MEMBERS of the Gorman family had a field day at the Southdown and Eridge meeting Godstone on Saturday when they won three races with the only three runners in their yard.

The Gormans’ fortune started in the Restricted when Change the Plan bolted up under a great ride from Marcus Gorman. The horse is owned and trained by his wife Caroline.

The Men’s Open provided their next winner when Cape Stormer got the better of Danaeve just before the winning post.

If that wasn’t enough, three quarters of an hour later the same team took the Confined with Old Kilminchy, a horse they purchased from Ireland last summer and having his first run for them.

On returning to the winners’ enclosure, 41-year-old Gorman explained how he had to hang on to his horse’s head for much of the race, and it became a question of time when to let him go, which he did finally turning into the finishing straight, getting in front of the hot favourite Monarch Ruler from East Anglia. This completed the treble for Gorman, the first since he started riding at 16.

It was great to see Millennium Way back to his best form when he beat a field of seven to take the Ladies. Starting at 1-2 he laid up close to the pace and going to the last he showed his true ability and won quite easily.

In the Open Maiden for Horses and Geldings there was success for Ashford Valley huntsman Neil Staines and partner Andy Beaumont-Hope when Bag Man, under a confident ride from Maidstone jockey, Steve Spice, slaughtered his three opponents to finish alone.

It is the first racehorse Neil Stanes, from Hothfield, has owned and was having its first run in his colours.

Ably trained for the partnership by Staines’ wife Kerry, Bag Man started its racing career with leading National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls, but failed to impress and went into the care of Richard Barber from who Staines bought the horse over the phone unseen.

The final race of the day, The Club Members Maiden for mares, was duly won by Parson’s Fancy under a brilliant ride from Rilly Goswen from Dorset, paying her first visit to he course.

Owned by Timothy Seegar from Westerham, the horse is well bred by Alflora out of Preachers Popsy a mare by The Parson. Parson’s Fancy was bought as a rescue operation out of a field in Dorset and after a long haul restored by trainer Mark Gillard.

Weather permitting, racing this weekend takes place at Detling on Sunday, with the first of six races starting at 1pm.

The meeting stages the premier race of the South East Area the Kent Grand National run over four miles. This is a mixed open race and horses can be ridden by both male and female jockeys.

There are 18 entries which include Solash and Dash, Minino and last year’s winner The Grey Baron. Of these the choice is The Grey Baron, who is an out and out stayer and will again be ridden by Peter Bull, who was successful on him at the last Charing meeting.

In the Men’s Confined, Asthefellowsaid, Heaven Is Above, Old Kilminchy and The Honourable Spider are just four of the 24 entered and, subject to the going, Asthefellowsaid looks the pick.

For the Ladies Confined, Minino, if he starts, will take some beating. Selfcertified, an easy winner at Charing, should account for his 14 opponents in The Restricted with Sword Fighter the danger.

The Hunt Race has just five entries and Stylish Dave will take all the beating.

Southdown & Eridge results:

Hunt Members: 1 Little Farmer (P Hall) 1-8 fav, 2 Amanda Hugankiss (S Robinson) 4-1. 2 ran. Winning owner: C Hall, Mr and Mrs W Cooper. Time: 7min 15sec. Distance: distance.

Restricted: 1 Change the Plan (M Gorman) 4-6 fav, 2 Tellem Nothing (P Hall) 7-1, 3 Joye Des Iles (A Ward-Thomas) 16-1. 9 ran. Winning owner: Mrs C Gorman. Time: 6min 50secs. Distance: 2 lengths and 10 lengths.

Ladies Open: 1 Millennium Way (Mrs C Taylor) 1-2 fav, 2 Dick McCarthy (Mrs S Ashby) 14-1, 3 Physical Graffiti (Mrs J Gordon) 14-1. 7 ran. Winning owner: Mrs C Taylor. Time: 6min 51 secs. Distance: 5 lengths and 6 lengths.

Volkswagen Toureg Mens Open: 1 Cape Stormer (M Gorman) 2-1 fav, 2 Danaeve (L Hicks) 10-1, 3 T Cobbler (P Hall) 5-2. 8 ran. Winning owner: M Gorman. Time: 6min 53sec. Distance three quarter length and 4 lengths.

Confined: 1 Old Kilminchy (M Gorman) 6-1, 2 Monarch Ruler (R Stearn) 4-6 fav, 3 Lord Euro (A Merridan) 3-1. 9 Ran. Winning owner: Mrs C Gorman. Time: 6min 51sec. Distance: 1 length and 5 lengths.

Open Maiden (Horses & Geldings): 1 The Bag Man (S Spice) 3-1, finished alone. 4 ran. Winning owner: Mr A Beaumont, Hope and Mr and Mrs Staines. Time: 7min 01 sec.

Panacur TGS Club Members Mares Maiden: 1 Parsons Fancy (Miss A Goschen) 3-1 jt fav, 2 Arofield (N Moore) 3-1 jt fav, 3 May Zee Wong (P Blagg) 5-1. 6 ran. Time: 7min 14 sec. Distance: dist and 12 lengths.