Monday 13 February 2017

LOCKED ON THE THE FINALE AT COTTENHAM FOR THE SEASON

Cambridge University Draghounds meeting at Cottenham. The final meeting of the 2016-17 season at the course
The Final meeting at Cottenham for this season, and it really only feels yesterday we were at the same place for the opener at the end of November.

The season in full swing, the weather not following suit, a bitterly cold afternoon made for a small crowd of hardened point to point followers to attend the Cambridge University Draghounds meeting.

Torran Na Dtonn
The first race saw a horse from the Andrew pennock yard we saw a few weeks back win the last at Highham. Torran Na Dtonn, this time ridden by Evan David, Shane Roche on him on his last run take the opening race of the seven race card.

Listen to the Jockey chat about his ride and his association with the Pennock team.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/evan-david-on-board-torran-na-dtonn-winning-the-hunt-memberssubcribers-race-cottenham-11-2-17
Torran Na Dtonn, this time ridden by Evan David

The Intermediate saw a horse that is a regular at the East Anglia course. Lough Inch trained by Tommy Morgan swept away a good field of six other runners to claim his seventh race at Cottenham and winning at each meeting this year.

The Intermediate saw a horse that is a regular at the East Anglia course. Lough Inch trained by Tommy Morgan 
Sam Davies Thomas in the plate, had no time for interviews or even time to pick up his prize, rushing off to Uttoxter for a ride for his boss Dan Skelton, finishing second on his ride there.
Listen to Tom Morgan wax lyrical about his stable star.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-tommy-morgan-after-lough-inch-took-the-intermediate-race-cottenham-11-2-17
Lough Inch

The men's open saw a horse from the Phillip Rowley yard,a horse the yard think a lot of Now Ben take his race by eight lengths from the impressive Consigliere.

 Listen to Jockey Alex Edwards chat about the horse and about the things to come from the Rowley stables for the rest of the season.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-alex-edwards-on-board-now-ben-winning-the-mens-open-race-cottenham-11-2-18















                               Now Ben ridden by alex edwards, trained by Phillip Rowley
















The ladies open saw a superb race, and tight finish.
Champion ladies jockey Gina Andrews on board Sharp Suit for the hill yard went off favourite.
Victoria Pendleton sidelined not to ride due to an ankle injury sent her horse Vesperal Dream to post with 16 year old Izzie Marshall on board.
A tussle up to the line saw the young contender get up by a short head to take the race.

 Gina Andrews on board Sharp Suit nearside, Vesperal Dream Izzie Marshall farside
Listen to the owner Victoria Pendleton chat about the win, the horse and jockey and her love for point to pointing.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/victoria-pendleton-owner-of-vesperal-dreamafter-winning-the-ladies-open-cottenham-11-2-17






We also had a chat with Izzie about her good fortune out of the Hill yard over the past few weeks



https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/izzie-marshall-jockey-on-board-vesperal-dream-winning-the-ladies-open-cottenham-11-2-17







The Hill yard did not stop there. Pride of Parish ridden by Joe Hill took the next race The restricted.
We caught up with trainer Alan Hill to have a chat about the fortunes of this seven year old and about his other runners

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-alan-hill-winning-the-restricted-with-pride-of-parish-cottenham-11-2-17

Pride of Parish ridden by Joe Hill

Also with son Joe, who as ever was full of praise for the team back home.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-jo-hill-after-winning-the-restricted-with-pride-of-parish-cottenham-11-2-17


The open maiden went to Phil York's Intercooler Turbo, the eight year old finally finding that life isn't all that bad took the race by a neck from  Le Fou Royal and young Archie wright.

The elder statesman of the weighing room chats about his season and whats to come.
He also states firmly that he is started his way on to his 400th winner.........

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/phil-york-after-intercooler-turbo-takes-the-win-in-the-open-maiden-at-cottenham-11-2-17


                                                                       Phil York's Intercooler Turbo





















The final race over two miles and four furlongs saw six runners to post, with only one finisher.
Again Archie Wright in the frame, two out looking the only horse in it with Balkato Des Bois.
 Dickie Collinson on board Muchadoaboutnothing, the only other horse standing.

Wrights horse faltering at the penultimate fence and falling left the Martin Wards six year old to hunt home alone to give Collinson his first winner of the season

Muchadoaboutnothing

Listen to the jockey chat about the horse and his season

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/richard-collinson-after-winning-the-open-maiden-muchadoaboutnothing-cottenham-11-2-17

Which brings to the end Cottenham for the 2016-17 season, waiting again for the end of November when a new seasons saga is to start again
 Dickie Collinson his first winner of the season

You can view images from this meeting and the following days meeting at Barbury for the Vine&Craven Hunts meet, and other throughout the season at