THE eye of local punters will be focussed on one of West Somerset’s favourite horses, Dashel Drasher, when he runs in the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday afternoon, writes Richard Walsh.

The 11-year-old is a local horse through and through having been bred by Camilla Scott and trained by husband Jeremy high up on Exmoor overlooking Wimbleball Reservoir.

To date Dashel Drasher has run in 31 races under National Hunt rules, he has won 12 of those races and been placed in another 12 so he is a proven consistent performer, be it a chase or a hurdle race he gives it his all.

For the last 14 of those races Dashel Drasher has been ridden by Rex Dingle who has steered him to three winners as well as six places.

Although he hails from Kent the jockey has gradually migrated west. He rode out for Neil Mulholland whilst he was still at college in Bath and then had two seasons as an amateur with David Pipe, where he rode at Point to Point races and had a few rides under rules.

Five or six years ago Rex then moved to Anthony Honeyball based in Beaminster where he turned conditional and spent the next couple of seasons riding out his claim.

“Since then both Anthony and Jeremy have continued to use me in fact I go up to Jermey’s once a week to ride out. Spare rides come along as well as that and if the people you ride out for support you then the spare rides come along after that.”

How did he first get involved with Dashel Drasher?

“That ride came about as a bit of surprise with what happened with Matt Griffiths and Im very grateful that Jeremy at the time said I knew the horse and he wanted some continuity and the owners were happy to let me have a go and I’ve stayed on him ever since. I’m lucky to have the chance to get ride him five or six times a season.”

What is he like to ride?

“He has been good to ride, although he can be a handful at times and hasn’t turned up but that’s usually at the end of the season when he has over done it.

“He is is a bit of a character and marches around when you are riding him out. If you pull him out from the back of the string he’s trying to get to the front all of the time and just loves his work.

“When you put him back in his stable he turns and puts his head over the door- I think he gets turned out most days and spends the first half hour each day waiting for someone to put him out into the field.

“He is definitely a bit different- you notice him about the place, he’s certainly got  a bit of a presence about him.”

Rex likes nothing more than riding at the local west country courses

“You see the same faces at the races whether its at Taunton, Exeter or Wincanton. They are the real racing enthusiasts that the sport needs and its great to see familiar faces. I love riding in the west country- I really enjoy going to Exeter, Wincanton and Taunton.”

Rex will be riding during The Cheltenham Festival (12-15 March), one of Britain's Premier Raceday fixtures, To find out more visit www.greatbritishracing.com/premier-racedays/’

He finished by saying: “In addition to Dashel Drasher I may have one for Chris Gordon in the County Hurdle and possibly one in the Cross Country but both of them will be ground dependent. Even if it stays dry it will still be slower than normal at Cheltenham.”