BUMPER TO BUMPER INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR AT BARBURY

An important event in the point to point calendar, talking to participants and supporters of the sport, it will be a meeting that will grow in popularity over the years the Barbury International racing club meet at the Barbury Castle Estate staged eight races, two of which were for the first time at a point meet over two miles but not over obstacles. 

Races were strong contests on testing ground for a Saturday meeting that bought a strong crowd into the Barbury Castle estate.
The meeting designed to entice trainers from Ireland to come over for good racing managed to get one of the top trainers to bring a number of horses to the course John ‘the shark’ Hanlon resident of Co Carlow mentioned ‘ We have been treated like kings while we have been here, the facilities are spot on from entries, to weighing out to running, and I think if put on again a lot more will come over from Ireland.’

Very good testimony to a meeting I fell will over the years will become the possible Cheltenham festival of the point to point game.

Tom Malone’s Orchardstown Cross.

The first race for 4,5 and 6-year-old open maidens was taken by Tom Malone’s Orchardstown Cross. Ridden by Josh Newman the six-year-old took on and beat the John Hanlon entry Emtidaad by nine lengths. 

‘He is nice big old fashion chasing type,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘To be fair we took him to Larkhill in December and expected him to win there, we have him off the mark of 125 and to be beaten by a horse off the mark of 83 was disappointing, but he didn’t get the three miles. Today over the shorter distance he has run well so delighted with the win, he will make someone a nice little horse to take on.’

With a fair, few onlookers at the course to view potential purchases this one would surely have raised a few heads with his smart jumping and quick running., the horse a little green when taking up the running seemed honest enough to keep straight over the final two obstacles to take the race and would be one to note.

The second race of the afternoon, under the same conditions as the opener this time for mares and fillies only was taken by the Tim Underwood trained Cheltenham Mati ridden by in form Nigel Twiston Davies based jockey Zak Baker.
The five year old grey not the biggest of chasers but with  good heart and speed showed her pace to pull away from the field coming down the hill to the final two fences to beat the inform trainer Sally Alner’s horse Flights by nine lengths.

Tim Underwood trained Cheltenham Mati

‘I have never ridden for Tim before, but this mare seemed to be straight enough,’ mentioned the jockey.’ She has run a little green but I have decided to take the bull by the horns and take the running on and she has done it well in the end, she isn’t the quickest horse in the world but she was jumping well and I think with this one it would be the case of the further the better.’

The grey looked all to me still has a lot to grow into herself, but under the experienced eye of the trainer would be in the right place to learn her craft.
This one as well as the winner of the first open maiden would surely be ones to note for future wins.

Young 24-year-old trainer/jockey Sam Jukes produced his second winner of his career when his eleven-year-old Kings Theatre gelding Iberico winner at the December meeting at Barbury took year ten-year-old and over conditions race by three lengths from Cotillion.
‘I’m delighted,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘I was never too worried about the rest getting away from me, but was at my top cruising speed for a while, but he stays and he stays really well.’

Iberico winner at the December meeting at Barbury took year ten-year-old and over conditions race by three lengths from Cotillion.

It would be interesting to see if this horse could step up in class, or if the trainer goes for a treble at the Vine and Craven meet at the course in February, if  this horse is entered it would be one to note with the horse now off the pointing mark of 110.

The feature race of the afternoon, The Weatherby’s Hamilton mixed Open came as a surprise for the winning connections of Vincitore  trained and ridden by Sarah Rippon an eleven-year-old who surprised all by taking the inside to get up on the line to beat Sacre Toi by a length.
‘I cannot believe this is happening,’ mentioned owner Saskia Baharuddin. This is my first time at a meeting and to get the winner is great, I look after the horses non-racing part and Sarah dose the rest, we are meant to go hunting on Tuesday with the Bicester, I hope that’s still is the case.’
The trainer not as sure of that mentioned,’ he has form to be fair, we got him from Clare Hart/Harding with wins in hunter chases, a change of scenery has done him good and in the end has snuck up the inside to take the race. I’m delighted.’

With three lengths separating first and seventh this race was probably the most competitive over the final two we have seen all season, coming to the last no one really knowing who would get to the line in front.
‘ I was told last time I rode here to keep to the inner so that’s what I did and managed to sneak through the inside.’  The ride earning the jockey/trainer performance of the day at the end of the meeting.

David Maxwell on Out now in the feature race The weatherby's Hamilton mixed open

The novice riders event offered disappointment and joy for different reasons. Clare Hardwick’s Argentato looking the sure winner coming to the last with Will Kellard on board running out at the final fence.

Argentato

Leaving seventeen-year-old Lilly Pinchin to take the race on her own trained Allerton two lengths clear from Swallowshide.
‘I came here to the race today not sure what would happen really, it would really depend on what he wanted to do, but it means so much to me to get the win on him today I’m so delighted.
The horse second just after Christmas at Chaddersley should have been no great surprise to Lilly, showing the ten-year-old was in good form

‘I came here to the race today not sure what would happen really, it would really depend on what he wanted to do.'

‘he really knows what to do, he will look after himself and helps me out so well and teaches me so much, I love him.’
The young jockey in residence with Fergal O’Brien could not hide her excitement about being in the industry. The product from the pony racing circuit,she certainly showed and came across why she loves this game.

More maidens this time in the Albert Bartlett Open maidens race which saw AP McCoy come to Barbury to present the prizes for the remain of the meeting.

This race going to Sarah Gould's  The Editor ridden by freelancer Shane Quinlan.

Eight lengths clear at the last the five-year-old at 25/1 ran on well to beat David Mansell’s Dewi’s Mate.

‘ It was a bit of a messy race and we have made some mistakes ourselves but we have managed to keep out of trouble to keep straight to take the race.’
The horse last season looking very much the green type has come on from that, and looking fit in the paddock looked a steal at the bookies odds of 25/1.

Sarah Gould's  The Editor ridden by freelancer Shane Quinlan

Jumping is the name of the game and this horse should really come on from his win and one to note for a small young trainer who does very well with what she has got, a good win on a horse that should come on and should see in the winner’s enclosure again before the session is done.

The final two races of the afternoon were two divisions of a two-mile bumper race, the first to be run in the UK point to point racing calendar.

A lot of eyes this side and the other of the Irish sea were watching as 22 runners split between the two races run a fair pace to sprint for the line to show what they could do.
The first division going to Martin Cullinan’s Lostin a fog , John Reddington on board the well-built five year old mare battled well to take the race from Paige Fuller on Oliver’s Island by a length.

The first division going to Martin Cullinan’s Lostin a fog (left) beats Paige Fuller on                     Oliver's Island

‘She is a lovely little filly and hope we can get a couple of point to points out of her off the back of this win.’ Mentioned the jockey who was full of praise for the initiative to run bumpers at point meetings.
‘I hope  we can get more of these bumpers going and Barbury is perfect for these types of events.’

If division one went to a horse qualified with the County Galway Hunt, the next division went in the way of the Emerald isle also.

John Hanlon who had supported the meeting well got a reward with New list winning the final race of the day.
Ridden by Richard Harding the four-year-old by Pivotal beat peter mason on Call me Sid by half a length, justifying the 11/10 favourite the bookies had the chestnut on offer.

The trainer mentioned,’ I have had a really good day, been looked after so well and have sold three horses I have had running already, it’s hoped I can sell this one before the end of the day, he has schooled over hurdles and fences already and would win on the track whenever you wanted really he a very nice type, I was going to put him in the first race, but we ran another instead, I have horses at home that have one bumpers in Ireland, I think this one is better.’

New list winning the final race of the day from Call me Sid

What more could be said for an end of a quality days pointing, that good horses attended and were shown to their best.
As mentioned I feel this meeting will grow over the years and if the reputation from both sides of the Irish pond responds with quality entries I’m sure as this meeting will become the pinnacle of the pointing season in the UK.
Only time will tell, but the future looks good for the Barbury International racing club meeting.

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DOUBLES AND TREBLES AT FOGGY LARKHILL 8-1-17

Six well declared races went ahead at Larkhill Racing club’s new year meeting at the Wiltshire track. 

Good ground that was riding a little loose on top saw well sized fields in each race take a steady ample around the track that certainly did disappear from view as the meeting progressed.

Higher Peckmore stables resident Jack Barber always a good bet for a winner at Larkhill claimed both opens and restricted to give him ample tonic and something to cheer about (well if his voice was up to it)

Pointing star Ask The weatherman taking on a fair field of runners to win the men’s open by fifteen lengths.

Jockey Will Biddick back to riding after a fall he had at the course at the beginning of December mentioned,’ This has been one of the slowest starts to a season I can remember, I’m hungry to regain my champion jockeys spot, so it’s good to get a win on board.

The ten-year-old Barber favourite now on his eighth win from nine starts looked very bright in himself, despite the doom and gloom of the weather, as did all the Barber horses.

Ask The weatherman 

‘I really would like something to test him out, it’s okay winning in a good time but i would like to see him taken on, ‘mentioned the jockey. (Ask the weatherman Vs Broken Eagle???? Now there’s a race you wouldn’t want to miss….) 

‘ I like to think he was a Cheltenham Foxhunters horse, you need a good consistent cruising speed type for that race and he has it, but we need to test him, to be fair he is still relatively a baby at this sport with only nine runs.’

Biddick hardly had time to digest the horse’s brilliance as he took on in the fog 2/1 favourite V Neck, a ride usually reserved for Christopher Barber, side-lined after a fall after Christmas at Chaddersley. 

Beating Queens Law by four lengths in a messy sort of race throughout the champion jockey mentioned,’ this one is really not mine to ride, but at the moment I’d take it.’

The horse not run since taking at maiden at Bratton Down in 2013, sidelined with leg trouble. The Jack Barber magic bought the horse to the races looking well and fit, a remarkable effort with a horse with problems.

V Neck

‘All praise has to go to the Barber team,’ mentioned Will. ‘to get the horse here that well and winning takes time, effort and patience, and it’s certainly started the ball rolling for me.’

The third of the wins came in the Ladies open for Jack Barber Racing. Aikideau and his all-female crew backed up an impressive course and distance win in December with another impressive win in the five runner ladies open.

This time only picking up a half a length victory the ten-year-old ridden by Bryony Frost looked well in control during most of the race the jockey mentioning, 

'I absolutely love this horse, he always pulls that little more out despite his size, and his jumping is safe without taking too much out of him. We all have so much fun out of him.’

 Frost who is in residence herself at the Ditcheat yard of Paul Nicholls mentioned how much of a dejar vue moment it was at the meeting. ‘I walked the course with Jack, had my hot chocolate went in the weighing room and huddled up against the radiator exactly the same as a month ago, it’s really weird.’ The young jockey with racing blood well set in her veins praised how being in a champion yard environment has really helped her riding. ‘you can’t get any more experience than riding the guvnor’s horses, they are all such quality, and riding horse such as silviniaco Conti out hunting just before the King George is something that can only improve you.

Aikideau

Impressive treble for the Barber Team, a man not firing in health wise on all cylinders at the moment.

 I’m hungry to regain my champion jockeys spot, so it’s good to get a win on board.'

Jack Barber magic bought the horse to the races looking well and fit, a remarkable effort with a horse with problems.

'I absolutely love this horse, he always pulls that little more out despite his size,'

Another trainer not rolling on all four wheels would be Dorset resident Sally Alner, who with a broken leg due to an horse based incident a few months ago, came to the Wiltshire course in a plaster cast but went home with a double for the afternoon.

Seven-year-old grey Apple's grey took the first of her double in the open maiden for five year olds and upwards by four lengths from Gilliamstown.

The horse bough at Ascot sales for the T.L.T partnership on the advice of Felix De Giles from France backed up some form he had in his country of Origin. Jockey Lorcan Williams, also in residence at the stables of leading trainer David Nicholls mentioned,. 

'I was surprised a bit with his turn of foot over the last, but we knew he had ability and it’s great to get a winner straight away with him. I knew I had plenty of horse underneath me and he has always travelled well and jumped for me.’

Apple's grey

At seven this horse looks to have plenty of scope and every part a racehorse, proof know will be how he can follow up the win and what he will be like with an upgrade in class.

The second for the duo of Alner and Williams partnerships came in the last race, designated for novice riders. 

Thereyasee got up on the line with another confident ride from the young jockey Lorcan Williams to beat Horizontal speed from the Alan Hill yard by three quarters of a length.

 ‘ I thought to be fair they were racing too soon really,’ mentioned the jockey learning his craft. ‘ so I managed to get a bit of  a breather into him and make my ground up coming down the hill, the owner mentioned to me he had a turn of foot and that was what he did coming up to the line.’ 

The jockey who mentioned riding double of a weekend was what dreams were made of certainly shows that not only quality and professional horses come out of the yard at Ditcheat.

Thereyasee (left) Horizontal Speed (right)

A good day also for trainer Sally Alner, not present in the unsaddling enclosure, but I’m sure a party was developing in the horsebox park where herself and Robert were watching the days proceedings.

'I was surprised a bit with his turn of foot over the last, but we knew he had ability'

the jockey who mentioned riding double of a weekend was what dreams were made of

The only race to upset the dominance of the meeting from the likes of Barber, Alner, Biddick and Williams was the opening race of the afternoon, The Larkhill Racing club member’s conditions race.

Twelve ran in a very competitive conditions event that went to 14/1 shot Subtle Sovereign trained by Teresa Clark and ridden by the experienced Irish jockey Martin McIntyre.

 To the delight of the partnership owners of the ten-year-old grey, The Notre Cheval Partnership the horse was driven out well by McIntyre to take the race by three lengths from Alex Fox Pitt’s Squirrel Esquire.

‘we are delighted,’ mentioned the owners. ‘He has probably done about twenty days hunting with the Taunton vale and West Somerset Hunts, Teresa has got him just right so a lot of the credit goes to her, we just pay the bills.’

He has probably done about twenty days hunting with the Taunton vale and West Somerset Hunts.

The jockey now on three winners for the season mentioned.

'The horse had about nine wins for Jack before Teresa got him, and to be fair she has sweetened him up well to win again, the change of scenery has done him good.’

The race a little messy in places with a few surprise departures over the three mile trip seemed to be to the liking of the ten-year-old with form, 

‘The fences here need to be jumped to be fair the going on the quick side has made it more of a credit to horse and connections.’

A good looking type winning also the best turned out, if found form again should take a few more races before the season finale and would be one to note.

Subtle Sovereign 

A good meeting all in all for the second meet of a packed season at Larkhill, with plenty more to come. 

Next weekend is another poignant mark in the pointing calendar. Quality racing all weekend, the Barbury Castle international will see pointers for Ireland and the UK go head to head, also the first bumper race will be run at the meeting, I will be there to report and podcast proceedings. 

Also at the other end of the Country The Dunston Harriers meeting will go ahead weather permitting in the first meeting at Ampton in the East Anglian area, again covered by podcast images and reports.

The 2016-17 Point to point season now gathers momentum as we march ahead to June and the close.

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SEVEN RACES TO SEE THE POINTING YEAR OUT AT COTTENHAM

On ground that would not turn a hair in the late spring, or early summer. Cottenham staged seven races for the Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt club meet with only a few hours left of 2016.

Ground stated as good to firm, most riders saying it was good jumping ground though gave some quality racing, with quality horses and speedy times.

The first race the supporting hunts members race a good sized field of ten went to post, a number of horses already making trips to the winners enclosure this season. Treacyswestcounty a winner at the opener at Barbury and Porlock Bay, with a win and a second already this season under the guidance of Luke Harvey and ridden by Darren Edwards.

Porlock Bay, 

The nine-year-old took the race from the fore mentioned by a good seven lengths giving his owner great joy, not only winning on the last day of the year, but also a year his horse won at Lockinge on his 50^th birthday.

‘This horse owes me nothing and has been a joy to look after,’ mentioned the one time national hunt jockey, who indecently managed to gain the services of another one time flat jockey Jason Weaver to lead the horse up.

The 5/2 favourite now on ten pointing runs, four wins and five seconds may need to see if he can step up, but is defiantly loving his zest for running at the moment, and is as joy to watch, just like his owner..

‘This horse owes me nothing and has been a joy to look after,’

The Morgan family who love their pointing and certainly love the East Anglian track took on the final day of 2016 to deliver a double for the enthusiastic pointing crowd.

Extreme Appeal a horse winning on the first day of the season at Cottenham went up through his gears with great surety to take the Restricted race by four lengths from Andrew Pennock’s Scorpion Star.

‘He is bred for the flat and certainly shows great ability,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘He now qualifies for the Subaru restricted final at Strafford on 9^th June and I’d would say that would suit him ideally.’ 

Jockey Sam Davies Thomas with one ride at the track before making the long haul to Warwick races agreed mentioning the horse is very economical over his obstacles and for a five-year-old has to be put right for very few.

Extreme Appeal and Scorpian star over the last together

This young horse can only improve and on current form would look like one to watch pointing or hunter chasing.

Davies Thomas on the first day of the season had success on another Morgan horse Lough Inch, this time in a novice rider race and under the steerage of ex rugby player turned jockey Rory Bevin took the race in fine style by fifteen lengths from Victoria Pendleton on her horse Vesperal Dream.(left)

Note should be made for Pendleton on Vesperal Dream who had a crashing tumble or ‘whoopsie’ as trainer Alan Hill puts it at Larkhill who gave great courage and determination to improve heself and her steed.

‘She is one of the nicest, hardworking people your find,’ mentioned Hill, ‘and was determined to improve and get this right. She hates letting people down, that’s why she is a gold winning Olympic medallist.’

The ex-David Nicholls  horse looks the type that will grace a winners podium soon and I must have to say all hats off to Victoria when she gets there.

Lough Inch took the Countryside alliance club members race for novice riders, Rory Bevin on board the nine year old.

Trainer Tommy Morgan mentioned,’ this horse is fantastic to have in the yard, he has won six times around here know and is a great horse to teach a young jockey his craft, Jack Andrews has won on him so I was happy to put Rory up who is a fantastically hard working jockey and it would be hoped we can help him onto the top novice riders spot.’

The jockey not so forward thinking mentioning,’ It’s great to ride horse like this one, Tom probably talks about being top novice rider more than me, so we’ll see how it goes, when we have had more of the runners out we can see where we stand before we go looking to far forward.’
The jockey the size (well height wise) of a scrum half is looking positively onto the forthcoming 2017 sighting the new year resolution as ‘giving up fudge’ as a mark to novice championship stardom.

The jockey not so forward thinking mentioning,’ It’s great to ride horse like this one.'

Extreme Appeal (rail side) and Scorpian star (No9)

Lough Inch

The men’s and Ladies open gave the Oxfordshire trainer Alan Hill great joy as two of his stable stars took the races in blistering form.

Broken Eagle who last year set the East Anglian area alight with his dominate front running and superb jumping took the men’s open by a commanding twenty-five lengths from Archie Wright on, It was me.

The nine-year-old looked the winner soon after jumping the fourth as he commanded the field with a a dazzling display of front running and jumping.

Broken Eagle

‘All credit has to go to dad really, ‘mentioned jockey Joe Hill.’ He has produced him just right today and he looks so well, he is such a good horse to ride, we will now have to go back and plan his season, a hunter chase will be on the cards to see how right he would be for the Foxhunters at Aintree but he is an exciting prospect for sure.

The trainer also paid tribute to the owners Caroline and Jake Exelby mentioning,’ they both put so much into the game over the season, their first horse with me had a bad injury the first time it ran so it’s great to give them something back.

This horse with his jumping would relish the Aintree obstacles, and if the ground was to his liking could give the Irish that usually love to take the foxhunter prize back across to the Emerald isle a run for their money.

The ladies open again was taken by a short-priced Hill favourite. 4/11 shot Sharp Suit ridden by Gina Andrews who rode her 150^th winner in the week at Chaddersley Corbett in the ladies’ open took the race in fine style, Gina mentioning that it was one of the best feels she has had from the nine-year-old by Milan for a long time.

Beating Husband Tom Ellis’s horse Roberto Pegasus by eight lengths the horse who Gina rode a superb race to finish second to Bound for Glory on the opening day meet seems the type that all has to go right for him to perform his task well.’ He is no way a ingenuine horse,’ mentioned trained Alan Hill.’ But he is the type that it must be right for him all the way, but he is the type that gives his owners Mr Mann great joy to watch.’

Sharp Suit

A horse with quality and intelligence can be too much of a good thing sometimes, but if all is well in the land of Sharp Suit he is a hard act to beat, that also combined with the dominant force of Gina Andrews you could only marvel at what a team.
One to watch over the next few months in the East Anglian area, back against the pair at your peril.

‘All credit has to go to dad really, ‘mentioned jockey Joe Hill.’ He has produced him just right today

’ He is no way a ingenuine horse,’ mentioned trained Alan Hill.’ But he is the type that it must be right for him all the way.'

Both novice races gave good accounts of themselves, something for followers of the sport to note for future gains.

Mr Maclennane ridden by Archie Wright took the open maiden by five lengths form Phil York’s Miss North Light.
The ex-Irish Pointer showing very little from whence he came showed to the Cottenham faithful a good turn of foot coming to the last easily sprinting past the York’s seven-year-old mare.

‘We knew he was well in himself and we knew what sort of horse he was,’ mentioned jockey Archie Wright whose new year resolution was to be nicer to people..’ What we didn’t know was how quick of a turn of foot he had.’ 

Mr Maclennane ridden by Archie Wright

The Jockey delighted by the efforts of the five year old is certainly looking forward to the new year mentioning that he has some nice horses from the yard to come, It was me finishing second to the in formidable Broken Eagle and  le Fou Royal who the jockey mentioned would have been very close to winning the last race of the afternoon if he hadn’t made a small mistake at the last.

That race was the Open maiden for  four, five and six year olds, that went to Andrew Pennock’s Somme Boy ridden by Evan David.

Somme Boy

The five-year-old, fourth on the opening day to Extreme Appeal must of relished the form improvement of the Morgan horse who was twenty five lengths his better on that day.
‘He’s a nice horse with a positive future, I’ll have to chat to Andrew on what next for him but he is a nice horse to get on.’

The jockey from Tim Vaughan’s yard in Aberthin Cowbridge, making a trip across country for his ride said,’ I have a ride at Fakenham tomorrow so  I’ll stay over here to go onto the races tomorrow.’ No new year celebrations for this young jockey who closed the winners curtain for the 2016 point to point season.

‘He’s a nice horse with a positive future,

2017 here we come, the next meeting for me will be the Larkhill Racing Club meet at Larkhill. If 2016 is to go by then we are in for one hell of a ride.

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