HEREFORD RACECOURSE kick-started their new jump season last week and Herefordshire trainers had some success on their home track.

Celebrating wins were Matt Sheppard’s Pottlerath in the two mile five furlong Handicap hurdle and Ryan Potter’s Barely Famous in the Mares two mile three furlong handicap.

Ridden by son Stan Sheppard for his Eastnor based trainer father, Pottlerath was always handy in the 13-runner race and once they swept into the lead at the second last hurdle the race was over, recording a two a quarter length win from another local trainer in Clyro Katy Price’s Rock the House at 8/1.

Sheppard said: “Cheek-pieces sharpened him up and Hereford did a great job with the ground. A local winner is always special.”

Ross trainer Potter, based at John Edwards’s old Caradoc Court stables saw his Barely Famous battle on tenaciously for rider Caolin Quinn to score by three-quarters of a length in the Mares hurdle.

Another jockey back in the winner’s enclosure was Robbie Dunne, returning after his 10 month suspension from the saddle, having been found to have bullied and harassed fellow jockey Briony Frost. 

He teamed up with Alcester Ian Williams on his Ernesto, narrowly beating 6/4 favourite Jens Boy by a neck, sealing victory with a good jump at the last hurdle.

The highlight performance of the day was that of Whatsdastory who was a 13-length winner of the Handicap Mares Qualifier Chase.

Trained by Doctor Richard Newland Whatsdastory was sent off a shade of odds on favourite of 10/11 in the three runner field but his supporters had no worries as jockey Sam Twiston-Davies was untroubled throughout the two mile five furlong trip.

The favourite travelled smoothly during the race and at the line was 13 lengths to the good of runner-up Ayr Of Elegance with Oborne Lady a further eight lengths back in third place.

In form jockey Kielan Woods won on 8/13 favourite Getaway Drumlee for trainer Ben Pauling beating market rival Times are Blue.

Woods said: "He's a lovely horse and we think a lot of him at home. He's like any horse, we haven't been able to school him on the grass as it's been so quick but he has that experience under his belt now - he's a really nice horse.”