LAST HOORAH FOR COTTENHAM 2015-16 CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY DRAG HOUNDS POINT TO POINT 13-2-16

Cottenham racecourse holds three point to points per season, and should be rewarded for splendid facilities, ground and racing.

Not far from the famous spires of the  Ely Cathedral, this flat but fair track offer trainers to get their early preparations on a track in a safe environment. Superb viewing for racegoers and only one of few point to point venues that offers it’s attendees  a friendly welcome, and a free race card.

Some superb racing has been on offer, starting at the end of November, no one has left the racecourse cheated.

And that goes to say of this days racing also.

Rob Collinson

Seven races scheduled, eight ran with the open maiden being split into two divisions. 

The first race, a hunt members race seeing eight of the twelve entered, declared at the start.

Andrew Pennock trained Play the Ace having won Intermediates, the horse being allowed to run in slightly easier contests to get back to winning ways. This duly paid off the gamble beating Picaroon by five lengths. 

The Mrs Tyler ridden Picaroon off the rating of 76 looking the entire winner three out taking the field on a good pace. 

Play the ace ridden by Rob Collinson, and of the mark of 89 soon swallowed up the lead to take the race on and stretch the field. 

One to watch where running next time out, as this seven year old has found the step up just one notch too many in some cases.

Play The Ace

Eight runners to the start of the Intermediate. Lilbitluso, a horse a lot of trainers have tried to avoid this season taking the tapes, Jockey John Mathias taking the spare mount from Gerald Crow injured at present. And what a ride to get on.

                                                                          Lilbitluso

This very nice looking eight year old by Luso, and trained by the experienced hands of Joseph O’Shea, won the race by a distance in a time three seconds faster than that ran in the first race of the day. 

Stoleaway in second and the recently winning Burtredgipandgump in third.

Jockey John Mathias said ‘I was very much in the dark with this horse, but you can see with his previous runs why people have been ducking out of the way of the fella.’  The horse out on his own at the second last made a bit of a hash of it, causing favourite backers to have a worried moment.’ That was completely my fault,’ mentioned the jockey.’ I asked him to come up, but he knew better, but I felt never in danger through it. I’ve taking the race on to be fair, if I get on him next time out, I might ride him differently, but it would depend on what I have to take on.’ Asked if he would like the ride next time. ‘Listen, he’s someone else’s ride really but If asked I’d travel to the moon and back to get on this one.’ Growing testimony indeed, and a horse that has a very good future in front of him on the pointing field.

                                                                       Lilbitluso

Open races throughout the season, both Men’s and Ladies have been quality affairs, whatever course has graced them. And both today were no exception.

The Men’s open saw seven to post, Brackloon High, a winner at Higham and few weeks back. Consigliere who won at the November meeting at Cottenham, and Now Ben who beat Consigliere when receiving 7 lbs , again at Cottenham in January.

The fastest timed race of the day at 6 min 8 secs saw the Barlow family owned, trained and ridden Brackloon High come on from his Higham success  to beat Consigliere back in third, and the improving  Francesca Moller trained Dandan in second. ‘We have been beaten a few times by Consigliere last season, and the plan today was to see how the race panned out and if we were there at the end, we knew he had plenty of pace.’ Mentioned the eleven year old horses jockey Andrew Barlow. The pace was a fast one which Barlow mentioned didn’t really suit Brackloon High ‘We hit the front to be fair a little too soon, but he was jumping well, and didn’t idle as much as he can do In front and went on at the last to take the race.’

                                                                       Brackloon High

The plan now? 'last season we aimed at Cheltenham. This season, the plan is to take each race as it comes and have some fun, so we will have to look on to see where we go next.

 He can go on most tracks and ground, but we will see how he comes out of this race as he can be a bit of a nervous horse at home. More so than on the track, but if he’s enjoying racing he’ll keep putting out performances.’

                                                                         Brackloon High

The ladies open had eleven declared. 

Victoria Pendleton paying her first visit to Cottenham riding According to Sarah. And the Camellia Henderson ridden Khyber Kim, an easy winner here at the turn of the new year. In all, just fewer than half the field had a rating of 100 or over. 

One of those was the Carey Williamson ridden It was Me, who won the race beating Drom by eight lengths. Khyber Kim falling at the fourth left the race well open for the eleven year old, which’s run into second behind Start Royal at Higham in January backed up his five wins the season Before. 

 Mr Wright who trains the gelding mention the jockey had given the horse a beautiful ride, and it was nice to see a horse from the area take on and beat the horses travelling from all corners to take the race. 

The jockey Carey Williamson, who has stuck up a good relationship with the horse, mentioned ‘I wasn’t too bothered about having to make up a bit of ground on him, I don’t think I have ever been so fast on him, he is such an easy horse to ride, it was nice to pick up this type of race with him.’ 

Is this eleven year old by Bolin back to his earlier form? possibly so, and one to take note of next time out.

It was Me ridden by  Miss Carey Williamson

The Subaru Restricted race saw the little known Nightscape pick up a ticket for the series final at Stratford in May. Trained by Rob Cundy and ridden by Charlie Buckle, the eight year old by Luso beat the promising Hill of Gold, well out of sight ridden by in form jockey Sam Davies-Thomas.

                                                                         NightScape

Dropping his whip just before the line, Buckle can be forgiven as he didn’t really have to get serious with him. ‘This is only the second time I’ve ridden this one.’ Mentioned the young jockey ‘We pulled up here in January and its all credit to the trainer in getting him here fit today. This is the first time he has finished in the frame with a male jockey, so we are all a bit surprised really.’ Charlie’s daytime job is working out of the Lloyd's building in the City must have been happy with the start of his weekend, but did say ‘With all these corporate lunches keeping the weight down is a task and a half I can tell you.’

 Well, it gives something to talk about Monday morning in the Monday morning de brief.

Hightscape, ridden by Charlie Buckle

The open Maiden, split into two divisions saw twenty one horses declared between the two races.

Ten going to the first division, where the improving Martin Weston trained Ypsilanti beat the Alan Hill trained Velvet Cognac by five lengths. The seven year old chestnut gelding second at Cottenham in early January to the handy horse Tommy O’Dwyer, looked beaten two out, but gamely took on the bridle again over the last. Jockey Liam Mahon mentioned ‘he’s a nice horse, nothing to get too excited about, but certainly a progressive future for him if we can get the good ground.’

                                                                                    Ypsilanti

Eleven horses went to post for division two of the Open maiden. Stuart Morris training the winner Bingo Star to beat the in form Gina Andrews and Tom Ellis partnership with Celtic Silver by a neck at the finish.

The five year old ex Irish pointer was left in front with Celtic Silver after a whole bunch of front runners at the second last making mistakes. A slower time by four seconds from that of division one saw Johnny Bailey get his youngster home, making this horse one for the note books at present.

                                                               Bingo Star leads  Ugano Du Chatelet

The last race of the afternoon, a 2m 4 f event saw the front running Nandini go off as bookies favourite. 

Also Phillip Rowley sending his Namako to post travelling the across country distance from the West midlands. 

But it was the Fred Hutsby trained, Heather Watson ridden Superior Fire who came home in front, beating Namako by eight lengths. 

                                                                          Superior Fire

The six year old by Arcadio, with some form under rules when trained by Charlie Longsdon came a little under the radar in pointing with a rating of 78, but showed his form and experience.

’ The trainer has been hunting him a lot with the Warwickshire to speed him up.’ Mentioned the jockey. ‘The aim was to let him enjoy himself today, but I have always liked him, that’s why I have travelled just for the one ride.This is the fourth time we have been to the races, three times before we have stayed in the horsebox, due to the ground. But with better ground he will come on a lot from this, he certainly jumps well enough.’ 

Hackwood Park in a few weeks could possibly be the next destination for this young hopeful, a course much the same as Cottenham, and with good ground he could be a fancied runner.

                                                                                Superior Fire

 Last weekend saw a double at Horseheath for the talented Sam Davies-Thomas. This week, though no trip to the winner’s enclosure he was presented as the leading rider at Cottenham in     2015-16.

Cottenham. Started with a fantastic opening day meet of the new point to point season, and finished in the same light.

Roll on for next season.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE HUNT WITH ENFIELD CHASE Horseheath Point to Point DOUBLE, DOUBLE FOR TOP

Seven races plus two pony races, the first of the Point to Point season at Horseheath Point to Point course 4 miles west of Haverhill East Anglia. 

The course through the close season making a few changes to its look from the previous year. A few new fences and a change of venue for the starter’s rostrum and Paddock, seeing all nine fences jumped twice around the triangular course. 

Terrific panoramic viewing for all racegoers remained the same for a quality kick off card.

Horseheath

Seven runners went to post of the thirteen entered in the Intermediate first race. 

Double victorious Lilbituso entered, but a non runner left the race open to Gerald Bailey’s Fearthedark to gain his first victory of the season off the back of two previous runners up slots. But it was David Kemp’s  Will Fight, under Sam Davies-Thomas who came home three lengths in front of the favorite Fearthedark, again resigned to second spot. ‘This horse is a little bit of an unknown quantity.’ Mentioned the young saddler by trade jockey, who from a good start to the new season has had a little bit of a quite spell,' the racing here is very competitive, and this race was no exception to that. Horseheath to my view is the best Point to point course in the country, it’s riding very well out there.’ The ten year old by Heron Island came to the last uncontested from the rest of the field, and won running away up the straight, beating the second by three lengths in a time of

 6 m 28sec.

David Kemp owner and trainer, and usually rider of the horse still having to sit out on the sidelines giving the ride to the talented Davies-Thomas.

                                                                          Will Fight

Twelve runners for the next race, a maiden Open. Pedro King taking the honours under farrier by trade Jockey Charles Dando beating Bengo, a horse that was fourth first time out this season to the talented Lilbitluso. 

The race on paper looked to have some quality within the field, but the six year old that usually takes the owner Mr King out hunting pulled away from the field coming to the last well.’ I’m really happy with that,’ explained Dando. ‘I don’t get many rides so to have my first winner of the season is a bonus. He’ll possibly be turned out for a bit now, maybe a bit more hunting, but it will be up to the owner.’ 

The race ran at a slightly slower pace, five seconds slower than that of the first race of the afternoon.

Pedro King

The third race of the afternoon. The Point to point riders and owners association members’ race, saw ten runners come under orders. All runners well grouped for much of the race, by the second last a number of them in contention.

But Nightcap Jack, Pebbleglen and Ballyboker Boy, came to the post in a bundle. Nightcap Jack taking the race by a head and a neck to third. Again in a slower time than the last two races at 6 min 43 secs.

The nine year old, ridden by Jack Andrews benefiting from his last outing, a twenty length second at Ampton to Kristian Gary in January and rallied well for his jockey. 

Ballyboker Boy maybe one to put in the notebooks, as on paper he is 20 lbs below that of the first two, with very little in it.

Nightcap Jack

The men’s open saw Mr G Russell’s Gunmoney beat Ampton Winner Court Red handed by a distance.  

Six runners started the three mile race, only three making it to the line. The second, and third, fancied runner Alan Hill's trained Flaming Gorge finishing weary behind the winner.

The eleven year old, ridden by the owner’s son Mr J Russell and trained by Gerald Bailey, showed that his jumping was not one for the faint hearted.' To be honest we went a little too slow for him. With that pace he is subject to get close to his fences, but once the pace quickened he started to jump better, but you never feel like you’re going to come off him.’ 

The third last Gunmoney made a complete hash of the obstacle, ‘yes, which was my fault really, I asked for a stride and he didn’t give it.’  This race was the planned for the horse, so now owner, trainer and jockey will have to visit the planner to see where next. Possibly if the jockey has his way the four miler at Cheltenham could be on the cards.

Gunmoney

A quality ladies open race saw eight runners to post. Top lady rider at present Gina Andrews on Berties Dream, a winner at Ampton in January beating Swift Counsel by ten lengths. 

The thirteen year old and Goodnight Vienna coming to the last upsides, but it was  the Lauren Braithwaite trained Berties Dream  twelve pounds to the good of the second place horse that saw the old timer pull away by four lengths by the finishing line, in the fastest time of the day at 

6 m 29 secs. 

‘Berties has been brilliant for me, it was a good ladies open, and he’s done it well for me to beat two very nice horses.’

Berties Dream

The penultimate race, a restricted race saw Sam Davies-Thomas with his second winner of the afternoon. And a second winner of the afternoon also for owner, trainer David Kemp.  

Brave Encounter beating Gina Andrews, in form on the quality horse Emperor Arcadius, a winner of a maiden at Ampton in January.

Brave Encounter

Double for the afternoon Sam Davies-Thomas

Two lengths separated the two at the finish with the winner of a mark of 78 compared to the Andrews mount at 91. 

So the eight year old by Indian Danehill is sure one for the notebooks ‘

 I mentioned to the owner this one could be a possible hunter chaser, but it’s up to him we’ll see,’ mentioned the jockey who is now on four  winners for the season.

The final race, continued the inform riding of Gina Andrews. An open race for horse seven years old and upwards saw her bring home her husband’s trained Total Compliance by four lengths from Wivannie. 

Total Compliance

With a third place under the seven year old's belt at Chaddesley. ‘This horse is a really nice type. It’s taken a bit of time for the penny to drop, but I think he’ll win plenty of races, he rides really like a four year old, still a bit green, and it nice to have a race of this type that they can go for.’

 Gina at the start of the day one behind rival Clare Hart in the ladies jockeys championship. With that win lap frogs the standings to take her place on top with six winners for the season.

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BUMPER EIGHT RACES AT The south Dorset Hunts Milbourne St Andrews Point to point.

As January comes to an end. And most of the country is in the grips of one storm after the other, Milbourne St Andrews made sure good racing conditions were available for a bumper eighth race card.

Nothing but divine intervention though could prevent the ground riding as good to soft. Soft in places, Providing a testing task for the runners  now well in the grasp of their Point to point season.

Bill and Barn

To kick off proceedings, a two division maiden over the shortened point to point distance of two and a half miles. 

Seventeen runners were split over two races, ten going to post for division one. Trainers Jack Barber and Sara Lacey sending two maidens to post in Bill and barn and Bells on Sunday respectively. David Maxwell’s Big Bang De Loire, racing off a mark of 76 looking to better his Larkhill fourth earlier in the season.
The testing ground soon had horses struggling but Champion Jockey Will Biddick with eight winners under his belt before the day started, encouraged a smart turn of foot coming down the Dorset courses hill before the last. Despite a blunder at the last for the maiden  Biddick soon had his horse moving forward to take the inclined finish beating Woodfleet, already with a run under his belt at Larkhill, with the fastest time of both races at 6m 0 sec dead.

Seven runners to post for division two, Will Biddick replacing Darren Andrews on Macginge looking for a quick double. But it was retired royal jockey Bill Smith’s trained Tommo who stole the show, by giving an impressive front running demonstration, ridden by Oz Wedmore, with his tenth win of his career.

Wedmore soon had the six year old well out in front, coming past the well attended stands at least a distance in front, asked if this was planned, the jockey said ‘ I was a bit surprised how far i was out in front, but i could give my fella a bit of a breather, and then let him go on again. He seemed to go through the ground well though.’

Clare Harts’ ride The Oppidan also gained late momentum, which gave the judge work to do as she rallied her mount to take on the winner towards the line

Tommo

The third race a hunt members race saw five to post, Tin Pot Man ridden by Dorset Hunts joint master George Hiscock bringing his ten year old home in front of second placed Seenigora the mare giving the winner 7 lbs in weight allowance. 

Only three finished of the five, Turtle Boys, last year’s winner in third, matching his third at Larkhill a few weeks ago in an eventful restricted race.

Tin Pot man, a winner of four races under rules when trained by Evan Williams, made history in the race by bringing home a master or joint master of the hunt in front for the first time in the races history.

     Tin Pot Man

The open maiden race saw again the champion jockey Will Biddick on a fancied runner. In the tub an Irish point to pointer placed over six times in Ireland looked well beaten from four out as Miss Jo Buck took her seven year old charge Master Baker to the front and was never troubled from thereon. Fifteen runners went to post, only three finishing the course, which was testing the horses throughout the afternoon.

Miss Buck though must have been a little concerned as a mistake at the last saw the jockey hanging on for a stride. Regaining her composure and momentum to bring the gelding up the inclined finish.

Master Baker

The restricted race had thirteen to the start, one of them being the impressive winner at Cottenham in December Sea Current, the mount of top lady jockey Gina Andrews. 

Again Will Biddick on a very nice horse of Jack Barbers Innocent girl, who ran and jumped impressively at Barbury in the same month. 

But it was Josh Newman on board the Ed Walker trained Kernel Victor who won the race from the Barber/Biddick charge in second, Sea Current back in fourth. All horses looked well stung out and found the course and going a struggle. But the winner had done its job well off a mark of 81, to see off the horses behind.

Kernal Victor

Again out of the thirteen to post only a few finished, which seemed to be  consistent form throughout the days racing.

The sixth race, the ladies open, saw Victoria Pedleton ride for the first time in a race her intended Cheltenham Foxhunter mount Pacha Du Polder. Media interest was rife for a fairy tale victory as the horse was at least 27lbs above her only rivals. Twelve runners went to post for the event. 
Watching on was David Nicholson, and the Hill family, both instrumental in the task handed down to the Olympian.

Jumping off, the field held well together but soon the experience and class of the Pendleton mount made headway to the front, and by four out was well clear. 
The Jack Barber trained Queens Bay soon had the leader in sight coming down hill, Bryony Frost on board. And with a well timed run up the inside joined the leader rounding the home turn. 

Over the last both horses battled, the ten year old mare carrying 7 lbs less that the nine year old class horse Pacha Du Polder. This told up the incline of the course, the race going to the judge on the line. 

‘That was awesome,’ mentioned the young jockey Bryony Frost after getting the nod for the race. ‘You can’t really describe it; but that felt so amazing, I was so pleased I could give her a breather coming to the last, we got over it and i said to her it’s now or never, and she responded so well. I’m so lucky to have the people behind me i have. The team back at the yard are just formidable, it’s started slow for me so far this season so I’m very happy with this.’  With a brace of winners so far in the bag, and a placed horse trainer Jack Barber was very happy for the horse ‘ I’m so please with the run, especially beating a class act as Pacha Du Polder, this  race was the aim for this mare, so we’ll have to see what comes next for her.’

Queens Bay

With regards to the second placed horse Pacha Du Polder. Though expectations were high Pendleton looked very happy with her highest place in a race to date, both will learn lot from each other. And can only benefit her goal, only about five weeks away. Victoria looked comfortable on the horse and looks tidy in plate, I’m sure with her sport training she will analyse her performance and come out the better for it.

Chapoturgeon

After the Hurley Burly of the race before, the men’s open was a little disappointing. Two runners declared, Jack Barber’s Chapotugeon, with Will Biddick looking to take his winning tally to double figures for the season. And Will Hickman riding Latalanta.

Biddick took the twelve year old grey out in front from the start, immediately showing its class off a mark of 124 over his opponent, who failed to finish the race. 
The slowest time of the day 7min 28sec saw the grey hunt round the Dorset Course, giving the trainer a treble for the day, and the jockey a brace of winners, and giving them a little breathing space at the top of their respective season tables over their opponents.

The last race of the day. Eleven runners went to post for the novice riders event. Again horses well strung out with a circuit to go.

 Jakros and Imperial Circus, were all out at the finish, the last fence being omitted due to an earlier faller. James Jackson-Stops, still classed at a novice with around seventy rides under his belt rallied his eleven year old up to beat Nick Lawton on Imperial Circus on the extended run in, the horse finishing a good second at Black forest lodge a few weeks previous.

‘We took the race steady to start as it was his first trip out for over a year, and we thought he would need the run, we made a bit of a mistake out the back, but once we were going we flew. He’s an enjoyable to ride that one.’ Mentioned the London Property developer. ‘He’s dug deep for me; I knew he wouldn’t mind the ground, and I love riding in these types of races, there very good for riders of the same ability.’ 
Some jockeys get champagne or a trophy after a win. 

But or James, well he went home with a bag of carrots..... True point to pointing.

Imperial Circus (nearside) Jakros (farside)

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