiden Hurdle.

The seven-year-old, previously a point-to-point winner, was held up off the pace but led in the straight to beat favourite Beholden by more than five lengths.

Former motocross rider Kimber was already all smiles after the 13-2 success, and said: "My family own him, so it means an awful lot.

"I'm absolutely delighted. My family have been massive supporters for me – I raced motocross growing up, and they put a lot of money into it.

"I was lucky enough to travel the world with motocross. My dad came with me, and I can't thank my family enough."

As for Oscars Fame, he added: "I thought the trip today was going to be maybe a little bit too short, but he's surprised me.

"He travelled really well – I couldn't really ask for much more from him."

After Scrappy Jack then prevailed under a penalty by half a length at 6-1 from Fred Bear, Turner said: "It's like a bus (to have two quick winners).

"I've only got three jumpers, and two of them have already won."

The third, it turned out, was also just round the corner.

James Bowen was another rider serving his family well as Courtland completed a fine weekend for his father Peter's Pembrokeshire yard with victory in the Tribute To The Honorable Mike Bolitho Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Twenty four hours after Francky Du Berlais landed Bowen's seventh victory in the valuable Betway Summer Plate at Market Rasen, Courtland kept up the good work.

Bowen junior again provided the assistance from the saddle as the six-year-old took his career record to two from two over fences, challenging to lead at the last to beat Isolate by more than five lengths.

After Courtland had justified his market position as the 6-5 favourite in the feature handicap, the winning jockey said: "He's very quick through the air – he's still got a little bit of brushing-up to do (on his jumping) at times, but in general he's very sharp.

"I was very pleased with that. I've always thought he should go over fences sooner rather than later, because he was starting to be a bit complacent over hurdles.

"He was either going to take to it or not – and he has done really well. As a six-year-old, he's very grown up – and we hope he can keep progressing."

There were also doubles on the card for both jockey Jamie Moore and trainer Milton Harris.

Moore overcame a badly slipped saddle to win the Happy Birthday Cath King Handicap Chase as Alexandra Dunn's former point-to-pointer Dido registered his first success under rules at the age of 11.

The Moore double arrived when Milton Harris' Achy Breaky Heart also broke her duck under rules, in the Happy 60th Birthday Gill White Mares' Handicap Chase.

The closing Racing Partnership Handicap Hurdle then went to Harris and jockey James Best, with Presenting Yeats.


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