COTTENHAM UNITED FOR CAMBRIDGESHIRE POINT TO PONT ACTION

Only twenty minutes from the heart of flat racings HQ Newmarket, in a corner of the village of Cottenham the point to point fraturnaty celebrates yet another start of point to point season. 

Two meetings for the sports followers to go to on the opening day, this one and Black forest lodge a short way off the A380 near Exeter.

Those coming over to the East of the country and Cottenham were offered six races, small fields but packed in quality.

12:00 noon saw Sir Mark Prescott lower the starters flag for the PPORA club members race, eight runners, within the pack Tommy Morgan’s Lough Inch, the winner of the race last season and a horse that truly loves the Cottenham turf winning several of his races at the track.

Lough Inch

This season being no different, with regular jockey on board Sam Davies Thomas, third in last seasons jockey’s championship the nine-year-old seemed to command the opening salvo with an exhibition of front running and jumping.

Both jockey and trainer Liz Harris seemed delighted by the horse that owes both nothing over the years with his full of heart runs.

His twelve length victory showing what a class team this is. The trainer, with a new addition to the family in tow mentioned that this good to firm ground specialist will wait until the ground is just to his liking before his next trip.

Liz Harris (left) seemed delighted by the horse that owes both nothing over the years with his full of heart runs

The jockey going on with the day in controversial fashion.

 New job in the bag with Dan Skelton, the jockey had to wait to the last for his second winner of the day on Extreme Appeal, a four-year-old out of the Kelly Morgan yard. 

Again, a good clean front running jumping exhibition saw the horse in his second pointing season show what he is made of beating Dale peters of Mister Murch by seven lengths in the 4.5.6 year old open maiden.

‘Kelly has done a great job on this one as he used not to jump too great, today though spot on.’ And you would not of though it about this horse as he met all his obstacles just right.

The race though did throw up a few googlies in its running.

First, John Mathias on Holy Dancer fell four out, the jockey taken to hospital where it was reported he has a fractured pelvis, we all wish John well, and a speedy recovery.

John Mathias on Holy Dancer

Second, the runner up in the race Mr Murch, Dale Peters reports he thinks this six-year-old grey if produces his home form at the races could be something special, this and the winner need a strong highlight in the notebooks.

Mr Murch, Dale Peters reports he thinks this six-year-old grey if produces his home form at the races could be something special

Both jockeys in the race before the open maiden seeing honours reversed and a trip to the steward’s room as Peters on All the sevens and Davies-Thomas on Skipping on came to the last together, Dale Peters mount edging over and pushing the drive of Davies Thomas and Skipping on over to the stand rail.

All the sevens and Davies-Thomas on Skipping on came to the last together

All the sevens kept the race, peters picking up a £75 fine for careless riding. Sam Davies Thomas convinced without the interference he would have made it a treble for the day. ‘Dale and I are good friends, it’s racing and that’s that, no hard feelings,’ mentioned this young jockey who in my opinion is a future champion point to point jockey. Not only tidy on a horse, but well liked in the paddock this boy will go far to be sure.

‘Dale and I are good friends, it’s racing and that’s that, no hard feelings.’

Another team destined for the bright lights are the Oxfordshire based team of the Hill Family. Trainer Alan ever popular within the sport saddled Consigliere to take the Men’s open in record time of 5 min 45 sec. Again, piloted by son Joe Hill another young jockey with a bright future the thirteen-year-old showed dominance against the three other runners, bowling in the eight lengths winner over Never complain from the local yard of the Marshall’s.

Consigliere

‘The horse owes us nothing.’ Mentioned the jockey who was delighted with the horse that is a sturt supporter of the Ponting field.

 ‘Dad and I have will now have a bit of a think where to go next but he has been a great servant to us and we all think dearly of him.’

Not a big field to be up against but Never Complain in second place is no slouch himself not being out of the first three in all his seven runs. The only plip on the winners form being a creditable 11^th in the Cheltenham Foxhunters.

The ladies open saw a Bound for glory take the spoils beating Gina Andrews on Sharp Suit by five lengths.

The ten-year-old trained by David Fitch-Peyton saw action on the last day of the 2015-16 season winning the ladies open at Umberleigh. The horse again coming out looking well for a brief rest to take the race with a show of front running and positive jumping.

The horse twice a runner in the Aintree Foxhunters seems a class act, (which I would say stands in the favour of the second place horse, the Alan Hill Sharp Suit) this time ridden by Allie Sterling, regular jockey Hannah Lewis only giving birth a few weeks ago.

Allie mentioned ‘ You would pay to ride this one in the foxhunters he is that good, I should reckon Hannah is dying to get back and ride him, it took effort for her not to be here today.’

The ladies open saw a Bound for glory take the spoils beating Gina Andrews on Sharp Suit by five lengths. 

David Fitch-Peyton

Trainer David Fitch-Peyton who is doing his trainer modules as we speak was very happy with the performance and will now plan the ten-year olds path for the season ahead. A yard with good horses and a professional attitude would surely be a head turner wherever you see a runner entered.

Ride of the day in my mind must go to the reigning ladies champion Gina Andrews

Ride of the day in my mind must go to the reigning ladies champion Gina Andrews on the second horse Sharp Suit, who needed all the jockey’s skill and persuasion to challenged Bound for Glory at the last.

Four out, minds were cast back to the AP McCoy days for pushing on a horse to the untrained eye a no hoper, to a near victory.

 Andrews putting up her stall to other contenders for her crown what was needed to take her on.

She did not have to wait long though to get her 2016-17 campaign off to a winning start as she partnered Celtic Silver trained by husband Tom Ellis, though very much I reckon a team affair to victory in the Restricted.

The seven-year-old grey took an easy victory by twelve lengths from Scorpion Star. 

‘He’d make a good ladies horse as he is not that big, but it was good to have that sort of opener to progress him on.’ Mentioned the jockey

Celtic Silver

Tom Ellis

The trainer also impressed with the relative ease of his win, mentioning it took a little of the pressure off getting the first win out of the way. 

‘We are very busy at the moment, plenty of horses in, pointers, breakers and others so we are hard at it.’

 But this duo certainly will not shy off from that and continue to grow and will be defiantly a team important to this winters game.

Another class meeting, the next one on new years eve.

 Next weekend another  quality meet as the Point to point owners club meet at Barbury opens its account for the new season.

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NICHOLLS TRIO AND NATIONAL DEBUT ALL AT FONTWELL ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON

A seven race card put on at Fontwell for it's Totepool Southern National meeting.
Soft ground, a healthy Sunday crowd and competitive fields all mixed up offered a dish of good racing.
Top trainers still coming the the Sussex track, even though the home of National hunt racing Cheltenham was staging the last day of it's three day quality meet.

The day kicked off with a three year olds and upwards handicap hurdle, twelve runners went to post for a closely fought opener to the day.
Kerry Lee sending her five year old Magic Mustard to post the 3/1 favorite.
Lying in a placed position coming to the last Jamie moore on board, got hold of his mount to overtake David Noonan on board David Pipes Port Navas, who in traditional Pipe fashion led the race from the first hurdle.

Magic Mustard 

'The horse up front went rather hard at the race, coming to the last two I knew i had a bit in hand,he was responding to me getting after him, i didn't go for him too early because I wanted to save him a bit,' mentioned the jockey. 'The hill has helped here, and Kerry's horses are always fit so the team deserves some credit.'

The horse looking the possible chaser, and now with a handicap mark may have to search for ground and conditions, but maybe one to look out for and one to note.

 'The hill has helped here a bit, and Kerry's horses are always fit so the team deserve some credit.'

The crowd did not have to wait for too long for the feature race of the day,The Totepool Southern National. 

Thee miles and three furlongs waited the sixteen runners, the in form Colin Tizzard's Fergal Mael Duin rolling out the 4/1 favorite.

A good pace was set for the three and a half times around the figure of eight, and it was not until the very last obstacle that the punters really knew what was going to be their champion. 

The favorite blundering at the last allowing Aerial trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by seven pound claimer Jordan Williams to run on up the hill to take the race by  three lengths.

Aerial trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by seven pound claimer Jordan Williams

'This must be the highlight of my career so far,' mentioned the young jockey. 'We were a little worried if he would get the trip, but he is such an honest horse he's great. I ride him everyday at home and I was so pleased to get the ride.'

The grandson of trainer Bernard Williams, who was told to go to Ditcheat to gain more experience certainly gave the ten year old a fine ride, winning his fifth race from eighteen starts, the jockey incidentally winning his first time over fences, collating ten winners so far.

A fine race to showcase this young jockey the master of Manor House stables certainly knowing his 'jockey-flesh' as well as his 'horse-flesh'

The trainer deputized at Fontwell by assistant Harry Derham the boss at Cheltenham, mentioned.'I love this course, i rode my first double here and now three winners in a day I love it.' That slightly gives it away for the next few races to blog.

Aerial winner of the Totepool southern national

Yes, as mentioned that did not stop there for the Nicholls team who's horses are on top form at the present.

 Having a good day at Fontwell at the last meet the master of Manor House stables sent out More Bucks for the class three two mile five handicap chase. 

This time Sean Bowen on board made most of the six year olds talent and made all cranking up the pressure three fences out to beat Monbeg Gold from the Jonjo O'Neil yard.

More Bucks

The horse winning on soft ground at the course in October, a second a Sandown Park in between certainly showed the class of this six year old by Presenting.

'It wasn't really the plan to make all in the race, but he settled in front so we went on, his jumping though is his true character I think, we nearly didn't run as we though the ground was a bit too slow for him but he has done well in the end.'

The horse surly to win again is one to keep an eye on, nothing too special that was put to us the last time at Fontwell but a winner none the less.

The duo of Nichols and Bowen took the next also, Peak to Peak took the fourteen runner two mile three furlong maiden hurdle, beating local trainer sue Smiths Clondaw Bistro by two lengths.

Peak to Peak

'He gave a real professional feel out there,' mentioned Bowen. ' He jumped well and took the race well. To be fair he was out on his own from three out but still went forward, he'd be a chaser in the future I feel.'

The four year old by Authorized now one win form one start is one to watch from Manor House, the image above shows this type seems to have perfected his jumping prowess.

Manor House stables sent out More Bucks for the class three two mile five John Rogerson Memorial handicap chase. 

'He gave a real professional feel out there,' mentioned Bowen. 

A jockey that certainly knows his way around the Sussex track is Tom Cannon, twice being leading rider at Fontwell he was on board Chris Gordon's Remiluc to win the class 3 Salmon Spray handicap hurdle over two mile one furlong.

The seven year old took the race up from two out and seemed to be the  comfortable winner up the hill  beating Kerry Lee's Gassin Gold by twelve lengths.

'He has had form in the past, and the race has worked out well for him, settling behind the leaders and has come alive as he gone upsides his stable partner.'

Remiluc

The trainer who saddle both the winner and the third  mentioned, 'this horse if you look at him without the saddle has a big dip in his back, he had an infection that got into the bone,he had two operations to remove the infection but still it hung around, so the idea was either a third operation or to put the horse down, the owners took him home put him out to grass and that seemed to sort it all out, so it's a blessing he is here today at all really.'

The horse a possibility at the Hennessy meeting at Newbury may be one to watch dependent on ground and opposition, and looks the chasing sort, but certainly connections think much of  this Bay gelding.

 'this horse if you look at him without the saddle has a big dip in his back, he had an infection that got into the bone,he had two operations to remove the infection

The Penultimate race was taken by welsh invader Evan Williams from Llancarfan. 

 The aptly named On the road ridden by Adam Wedge took the two mile three furlong handicap hurdle for three year olds and up by a length and a half  from Tim Vaughn's Fraser Canyon, 

the six year old now on three wins on the bounce, winning down the West country early on in the year.

The horse now three wins from nine starts took the race on three out and stayed on well, the jockey mentioning, 'This horse has improved from last seasons development which is good, it was a nice competitive race that has worked out well for him.'

The well traveled Stowaway gelding looks one to note for further development, the trainer from the Vale of Glamorgan not frightened of piling up the miles to claim the best conditions for his charge.

The final race of the day, an unusual handicap chase rather than the usual national hunt flat race, saw nine runners go to post for the two and a half miles four year olds and up chase.

Colin Tizzard sending Tikkapick to post the 4/1 favorite. But could only muster second spot, David Noonan on board Anthony Honeyball's top weight Royal Salute taking the race by seven lengths.

Anthony Honeyball's top weight Royal Salute taking the race by seven lengths.

Noonan mentioned,'he is an improving sort really, after winning a hurdle here with Aidan (Coleman)  on board he went to Bangor with not having a great deal of experience over fences. Well down the order there, but has improved enough today to take this race on.'

The horse summered well from his trip to Bangor in April, and showed that the six year old has matured into a nice type, the jockey mentioning that his jumping was his greatest asset.

Much more to come from this one I should reckon and would certainly be one to pen in the notebooks.

Royal Salute

Only now a few more meetings to go for 2016 at Fontwell, Blogs and images from other meeting at the Sussex track can be seen at.

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ROGER TEAL RACING VISIT, FAMILY AT THE HEART

The view from gallops at Great Shefford stables

 Nestled just outside Lambourn, in the pleasant village of Great Shefford are the premises of Roger Teal.

 The yard once occupied by Joe Tuite up to about a year ago see’s this honest trainer with approximately 18 horses under both codes of racing.

Both Son, young NH jockey Harry Teal and wife Sue lend a hand to tick the yard over, this could be no more apparent seeing what is possibly my first time witnessing a Mother and son combination work upsides on the gallops.

Sue and Harry Teal work upsides

Horses took to the five and a half furlong uphill woodchip surface well, as certainly seems the trend now with most trainers.

Gone are the days of flat gallops, horses at full throttle on work mornings,horses now have two or three strong canters up hill to stoke their engines, a tendency to work them without them even knowing.

Roger Teal

The trainer, certainly seems a journeyman on his road to becoming the master of Shefford Valley Stables. 

Formally with John Jenkins, then assistant to Epsom Based Phillip Mitchell, Roger has taken his trade by learning from doing the job, rather than being born into it.

‘

An owner was wanting to buy a training yard and back someone financially to do so, so it was a case he knew me and from that I got my break.’ 

And it is apparent he wants the same for son Harry to, riding out for his dad the morning I saw him, but learning his trade with near neighbour Harry Whittington in Lambourn. Something Roger was most adamant he would have to do to continue his career

Harry Teal

The trainer coming up to his ten year anniversary as a trainer, already a group three in the bag courtesy of Steel Tango in 2009’s Darley Stakes.

Roger Teal had his best season prize money wise so far in the last flat campaign, over £30’000 up the previous year’s efforts, the move and knowledge still being gathered certainly showing their worth as the trainer continues in his quest.

Four-year-old Rosie Royal being a big benefactor to the Trainers increase with four wins out of eleven starts, massing just over £19’000 in prize money

Four-year-old Rosie Royal

Nothing fancy in the about 20 box stables, but one thing you can witness in abundance is what you would call good ‘onset’ racing folk

A trainer to keep an eye on, let’s face it with just a £2.50 loss to a £1 stake throughout the flat season, this cannot be bad.

Certainly this family run business is the punters friend as well as the backbone a British horse racing.

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REMEMBER, REMEMBER FONTWELL PARK IN NOVEMBER

Twenty-six runners only on display, on a more than wet afternoons racing at Fontwell. 

Still controversy in the card where runners were short and the going still fast on an afternoon possibly all may agree was best left curled up in front of the fire.

The biggest field of the afternoon was the long-distance handicap hurdle over three miles one furlong.

 Yukon Delta

Gary Moore’s Yukon Delta duly won this contest, off the 5/2 favourite, the nine-year-old third at Fontwell back in October, winning in between a contest at Plumpton with blinkers on seemed to relish the rain soaked ground, 5 mm falling on the Sussex course during the pre-race nubtles.

Beating Nigel Twiston-Davies Guiting Power by eight lengths the race looked all over from two out, beforehand the field racing tightly compact.

Ridden by Joshua Moore this horse looked well in control, with softer ground now possibly on offer. It would be no surprise if you saw this one out locally again soon, dependant on company taken on this horse would be worth a look. Though the handicapper and bookies alike making sure all is done to put this horse to the test.

The next race the two mile five furlongs’ mare’s beginners chase, three runners went to post. 

Dan Skelton sending Ian Popham on Yes I did to post the 10/11 joint favourite.

Fifth here first time out in a very tidy Handicap hurdle, the six-year-old mare certainly showed her turn of foot from five fences out, giving Popham a ‘heart in your mouth’ moment a few times while out on her own.

IAN POPHAM ON Yes I did

33/1shot FrankNFair split the two favourites a part trailing in seven lengths behind, making a race of it to the line with Kayfleur for second spot taking the place by a neck.

The rain still falling Clerk of the course Ed Arkle had no choice but to listen to the weighing room and bring the going back down to good, the ground certainly visible becoming loose on top, but still maintain some zip for the runners ahead.

Fifth here first time out in a very tidy Handicap hurdle, the six-year-old mare certainly showed her turn of foot from five fences out,

The class three mares handicap hurdle over two miles three went to 2/1shot Midtech Valentine from the yard of Ian Williams. 

Ridden by Tom O’Brien the five-year-old off bottom weight seemed to tire a little at the end from being sent to take her race three hurdles out, drifting left the mare managed to stay on to take the race from Mystic Sky the 15/8 favourite by a couple of lengths.

Midtech Valentine 

The mare not out of the top three since March looked the type that deserved to win a higher grade of event.

 Lizzie Kelly looking the challenger two out on Culture De Sivola, but jumping left herself ended the race with a stumble and fall living the winner to the mercy of the race.

‘More like she would have got up even without the horse going two out,’ mentioned the jockey. And certainly, looks the fit type that would go on again surviving a strong pace set by Culture De Sivola two out.

‘More like she would have got up even without the horse going two out,

Innocent girl from the Harry Fry yard took the two miles one handicap chase. 

The 4/6 favourite made short work of his only three contenders making all most of the way around the figure of eight tack, the ground very much apparent loose on top causing horses to falter over the obstacles.

Withy Mills, James Best

The winner no exception to this seemed to disrespect the fences three out, 

'we probably were not going quick enough for him really, which caused him to peck at a few.’ Mentioned the 3lbs claimer Kieron Edgar.

Innocent girl

The seven-year-old mare, surely has speed, the slight give in the ground allowing her to use this to her benefit, 27 lengths splitting the first and second placed horse Fine Resolve.

'we probably were not going quick enough for him really

The two miles three furlongs’ Conditional jockey’s novices hurdle came down to a dual Dan Skelton already on a winner for the afternoon with No Hassle Hoff ridden by the inform Bridget Andrews. 

And Chief  Bottlewasher from the Charlie Mann yard, Tommy Dowling on board.

All the way around the favourite from the Skelton yard looked in a commanding position, going out to the back straight the final time Andrews looking behind her making sure no surprises were in store in the final flings of the race. 

But nothing could have prepared the sister of the twice crowned point to point ladies champion jockey when the four-year-old took his eye off the game at the last, completely uprooting the hurdle giving no chance for the pairing to continue.

No Hassle Hoff ridden by the inform Bridget Andrews. 

This left Dowling and Chief Bottlewasher to go through the gap made by the faller and take the run in on his own. 

‘ I didn’t know what to believe when I saw what happened in front of me, I just aimed for the gap to pop the flattened hurdle.’

   ‘I didn’t know what to believe when I saw what happened in front of me.'

The jockey who the previous year had a crashing fall at the course was delighted with the horse’s victory, the trainer mentioning tongue in cheek a win was never in doubt. 

The five-year olds first win from five starts may look a bit of a false contest, but jumping is the name of the game and that’s exactly what the Moss Vale gelding did.

Both horse and rider came out of their fall unscathed, though I do not think anyone would have got any sort of conversation out of Andrews for the next few hours.

Chief  Bottlewasher 

The final race of the day was a two miles one furlong national hunt flat race for the older horses, four, five and six year olds. 

Five runners to post headed by favourite David Cricket, trained by Alan King and ridden by course specialist Tom Cannon.

The pace again strong saw the favourite well out of sorts by six furlongs out, the eventual winner Markov out of the Ben Pauling yard and ridden by David bass taking up the race as the field turned into the home straight.

Markov

The 5/2 shot on his maiden voyage seemed green towards the end of the race allowing runner up Everybody’s Happy to near steal the race, Bass’s six-year-old showing how hard Irish point to point maiden ‘s can be sticking his head out for a neck victory.

A good looking chasing type by presenting looked the winner, but I must say the placed horses in Everybody’s Happy, David Cricket and Good news (half-brother to Fontwell star, Venetian Lad) would have to be recognised.

 One of the better bumpers at Fontwell this season without a doubt. Fontwell always attracting the nice maiden horses in these types of event.

The 5/2 shot on his maiden voyage seemed green towards the end of the race allowing runner up Everybody’s Happy to near steal the race,

The next meet at Fontwell. Southern national day, more quality jumpers on show, a whole meeting to take the book to.

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