Monday 8 February 2016

CAMBRIDGESHIRE HUNT WITH ENFIELD CHASE Horseheath Point to Point DOUBLE, DOUBLE FOR TOP

Seven races plus two pony races, the first of the Point to Point season at Horseheath Point to Point course 4 miles west of Haverhill East Anglia. 
The course through the close season making a few changes to its look from the previous year. A few new fences and a change of venue for the starter’s rostrum and Paddock, seeing all nine fences jumped twice around the triangular course. 
Terrific panoramic viewing for all racegoers remained the same for a quality kick off card.
Horseheath



Seven runners went to post of the thirteen entered in the Intermediate first race. 
Double victorious Lilbituso entered, but a non runner left the race open to Gerald Bailey’s Fearthedark to gain his first victory of the season off the back of two previous runners up slots. But it was David Kemp’s  Will Fight, under Sam Davies-Thomas who came home three lengths in front of the favorite Fearthedark, again resigned to second spot. ‘This horse is a little bit of an unknown quantity.’ Mentioned the young saddler by trade jockey, who from a good start to the new season has had a little bit of a quite spell,' the racing here is very competitive, and this race was no exception to that. Horseheath to my view is the best Point to point course in the country, it’s riding very well out there.’ The ten year old by Heron Island came to the last uncontested from the rest of the field, and won running away up the straight, beating the second by three lengths in a time of
 6 m 28sec.
David Kemp owner and trainer, and usually rider of the horse still having to sit out on the sidelines giving the ride to the talented Davies-Thomas.

                                                                          Will Fight


Twelve runners for the next race, a maiden Open. Pedro King taking the honours under farrier by trade Jockey Charles Dando beating Bengo, a horse that was fourth first time out this season to the talented Lilbitluso. 
The race on paper looked to have some quality within the field, but the six year old that usually takes the owner Mr King out hunting pulled away from the field coming to the last well.’ I’m really happy with that,’ explained Dando. ‘I don’t get many rides so to have my first winner of the season is a bonus. He’ll possibly be turned out for a bit now, maybe a bit more hunting, but it will be up to the owner.’ 
The race ran at a slightly slower pace, five seconds slower than that of the first race of the afternoon.

Pedro King


The third race of the afternoon. The Point to point riders and owners association members’ race, saw ten runners come under orders. All runners well grouped for much of the race, by the second last a number of them in contention.
But Nightcap Jack, Pebbleglen and Ballyboker Boy, came to the post in a bundle. Nightcap Jack taking the race by a head and a neck to third. Again in a slower time than the last two races at 6 min 43 secs.
The nine year old, ridden by Jack Andrews benefiting from his last outing, a twenty length second at Ampton to Kristian Gary in January and rallied well for his jockey. 
Ballyboker Boy maybe one to put in the notebooks, as on paper he is 20 lbs below that of the first two, with very little in it.







Nightcap Jack


The men’s open saw Mr G Russell’s Gunmoney beat Ampton Winner Court Red handed by a distance.  
Six runners started the three mile race, only three making it to the line. The second, and third, fancied runner Alan Hill's trained Flaming Gorge finishing weary behind the winner.
The eleven year old, ridden by the owner’s son Mr J Russell and trained by Gerald Bailey, showed that his jumping was not one for the faint hearted.' To be honest we went a little too slow for him. With that pace he is subject to get close to his fences, but once the pace quickened he started to jump better, but you never feel like you’re going to come off him.’ 
The third last Gunmoney made a complete hash of the obstacle, ‘yes, which was my fault really, I asked for a stride and he didn’t give it.’  This race was the planned for the horse, so now owner, trainer and jockey will have to visit the planner to see where next. Possibly if the jockey has his way the four miler at Cheltenham could be on the cards.

Gunmoney


A quality ladies open race saw eight runners to post. Top lady rider at present Gina Andrews on Berties Dream, a winner at Ampton in January beating Swift Counsel by ten lengths. 
The thirteen year old and Goodnight Vienna coming to the last upsides, but it was  the Lauren Braithwaite trained Berties Dream  twelve pounds to the good of the second place horse that saw the old timer pull away by four lengths by the finishing line, in the fastest time of the day at 
6 m 29 secs. 
‘Berties has been brilliant for me, it was a good ladies open, and he’s done it well for me to beat two very nice horses.’









Berties Dream


The penultimate race, a restricted race saw Sam Davies-Thomas with his second winner of the afternoon. And a second winner of the afternoon also for owner, trainer David Kemp.  
Brave Encounter beating Gina Andrews, in form on the quality horse Emperor Arcadius, a winner of a maiden at Ampton in January.
Brave Encounter

Double for the afternoon Sam Davies-Thomas

Two lengths separated the two at the finish with the winner of a mark of 78 compared to the Andrews mount at 91. 
So the eight year old by Indian Danehill is sure one for the notebooks ‘
 I mentioned to the owner this one could be a possible hunter chaser, but it’s up to him we’ll see,’ mentioned the jockey who is now on four  winners for the season.



The final race, continued the inform riding of Gina Andrews. An open race for horse seven years old and upwards saw her bring home her husband’s trained Total Compliance by four lengths from Wivannie. 
Total Compliance
With a third place under the seven year old's belt at Chaddesley. ‘This horse is a really nice type. It’s taken a bit of time for the penny to drop, but I think he’ll win plenty of races, he rides really like a four year old, still a bit green, and it nice to have a race of this type that they can go for.’


 Gina at the start of the day one behind rival Clare Hart in the ladies jockeys championship. With that win lap frogs the standings to take her place on top with six winners for the season.