Hursley Hambledon Point to Point at larkhill 13th December 2015

Six races,one charity race,overcast but no rain. The Stretches of Larkhill opened it’s doors for the new 2015-16 season.

Six races  over the timber laid out before  a one mile six furlong charity run for the Buckland Capital Gauntlet challenge.

Bushwacker

Laura Elliott on Bushwacker duly won this event. Known as ‘Hoover’ at home the eleven year old bay gelding was the first to grace the winners enclosure for the new season.

With the going good, four runners went to post for the members race, 3/1 fav Pateese ridden by Nick Lawton on his first ride for the season, made good the steady pace to bring this quirky ten year old home in font of Terra Bleu.

Lawton who is amateur jockey for Phillip Hobb’s yard said he was looking forward to the season with some possible nice maidens going at Chaddersley Corbett on the 28^th December.

Pateese 

Six runners for the ladies open. And this saw debutant point to point jockey Izzy Djivanovic take the lead as no one wanted to go on. And there she stayed to collect her first win off her first ride. ‘ This was’nt the plan, i was going to sit in behind and see how the race unfolded.’ The young jockey who also trained  the eight year old Rotablade, mentioned her boyfriend who is professional jockey  James Best gave her some tips of what and what not to do, but unfortunately was at Southwell riding, but as soon as she gets back in the weighting room a call will be put through.

Rotablade

David Maxwell bought home is own No Loose Change in the men’s open. From three out Maxwell took the ten year old to the front, accompanied by a loose horse and saw off the spirited challenge of Stan Sheppard on Join Together. The gelding not shy of the winner’s enclosure already notching up hunter chase wins at Fontwell and placed at Ascot. The race bought home also the quickest time of the day at 6 min 09sec.

No Loose Change

The restricted race, and in my mind the quality race of the day saw eight runners go to post. Horses in the field already on their second run of the season such as top lady jockey Gina Andrews mount Sin Bin who was second at Cottenham on the opening day of the season. 4/6 fav Sam Waley-Cohens mount Mr Simpkins though on his first run of the season took on the field around three fences out. And despite a spirited ride from Champion jockey Will Biddick on Luke Harvey’s Porlock Bay held on to win the race by six lengths.

Mr Simpkins 

The Open maiden, split now into two divisions with twenty three runners declared for the race.    Big Bad Barry winning the first division form Sugar Loaf Sholto. This the second winner for the afternoon for rider/owner David Maxwell who gave the ride to Alex Edwards after he had been to the yard to school the four year old. This second winner of the season for Edwards who was in the winners enclosure at Barbury the Sunday before.

Moss Valley Way and 2nd place Sugar Loaf Sholto Div I oPEN Maide

Bonzo’s Copse  completed though the fastest time of the two divisions, ridden by Stan Sheppard. This severn year old only in his second season point to pointing won well and would be one to watch were he is placed next time out.

Bonzo’s Copse Winner DivII

The biggest controversy though was held until the last race. The T.B.A mares and fillies race saw three runners go to post, and with the loss of Flying Guru going out to the bottom of the course the last time out. Posh Totty and Triggywinlke were left to compete for the winners prize.

Will Biddick on the Jack Barber trained Posh Totty came home uncontested a distance in front of the Mr Roderick Chelton trained Triggywinkle. But an objection was lodged by the owner of the second placed horse that the eight year old Posh Totty had not carried the correct weight.

Posh Totty 

The allowances were that if a horse who had won a open or mixed open since 2013 they would carry a 3lbs extra weight. Barbers horse, unknown to clerk of the scales or himself only carried 11st 7 lbs but had won races at Barbury three times.The same as Nick Lawton's mount. A lengthy stewards enquiry developed, the bookies already paid out and packed away on the result past the post, saw Posh Totty disqualified and Triggywinkle made up to first, still the debate loombs, as  the syndicate owners deciding whether to contact Weatherbys the next day,as the entry went through them and not the hunt directly, and was not picked up until after the race had run.

Still the chestnut mare by Midnight Legend won the event well, and should not be taken away from her efforts, and would be one to watch next time out. The administration error was investigated by the Larkhill stewards who saw no reason to drag out the punishments to trainer or owners and the loss of the race was the only bitter pill to swallow.

Posh Totty 

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LOADS OF JUMPERS AT FONTWELL PARK 8-12-15

With the run up to the festive period in full swing, Fontwell park billed it’s festive raceday and added a Severn race card to boot.

Sandwiched between two weekends of Grade A national hunt action, the racing was of good quality. The addition of a racegoers Christmas jumper competition also brightened the spirts of the well attended midweek crowd

A two mile novices hurdle started proceedings, with the going reported as being very testing for  all runners, it was left to four year old filly Katie Too, by Kings Theatre  to pick up  the race.

Jockey Wayne Hutchinson said  ‘ we’ve always liked this filly, having won her bumper at Newbury, and know winning over hurdles.’ This filly trained by in form master Alan King, only on her third outing is surely one to watch as time goes on.

Katie Too

Five runners took to the field for the two mile three furlong handicap steeple chase. The pace from the start a strong one soon had the field well strung out. Zero Visibility coming to the the last tired, but well clear of the remaining few runners, hardly took off and gave jockey Adam Wedge no chance.

Zero Visibility

It was left to Nick Gifford trained Toohighforme to take the race uncontested. Top Fontwell jockey Tom Cannon said,’ two out i was wondering if my fella was going to make it home himself. The blinkers helped, and he will come on from this run.’

Toohighforme

A two mile one furlong juvenile hurdle saw trainer Gary Moore welcomed back into the winners enclosure with top weight Darebin.

The three year old, who is a bit of a nervous type, settled, and beat his rival Extreme appeal by eleven lengths

Darebin.

Jockey Jamie Moore asked about stable superstar  Sire De Grugy, after his success at the weekend in the Tingle Creek ‘ He’s fine, the whole family are very happy, i was ridding him out in the dark at 6 AM this morning, even a van driver who passed me recognised him. He’s so relaxed even put his head through the cab door for him to have a stroke.’

The feature race of the day, a three mile one furlong chase. Top weight, David pipe trained Alternatif  

under Tom Scudamore, got up on the line to beat Pete the Feat by a length.

Scudamore said ‘ he’s a nice young sort that will make a nice staying chaser, we tried something a bit different today and it worked.’

Alternatif 

Trainer Chris Gordon, has’nt had too much to sing about the past few months, had Superciliary win the two mile one handicap hurdle. The 25-1 shot, beat favourite Tickity Bleue by eleven lengths in third under jockey Tommy Dowling.

Superciliary 

The last chase of the afternoon, a two mile five furlong event saw Lucy Wadham trained Amidon, under  Leighton Aspell beat Vic De Touzaine by a length.

Aspell asked about Many Clouds after the weekend ‘ wer’re happy, he needed the run and it proved it. The national still is the aim.’

Amidon

Thepartysover, saw that Fontwell’s festive party was definitely over, as the ten year old trained by Paul Henderson and ridden by jockey Tom O’brien who has had good success at the Sussex track this season win the last.

Thepartysover

Beating the Lady fro Geneva by sixteen lengths, the horse with  56 runs under his belt took his fifth win of his career.

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COTTENHAM OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE UK POINTING SEASON 29-11-15

 A windswept area, East of England near the University town of

 Cambridge, lies a spot, where over the years has hosted one of the first days meetings of the UK point to point season.
Cottenham Racecourse just off the M11 hosted the Cambridge University united hunts club meeting to a good enthusiastic crowd, quality fields, and an expectation that the ongoing saga of the Victoria Pendleton swapping saddles campaign would blow onto the Cambridgshire course. This made it a Sunday afternoon to brave the elements and watch some entertaining amateur sport.
Alas the Olympic star decided that the West of the country suited her chances better ( pulling up two from home)
But it did not deter from what was a quality days racing, offering the meetings six race card.
The ground classed as good to soft, good in places made for some testing contests





Eight Runners started the season off in a members conditions race over a sharp two mile four furlongs.
Top amateur Sam Waley-Cohen took Storm Lantern to post favourite,but it was eight year old Lough Inch who beat the favourite by three lengths in a blistering pace of a race taking all of 5m.53 secs to complete the two mile four furlong trip. Jockey Sam Davies-Thomas, who was set to have a successful opening meeting rode a perfectly timed race, ' from the second last i could see Sam's (Waley-Cohen) horse possibly would not go on, so i asked a bit more from him and he responded well' Asked if the ground helped his horse Sam mentioned ' It's good out there but i should reckon it will find a few out in later races' Jockey Mr Davies-Thomas, who is an apprentice saddler by day but rides out for the likes of top up and coming rules trainer Dan Skelton before work. ' it's good riding out for him, and it;s good to get off to a good start for the season.

Lough Inch 

Jockey Mr Davies-Thomas

As mentioned previous, the hoped inaugural ride from an Olympic star over the bigger obstacles was not to be for Cottenham.But it was the Hill family who have been charged with training the stars swap of sports, not to be out done on the day. Consigliere travelled the near 200 mile round trip to take the Men's open by ten length's from Executive Benefit.

Another fast time for this time a three mile event, saw the twelve year old chestnut gelding win the race easily. Top novice rider Joe Hill taking the ride, looking round for dangers as he came round the home turn with one fence to go. 'He's a nice horse,the pace suited my fella and he jumped well, which made us come here with confidence. He really makes life easy for you.' Asked about the time being a fast one 5min 53 secs to complete the three miles, Joe said' Yeah, we went a good pace, and it wasn't too far out the track record' 

Consigliere

Joe must be looking forward to his 2015-16 campaign, saying his dad has some very nice horses in at present, Harbour Court being one the jockey is looking forward to getting on, and one to look out for would be Man of steel.

Joe Hill

The next race, and another first for the season. The baileys ladies open race saw five runners to post, again over the three miles and for the first time of the meeting, the race taking over the six Min's to complete.

Sagalyrique, a eleven year old gelding gave Mrs Angela Rucker a very nice ride around the Cambridgeshire track, winning the race for her for the fourth time in a row. Coming round the bend the leaders picked up a furious pace which sorted the wheat from the chaff. ' All the horses jumped well, and i though Hannah ( Watson on second placed Penmore Hill) might get to me, but my horse picked up well and went on' Asked if the excitement of a possible star in the ladies changing room made a difference to the day, ' it's good to see new faces, fair play to her for giving it a go' any advice toe Olympic cyclist.'Find a nice horse.' 

Angela who spends her off season with her family. 'Children into eventing takes up allot of my time.'

Sagalyrique

Incidentally, if you were a dual forecast backer a whopping £42.50 was paid out on the Tote if you predicted the first and second, well worth the punt.

Cottenham was also happy to present a cheque donation of £1000 to the East Anglia Air ambulance, with proceeds made from the day. Something we are always happy that they are there.

The Subaru Restricted open, a new initiative for the new campaign throughout the country saw Severn runners go to post. Sam Davies-Thomas,who had success in the first race, dually bought home Tulsa in front of top lady rider Gina Andrews on Sin Bin.

Tulsa

Sam Davies-Thomas

A brace of winners for the afternoon for the young apprentice saddler was a good afternoon out.

Coming to the third last, the front runners went on well from the rest of the field.' We went a good pace, and i though Gina's horse wouldn't find too much up the final straight,' what next for five year old gelding by Scorpion. ' He'll probably come back here for the  meeting after Christmas, but he is a nice horse and one that will come on well.'

The ground now becoming tacky, as promised by Sam in the first was finding out the early unfit horses. Only the fit and brave would survive.

The penultimate race of the afternoon, a open maiden race saw twelve runners go to post, and also showed punters had done their homework. Rails bookmakers were set upon as the Miss Justine Davis-King;s Lilbitluso ridden by Mr G Crow sustained a bit of a gamble. ' He did that easy, the plan was to take it from the front, as he is a bit keen at home,' and from these front running tactics the Severn year old bay gelding managed to keep away from the thrills and spills happening behind, ' I just kept my eye forward and not behind me' Crow said, when asked if any of the fallers and almost gone's had hampered him. And were next for this son of Luso, well possibly another maiden or one of the Subaru races in the future, then possible onto a hunter chase But only time will tell with this one.

Lilbitluso

The only other runner for the trainer Joesph O'Shea, was Cottage oak in the Men's Open. The hunter chaser who runs off the mark of 108, would possibly be aimed for Aintree in the spring, but again time will tell.

Lilbitluso

The last race of the afternoon, turned out to be the closest finish of the whole meeting, making sure the stewards of the meeting had not fallen asleep, huddled away in there small green box on the finish line. 

The fastest race of the afternoon 4 min 38sec for a 4,5,6year old maiden saw two horses sprint clear of the fifteen runner field. Suzie Russell's Daidaidai and local horse Rupert Wells, took to the last fence and line neck and neck, but it was experienced sprint race track specialist Daidaidai who took the race. The five year old by Lando, who can be seen occasionally running out of rules trainer Gary Moore's yard, will possibly go to novice chasing, Cottenham seemed a course he favoured as he can be seen on other fast flat tracks such as Kempton Park.

Suzie Russell's Daidaidai

Suzie Russell's Daidaidai and Rupert Wells

All point to point meeting in the East Anglia area and some others will be covered with images and report blogs throughout the 2015-16 season.

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MIDWEEK NOVEMBER MEETING FONTWELL PARK

The third meeting in November for the Sussex figure of eight track. Six well contested races booked, the ground holding up to the recent spell of cold,wet weather. Soft,heavy in places was the official going, saw all fields struggle home. Only the brave made it look easy.

The first race, a two mile three furlong novices hurdle saw nine runners go to post, top weight Harry Whittington trained Bigmartre went off evens money favourite, but it was another Fontwell favourite in local trainer Suzy Smith who too the honours with Clondaw Cian

Clondaw Cian

The five year old gelding, now two from three, his last win coming at the same course earlier in the month, battled on well from the last, the 6lbs penalty that Bigmatre gave to the winner telling in the going that was clearly very testing.
Jockey Tom O'Brien said ' I wasn't sure coming round the home turn how well Gavin's horse was travelling, but the penalty he was carrying, and the testing going, helped my fella in the end'.
The trainer mentioned that she would of been just as thrilled to be second to the top weight. And would now have to go home and think of where to go next with this promising novice.

Only five runners braved the next, a two mile five furlong handicap hurdle.
      Warren Greatrex sent five year old bay gelding Bells 'N' Banjos to post, and the horse rewarded him by romping home by 16 lengths from top weight Decimus.
The five year old by Indian River, surly looks the chasing sort, but jockey Gavin Sheehan who was beaten on the favourite in the first said ' He's a nice sort, but at the moment we'll keep him to hurdling and see how we go.' This one is certainly one to keep an eye out for in the future.

Bells 'N' Banjos

The first of only two chases on the card for the afternoon, saw six runners go to post.Ben Pauling sent his six year old gelding Showboater to post 11/8 fav, and the son of Milan certainly relished in the testing going, coming on from his previous run at Newton Abbot in April on good ground to win the contest by 13 lengths from Bonds Conquest.

The trainer mentioned he bought the horse about 18 months ago at not a big price, and thought the horse had not much experience, was well worth it. With this win though may come penalties so would have to be judged on the competition and ground when he reappears.

Showboater

Incidentally, both trainer of the winner and Jockey Nico De Boinville, both have come out, and still are at the yard of Nicky Henderson, Pauling paying homage to his old boss saying ' the experience you get from him and his team is valuble'  De Boinville mentioning ' I'm glad we've won as i have to give the trainer a lift home this evening'

Showboater

The fourth race of the afternoon a two mile three furlong handicap hurdle  saw another well priced horse romp home by a distance, with poor form last time out. Cheltenham trainer Emma Baker had to see the stewards after the race to explain the improvement in her five year old Arquebusier as the James Banks ridden horse came home a good 31 lengths from Shalianzi. ' i thought we'd try something different as nothing wanted to take up the race and go from the front. On the run in i should of had a look round instead of riding him out to be fair, I'm sure the handicapper's would of taken note of his win'  This former Irish trained horse again would have to be watched on his next outing to see how true to form this win is. But is surly an added bonus to a small yards winning tally.

Arquebusier

The second of the two chases of the afternoon saw a two mile three furlong handicap become part of the Conditional Jockeys training series.

This series encouraging trainers to put up young up and coming jockeys, with the stipulation that the pilots have to use their riding skills and the use of the whip has stipulations. The jockey can only wave and use the whip in the backhand position only.

Four runners went to post, trainer Neil Mullholland sending veteran chaser Matrow's Lady off evens money favourite. Three pound claimer Martin McIntyre, whose only success has come over the bigger obstacles.saw off Double Dan by nine lengths ' i don't know why i have only won over fences but there you go, but it was great to ride for the trainer as you know if he sends them to the races they have a fair chance as any to win'

Matrow's Lady

Three pound claimer Martin McIntyre

The Final race of the card,  a two mile one furlong national hunt flat race saw eight runners take two and a half laps of the Sussex track. All runners racing in a steady bunch until the final circuit.

two mile one furlong national hunt flat race

The testing going seeing horses one by one dropping out as the field entered the back straight for the final time. Two horses as they turned for home, 8/11 fav Champagne George and Not Another Muddle neck to neck as the reached the inclined final two furlongs. Both horse then split, Not Another Muddle taking the stand rails, and the eventual winner Neil Mullholland Champagne George on the outside rail, hard ridden by Noel Fehily he took the race by a length and a quick double for Mullhollands Limpley Stoke yard.

Champagne George

This five year old by Acambaro, in only his second appearance showing good form for earlier winner Clondaw Cian as the grey was fourth to the Suzy Smith charge in a course and distance event on less testing ground at the beginning of the month. We're sure to see this horse again at Fontwell soon.

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