'It’s good to be back' - Kieran Shoemark scores on first ride of the year in Britain

Kieran Shoemark marked his return to action in Britain in style when his sole mount Charlie's Choice obliged to provide the jockey with a winner on his first domestic ride of 2025.

Shoemark helped the David Simcock-trained five-year-old justify favouritism at this track last month and repeated the feat on the 9-4 market leader, who scored by half a length in the 1m4f handicap.

“I’ve had a nice trip away skiing with the family, but it’s good to be back,” said Shoemark. “I’m thrilled to get the season rolling now and look forward to what’s ahead.”

Shoemark returns to the Nottinghamshire venue for its Winter Derby Trial card on Friday solely to partner Diamondonthehill for Richard Newland and Jamie Insole.

“There’s not many rides around; I’m just taking what I can get at the moment," he said.

Badri bounces back

The return to Southwell helped Badri record his first victory in 14 starts in the feature 6f handicap.

The eight-year-old had been moved from Julie Camacho’s yard to Michael Herrington since his last success at Ascot in October 2023, and he scored by two lengths from Group 2 winner King’s Lynn.

“He’s ran here four times, won twice and been second twice and he’s well down the weights,” said owner Robin Johnson. “Last time he ran at Newcastle he got a bruised leg, he got kicked.”

The success took the son of Dark Angel’s prize-money earnings to more than £200,000, having been bought for 24,000gns off Shadwell in July 2021.

“Last year he started off with Julie Camacho and the horses weren’t right,” said Johnson. “I think he’ll have a good season.”

Badri: back to winning waysCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Winning rider Jason Hart later completed a double on Cloch Nua, who was himself recording a hat-trick in classified company for Stella Barclay.

Ivory off the mark

Dean Ivory’s decision to book Grace McEntee for the first time paid off when she rode the trainer’s first winner of the year in the opening 5f apprentice handicap, with Havechatma benefiting from the drop back to basement grade to make it four wins from six starts at the track.

McEntee’s other mount, Porfin, was beaten only a neck by Hawajes in the second division of the classified contest.

The winner’s trainer Tony Carroll also won the following 7f handicap with Tea Sea, who recorded his third successive victory under William Carson.

Bowen one away from 100

Sean Dylan Bowen moved one shy of a century of career winners when Further Measure followed up last Thursday’s course-and-distance success in the 2m½f handicap.

The Mike Murphy-trained 2-1 favourite was 1lb well in under his penalty and provided Bowen with his 70th victory in Britain to go with the champion apprentice’s 29 winners in Ireland.

Oats on top again 

Hector Crouch gained compensation for his neck defeat on debutant Noble Victory, who was denied by Cherry Cobbler in the 5f maiden, when winning the second division of the 7f handicap on Overnight Oats.

The James Owen-trained winner was ending a three-race losing run since completing a four-timer at Wolverhampton last month.

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