OVER THE MOON AT UNDERWOODS DOUBLE AND A TRIP WITH YORK

Rainbows end but no gold at Kingston Blount

The first of five meetings at the Oxfordshire point to point course Kingston Blount, The Kingston Blount Racing Club (well worth the money if you wanted to join at £20) hosted the first meeting in 2017 at the left handed  undulating track.

some well attended maidens, restricted and conditions races. Not so many in both the Ladies and men's opens, but what lacked quantity  the races gained massively in Quality.

Seamusjay

Seamusjay took the first race, the 4,5,6 year old open maiden race over 2m 4 f by four lengths from Alan Hills Big Time Frank.

Trained by Gerald Bailey and ridden by Tom McClorey, listen to what the jockey has to say about the five year old Gelding

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tom-mcclorey-on-board-seamusjay-winner-of-the-456-year-olds-open-maiden-kingston-blount-4-3-17

For the older maidens over the full three miles Thomas Gallagher saddled Top Man Tim to win the maiden race for the ten year old  gelding.

The trainer talks to me about his winning maiden.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/thomas-gallagher-after-top-man-tim-wins-6-year-olds-and-up-open-maiden-kingston-blount-4-3-17

Top Man Tim

Jockey Shane Roche, who is now a regular on the point to point podcasts on board yet another winner for the Irish trainer, mentioned in his second season so far in the UK he is having a very positive education into the English Point to point scene.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/shane-roche-riding-top-man-tim-to-win-the-6-year-olds-and-up-open-maiden-kingston-blount-4-3-17

Jockey Shane Roche, who is now a regular on the point to point podcasts

Done with the maidens, the meeting progressed onto the Conditions race, where a duo that has given many years service to the Point to Point industry took the race with Ten Year old Templepirate.

Trainer Tim Underwood chats about his winner.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tim-underwood-templepirate-wins-part-one-of-a-double-conditions-race-at-kingston-blount-4-3-17

Jockey Phil York who at this racecourse last year notched up a memorable milestone in winners ridden, took over the ride on a horse were novice riders early on in the season have had success.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/phil-york-after-riding-templepiratepart-one-of-a-double-conditions-race-kingston-blount-4-3-17

Templepirate.

The duo struck again later in the afternoon in the Lawney Hill Racing Restricted,.

The sponsor wife of at present leading point to point trainer Alan Hill, and herself a well respected under rules trainer gave the prize to the double winning Tim Underwood and Phil York, who she has know for many years.

Listen to both trainer and jockey chat about Cheltenham Mati a five year old grey mare  who battled her way to the line to take the race by a couple of lengths

Trainer
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tim-underwood-cheltenham-mati-wins-part-two-of-a-double-in-the-restricted-kingston-blount-4-3-17

Cheltenham Mati

Jockey

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/phil-york-after-riding-cheltenham-matipart-two-of-a-doublerestricted-race-at-kingston-blount-4-3-17

The duo struck again later in the afternoon in the Lawney Hill Racing Restricted

Both Opens lacked quantity, but what they lacked in that quarter the made up plenty in quality.
The Skinners pet foods ladies open four went to post
Lynn Redmans Goodnight Vienna ridden by Tabatha Worsley 91
Alan Hills Vesperal Dream Ridden by Izzie Marshall  102
West Cork Flash ridden and trained by Lucinda Ticehurts 76
Vedettariat from the Tom Ellis yard, ridden by Gina Andrews.104
The latter showed class and staying power, with a touch of speed to beat Vesperal Dream by twelve lengths.

Vedettariat

Listen to the trainer chat about the eight year old and his possible future.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tom-ellis-after-vedettariat-takes-the-skinners-pet-foods-ladies-open-kingston-blount-4-3-17

Also I chat to leading and retaining lady rider Gina Andrews on what she thought of the  horse rated 104 in the pointing ratings

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/gina-andrews-after-riding-vedettariat-the-skinners-pet-foods-ladies-open-kingston-blount-4-3-17

 leading and retaining lady rider Gina Andrews

The men's open, the same amount of runners
Alan Hills Consigliere Joe Hill 108
Laura Thomas Full Throttle ridden by Johnny Bailey 110
Tim Underwood's Golden Crisp ridden by Phil York 83
David Kemp's Master Workman ridden by Sam Davies Thomas 99

Full Throttle took the honours by eight lengths from Master Workman again in impressive style

Full Throttle

Listen to Laura Thomas

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/laura-thomas-trainer-of-full-throttle-winner-of-the-volvo-xc90mens-open-kingston-blount-4-3-17

And Johnny Bailey

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/johnny-bailey-jockey-of-full-throttle-winner-of-the-volvo-xc90mens-open-kingston-blount-4-3-17

Chat about this horse that now has been successful from the beginning of the season.

The intermediate, again a good contest for a last race of the afternoon was played out to a crowd that were seeking shelter from the forthcoming rain showers.

Peeping Thom from the yard of Craig Pilgrim and ridden by Paige Fuller for her first win under pointing flags this season. Her under rules campaign going slightly better.

We caught up with Paige to chat about the horse and her season.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/paige-fuller-peeping-thom-to-win-the-connollys-red-mills-intermediate-at-kingston-blount-4-3-17

Peeping Thom

Don't forget to listen to other podcasts from throughout the season, and look at images taken

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

FONTWELL GIVE A GRADE 2 AND MOORE POSSIBLE CHELTENHAM POINTERS

PROMISING PROSPECT GOLDEN SUNRISE 4th IN THE NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE

Horsham trainer Gary Moore, you could say had a good day at Fontwell Parks National Spirit Hurdle day. Three winners, all in good form and also picking up the £34’000 Grade two main

hurdle event of the day.

Camping Ground

Seven-year-old Camping Ground gave great account to the stables when making most of the running to take the 2m 3 f hurdle by a staggering 29 lengths from Nick Williams Le Rocher. 

Ridden by Josh Moore who mentioned ‘I have ridden him at home and schooled him a few times over the weeks but the change in scenery has done him good, he has shown that in the race today.’

The Robert Walford former horse had only been at the Horsham yard of Gary Moore for about a month the trainer mentioning, 

'There has been a bit of an issue with the horse in his life for sure, I’m sure Robert would have done the same, but we have all put a lot of time into him, given him what he wants and treated him like a good horse I think he is.’

The horse with Cheltenham entries would if allowed  go to the World Hurdle, the trainer not so sure the gelding would get the three miles. 

'He has a high cruising speed so two and a half miles I feel would be his distance, I would favour the Coral hurdle if anything.’ 

The trainer also sure that the horse would go chasing next season may just keep his powder dry with this potential star.

Camping Ground gave great account to the stables when making most of the running to take the 2m 3 f hurdle

Moore didn’t have to wait too long to visit the winners hospitality area again when Crystal lad this time ridden by Jamie Moore beat 2/1 favourite Sir Anthony Brown in the 2 m 3 f novices hurdle by seven lengths.

‘I’m please for the owner Chris Stedman that this one has come home, our horses haven’t been on top form lately but to have a couple of winners today and especially this one that is a decent type is a good thing.’

The trainer also confirming that he feels he has not had a best of starts to a season mentioned. 

'Our horses seemed fit but just were not finishing their races for some reason, today it’s the first time I’ve seen them actually finish off well the race, so hopefully whatever we had got in the yard is coming to the end.’

‘I’m please for the owner Chris Stedman that this one has come home.'

The five year old chestnut now possible off to the EBF final at Sandown in a few weeks’ time will be looking for the handicapper to maintain a good mark for this horse to be in with a good chance to pick up the grade three event, but certainly would have done his chance no harm getting the sights focused before the race.

Crystal lad

Larry

The Gary Moores third winner came in the last race of the afternoon the 2 m 1f national hunt flat race with debutant Midnight legend gelding Larry taking the race in a tight finish beating Nick Gifford’s  5/6 favourite Puppet Warrior by half a length.

‘By Midnight Legend he has shown he is a battler, his mare who Mr Pipe had Gaspaisie was also very genuine so it was no surprise really,’ mentioned the jockey who confirm the horses in the yard have not been on full form. 

‘We have had one not run so great today so we have to go home and sort that out, but on the whole the entire team has worked hard and it’s paid off here today. 

This well-bred five-year-old may need to be watched and beat some horses that in behind would be possible race winners.

 Form junkies need to keep an eye on several entrants in this race to mark how true to form this race was.

‘By Midnight Legend he has shown he is a battler, his mare who Mr Pipe had Gaspaisie was also very genuine so it was no surprise really,’ 

The Gifford family with a second in the bumper with the promising prospect  Puppet Warrior, should if rights be told been allowed to win a race in which a meeting that held the inaugural Josh Gifford Memorial Novice chase over the Fontwell’s 2 m 1 f.

It was good friend to the late legend of the turf in riding and training Nicky Henderson who lifted the prize with Kilcrea Vale taking the race by two lengths from Paul Nichols As De Mee.

Jockey Jeremiah McGrath mentioned,’ we never put this one in bumper as we though he just didn’t have the speed, today 2 miles around here was plenty quick enough for him, but I knew he stayed well and up the hill didn’t disappoint.’ 

The horse now possibly Aintree bound found the trainer reflecting on the good times with the late trainer Josh Gifford mentioned, ‘we had some good times and tears over a few gin and tonics, I’m actually responsible for him giving up smoking, I had a favoured horse in Aldaniti’s national and mentioned to him, whoever wins this has to give it up, he did and kept his end of the bargain.

A legend in the game himself almost had a tear in his eye as he remembered is great friend, I’m sure if asked he would of said it was the cold wind whipping around the Sussex track.

          Kilcrea Vale taking the race by two lengths from Paul Nichols As De Mee.

The two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase Colin Tizzard sent Wizards Bridge to post the 2/1 favourite to come home four lengths ahead of nearest rival The Italian Yob from the Nick Williams yard. 

Tom O’Brien on board the eight-year-old mentioned, ‘he has had a bit of look about in front but has ran well enough in the end to keep on to the line.’

Wizards Bridge ,King Of Glory, Rothman

The horse now with five wins from twenty five starts,the last win  in a novice event at Chepstow. 

A soft ground lover having a few more runs in between before taking to the winner’s circle again and maybe the type again to watch and see where he is entered before taking fancy to him again. 

A winner yes, but a sort of horse that I should reckon needs the right pace right time syndrome before taking the winner’s patch again.

Five runners for the 3m 1 f Hunters open steeplechase saw Paul Nicholls send David Maxwell’s Mon Parrain to post the 1/3 favourite, the eleven-year-old showing all his quality to always have the four-other runners in his sights and he made headway two out to take the race by twenty-six lengths from Current exchange.

‘He has run about four times in my colours,’ mentioned the jockey who purchases his point to pointers and hunter chasers well for him to ride in some top-class events. 

‘He has great ability this one, and could have had really someone to have taken him on a bit more in the end as his jumping was getting a bit untidy, but I should reckon this is what he is so we will look to find some more Hunter chases for him and have some fun.’

Mon Parrain

The jockey who loves the sport as an amateur can often be seen most weekends at local point to points mentioned how he loves the sport. 

  Coming to tacks like Fontwell and winning good races makes it even more special, especially if the trophies are the best you would see all meeting at the Sussex track.

I should reckon this is what he is so we will look to find some more Hunter chases for him and have some fun.'

Promising rising star jockey Ciaran Gethings took the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle on board Paul Cowleys Seas of Green beating Norman the red well by thirteen lengths. 

The ten-year-old mare very intermittent in her form took up the race two out after not being as fluent in her work a few hurdles before. 

‘she is what she is really, ‘mentioned the jockey. ‘She gives the owners a lot of fun, wins a few races which she has done and has given her chances as a broodmare some good wining again today.’

Seas of Green

The mare who runs well fresh should be out again soon in a few weeks’ time and may be one to note, a hardy sort, versatile on the ground, so through the Spring could pick up a few more races making her suitor to a stallion even more of a quality choice.

‘she is what she is really, ‘mentioned the jockey. ‘She gives the owners a lot of fun, wins a few races which she has done.'

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

HORSEHEATH LACKING QUANTITY BUT PACKED WITH QUALITY. 2016-17 POINT TO POINT SEASON ROLLS ON

HORSES IN THE FIRST AT THE THURLOW MEETING AT HORSEHEATH 25-2-17

Small but beautiful racing on offer for The Thurlow Hunt point to point at Horseheath.
85 entries, on the day of declaration 36 horses ready to race on the ground classed as good-good to firm.

Six races for the only meeting of the day, and two of the races being for the ponies.

Neumond

Listen to Jack Andrews chat about his opening win on Neumond in the East Anglian members club race for Stuart Morris, already a winner at Horseheath four weeks ago.
 Also to what he got up to in the week.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jack-andrews-after-winning-the-ea-club-memebrs-race-on-neumond-for-stuart-morris-horseheath-25-2-17

Jack Andrews chat about his opening win on Neumond 

Jacks other winner of the afternoon had to wait for the finale of the day, in a hotly contested Open Maiden Jack again coming home the victor riding for Lauren Braithwaite's six year old Pettistree. Jack again chats to me about the race

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jack-andrews-after-winning-the-open-maiden-race-on-pettistree-lauren-brathwaite-horseheath-25-2-17

Pettistree

          

Both Opens were strong contests,again small fields but the quality of horse was very much apparent.

The ladies open won by Immy Robinson on Oh Toddles, and was a to the line affair with ladies champion Gina Andrews driving home Celtic Silver out of the G&T Ellis yard, but just missing out to the older horse.

Oh Toddles (right) Celtic Silver (left)

Listen to Immy talk about the race and her love for the sport of point to pointing, a true amateur.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-immy-robinson-after-winning-the-ladies-open-race-on-oh-toodles-horseheath-25-2-17

Oh Toddles ridden by Immy Robinson

The Men's open also a close to the line race Tom McClorey bringing home Thetalkinghorse from the Gerald Bailey yard. by a length from Legal Legend. 

Take a listen to what the jockey had to say after the race

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-tom-mcclorey-winning-the-mens-open-race-thetalkinghorse-for-gerald-bailey-horseheath-25-2-17

Thetalkinghorse (nearside) driving home to get up by a length in the end from Legal Legend

The Novice riders event saw the Nick Wright trained Susquehanna River take the race from again another horse Roberto Pegasus from the Ellis yard who helped gain his first treble at the previous meeting a month back at Horseheath.

Listen to both trainer and jockey chat to me about the win

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-nick-wright-after-winning-the-ppora-novice-riders-susquehanna-river-horseheath-25-2-17

The jockey Partrick Bullard riding his second winner in total.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/patrick-bullard-after-winning-the-ppora-novice-riders-with-susquehanna-river-horseheath-25-2-17

Susquehanna River

The Restricted race was taken by a pairing that have had by their own admittance a superb run of form during the season so far.

Trainer Laura Thomas and Jockey Johnny Bailey made their stake to claim during the very first few weeks of the new season. Winners still continuing to fall in.

Listen to Johnny chat about the latest winner in The Restricted, Urban Storm and the frustration both have had since his start on the very first meeting running this seven year old.

Urban Storm

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-johnny-bailey-after-winning-restricted-on-laura-thomass-urban-storm-horseheath-25-2-17

Urban Storm, Johnny Bailey and Laura Thomas

The next full meeting of point to point podcasting will be for the first time this season from Oxfordshires Kingston Blount next weekend. Followed by hopefully a trip to Larkhill

Remember to view all images, read/listen to Blogs and Podcasts go to.

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

THE EAGLE IN FULL FULL HIGH-AM FLIGHT

North Norfolk Harriers meeting at higham

Higham racecourse holding it's second of three yearly meetings paid host to the North Norfolk Harriers holding six races on good to firm ground that suited trainers  who have horses that like the top of the ground.

With five other meeting on, all sporting ground at different levels of going, the pointing season had all that was wanted for trainers to get their horses on a horsebox and to a meeting.

33 Runners declared for the meeting that hosted a men's open that could of possibly seen one of the favourite Aintree Foxhunters entries Broken Eagle take on three other runners on his quest for Liverpool stardom.

Broken Eagle 

Over the weeks we have spoken to trainer Alan hill and his son Joe about this horse they feel very passionate about, so I though it was time I spoke to pointing follower and writer Jake Exelby and his wife Caroline about their horse 'Eagle' and his run and whats in line for him before April dawns upon us.
Take a listen to ehat they have to say.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jake-and-caroline-exelby-owners-of-broken-eagle-winner-of-the-mens-open-race-higham-19-2-17

Alan hill and his son Joe with Eagle

Another good day for the Andrew Pennock team, two winners and second saw the local trainer show a varied array of runners in races, offering a young 16 year old a chance for a first ride and winner, and maintaining  a positive season to young jockey Evan David notching up winners most weekends.

Andrew Pennock

Listen to the trainer talk about his horses and plans for the weeks ahead as he chats to me after racing

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-andrew-peenock-talks-about-his-double-at-higham-he-jockeys-and-his-season-higham-19-2-17




sixteen year old Seb Burnett-Wells puts in the first winner for the trainer in the Novice riders race on Abbey Lane

Seb Burnett-Wells

Listen to him in his first interview after his first ride and first winner..........

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/seb-burnett-wells-jockey-on-andrew-pennocks-abbey-lane-winnerthe-novice-riders-higham-19-2-17

straight after Scorpion Star books his place into the Subaru Restricted final at Stratford in June.

Scorpion Star

Listen to what the owners of the horse, the Serious Partnership have to say.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/the-owners-of-scorpion-star-the-serious-partnership-winner-of-the-subaru-restricted-higham-19-2-17

And jockey Evan David a regular now on the Podcast after the win

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/evan-david-jockey-on-board-scorpion-star-winner-the-subaru-restricted-qualifier-race-higham-19-2-17

Abbey Lane

Scorpion Star and jockey Evan David

Alex ferguson on James Owens Royal Beekeeper took the maiden open. Listen to the jockey talk about the exciting four year old know for sale.

Royal Beekeeper

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-alex-ferguson-jockey-on-board-royal-beekeeper-in-the-open-maiden-race-higham-19-2-17

Alex ferguson on James Owens Royal Beekeeper

The Ladies open was won by eleven year old Quinsman ridden by Louise Allan and  owned by the late Mr Clifton-Brown an avid follower of all things country and pointing.
Listen to Louise chat about the horse, the owner and her career.

Quinsman ridden by Louise Allan

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/louise-allan-jockey-on-board-quinsman-for-laura-horsfall-winner-the-ladies-open-higham-19-2-17

Quinsman 

Chris Dennigton had a busy afternoon,a ride in the first at Charing in Kent finishing fourth.
Then as he puts it a drive in his van ( how the other half do live....) to North Norfolk to ride for Ray Fielder in the last race at Higham on Merrydown Vintage the winner of the conditions race.

Merrydown Vintage

Listen to the jockey chat about the horse, his season and....... The thought of a helicopter???

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/chris-dennington-jockey-on-board-merrydown-vintage-winner-of-the-conditions-race-higham-19-2-17

Chris Dennigton had a busy afternoon

Next week off to Horseheath again for the second time this season.

listen to all the season blogs and podcasts with a few images thrown in for good measure at

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

If you would like me to come podcast at your event or point to point meeting what not get in touch

photograph.pugh41@gmail.com