Jockey Sam Davies-Thomas had a day to remember riding the first treble of his career in the opening South East Point-To-Point meeting at Charing on Sunday.

The 23-year-old apprentice saddler from Northampton, partnered 11-10 favourite Minella for Steak to victory in the Kent Grand National, bookended by successes in the Restricted on the Nick Pearce-trained odds-on chance Come on You, and favourite Shutthebackdoor in the Open Maiden finale.

Minella for Steak was once trained by Jonjo O’Neill, and provided National Hunt champion jockey Tony McCoy with his 3,999th winner at Chepstow in November 2013.

Davies-Thomas said: “We used cheekpieces on him for the first time and it was a straightforward ride for me. He stays all day and made all, eventually winning by two lengths.

“It was a great first trip to Charing for me. The hospitality was unbelievable and everybody was so nice. I am certainly looking forward to going back.”
Trained in Leicestershire by Linda Morgan, horse and jockey made the journey a rewarding one, beating off local challenger Lord Multiflix (14-1) with Dwan Display third at 20-1.

Full report and more pictures in this week's Kentish Express