Seven races for the amateurs at the home of national hunt
racing.
Point to point and hunter chase finals night saw the end of the 2015-16
racing season at the Prestbury racecourse.
A lot of dreams were fulfilled and fairy tales written,
throughout the evening racing.
The first race a two mile Hunter chase saw fourteen go to
post. Well regarded trainer of the pointers Alan Hill sending his talented
eight year old Broken Eagle off at 15/8 favourite.
The horse that has been dominant over his last handful of
wins on the East Anglian pointing tracks had a little more competition as he
came to two fences out.
Making the running for most of the way the favourite was
soon headed by last years winner of the race Sam Cavallaro, ridden by Rob
Jarrett. Both horses finishing very tired, seven lengths between first and
third.
The winner falling in the Aintree foxhunters, but winning at
the course and distance in April, showed his class and stayed on well.
The second race of the evening the Red Mills Intermediate final, saw qualifiers from the lengths and breadth of the point to point community come together for the showdown at Cheltenham.
Another horse that has been seen right from the beginning of the pointing season winning at Cottenham in November Lilbitluso ridden by John Mathias and trained by John O’shea made his mark by three lengths beating Doctor Braveheart ridden out and staying on well up the Cheltenham hill.
Lilbitluso ridden by John Mathias
The jockey mentioned that his grip on the reins was not the best due to baby oil from his turn out and the slight rain shower made for a tricky grip on the eight year old.
‘He settled well, the plan was to make the running anyway, he jumped well enough, making his usual few mistakes but he won well, we had a gear in hand all the way, so I'm please with him.’
The horse now heading for the Subaru Finals at Stratford in a few weeks time, and is hoping to make a classy six timer from it, and would certainly back up his position as one of the top five pointers we have seen out this season.
John Mathias
Cousin Pete won the United Hunts cup, with a patient and
well timed ride from amateur Nick Phillips.
The 4/1 shot beating High Hatton
and Midnight king, who both had every chance coming over the last. The favourite
Templebraden back in fourth.
The eight year old qualified with the V.W.H hunt, was a
popular win getting a true Cheltenham festival style cheer as he came into the winner
enclosure.
Near the end of his season now the pointer will be a good
horse to watch as he works on the new season from November.
 | |
| Cousin Pete,Nick Phillips
The feature race of the evening the £6000 champions hunters
chase, thirteen went to post.
Champion Point to point jockey Will Biddick on the favourite Current
event could show no form as the horse swept around the bend leaving Gunmoney from
the Gerald Bailey yard in front, the winner Pearly steps ridden by Jane
Williams staying on very well in second.
Pearly steps ridden by Jane Williams, winner of the £6000 feature race
A mistake by Gunmoney over the last left the 3/1 shot thirteen
year old to jump and run on up the hill to take the race by three lengths, Gunmoney
finding the pressure allowing Barrel of laughs to take second spot.
Again as in
previous races all horses were finding the going on the grade one course tough,
true staying horses were to the fore.
Pearly steps Jane Williams
The mares finals was a true all girl affair.
Popaway ridden by Immy Robinson beating the favourite The
flying Doc ridden by the champion amateur Will Biddick unlucky on the evening
by seven lengths.
The eleven year old mare seventh of fourteen in the Cheltenham
Foxhunters, waited in behind a main bunch of runners coming up to the
last to jump and slingshot herself to the front, running on gamely up the hill.
Popaway ridden by Immy Robinson
‘We have won over two miles here so we had a few concerns if
she’d stay, but she surprised me how much she ran on over the last, i think it
played into my hands the front horses taking each other on so early on.’
The jockey with the broadest of smiles mentioned how great it was to ride, let alone ride a winner at the home of national hunt racing. And was grateful a dedicated evening was put aside for the amateurs.
‘This mare is a real hardened battler and loves the rough and tumble, so I’m delighted for all the connections and the mare they deserve it.’
The distance race of the evening the four mile open hunters
chase, was won in very fine style by 5/1 shot Vasco Du Mee. Ridden by Josephine
Banks and trained by M. Weston.
Vasco Du Mee. Ridden by Josephine Banks
The seven year old versatile horse seemed to show what
others could not throughout the evening and come up the hill going well beating
Join Together by nine lengths with impressive dominance.
Well versed in the Hunter chase field, the gelding winning
at Fakenham, and finishing second to the earlier winner Pearlysteps at Towcester
last time out.
This class distance running horse showed that if he could
maintain the form would be a true contender for any long distance races next
season, and has surly made his stamp on the division the next time he comes
out.
The final race of the evening was a two and a half mile
event. Ten runners to post and was taken to the wire as 6/1 veteran Big Fella Thanks beat Foynes Island by a neck.
Young Jockey fresh out from school Noel George on board to
bring the fourteen year old home, a horse with more experience on the
racecourse than the jockey himself.
‘It was a dream ride for me today, riding here for the first
time and a win, on an absolute legend was a dream.’ The jockey who was picked
up from school at 3.30pm where he completes his A/S levels in the next few weeks.
No stranger to race
riding though as the youngster competed in pony racing as a ten year old,
gaining a host of winners.
Big Fella Thanks, Noel George
‘Every fence he got it right for me, short or long all I had
to do was to stay on, he has a big engine, but doesn’t really get the pointing
three miles,his class gets him through.
The hunter chase at Wincanton he came
up against Pacha Du Polder, be but came good at Exeter. Two and a half miles
around here would be his optimum distance.’
Big Fella Thanks beat Foynes Island by a neck.
A young man with a big future in his first season riding
under rules, and all he has to say is thanks to the Big Fella.
 |
