Taunton – 23rd March 2021 - Summerfield Developments Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Taunton – 23rd March 2021 – Summerfield Developments Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

There were no photos from the day as there were no owners or spectators permitted.

This was exactly what we were hoping for on handicap debut from Kate, as she was only beaten 3.75 lengths in 4th place but she was probably going best of all at the last and if she had pinged it and not had a jockey unseat in front of her then she would have been much closer.

Dynamic Kate looked really well ahead of the race and whilst she is still quite light framed, she really shone in the paddock.

Jamie Moore was in the saddle and dropped Kate back at the start, she was pretty keen early in the race and was pulling for her head meaning that she did not meet the first on the right stride and was a little clumsy. She started to settle on the way down to the 2nd and Jamie was happy to let her travel on the bride. Kate was good at flight three and she turned for home the first time in 10th and travelling well.

Dynamic Kate jumped the first in the straight beautifully and put in a short one at the one before the winning post which she passed in 8th. She was good at the hurdle into the back and started to move forward into midfield. Kate was a little untidy at the middle flight and needed to be pushed back up and she needed another push away from the back of the last flight down the back as the pace quickened and she looked a little flat-footed. She started the turn out of the back in 7th and about 6 or more lengths adrift of the leaders which is worth bearing in mind given where she finished.

Under a push from Jamie she was staying on as they turned into the home straight and although still the same distance behind she was up into sixth. Her progress continued as they came to the 2nd last which she jumped in 5th and she was up into 4th as they approached the last where she was only three or four lengths down on the three leaders who were lined across the track.

She jumped the last quickly, probably best of the front four but she was going to the inside where one of the leaders was unshipping jockey Ben Poste. She was only three lengths down and probably going fastest when Jamie had to pull her hard right to avoid Ben. Her head was in the air and she must have lost at least a couple of lengths as she was passed by a horse that she looked to have well held, but she regained her momentum and passed the line full of running.

Jamie was pleased with her and described her as a “nice genuine mare” who would win “plenty of races” which is what we wanted to hear! Plenty to look forward to for the future.