https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/introduction-to-cuhc-meeting-cottenham-3-12-17
A meeting that usually opens the new season had a few weeks to wait before the Cambridge University hunts club got under starters orders. Six racecard races planned for, but with a 70% increase on runners from the last seasons meet 92 entries were put forward causing the first race of the season The PPORA members Conditions race to be split.
Nine runners in division one, Vs eight runners in the second division, the safety factor for the race being sixteen horses.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/opening-race-of-the-day-ppora-conditions-race
The first race of the afternoon, was a welcome return for Gina Andrew/Ellis, riding for husband Tom Ellis the eight year old owned by Mrs Hayward Celtic Silver took the race by four lengths from Laura Thomas Barbury Bunch partnerships Very Intense.
 |
| Celtic Silver |
As well as we chat to wife Gina 1/3 on to regain her leading lady crown for the 2017-18 season
We chat to Annabel.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/annabel-wheatly-keeper-of-gallox-bridge-winner-of-the-ppora-conditions-divii-race-at-cottenham
And Jockey plus farrier James Martin after the win.
Gallox Bridge
|
 |
 |
The Mens' open was a quality affair and showed at the finish. Two horses destined for a possible confrontation at Aintree in the Spring for the Foxhunters Laura Thomas trained Full Throttle and the Phillip Rowley trained Bear's Affair had to put faith in the judge to split the two apart over the line.
 |
| Full Throttle |
 |
| Phillip Rowley trained Bear's Affair
We have a chat to the owners of the 11 year old winner Bear's Affair Mr Barlow.
|
And jockey Alex Edwards on his win.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/alex-edwards-jockey-of-bears-affair-winner-of-the-mens-open-at-cottenham
The first ladies open of the season at Cottenham, sponsored by Skinners Pet foods who have a series of these races for a competitive final at Stratford in the Spring.
The winner from last seasons race here at Cottenham, regained his crown with Hannah Lewis on board the David Fitch-Peyton kept Bound for Glory.
 |
| Bound for Glory |
We chat to both keeper.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/bound-for-glorys-keeper-david-fitch-peyton-after-re-taking-the-skinner-pet-foods-ladies-open
 |
| The 1,2,3 of the Skinners Ladies Open. Bound For Glory in front, followed by Letbeso third and Foxcub second |
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/hannah-lewis-jockey-on-bound-for-glory-winner-of-the-skinner-pet-foods-ladies-open
After the race.
 |
| David Fitch-Peyton and Hannah Lewis retake the Skinners Ladies Open at Cottenham. with11 year old Bound for Glory recieve their prize of series sponsors Skinners Pet Foods |
To find out more have a listen to the 'bare truth' of it all...........
Race four saw the Alan Hill kept seven year old Hawkhurst make an impressive trip to the East Anglian course under the steerage of son Joe Hill to take the restricted by twenty lengths from Urban Storm.
Alan busy saddling a runner in the next, saw Joe chat to us about the horse and the season ahead.
 |
Jo Hill , Hawkhurst, with Lawney Hill and joint owner with Alan Hill, Keith Load |
The penultimate race was taken by local keeper Andrew Pennocks yard, teaming up with Evan David last season to have his most trained winners since 2005 with 23 winners from 70 runners.
This Breac a six year old drew well clear for jockey Evan to take the Open maiden race.
Evan David
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/evan-david-jockey-the-breac-winner-of-open-maiden-race-at-cottenham-for-his-andrew-pennock
Andrew Pennock
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/dr0000_0432mp3
The owners, The two farmers and a butcher Partnership with their maiden winner The Breac.
The young man on the far left I can tell you puts a lot of us to shame with his knowledge of Pointing form.
The final race of the afternoon the 2M 4 F open maiden for 4,5 and 6 year olds made it a brace of winners for the 'Champ' as she is known during after racing drinks at Cottenham, Gina Andrews.
 |
| After racing drinks with team Ellis |
Gina riding for James Owen steered home 6/4 fav Full Batten for a twenty length victory from the 'Dickie' Collinson ridden Coyoacan.
We have a brief chat to the 'Champ' before the long haul home and light fading, looking like this maybe will be the last time we hear from hear from Gina until after the Christmas celebrations.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/gina-andrews-jockey-of-full-batten-winner-of-open-maiden-for-456-year-olds-for-james-owen
So that's it for week three of the new season.
Next week, Wadebridge down the west country again for what I believe is yet another bumper crop of entries. Split divisions and a morning 11.30 AM kick off, for the Cornwall Hunt club.
Cream teas and Cornish pasties at the ready guys I'm a coming...............
 |
| The two Jame's. James Martin after winning the Div II of the2M 4 F Conditions race chats to James Crispe, East Anglian Public Relation Officer |
To view more images of this meeting and listen again to the Podcasts of this and all this and last seasons recorings go to
