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| Huntsmen and hounds of the Southdown & Eridge Hunt
In the heart of Surrey Godstone point to point paid host the
Southdown and Eridge Hunt, were a good attendance and fine weather pathed the
way for six high class and competitive races. One of them being the South East
Grand National mixed open.
The first race an open maiden saw eleven runners to post,
Gina Andrews hoping to carry on her winning streak from the last at High Easter
the day before, now on board the even money favourite Fizzlestix.
But at the finish it was the ever popular colours of red and
brown and David Maxwell stormed up the finishing straight beating Andrews by
twenty lengths on an impressive five year old Brice Canyon.
Brice Canyon
Consistently in the winners enclosure in the geldings first
three runs David mentioned that he had been running consistently below par in
those outings.
’This is a proper good horse, it beats everything on the gallops
at home, he’s a good jumper and we just could not understand why we haven’t won
on him already, I think the ground has just come right for him today and he's shown what he could do.’
Maxwell mentioned how he thought this was one of his
best maidens, that being high praise enough from an owner/rider who knows what
is needed in a racehorse. Especially after a superb placed ride over the
Aintree fences in the Foxhunters.
‘That was the best fun you could have with your clothes on,
it was just a thrill.’ Talking about of course his ride in the race third
placed Mendip Express.
‘We are off to Punchestown with him next to take on the
Boldgers and on the Fringe in their own back yard.’
David giving praise to
these type races as getting better and better.
But certainly his maidens are
showing they are improving to.
Another good healthy declaration for the conditions race saw
the Rose Grissell charge of Time is tickin beat the mighty team Maxwell. The
ten year old by Alfora, ridden by up and coming jockey Oz Wedmore winning by ten
lengths.
Oz Wedmore on Time is Tickin
Winning a restricted and placed in a Hunter chase last year,
the horse has taken time to get going this season.
Coming round the bend at Godstone the
gelding looked as If he was going to get headed up the final two fences, but
fighting on again the horse took over, and went away from Rob Conti and Maxwell
and Black Glen Boy and Dicky Collinson.
‘He wore a tongue tie for the first
time today and that has made all the difference.’ Mentioned the jockey who is
having a very successful season so far. ‘There wouldn’t be much improvement
from that run; I would say that would be one of his best contests. But we will try
to get him on that ground again if we can and get another win from him before
the end of the season.’
The young jockey not too enthused by the rest of the
season mentioning his other fancied mounts are not on full form at present, but
there is plenty of time yet for this up and coming to make his mark.
Winner of the Restricted.
Oz Wedmore on Time is Tickin
The third race of the day was the South east Mixed Open Grand national
run over the extended distance of 3 ¾ miles.
A quality field, but racing has its way in becoming a great leveler as Louise Allan who had her first winner (as a jockey) of the season
at High Easter the day before, in an emotional fashion, due to the loss of her
charge Clonbanan Lad in the Foxhunters a few days before, bought home Mr Robert
Clifton-Brown’s Kimora by ten lengths from the useful Hunters Lodge and Rey
Nacarado.
Louise Allan on Kimora
The ten year old mare, no slouch herself winning the mares’
race at the Fontwell’s hunter chase meeting last year, was ridden with fine
execution to take on the front runners from about three out, with that run she
gained momentum to which the others could not match, making it easier going for
the rider/trainer coming over the last.
That was the first time I have ridden
her actually in a race,’ mentioned Louise.’ I have watched her in races, and
have been told to be patient with her, but when she is asked to kick
and go she just flies, and that’s what she has done today.’
Kimora winner of the South East Grand National open
Louse mentioned they were lucky to buy the horse really, who was bought for the veteran owner Mr Robert Clifton-Brown to have some fun with.
‘After sadly loosing one of his horses at Aintree I didn’t really want to come
to the races this weekend, but I was told to get on with it, and I’m thrilled
for the owner really who hasn’t had a great time of it himself this year.’
The mare know looks like she might go back to Fontwell, but
with a possible penalty, if the ground stays soft a trip to Cheltenham for the
Hunter Chase evening meet could be on the cards. But whatever, this weekend is
what makes National Hunt racing what it is. One for you Clonbanan........
The Open maiden race saw an eight runner contest. Leading East
Anglian jockey Dicky Collinson’s mount Hi Lucy Lou going to the tapes the even
money favourite, showed her worth by a gutsy performance beating Eagle Harbor
and Clondaw Nell by five lengths.
The eight year old Luso mare owned by the same partnership
as the impressive Galros lady showed that a pair of quality racing mares is
worth a lot in the racing world.
‘I’m so please for the owners,’ mentioned the
jockey. ‘It’s so nice, possibly not practical to have two quality mares in the
team. This mare though has such a fast jump she just grinds her opposition into
submission. When you know you have good horse under you it makes decisions
easier in a race.’
Hi Lucy Lou winning the open maiden at Godstone
Collinson gave praise to the trainer Andrew Pennock. ‘He trains
a tough horse, not over worked, but when they work they have to do their job,
some come to the races for a rest and still win, but it seems a good partnership
and long may it continue.’
Hi Lucy Lou, in her first run for the Pennock/Collinson
combination will be watched now and see how she comes out of a race before
future plans are announced.
And that the same for Galros Lady, the five times winning mare for the two farmers and a Butcher partnership has a plan yet to be
disclosed, possibly Stratford but who knows, anyway it’s a fine situation to be
in with a pair of mares on the table.
Hi Lucy Lou, R. Collinson on board
The penultimate race of the day a restricted Subaru race,
five runners went to post.
Margot Fontane
With her win here at Godstone five weeks back, Peter Bull’s
Margot Fontane was sent off the odd's on favourite, despite having a fall at the
Penhurst meet two weeks previous.
‘When she ran here first time she didn’t
really know what had hit her, so we took her to Penhurst, she knew a little
more that day, a bigger field and she stepped through the open ditch fence and bough her
down. Disappointing, so i dropped her out a bit today and it has done the
trick.’
The small six year old mare by Tobugg beating by a distance the runner
up Tinkakellyflyer and Oz Wedmore.
Peter Bull on board Margot Fontane
The veteran jockey in the changing room mentioned, ‘she
never really feels like a racehorse. She hunts well and often, and bred
to stay so I’m delighted on her come back, at such a young age.’
Both wins know
being at the Godstone course and in impressive fashion makes up for her size and
feel. And is a young horse with a big future.
The experienced showed in Bull as at the second last he put
her into the fence at an angle,’ she was wrong approaching the fence, so I put
her into the fence at an angle to give her a bit more room, instead of asking
her to stand off. So we’ll have to see how she comes out of the race and go
from there.’
A small horse with a big future of point to pointing. A
true amateur on her back in Phil Bull who will look after her and place her
just right. Underline her for the future.
The last race of the day a race for veteran and novice
riders went to the fore.
Jockey Marcus Gorman on even money favourite The
Crafty Butcher timed his announcement to retire from the point top point saddle
just right as he bought the nine year old trained by Carolyn Gorman home by two
lengths from the witches’ hat.
‘I’m pleased he has been challenged, he is lazy in front, in Ireland he never made the running, so a chase up has spurred
him on again. We really fancied a win today, and whatever happened I was going
to retire here so I’m delighted.’
Marcus Gorman on The Crafty Butcher
The jockey with 80 point to point wins to his credit, the
first one being at the now closed Berkshire course of Twesledown on the late
National hero Dick Saunders trained Optic Paddy, in the year Marcus aptly
forgot to mention.
‘My best memory I would take with me from the saddle. Must
be my ride around Aintree, apt for this weekend really but that one stands
out.’
Marcus who has seen so many changes in the point to point
field one of them being the lack of farmers with horses to run is delighted
with his lot and a final piece of advice he could give to the young bucks in
the changing room was to ‘Enjoy it, as before you know it your as old as me and
retiring, so have fun while it lasts.’
Marcus Gorman, The Crafty Butcher winning the veterans and novice riders race (centre)
A fitting end to a glorious day. Throughout the country
meeting have been well attended, good racing on offer. Point to point racing I
feel is in good firm hands.
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Monday, 11 April 2016
SUNDAY GODSTONE WITH THE SOUTHDOWN & ERIDGE HUNT 10-4-16
Sunday, 10 April 2016
HIGH EASTER POINT TO POINT, HIGH END RACING 9-4-16
The only meeting of the year at the superb point to point
course just outside Chelmsford bought strong crowds, quality races,and the
Grand National on a big screen after the last race.
Rain held off as the locals that supported The Essex Hunt
Point to point at High Easter in its 25th year pointing watched six, timed to perfection races. At a course that offered all the facilities and possibly more of a professional
track.
All races were shown on the large screen, put in place for
the Grand National, broadcasted live to the attendee’s ten minutes after the last
race presentations had been given. Which meant all could follow the racing, and
what quality racing there was on offer.
The first race, a restricted open sponsored by Subaru who have been fantastic supporters for pointing throughout the season.
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| Ignite the light |
It was Gerald Bailey’s Ignite the light who came home the
winner to qualify for the series finale at Stratford in about a month’s time.
Ridden by Alex Vaughan-Jones the seven year old that won his maiden at
Horseheath in February, subsequently pulling up the race after. Beat the David
Kemp’s Ballalough in a time of 6m 37.
The placed horse ridden by the jockey who has had a
fantastic season Sam Davies-Thomas mentioned the yard, thinks highly of
the six year old.
Vaughan –Jones, jockey of the winner who gets married this
year mentioned ‘The horse really went well on the ground, we were looking for
races on right handed tracks really, but we have come here on a left handed
track and he’s gone on the ground well, we’re delighted.’
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| Alex Vaughan-Jones on Ignite the light
The horse that cost very little at the Doncaster sales, now
on two wins for the season looks a bright prospect for the yard and jockey.
The PPORA club member’s race over the shorter distance of 2m
4 f saw a healthy ten runners go to post, with horses that have been prominent
all season. Master Workman, Play the Ace and Weather Warning.
But it was the Dale Peters mount Decade Player, an eight
year old by Gamut who came home in front of two of these runners, Master
Workman finishing a length down in second, and Play the Ace four lengths in
third.
The jockey said’ he was fantastic today, really relaxed and
jumped well. At Dingley he was a little hyper but I’ve managed to get a
breather into him today which was good.’
The jockey as well as myself in their first visit to the track, praised how well the course was presented, making
very fair racing.
‘He’ll probably go to a two mile hunter chase, there is a two
miler at Stratford we would possibly go for, and that would suit him very
well.’ The trainer also has the horse entered in a week’s time at Southwell,
and if coming out well from the race would possibly take his chances.
Dale Peters on Decade Player
This eight year old is a hunter chaser with prospects,
Jockey and trainer very enthused by what he could be, One for the note books,
underlined.
The third race was billed to be the race of the day. The
ladies open for the Warwick Vase saw seven to post.
Local favourite Berties dream ridden by top female rider
Gina Andrews,It was me a very useful pointer in Ladies opens and Bavard Court
going to try to take the vase for the seventeenth time for the Turner family.
Bavard Court, Louise Allan and Ed Turner
In the race the early exit of it was me on his third non
finish in a row, saw the race pulled wide open. Berties Dream taking on the
field with Caulkin, Bavard Court and Little legend.
But it was the ten year old
ridden by Louise Allen who came home in front of Andrews and Berties to take the
win. Well deserved by the family who has given a lot to pointing throughout the
generations, the gelding showing consistency in his last few runs. ‘I usually
like to make the running on him,’ Mentioned the jockey who has not had the best
of weeks losing a horse in the Foxhunters at Aintree mid week. ‘So I have had
to sit behind the rest and suffer, but he has jumped well. Coming over the last
he has idled a bit really and I have had to get after him.’ The former east
Anglian champion jockey on her first win of the season seemed almost emotional
about her win. I suppose a fitting end to a week she’d rather forget.
 
Bavard Court
The intermediate saw again a quality field. Brave encounter,
Burtredgipandgump, My Alfie, Pebbleglen and the Admiral Benbow. To name but a
few went to post.
Burtredgipandgump
But it was the Nicholas Wright’s Burtredgipandgump, ridden
by Archie Wright a jockey with a better week that that of the winner of the
last, having had a dream ride around the foxhunters who came home in front of
Brave Encounter and Sam Davies –Thomas on his third second of the day,
unfortunate for the young jockey trying to cement his second place in the
champion jockeys title from the impressive Will Biddick.
Burtredgipandgump, Archie Wright (Inside) Brave Encounter, Sam Davies-Thomas (farside)
The seven year old by Blueprint resurrecting his winning
ways after a third to the impressive Lilbitluso at Cottenham in February.
Archie Wright the jockey mentioned he was a little concerned
in the ground today with the horse. ‘I was aware the ground was getting slower
as the day went on, and the fact the David Kemp's entry was a very good horse. The course is taking a bit of getting at the moment, but we really think a lot of him.’
The
jockey still on the adrenaline rush of getting a great ride around the Aintree
fences.
Burtredgipandgump, Archie Wright
And it didn’t stop there for the young amateur.
The race
after. The open maiden he steered home Virgo The first for martin Ward to beat
top local jockey Dicky Collinson in a flying finish on Mister Serious.
‘I have ridden a few for
Mr Ward, and Dicky who was on the second his his son in law, so it was good to
get the win. But both horses are very similar, big babies but both talented I
know both Mr Ward and Dicky think a lot of him.’
The instructions to both
the first and second was not to hit the front too soon, but soon after the bend
at High Easter the last comes on you very fast, and both flew neck and neck
going up the straight.
‘I really love this course, the organizers do their best
to bring the best ground and fences for us, and it’s my favourite by far.
The
horse has been bought along in the mind of his talent. 'A lot of people think a
lot of this horse.’ Mentioned the jockey.
The horse by Milan who again has a prodigy in the winners enclosure
may have one more run, but would firmly be one to watch in the east Anglian
area next season, a ride young Archie would love to keep.
Mister Serious (nearside) Virgo the First (farside)
Virgo the First
Mister Serious, R. Collinson (nearside) Virgo the First, A Wright (farside)
Dicky Collinson getting compensation for his second by
taking the trophy for leading rider of the day.
The final race, a few minutes before the big event at
Aintree, was the Essex hunt member’s race.
Gina Andrews, top of the ladies riders championship at
present Made all on the nine year old Excitable Island.
Excitable Island.
The consistent gelding by Herons Island took the four horse
race in his stride to give the talented Andrews another winner in a slow time
as predicted by the jockeys earlier in the day of 6m 48 secs. Beating Collinson
again into second place.
 
Excitable Island
Gina Andrews
|
Unfortunate for the connections though the prize giving was
rushed through. The Grand National was waiting.
Thursday, 7 April 2016
Higham closes 2016 with The Essex and Suffolk Hunt 2 April 2016
The final meeting of this season at Higham bought a bumper
crowd, sunshine and quality fields.
Organizers very pleased with the turn out on the final meet ,helping balance out the only other two meetings at the course that just broke even.
Horses were plenty and headed by the appearance of the
course specialist and quality point to pointer Broken Eagle from the Alan Hill yard.
The first race, a restricted race saw fourteen to post.
The Helen Connors trained Our Milly Acres beating the useful David Kemp’s Hill
of Gold by a neck.
Again a seven year old by the top pointing stallion Milan,
the consistent mare used her 5 lbs allowance to good stead to pick up this
handy race.
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| Milly Acres with T. Chatfeild-Roberts |
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| Hill of Gold leads Milly Acres over the last
The Men’s open cut up to only four declared, other entries no doubt leaving
the race as they knew course specialist Broken Eagle would be present.
Broken Eagle Joe Hill
The eight year old ridden by Alan hill’s son joe hill, made an impressive stance not like
the one last time over course and distance, and pulled well away from the
runner up Never Complain from the Marshall Yard.
A death defying, Desert Orchid style leap at the last caused
a gasp from the crowd as the horse took the race by twenty lengths.
‘We came here today purely to get the horse qualified for the
foxhunters at Aintree next season.’ Mentioned the trainer. ‘Possibly he’ll go
to Cheltenham in a few weeks time for a shorter event at the Hunter Chase
evening meeting.’
This impressive, regal looking eight year old looks the real
deal. And with the Hill team behind him would hope to be aiming high.
Alan Hill, Broken Eagle, Joe Hill
The Ladies open was also a bit of a family affair. Sa
Kaldoun trained by Ed Turner and ridden by Rose Turner took the race by beating
Quinsman.
The nine year old, second at course and distance in March
used his 7 lbs weight advantage over the runner up well.
The versatile gelding
by Sagacity showing he could stay on most surfaces given.
 
Sa Kaldoun
The sad part though of the race was the loss of the
consistent Ellis/Andrews horse Sea Current during the race.
The fourth race of the meeting was that for Novice riders.
The very consistent Done a Runner, trained by Dale Peters
made his fourth win of the season. The ten year old by Alderbrook, just done
enough to beat Superior Fire from the Hutsby yard by a neck. Alan Hill’s El
Toreros back twenty length’s in third.
Superior Fire (nearside) Done a Runner (farside)
Both these horses would have to be taken seriously next time
out. Both the winner and second placed horse having form on their side.
Done a runner leads Superior Fire over the last
The open maiden race was the biggest amount of declared runners for
the day, this causing the race to be split into two divisions.
The first division being taken by the Grissell trained and
ridden Iskrabob. Trained and ridden by Rose Grissell herself.
The six year old by Tobugg seems to be the improving sort,
running a twelve length second to Kingsfold Flare a few weeks back.
The
chestnut certainly liking the change in the ground would hopefully pick up a
few more races before the season finale.
Iskrabob Miss R. Grissell
The second division saw the Andrew Pennock trained Torran Na
Dtonn take the race. The eight year old seemed to have an easier race than that
of the winner in division one, with Dicky Collinson in the saddle; the
Fruits of Love gelding took the race with compatible ease from the Cundy
trained horse On the Tangle.
Torran Na Dtonn, Mr R Collinson
This nice frame of a maiden looked the part in the winner’s
enclosure, and would be surly one to look out for throughout the back end of the
season.
The final race of the day went to the owner/jockey
combination of Viking Ridge and Miss S Klug. The nine year old trained by Tom
Morgan, ran on well from the field beating the fancied runner of the Turner’s
Kriss William.
Ten lengths separated the first and second, which thrilled the
followers of both horse and jockey, as usually the grey by Cloudings is prone
to the harsh mistake or two. Both outings this season just being out of the top
three home.
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Tuesday, 5 April 2016
FONTWELL EASTER MEETING, NOT A FOOL IN SIGHT 1-4-16
Seven races billed for a glorious day at the East Sussex
racecourse. The event well attended, catered for the younger audience, saw
the place buzzing with picnics and chocolate filled youngsters.
The first race a two mile three furlong novices hurdle eleven ran.
The favourite Evan William’s it’s a steal well beaten back in
fourth ten lengths’s by Neil Mulholland’s Champagne George.
 |
| Champagne George.
Jockey Noel Fehily mentioned the six year old by Acambaro
stayed and jumped well which was needed around the figure of eight track.
The
second placed horse Laugharne joining the winner over the last, the winner
asserting his authority up the straight.
Champagne George over the last with Laugharne.
Fehily said that he had his final schooling session on his
national ride Siliviniaco Conti mid week and the drying ground would suit
his ride, as the schooling session went well.
The next race over the larger obstacles saw six runners to
post.
Jockey Marc Goldstein made all with the Diana Grissell
trained Here I am, beating by five lengths his nearest rival Guanciale, who
could make no impression on the nine year old gelding.
Marc Goldstein on Here I am
‘This was my first winner back from a five week layoff,’
mentioned Goldstein who was sidelined due to an injury sustained at Plumpton.
‘It’s a good ride to get for a comeback as he was a good jumper. He was
surprisingly relaxed today, he can be quite gassy. But he is a nice sort of
horse and deserves the win.
This was a good local winner for the course, Diana Grissell
training a stone’s throw from the course.
Here I am
A two mile five furlong handicap hurdle was won by 7/2
favourite Sartorial Elegance, trained by Colin Tizzard, ridden by Paddy
Brennan.
The five year old by Kayf Tara did his best to throw the
race by making a hash of the last hurdle.
‘He lost concentration at the last, he was possibly in front too soon,’ mentioned the jockey whose ride in the national Saint Are is well before the event. ‘He doesn’t really need to school over national type fences, he’s been round the Beecher's twice, so he is experienced, we would like to get the two lengths back from Many Clouds from last year, so should go close.’
Sartorial Elegance
The next race over fences saw the eleven year old crowd
favourite Venetian Lad take on five other runners for the two mile five
furlongs handicap.
Venetian Lad
Taking the start at 8-1 the grey well in at the weights at
11st 3 lbs and with Jockey Marc Goldstein in the saddle, gave a gutsy
performance rallying on up the finishing straight to beat second placed horse
Arquebusier and James Banks by a length.
‘He knew were the line was and never
gave up,’ mentioned the jockey on a double for the afternoon.’ He was up for it
today, and pulling my arms out, he loves it here, the course really suits him.’
Another local winner, Lydia Richards training in Chichester
mentioned the lad’s in the yard fight to get on this one he is so popular.’ His
next race is possibly Plumpton, and then back here for June meeting.’ The 8-1
outsider certainly put Easter cheer on the local crowd that supported this well
napped veteran.
Venetian Lad, Marc Goldstein on a double
Anthony Honeyball had the winner of the next. Royal Salute
owned by a vast syndicate of the Anthony Honeyball racing club beat the 2/1
favourite Antiphony by four lengths.
This very nice looking six year old by
Flemensfirth is a very nice addition to the Honeyball yard.’ I let him find his
way in the race all the way round’ mention Aidan Coleman, who, as of yet has no
ride in the weekends big event. ‘He is a very nice sort, who could jump a fence
now but we are in no rush. He is one to look out for though.’
Royal Salute, Aidan Coleman (centre)
These is a very nice horse, the yard speaking very favorably about him, and know winning his handicap should be one to progress
further as the season draws to a close.
 
Royal Salute
Winner of the 2m 1f handicap Hurdle |
Coleman had a quick second winner of the afternoon on the
Lawney hill trained Bertenbar.
The twelve year old by Bertolini made it two wins in a row at
Fontwell, winning a 2 m 1 f event in soft ground in March.
By re challenging for
the lead up the straight, beating Gowanauthat by a length and a half.
 |
| Bertenbar
Greeted by the emotional owner Mrs C Wyatt , who mentioned
the horse was bred by her late father
mentioned how proud she was of the horse fighting back,
‘ this is such a
special day, we bred the horse and also we were responsible for giving Aidan
one of his first rides, so this adds to the celebration.’
Both jockey and trainer mentioned that they were impressed
by the horses bravery and that he deserves this win.
Bertenbar with Aidan Coleman and emotional owner Mrs C Wyatt
The second placed horse Charlie Mann’s Gowanauthat was
unlucky veering from the rail on the run allowing the winner through. ‘We’re
bit gutted really mentioned Tommy Dowling the jockey as he unsaddle the placed
horse.
The last race of the day was 1m 5f national hunt flat race.
All eyes were on the
favourite Seamus Durack’s Alfredo.
The four year old by Arcano costing 100’000
gns at the sales showed his worth by winning the event easily from the Aiden
Coleman ridden London Prize.
The racecourse debutante a horse with plenty of interest,
looked an impressive sort to, and is a horse very much for the future.
Alfredo
Fontwell being a course were horses such as Cue Card cut
their teeth on the winning front in bumpers.
So yu have been warned , could we see Alfredo on
the front covers of the racing pages in a few years.
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