Thursday, 8 December 2016

FONTWELL FESTIVE JUMPERING FESTIVAL


Anyone wanting to earn a bit of extra Christmas cash should have been along the very competitive early December card at Fontwell park.


Not only £500 to the best dressed Christmas jumper on display for the afternoon, but high priced horses also ‘jumping ‘into the winner enclosure.

 The mood started well with 40/1 shot Bohernagore from the Zoe Davidson yard beating the favourite Nick Gifford’s Cashanova by seven lengths back in third in the class four handicap hurdle.

‘ He could of gone round again really, the plan was to make the running because that’s where he settle’s best.'
Ridden by the young nineteen-year-old claimer and graduate from the pony racing circuit Frankie Penford the eleven-year-old on his debut win from eleven starts made mostly all the two mile one furlong of the Sussex track.
‘ He could of gone round again really, the plan was to make the running because that’s where he settle’s best, and he helps you out so much to, so you can actually concentrate more on race tactics.’ 

The jockey was full of admiration for the horse out of the East Grinstead yard where he is based, the trainer delighted with a win, a long time coming with only 3 wins from 117 runners so far in 2016.

Bohernagore 
The second race of the afternoon, a three mile one furlong novices chase went to local Winchester trainer Chris Gordon’s The Chuckmeister. Off at tapes at 11/1 the seven-year-old on his first win from eight starts took up the race before the last keeping on well up the Fontwell incline to take the race by seven lengths from Suzy Smiths King Charlie.

‘The horse had something to prove with his jumping,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘It’s good to get one in for a local owner too, Tom has done what I have asked him and to concentrate in getting him jumping rather that to race and jump and it’s seemed to have worked.’

‘The horse had something to prove with his jumping.'


The Chuckmeister




Jockey Tom Cannon also delighted to get a win on one of his local tracks, a track in the past has always been lucky for him on the winner front.






The third race was a very competitive juvenile hurdle over two miles one furlongs. Alan King with Rainbow Dreamer took the race, this time making the bookies pay out as the Wayne Hutchinson ridden three-year-old went off the 10/11 favourite. 
Only being out of the winner’s enclosure in some way or form for two of his eleven starts the three-year-old was in touch all though the race, taking up the lead just before the last.

Volpone Jelois



The Paul Nicholls’s charge Volpone Jelois three and a half lengths back in second is a horse  
The Ditcheat trainer likes the ex-French flat runner. Running on at the last but did appear to have needed the outing, and one certainly to underline for future trips out.




Alan King mentioning,’ You know straight away if they are going to work.'
Cheek pieces applied to the horse for the run seemed to make a mark difference to the horse Alan King mentioning,’ You know straight away if they are going to work, we schooled him in them last week and he went really well so we were hopeful today.’

It looked in this race the first three home could have a nice races in them this season, the third horse placed East Indes from the Gary Moore yard, all to highlight in the notebooks.
The yard of Alan king all set for a good week approaching, continuing his consistent form. Cheltenham and Doncaster being the climax at the weekend, Doncaster being the favoured track.
Rainbow Dreamer
The combination of Jonjo O’Neil and Aidan Coleman took the main chase of the afternoon, a three mile one furlong handicap chase. 
Adam Du Breteau led the five other competitors from four fences out, and ran on well to beat Gary Moore’s Leo Luna by four lengths. 
One his third win from twelve starts the six year old showed easily why winning all his races at different distances makes the six year old stand out., Aidan mentioning. 'This one has improved on his performances and has been kept in good form.’
'This one has improved on his performances' 

Adam Du Breteau



This horse if placed well, would have a nice race in him. 
The concern now for the Cheltenham trainer would be where and what distance to take on next. 
 One to watch I think.





Dual training licence holder Hughie Morrison took the next, a two mile three furlong mares only novices hurdle. 
Star Rider ridden by Tom O’Brien kept on well at the last to beat Flints Legacy from the Nigel Hawke yard by five lengths.
The four-year-old Cape Cross filly who only a few months back was bagging a smart two mile event at Newmarket seems to be learning her craft
‘She has a big engine this one,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘All she needs to do is sharpen her jumping up a little as she steps up in grade but she has stamina for sure and could be a nice horse.’

The four-year-old Cape Cross filly who only a few months back was bagging a smart two mile event at Newmarket seems to be learning her craft, from a yard more known for their flat horse production and seems to have a few nice horses to come out over the winter months.
 Sister Cybil and Major Mac being a few O’Brien seemed to mention.
Star Rider
Eight horses to post for the penultimate race of the afternoon, a two mile three furlongs’ handicap chase. 
Lambourn trainer Sam Thomas giving a leg up to his old weighing room pal Jamie Moore on Jamrham. 
Off at 9/2  the horse took on the race two out and pulled away from second placed horse Micquus by eight lengths to claim the prize.
Jamrham No7
‘I’m made up for Sammy to get a winner today, I’ve missed him in the weighing room as I have known him for a long time, so I’m pleased to see him here today.’
The trainer not long moved to Upper Lambourn mentioned,’ We seem to be learning as we go on, moving to Lambourn has been the right move there is so much going on there and this one should be one to have fun with if we keep performing in the way he has been today,but you just forget how much you don’t know how a horse works when you’re riding, training opens your eyes to so many aspects of the industry.'
‘I’m made up for Sammy to get a winner today, I’ve missed him in the weighing room.'
Again, from the home of Jump racing, Lambourn trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis sent out 8/1 shot Whatthebutlersaw, Mark Grant on board to beat favourite Shaddai by four lengths. 
The seven-year-old gelding stayed on well up the finish and take on the favourite Shaddaii in his second win from ten starts.
Shaddaii,Whatthebutlersaw,Kingston Mimosa
‘This horse could do with going a little further really,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘The race suited him really as they went on and then stopped in front of him, so he has outstayed them really, but he is sure to win again.’
The Arcadio gelding seemed to have needed his run a month back at Exeter and has shown to have come on from that. 
Note would have to be taken if this one comes out over more of a trip and would be one to highlight.
A good win for a small trainer, not a festive jumper in sight though, most having their fill from bumper packed seven race card before Christmas.
Whatthebutlersaw

Next jumping here at Fontwell on a busy Boxing day meeting, all to be blogged by.