JUST as forecast, sunshine and a gentle breeze welcomed racegoers to CoinShares Les Landes on Monday.
Indeed, the fine weather drew a bumper crowd of spectators, who enjoyed some competitive sport and thrilling finishes.
The honour of winning the first race of the year went to team Malzard, as rider Victoria came from last to first on Diplomatie, trained by her mother Alyson, to win the Book Your Table at www.uptheraces.com hurdle.
The On Course Bookmakers Handicap provided the first of several close finishes.
Flashy Apache was held up last by Taylor Fisher in the early stages, but came with a strong late run to join battle with Birkie Boy and Casaruan as Touching Hands faded. It was only in the last few strides that Birkie Boy asserted himself over Flashy Apache, the latter running by far his best race at Les Landes, with Casaruan third.
Laura Coughlan was the winning jockey on Celine De La Haye’s second runner of the season.
The main event, the 2025 Spring Cup, delivered another close encounter with four of the nine runners still possible winners in the final furlong, but it was Never Said Nothing and Fred Tett who out battled Blue Collar Lad by half a length with St Ouen third and Profit and Loss fourth.
Timetodock carried 3lb overweight and broke fast as usual, but was soon beaten.
The winner marked a double for winning trainer Alyson Malzard.
The La Verte Rue Associates Handicap was reduced to seven runners with the withdrawal of Cueros on a vet’s certificate.
Yet another close finish saw Blue Yonder just get the better of Between The Covers by a neck with early leader Evening Song third.
The winner was the first runner at Les Landes for Lambourn trainer Archie Watson and rider Brodie Hampson.
The latter is a leading amateur jockey, but she rides as well as many professionals and was strong in the finish.
Watson and Hampson doubled up in The Polygon Collective Championship Handicap when eight-year-old Throne Hall, previously winner of seven successes, made it eight when getting the better of Maquignon, who tired inside the last furlong.
Emperor Dream, trained by Daniel Steele, whose Blue Collar Lad went so close in the third race, finished third after battling for the lead.
The winner’s task might have been made easier by the defection of last year’s Jersey Derby winner Roi Du Monde, who was ruled out on veterinary advice.
As we have seen so often in the past, UK raiders fared well with two wins a second, third and fourth as they usually arrive for the first meeting with the advantage of fitness.
Nevertheless, a successful start to the new season with all three local trainers acquitting themselves well and no obvious advantage of fitness over each other.
On a slightly disappointing note, the stewards gave permission for Maquignon to go straight to the start of the final race without parading.
Unfortunately, no one thought to tell racegoers, who were denied the opportunity of a close-up look at him.
The race had already been delayed by some confusion over the weight to be carried by Throne Hall, whose jockey was required to weigh out twice.
The £3,000 jackpot roll over had swelled to over £4,600 by the start and 15 winners shared it.
The next meeting, on 11 May, will feature the Jersey Guineas.
