Mark Edwards hits the ground running at HOYS with victory in the Grandstand Welcome Stakes on Dillinger NE
Friday 06 October 2023
.jpg "Mark Edwards hits the ground running at HOYS with victory in the Grandstand Welcome Stakes on Dillinger NE")
Never a slouch against the clock, Mark Edwards came out fighting for the win in the first of the 3* international classes, the Grandstand Welcome Stakes, with his father Martyn’s Dillinger NE.
“It’s his first three-star show but he jumped here last year in the Foxhunter and Grade C so he has a little experience in that ring but he went in there and really grew into the occasion,” said Mark.
Thirty riders came forward over a 1.45m two-phase track with Sienna Charles taking an early lead on Chawton before being relegated to an eventual third by Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca on Dirka De Blondel.
But third-drawn Mark was determined from the off, slicing into every corner and tight line on the Diarado x Carsimo 8-year-old to edge ahead by 0.15 seconds. However, last to go Joe Whitaker gave Mark a run for his money, flying round on Icaterina to beat the winning time by an incredible two seconds – but the top rail on the penultimate vertical hit the floor to drop Joe down the line.
“It was a long class to watch and I’m not a great watcher, I thought I’d probably be second or third when I came out of the ring. I knew the last couple were the ones to watch in the draw and it wasn’t over until Joe Whitaker jumped but it’s a great start to the week,” said Mark.
Mark has produced Dillinger from 2020 and his British novice days, progressing though the grades to contend the 2022 HOYS Foxhunter and Grade C Finals and winning area trials in 2023.
“He’s a great horse and the breeders, Ros and Denis Palmer were here watching him today and we really think a lot of him. I think he’s got a real big future ahead of him and hopefully there’s more to come,” added Mark.
HOYS, NEC, Birmingham – Friday, 6 October 2023
Grandstand Welcome Stakes, 1.45m two phase
1st Mark Edwards & Dillinger NE (GBR) - 0/0 - 30.60 seconds
2nd Lorenzo De Luca & Dirka De Blondel (ITA) - 0/0 - 30.75 seconds
3rd Sienna Charles & Chawton (GBR) - 0/0 - 31.11 seconds
4th Oliver Fletcher & BP Pocahontas (GBR) - 0/0 - 31.85 seconds
Image: 1st Class Images
