LARKHILL DRAMA WITH THE NEW FOREST HOUNDS POINT TO POINT

SATURDAY AT HORSEHEATH WITH THE THURLOW

With a bracing wind blowing across the hills of Horseheath Point to point course, a venue with excellent viewing and facilities, a fair crowd came out in support of a seven race card for the Thurlow Hunt Point to Point. 

Six races were billed but the last race an Open maiden just crossed the safety factor line of eighteen runners, and split into two divisions. So, a bonus race to those who gave up their Saturday trip to the shopping malls for the day.

The first race, a club members event, saw a quality eleven go to post with horses such as the Shelia Crow trained Abbeyview a horse well placed last season after having a rocky start.

  Green Winter, a winner at Larkhill, placed at Barbury and a winner last season in a Hunter Chase. And from the David Kemp yard Brave Encounter, a winner here at Horseheath last time out.

Green Winter with Abbeyview

Shelia Crows charge was sent to post 7/2 fav, but it was the John Bryan charge Green Winter who claimed the race. 

Sam Davies Thomas took the field on from the start, but it was not until three out that he was joined by the fancied runners of Abbeyview and Green Winter. It was then over the last the winner got busy, with Jockey Zach Baker, younger brother to flat jockey George Baker bringing the eight year old chestnut gelding home up the straight.

The young jockey with a fair book of rides for the day mentioned ‘This was perfect ground for him today, he deserved to win. The last race was a good contest, so coming here we are happy he has come home in front.’

Abbeyview having a better start to his 2016 campaign than previous seasons tends to come into himself with a few runs under the belt. Finishing second to Green Winter would warrant this horse to be well fancied next time out.

Green Winter(inside) Abbeyview (outside)

The second race was for novice riders, and anything that the younger sibling of the Andrews clan Jack, is a board would have to be taken seriously.

And this was the case with the ten year old Done a Runner, already a winner in a novice rider’s event at Higham, and a horse that looks very versatile at home on staying and galloping tracks, proving himself as with the placed horses Kriss William and Curraigflemens coming over the last together, he pulled away up the straight to win the contest by five lengths. 

Already with a Point to Point rating of 100 the son of Alderbrook would be sure to be put up a few more bars on the fence.

Jack Andrews on Done a Runner

‘The horse went really well for me, jumped well and I was very confident. It was nice to get a winner at this meeting again, last year Gina, Bridgette and I rode a winner here which was fantastic, so it was nice to maintain my hold on the Novice rider’s championship.’

Done a Runner

Again Victoria Pendleton continued her education of the racecourse with the Alan Hill trained Supreme Danehill.

 Finishing unplaced, she got her mount home, ready for another Hunter Chase run on Pacha Du Polder at Wincanton mid week, her hopeful ride in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham.

Paige Fuller on Goodnight Vienna

With Hunter chases in mind, it was Paige Fuller the leading Hunter chase rider at present with two winners under her belt, that bought home Goodnight Vienna by six lengths from Irish Rebel in the Ladies open.

Seven runners went to post, the favourite, It was me a winner of four events at the course falling at the ninth in mid contention. 

it was me departs at the ninth fence

This left Fuller and her ten year old mount to claim the race, and well deserved as last time out at the course he was tuned over up the straight by Gina Andrews aboard Berties Dream.

 ‘This is such a nice horse to ride,’ mentioned Paige. ‘He jumped so well, gaining lengths in the air, and I was surprised he took me to the front, he just never stopped galloping.’

This was the jockeys fifth win of the season, two of them being on professional courses Hunter chasing.

Goodnight Vienna

The Men’s open was a superb quality race.

 All horses in the field with possibly thirty wins in Point to points between them. But it was the quality eight year old Mr Mercurial under the steerage of Paddy Gerety who got up on the line to beat the unbeaten Glint of Steel who, at post having nine successes from nine starts in an average time of the day of 6m 15 secs.

Paddy Gerety  receives his prize

Trained by Shelia Crow this Cheltenham Foxhunter contender, who won the same race last season took his inaugural 2016 show well. ‘The ground here is just right for him,’ mentioned Gerety.’ The aim would be if it is good ground at the festival he will take his chances, at the price of 50-1 he would possible worth a small bet.’ The son of Westerner certainly beat no slouches in the race, and would be well worth a look in a few weeks time.

Mr Mercurial

Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews

The Restricted race, eight went to the tapes. Again a fair quality to the race with horses such a Lule Kyle who finished just behind the quality mare Galros Lady at Ampton and the eventual winner from the Andrews/Ellis combination Total Compliance, a winner here at the track last time out beating Wivannie. 

 Jockey Gina Andrews mentioned.' Finally he's got it, he started as quite a green horse at home, but seems to be improving each time he comes to the races. He has been really well at home and would possibly be a nice ladies open horse in time.’ 

Gina Andrews on Total Compliance

It would be interesting to see how far up the bar this seven year old by Milan can go if continues to improve the way he has been going. But be sure he will have every help from the quality guiding by the husband and wife, trainer and jockey partnership, one to watch.

Gina who know goes one above contender Clare Hart in the Ladies jockeys rankings mentioned how well her season is going.

' I'm in front today, but Clare will probably ride some winners tomorrow.'

Total Compliance

The final race of the day, an open maiden saw the race go one over the safety factor of eighteen. Two divisions in that case were put out to the course. 

Trainer Gerald Bailey greets Alex Vaughan-Jones on Ignite a Light

Nine runners for division one saw Alex Vaughan-Jones bring the Gerald Bailey trained

Ignite a Light home by half a length from the placed horse here last time out Pettistree. 

The jockey mentioned that the horse who was bought at the Doncaster sales suited the left handed courses better than his previous  pulled up outing on a right handed track, 'with the better ground also it all suited him well here today. We had him at home until November doing a bit of show jumping and cross country, but he is a horse that just wants to get on with it, so he is probably not the easiest to train, he would have some improvement to him for sure, he will possibly want to come back here at Easter, but we’ll see how he come out of this race.’

Ignite a Light with Larger Thn Life

Division two of the open maiden saw ten runners to post. 

Bengo who finished in front of Pettistree, both behind the winner that day Pedro King here last time out was sent on the form correctly off at 11/8 fav.

Bengo again showed he had a small advantage over that day winning the race by half a length from Againn Dul Aghaidh the third horse home Ballalough beaten a neck. 

Bengo with third placed horse Ballalough

Owned, trained and ridden by a member of the Ferguson family and registered with the Thurlow the six year old Irish bred horse seem like the winner of the first division to be improving. 

Jockey Alex Ferguson said ‘ he finished second here last time out, if possibly we had this type of ground that day he might of won,to easy to say know but he is the type that just keeps plugging away, but we got there today.’ Alex who has been riding under rules as well as points is certainly getting the experience which can only help maiden horses of this calibre.

Alex Ferguson on Bengo

Both divisions incidentally were run at 6 min 25 secs, which goes to show the winners have very little between them. And it would be interesting to see what paths they follow next.

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HIGHAM HIGH FOR RICH AT THE WAVENY HARRIERS

Good racing ground greeted the 56 declared runners for the days Point to Point at Higham. That coupled with a flat galloping track, and some some very competitive racing.

Good sized fields, without being overcrowded, saw top quality pointers try their luck as most yards know are rise to their crescendo for the season.

 Horses that have already have caught the pointing officialdoms eye on display to continue, or not their continuum.

None so could be so true for the winner of the first of the seven race card. 

The Hunt members race, Six runners to post which included Carlanstown, returning to racing after a gusty second place to Court Red Handed at Ampton. 

And Nightscape, a winner only seven days previous at a fast paced Cottenham track.

Nightscape

Charlie Buckle on the horse rode him with every confidence.,the horse seeming to thrive in being pushed to the limits. The time for the race average at 6m 11 secs, saw the rest of the field finish quite tired, Carlanstown and Weather Warning, horses with runs under their belts this season picking up the minor places.

 This new addiction to the Cundy yard, must be enjoying his new regime, though the generous 20-1 odds placed at Cottenham, not on offer from the rails today. It would be interested to see if the owner/Trainer places this one in hotter contests to see what they have on their hands Or, hunt for races where the chances are tipped in the favour of the horse.

 But the way he won today, may just answer those questions.

Basic Fact, Nightscape

The PPORA member’s race saw ten to post. Andrew Pennock sending Play the Ace to post, with the talented Richard Collinson on board. This one also running on to win a members race seven days back at Cottenham, beating Picaroon by five lengths. 

This week though, a placed horse at the meeting here at Higham last month, Susquehanna River making it a win for Play The Ace by the shortest of margins, a head. 

Play the Ace’s jumping was no more than conservative most of the way round, but Dickie Collinson mentioned ‘We were flat out, he a gusty type, but will only give what he has to do, and no more. If it had been further we would have got beat for sure, but luckily these races at three miles and no more. 

He’s certainly had a hard race today, last week he wasn't meant to run in the member’s race he won, but it paid off nicely,today though was the plan for him.’ 

Collinson not the full 100% himself, suffering with a cold, mentioned the horse did better that the jockey for sure.

Asked if he still gets a buzz out of his racing the jockey in need of a good vapour rub himself said ‘yeah I love it, I have nice horses to ride and it’s nice to have the family involved.’ Richard clutching his young daughter, as she was part of the races presentation.

Play The Ace

Broken Eagle, Owners Mr J Exelby, Jockey Joe Hill

The men’s open was all really about one horse. 

Tipsters well punted that the Alan hill trained Broken Eagle, was a class act. Running and winning twice already, albeit in Members conditions races, the eight year old took his step up to open events in mighty fashion.

According to the trainer as being not the easiest at home, Broken Eagle made most of the running, and with still a circuit to go showed his class by pulling away from his field. 

A rocket of a pace was set, recording the fastest of the day at 5 min 57 secs, which took the trainer a little by surprise.

Jockey Joe Hill seemed very enthused by this son of Broken Vow, and seemed to want to tell the world and his wife about how easy he found it.

A smart future me thinks’ for the charge from the Hill dynasty. But possibly would not get an easier race than this one for the rest of the season. We wait with baited breath his return. 

Certainly the Hill Family deserve no better after losing their talented horse, Harbour court at the track on the last meeting.

Broken Eagle

The ladies open saw eight go off at the start. Another race that saw only a small handful of horses showing any sort of class.

Owners of Top Smart Mrs Susan E. Busby, Jockey Kelly Morgan

Sharp Suit, who has had six wins out from ten starts, and placed behind the talented Berties Dream and Gina Andrews at Ampton,and Top Smart ridden by stand in jockey Kelly Morgan.

Top Smart seemed to have run the race as well as could be expected for the replacement pilot, and though going through the last fence, went on well to take the race for Sharp Suit and Gina Andrews in second. Gina stepping off the winner in order to ride the Alan Hill runner. ‘We’ve done that well, he travelled nicely and jumped well for me,' mentioned the winning jockey,’ It’s nice to get rides like that, it’s not that often you get a chance.’  But chance she did and took it well.

Top Smart

The open maiden saw twelve to post, the biggest field of the day. 

Richard Collinson again on form, despite the cold, bringing home Counting stars by fifteen lengths from Verdasco. 

This horse second to Emperor Arcadius at Ampton a few weeks back seemed to relish a more galloping track. Ampton on that day showing that staying power rather than speed was needed.

Counting Stars

Though making untidy work of the last, the momentum was kept going forward, giving the jockey a brace of winner for the day. With the talented Galros Lady to come for him in the last.

Not a race to be fair to set the world alight, and certainly a lot of runners behind would be ones to monitor for the present. The winner though should progress and with good placement, should visit the winner’s enclosure a few more times, until the season closes out.

Counting Stars, Jockey Richard Collinson

The Restricted race, as most this season, showed a mix bag on entrants.

The Ellis establishment saddling Sea Current to improve on his poor run from about three weeks back at Milbourne St Andrews.

It was fair to say at that meeting in the West country, a lot of races were run at a false pace, which saw a few of the horses that will win this season not get home. 

Owner of Sea Current Mrs Shona Westrope

An honest pace on a galloping track, as was it at Cottenham on Sea Currents first win of the season, saw the Gina Andrews mount show it’s true potential, beating The Master remover by five lengths. 

You could almost see the look of relive on the trainer Tom Ellis’s face for the son of Pilsudski, who you would know hope develop further. 

With decent ground and conditions, the horse could now take on more serious races.

Sea Current

The final race of the day, (bar two pony races in the failing light) saw the return of the talented mare Galros Lady. Top of the points in the Subaru Restricted Championships, and top horse in the Point to Point Owners and riders Awards for young horses.

Galros Lady

The mare not seen on track for about a month, was just asked enough from the jockey of the day Richard Collinson with a treble for his efforts to beat Watneys Way by four lengths.

 ‘This is a really nice horse,’ mentioned the delighted jockey.’ She would win a nice Hunter chase in time,’ the mare who would be entitled to a mares allowance in weights, maybe would be one to look at if placed well. Certainly at the end of the season will be a horse on most point to point follower’s lips. And only at six years old, has plenty of scope to improve for the following season.

Galros Lady

Victoria Pendleton, who this week has had plenty of media coverage, on her quest for Cheltenham, kept her promise at Fakenham this week by getting straight back on the with the racing.

Finishing unplaced this time in Ladies Open, the Olympian did not have no hesitation in leading the field, until about four out. And seemed in good spirits  throughout the day.

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FINALLY FONTWELL BEGINS IT’S 2016.

Fontwell Park got its 2016 year underway a little later than planned. With two meetings abandoned due to waterlogging, the Sussex figure of eight racecourse put on a six race card, billed as ‘Discover future stars.’ And possibly, one or two could have been on display.

On talking to Head groundsman Paul Mant he said ‘to prepare the ground has been a lot of work. We were nearly there in January, the ground was fine, but two days of rain put pay to that. And this meeting, we have just about got there, but we have saved some fresh ground for the National Spirit race day.’ This is the next big meeting to be held at the track in a week's’ time. Where the £80’000 National Spirit hurdle is on the card.

The ground classed though as heavy for the day, was a test for a lot tired horses.

The first race, a two mile one furlong novice’s hurdle saw five runners to post. Top trainer Paul Nicholls, not in attendance. Sent his very nice looking six year old Alcala to take the race.

 Sent to post the 2-1 on favourite the Turgeon gelding looked all the winner at the second last as Sean Bowen sent his mount on to take the race. The only other contender to stay with him was the Oliver Sherwood trained The Fresh Prince.

Alcala, The Fresh Prince

In heavy ground and with the slight inclined finish from the last, Alcala took over and stayed on to take his race well by two lengths, despite edging left towards the finish.

The second placed horse would be one to watch in the future, Leighton Aspell his jockey dismounting not too happy that he got beat, the horse looking like with a run would benefit. 

The ex Irish Point to pointer, would surely aim to go chasing.

Paul Nichols not at the Sussex track for the afternoon.So plans for this impressive winner could not be found, but the master of Datchet would have something up his sleeve, and would be one to take note of. The rest of the field not in contention at all from the front two, being twenty four lengths back at the finish.

Only two chases on the card for the afternoon. The first being a two mile one furlong handicap. Six runners to post, Gary Moore sending Agincourt Reef to post the 11/4/ fav.

Cloudy Beach

The pace of the race was not to not set too much alight,  jockey Joshua Moore, seemed to have to persuade his mount Agincourt Reef to run in the going. 

Trainer Venetia Williams sent the nine year old Cloudy Beach across country from Hereford,  looked the winner as taking the race up six out. Moore and Agincourt Reef in chase. ‘I’m really pleased for this horse, and the owner. It’s been a long time coming,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘He got a little jarred up in his first run at Sandown In December, the plan is know, to get him home and decide where next.’ But in testing ground and beating a younger horse with 1lbs weight difference by six lengths, you’d be sure the trainer would be happy to place this horse well for the future.

Cloudy Beach

A seven runner two mile five furlong novice’s hurdle saw seven runners go off. The Warren Greatrex trained, Gavin Sheehan ridden 

Chef D’ Oeuvre the 2/11 fav.

This nice looking five year old by Maraline, in only his fourth run of his career, making it a 50% strike rate to the winner’s enclosure. ‘I probably wouldn’t run him at Cheltenham, as he has had a few runs know over four months. Possibly a Punchestown festival horse, we’ll have to see, but i really like this one,’ mentioned the Lambourn trainer.

Chef D'Oeuvre

The winning distance was twenty one lengths, the surprise being the second placed horse the Mattie Batchelor ridden Norman the red trained by Jamie Poulton coming in for each way backers at 100-1.

The feature race of the afternoon The Buy a Georgie Smith Horsebox Handicap chase, over 2 miles, five furlongs saw only three horses to post. 

Showboater trained by Ben Pauling going off the 4/5 fav due to the fact he had won at the course on Boxing Day, on heavy ground. This time though the distance being a little more testing.

As the pace picked up the field lost Black Narcissus six from home. The favourite, tiring from two out. Golanova, ridden by Joshua Moore and trained by his father Gary, going on to take the race by twelve lengths. 

The eight year old in his 22^nd run of his career, taking only his fourth win for owner Mrs Elizabeth Kiernan, whose long association with the Moore family stretches back to her having horses with Gary’s father. Asked the trainer if he had thought the horse was fancied, he said.’ All I said to Joshua was to make sure he got him home so we could claim place money.’

The favourite showboater running to the line very tired, Nico De Boinville dismounting the seven year old swiftly after crossing the finish.

Golanova

The two mile three furlong handicap hurdle saw seven runners take on the 15/8 fav Lee side lady, a winner at the track back in August. The Neil Mulholland trained six year old ridden by Noel Fehily kept on a good stride over the last to take the race by five lengths from Ashkoun.

Lee Side Lady, Eco Warrior

The six year old by Mountain High owned by a large contingent calling themselves ‘The affordable Partnership’ all local to the track coming to support their charge who had only run ten days previous at Fakenham in a two mile four furlong event on soft ground, finishing second. 

So today’s difference of a furlong less in distance, and 3lbs less to carry in tacky ground had given the horse a five lengths advantage.

Lee Side Lady

The last race of the afternoon also went to the Mulholland team. Admiral Kid, ridden by conditional Shane Quinlan made very easy work of the one mile five furlong distance to beat River of Intrigue from the Nicky Henderson yard by two lengths.

Admiral Kid

Quinlan had to hardly move on the five year old in the closing stages, while the rest were hard at work, and going nowhere in the testing conditions. 

Again a multi group ownership known as the Equi ex Incertis Partners (roughly translated, uncertain horse) were delighted with their charge. One of them, tongue in cheek asking about the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham to the trainer. His advice though a little more down to earth saying ‘the lads at home were telling me this had been working well, but I think we have to be content with a race here, rather than bigger climbs.’

On saying that, Cue Card, a contender at next months Cheltenham festival, and the reigning King George champion started his winning debut at Fontwell. 

In a bumper, 2010.......

 So in 2020 could Admiral Kid be on everybody’s lips...... Time will tell, and if so, you heard it here first.

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LAST HOORAH FOR COTTENHAM 2015-16 CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY DRAG HOUNDS POINT TO POINT 13-2-16

Cottenham racecourse holds three point to points per season, and should be rewarded for splendid facilities, ground and racing.

Not far from the famous spires of the  Ely Cathedral, this flat but fair track offer trainers to get their early preparations on a track in a safe environment. Superb viewing for racegoers and only one of few point to point venues that offers it’s attendees  a friendly welcome, and a free race card.

Some superb racing has been on offer, starting at the end of November, no one has left the racecourse cheated.

And that goes to say of this days racing also.

Rob Collinson

Seven races scheduled, eight ran with the open maiden being split into two divisions. 

The first race, a hunt members race seeing eight of the twelve entered, declared at the start.

Andrew Pennock trained Play the Ace having won Intermediates, the horse being allowed to run in slightly easier contests to get back to winning ways. This duly paid off the gamble beating Picaroon by five lengths. 

The Mrs Tyler ridden Picaroon off the rating of 76 looking the entire winner three out taking the field on a good pace. 

Play the ace ridden by Rob Collinson, and of the mark of 89 soon swallowed up the lead to take the race on and stretch the field. 

One to watch where running next time out, as this seven year old has found the step up just one notch too many in some cases.

Play The Ace

Eight runners to the start of the Intermediate. Lilbitluso, a horse a lot of trainers have tried to avoid this season taking the tapes, Jockey John Mathias taking the spare mount from Gerald Crow injured at present. And what a ride to get on.

                                                                          Lilbitluso

This very nice looking eight year old by Luso, and trained by the experienced hands of Joseph O’Shea, won the race by a distance in a time three seconds faster than that ran in the first race of the day. 

Stoleaway in second and the recently winning Burtredgipandgump in third.

Jockey John Mathias said ‘I was very much in the dark with this horse, but you can see with his previous runs why people have been ducking out of the way of the fella.’  The horse out on his own at the second last made a bit of a hash of it, causing favourite backers to have a worried moment.’ That was completely my fault,’ mentioned the jockey.’ I asked him to come up, but he knew better, but I felt never in danger through it. I’ve taking the race on to be fair, if I get on him next time out, I might ride him differently, but it would depend on what I have to take on.’ Asked if he would like the ride next time. ‘Listen, he’s someone else’s ride really but If asked I’d travel to the moon and back to get on this one.’ Growing testimony indeed, and a horse that has a very good future in front of him on the pointing field.

                                                                       Lilbitluso

Open races throughout the season, both Men’s and Ladies have been quality affairs, whatever course has graced them. And both today were no exception.

The Men’s open saw seven to post, Brackloon High, a winner at Higham and few weeks back. Consigliere who won at the November meeting at Cottenham, and Now Ben who beat Consigliere when receiving 7 lbs , again at Cottenham in January.

The fastest timed race of the day at 6 min 8 secs saw the Barlow family owned, trained and ridden Brackloon High come on from his Higham success  to beat Consigliere back in third, and the improving  Francesca Moller trained Dandan in second. ‘We have been beaten a few times by Consigliere last season, and the plan today was to see how the race panned out and if we were there at the end, we knew he had plenty of pace.’ Mentioned the eleven year old horses jockey Andrew Barlow. The pace was a fast one which Barlow mentioned didn’t really suit Brackloon High ‘We hit the front to be fair a little too soon, but he was jumping well, and didn’t idle as much as he can do In front and went on at the last to take the race.’

                                                                       Brackloon High

The plan now? 'last season we aimed at Cheltenham. This season, the plan is to take each race as it comes and have some fun, so we will have to look on to see where we go next.

 He can go on most tracks and ground, but we will see how he comes out of this race as he can be a bit of a nervous horse at home. More so than on the track, but if he’s enjoying racing he’ll keep putting out performances.’

                                                                         Brackloon High

The ladies open had eleven declared. 

Victoria Pendleton paying her first visit to Cottenham riding According to Sarah. And the Camellia Henderson ridden Khyber Kim, an easy winner here at the turn of the new year. In all, just fewer than half the field had a rating of 100 or over. 

One of those was the Carey Williamson ridden It was Me, who won the race beating Drom by eight lengths. Khyber Kim falling at the fourth left the race well open for the eleven year old, which’s run into second behind Start Royal at Higham in January backed up his five wins the season Before. 

 Mr Wright who trains the gelding mention the jockey had given the horse a beautiful ride, and it was nice to see a horse from the area take on and beat the horses travelling from all corners to take the race. 

The jockey Carey Williamson, who has stuck up a good relationship with the horse, mentioned ‘I wasn’t too bothered about having to make up a bit of ground on him, I don’t think I have ever been so fast on him, he is such an easy horse to ride, it was nice to pick up this type of race with him.’ 

Is this eleven year old by Bolin back to his earlier form? possibly so, and one to take note of next time out.

It was Me ridden by  Miss Carey Williamson

The Subaru Restricted race saw the little known Nightscape pick up a ticket for the series final at Stratford in May. Trained by Rob Cundy and ridden by Charlie Buckle, the eight year old by Luso beat the promising Hill of Gold, well out of sight ridden by in form jockey Sam Davies-Thomas.

                                                                         NightScape

Dropping his whip just before the line, Buckle can be forgiven as he didn’t really have to get serious with him. ‘This is only the second time I’ve ridden this one.’ Mentioned the young jockey ‘We pulled up here in January and its all credit to the trainer in getting him here fit today. This is the first time he has finished in the frame with a male jockey, so we are all a bit surprised really.’ Charlie’s daytime job is working out of the Lloyd's building in the City must have been happy with the start of his weekend, but did say ‘With all these corporate lunches keeping the weight down is a task and a half I can tell you.’

 Well, it gives something to talk about Monday morning in the Monday morning de brief.

Hightscape, ridden by Charlie Buckle

The open Maiden, split into two divisions saw twenty one horses declared between the two races.

Ten going to the first division, where the improving Martin Weston trained Ypsilanti beat the Alan Hill trained Velvet Cognac by five lengths. The seven year old chestnut gelding second at Cottenham in early January to the handy horse Tommy O’Dwyer, looked beaten two out, but gamely took on the bridle again over the last. Jockey Liam Mahon mentioned ‘he’s a nice horse, nothing to get too excited about, but certainly a progressive future for him if we can get the good ground.’

                                                                                    Ypsilanti

Eleven horses went to post for division two of the Open maiden. Stuart Morris training the winner Bingo Star to beat the in form Gina Andrews and Tom Ellis partnership with Celtic Silver by a neck at the finish.

The five year old ex Irish pointer was left in front with Celtic Silver after a whole bunch of front runners at the second last making mistakes. A slower time by four seconds from that of division one saw Johnny Bailey get his youngster home, making this horse one for the note books at present.

                                                               Bingo Star leads  Ugano Du Chatelet

The last race of the afternoon, a 2m 4 f event saw the front running Nandini go off as bookies favourite. 

Also Phillip Rowley sending his Namako to post travelling the across country distance from the West midlands. 

But it was the Fred Hutsby trained, Heather Watson ridden Superior Fire who came home in front, beating Namako by eight lengths. 

                                                                          Superior Fire

The six year old by Arcadio, with some form under rules when trained by Charlie Longsdon came a little under the radar in pointing with a rating of 78, but showed his form and experience.

’ The trainer has been hunting him a lot with the Warwickshire to speed him up.’ Mentioned the jockey. ‘The aim was to let him enjoy himself today, but I have always liked him, that’s why I have travelled just for the one ride.This is the fourth time we have been to the races, three times before we have stayed in the horsebox, due to the ground. But with better ground he will come on a lot from this, he certainly jumps well enough.’ 

Hackwood Park in a few weeks could possibly be the next destination for this young hopeful, a course much the same as Cottenham, and with good ground he could be a fancied runner.

                                                                                Superior Fire

 Last weekend saw a double at Horseheath for the talented Sam Davies-Thomas. This week, though no trip to the winner’s enclosure he was presented as the leading rider at Cottenham in     2015-16.

Cottenham. Started with a fantastic opening day meet of the new point to point season, and finished in the same light.

Roll on for next season.