DOUBLE DUNSTON HARRIERS POINT TO POINT FOR GINA AT AMPTON 10TH JANUARY 2016

With seventy two entries before the declaration stage for this opening meet at Ampton, within view of the sugar refinery at Bury St Edmund's. Only 38 runners were finally declared for the six race card on offer from the Dunston Harriers Hunt point to point.

The first race an eight runner conditions race for horses ten years old and over, was won by Mrs Carolyn Kendrick’s Court Red Handed. The eleven year old chestnut gelding already with a run,a distance fourth at Barbury in December. Coming on well from his race, Mr M Kendrick positioned himself behind the in form Gina Andrews on Carlanstown going out into the country for the final time ‘I didn’t want Gina to get too far in front, but he’s taken his race well and come up the hill and stayed on well.’

Court Red Handed.

The ground classed as good, good to soft in places, rode well. Horses getting a little stuck though on the bottom bend were the ground seemed to be a little sticky, but not surprising as to the amount of rain the UK seems to be getting at present.

The horse will probably stay point to pointing this season, 'The initial plan was for some Hunter Chasing.' But with this win. Owner, trainer (Sara Case) and jockey may have to revisit the drawing board.

With her initial point to point win last weekend at Cottenham. Top female jockey Gina Andrews seemed to now be finding the winners enclosure.

The open Maiden had nine runners at the off, with Rob Collinson taking on the field on board the Andrew Pennock trained Counting Stars. A good display of jumping and forward front running from the seven year old on his first run of the season still could not see off the forward running at the last of Gina on Emperor Arcadius, trained by husband Tom Ellis. 

The battle cry scream from the champion female at the last saw the gelding by Arcadio take the race on from three out. Counting Stars loosing his action slightly at the tacky part of the track allowing Andrews to take the inside rail. Collinson mentioned ‘on slightly better ground and a galloping track my fella would go well. But we are still pleased with the run.’

Gina’s mount that ran a handful of times last season, seems to have come on well and know with a win under his belt, races would have to be planned,but seems quite a versatile type who would act on most goings. One to watch i feel.

Emperor Arcadius (far side) Counting Stars No2

Berties Dream

The Ladies open, and Gina Andrews was at it again. This time riding for Lauren Braithwaite. Berties Dream, a horse well fancied at the entry stage of the race. The Cheltenham festival winning horse now thirteen,and with a run at the beginning of December when five lengths third to Lord Heathfield, took on the race going into the country last time out.,and held on well up the Ampton inclined straight to beat Swift Counsel by five lengths. The jockey now with a brace of winners for the day said’ well, i wasn’t expecting that, but this horse loves it around here, and well deserved the win.’ Plans know would have to be made for the veteran now, but surely Ampton should see him again before the season is out.

Only eight runners were entered for the Men’s open. But at declaration stage only one came to the races.

Alan Hill trained Harbour Court, a ride at the beginning of the season rider Jo Hill was excited about getting to grips with,had no contest for the Tim Wyatt Memorial Open. This was rather disappointing at this early stage of the season for trainer, Jockey and organizers alike. But the full £350 went home to Oxfordshire with the Hills. With the ten year olds second run of the season.,the first being a three length second to Ghizao at Barbury in December. I’m sure we will see this three time hunter chase winner out soon to take on more challenging opposition than he had done today.

Harbour Court

The penultimate race, a Subaru Restricted qualifier, saw the reappearance of the winner of the 

maiden at Cottenham last week Galros Lady. The six year old tough little mare, on her third run of the season beat Lule Kyle by a neck up the Ampton hill, and seems to love the ground as it stands at present, and the Andrew Pennock trained horse must be a pleasure to own by the partnership  called the two Farmers and a butcher. 

Jockey Rob Collinson must know re think his prediction the mare did not like to soft/heavy going, and if in May, at Stratford were the series final is held, and the weather and ground can sometimes be a little inclement. The six year old, though would have stiffer opposition would be one to fancy. And would back my earlier prediction of one to watch at the back end of the season.

Galros Lady

The last race of the day, a novice rider’s race for horses six years old and over, saw six runners go to post. 

At the off the field seemed well strung out. And with the slowest time of the afternoon at 6m 44secs, it was Hugh Nugent on board Kristian Grey who came home fifteen lengths clear of his rivals with only three of the six finishing. The sad point being that Shutthebackdoor, half brother to 2014 Irish National winner Shutthefrontdoor pulled up sharply when contesting third before three out.

Nightcap Jack,Kristian Gray,Remarkable Man

The seven year old out of the Fred Hutsby yard, showed he stayed well and seems to be a progressive sort, a little sometimes untidy in jumping, but could be one to come on  from his inaugural run of the season.

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New Year Pointing at Cottenham

Seven races billed at Cottenham, with the addition of an eighth, courtesy of the Open Maiden race being split into two divisions.

The first being a Members conditions race. Severn runners went to post, as the expected deluge of rain held off for the enthusiastic pointing crowd in attendance. The Hill family, well known with entering quality in any race sent favorite Broken Eagle to post, top rider Joe hill in the saddle. Tulsa ridden by Sam Davies-Thomas, already a winner last time out in November at the same course could not keep up with the impressive front running and jumping of the Hill’s eight year old gelding. Joe mentioned ‘ he has to work on his own at home as he can take a bit of a hold, but there are plenty of options for this horse, either a conditions race at Higham at the end of the month, or some Hunter chasing at Fakenham, but I’ll leave it to Dad’ (Alan Hill)

Broken Eagle

 The second race, a restricted, saw the father and son team of the Henderson’s take the spoils with some good aggressive front running. The race on paper looked a strong event with a few runners already having a few outings already in 2015 early season. Sin Bin who had been placed over the past few weeks, the first time being at Cottenham looked very much beaten three out. This left Dream Mistress well clear to take the race by fifteen lengths from Dido. An impressive victory by the seven year old mare by Doyen on her first outing of the new season.

Dream Mistress

Another quality race in the Men’s open saw ten runners take to the start, again Alan and Joe Hill declaring the impressive ten length winner here last meeting Consigliere. But it was the improving Now Ben ridden by Alex Edwards for Phillip Rowley who took the race Alex mentioned ‘ he is such an improving sort and has come on leaps and bounds throughout the summer, we came here and thought if we got beat by Consigliere we still would of been happy, but it was a bonus to pick up this one.’ The ex Nicky Henderson trained horse seems to have settled from his earlier days of racing, and having qualified for the restricted at Cheltenham at the end of the season seems to have a long season well planned out ‘ we’ll probably give him a breather, then enter him in some Hunter chases Before Cheltenham, but see how it goes.’ But an impressive horse in an impressive race and sure one to take note of.

Now Ben

The Countryside Alliance club members race for novice riders, saw all horses well strung out from early on, Mr J Maxwell-Smith’s Buck Magic winning the event from Last Time D’Albain. ‘it was quite a messy race from the start’ said the owner/Trainer-Jockey. ‘All I concentrated on really was Last Time D’Albain;’ and coming to the last both horses were neck and neck, but it was the ten year old  on the line  beat his competition by a neck. ‘I’ve been riding out every day for trainers nearby were I'm at University in Reading, but while I’ve been home I managed to get every day riding this fella which helped.’ Under rules the horse was trained by Neil Mulholland and ridden by Mark Quinlan, and it has been Mark who lives near the home of the horse who has been putting him through his pre race prep. Cockebarrow at the end of the month will be the horses’ possible next outing before having a mid season rest.

Buck Magic 

The Ladies Open, and possible before declaration the strongest race of the day, saw eight runners go to post. One of them being the talented hurdler Khyber Kim ridden by the ex trainers daughter Camellia Henderson. The fourteen year old, off the mark of only 100 showed he still had the will to win. Sitting out the back for most the race, Henderson let the horse down three out, and this strapping Mujahid gelding gulped up the horses in front to take up the running two out. Asked if this was planned Camellia said’ the plan really was to just get round as this was my first ride of the season, but he felt so well which was s surprise in the ground (classed at good to soft) and he jumped the last two really good that it was nice to bring him home.’

Khyber Kim

Bound for Glory and Can Mestret, two fancied runners were behind in second and third but could show no match to this horse who is undecided were he would go next.

Two divisions of the Open maiden saw 25 runner split between the two races.

Division one Saw James Ferguson on Tommy O’Dwyer take the race from Ypsilanti, Just as the deluge from the heavens opened up to make the going even more testing. This strung the field well out and recorded the slowest time of the day at 6m 28sec. The seven year old with his first run over the larger obstacles coped really well with only the first three horses completing the course.

Tommy O’Dwyer

Division two, saw top lady jockey Gina Andrews ride her first point to point winner of the season   ‘ I can ride a double at Fakenham, but it takes forever to get a point to point winner’ said the mud splattered jockey. Sea Current was the ride she was on for Tom Ellis’s yard. The ex Dan Skelton trained eight year old by Pilsudski, has already won Novice chasing and was the type just to take these sort of events, and surly is one now to be placed to take on stronger events as the season progresses, ‘ he can go on most goings and has won over two and half miles so has plenty of pace. Today was the plan for him, so we’ll have to go have a think were t aim him for’

Sea Current

The last race of the day, and over a shorter distance was the open maiden for four, five and six year olds, over 2m 4 f. Nine runners to post and the afternoon very dull and dank.

Placed horse at Barbury at the beginning of December Galros Lady took the race by two lengths from Gustav Mahler. Jockey R Collinson said ‘she learnt a lot from her run at Barbury, we were a bit worried about the ground and I though this would not be her day,’  but the six year old mare seemed to battle it out and let down on the ground nicely to take the race. ‘She’ll possibly have a rest know but see how she is tomorrow, but would possibly want ground no worse than today’

Possibly one to watch at winter turns to spring at the back end of the season.

Galros Lady

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Festive Fontwell 2015

While the Northern part of the British Isles were experience the worst of the weather and water.. The Southern part of it basked in a mild, overcast clasp of the British winter.

Three race meetings south of the Watford gap. Wincanton, the main meeting of the day at Kempton Park and Fontwell Park, who sported seven races with a sell out crowd who came to flush out the Christmas festivities from the day before.

The Southern Cranes and Access LTD Juvenile Hurdle

The first race a 2m 1f Juvenile hurdle saw 8/1 shot Harley Rebel take the prize ridden by 7 lbs claimer Neil Mulholland. The ground telling throughout the whole of the meeting how heavy it was as the horses were well strung out when it came to the finish, with 21 lengths separating first and third.

This three year old by Cockney Rebel, with three wins know to his credit.The last one coming in the shape of a 1m 3f all weather flat race.

Only two chases in the card, the first one being a 2m 1 f Handicap event. Five runners to post, for a race that was packed with trials and tribulations.

The first being that 8/1 shot Highbury High unseated Shane Quinlan at the first and then continued to mould the race as he hampered the remaining runners. With Toohighforme being pulled up and Youm Jamil unseating Nick slatter four out, Tea Caddy and Showboater were the only two left standing. The loose  Highbury High three out went straight across the path of Paige Fuller on Tea Caddy causing the horse to fall at the fence, this left the 4/6 fav ridden by David Bass all alone to jump the remaining two fences and claim the prize.

Showboater 

Three hurdle races in quick succession saw the trio of races start off with a 2m 3f  Novice hurdle. Oliver Sherwood’s The Organist, ridden by Leighton Aspell made all and duly won the event by 28 lengths and made sure his favouritism of 1/7 was well placed. The trainer only choosing to put out two runners for the Boxing day racing extravaganza, the other being at Wincanton.

The Organist

 Trainer Oliver Sherwood

The Organist

Aspell again in the next hurdle event, a 2m 1 f handicap rode 10-1 shot Prouts Pub for local trainer Nick Gifford. Taking the lead from two out the Grand National winning rider bought home his festive double to beat Needless Shouting by 17 lengths

 Prouts Pub

Leighton Aspell

Could this be a quick treble for the Irishman? as he took 10/3 shot Tambura to post for the six runner 2m 5f Mares Handicap. Alas not, David Bass on 10/1 shot At First Light stayed on and denied him of the treble by three quarters of a length.

At First Light(David Bass) Tambura (Leighton Aspell)

At First Light

The second and last chase of the day, a long distance event in heavy going saw six runners go to post for the 3m 1 f handicap chase.2/1 fav Call The Detective was one of the only two finishes and saw off his opposition winning the race by 27 lengths. The only other finisher being Lady of Geneva, who was a firm favourite to back up her second and win at the course in soft ground throughout November and December, and ridden by in form Leighton Aspell.

Call The Detective

Call The Detective 

 The last race of the afternoon a 2m 5 f Conditional Jockeys handicap hurdle saw 3 lbs claimer Martin Blake make all on Harry Cobden’s Hassadin. The 5/1 shot with a drop in distance and fifty runs under his belt made only his third trip to the winners enclosure, which pleased the trainer no end, who hoped the drop in distance and ground would help the horse in his endeavours.

Hassadin

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A HAPPY VISIT TO OXFORDSHIRES NOEL

Trainer Noel Williams Racing

A small yard that nestles next to the larger set up of Eve Johnson-Houghton’s. White Shoot stables master Noel Williams prepares patiently his small string of jumpers.

An enthusiastic and well meaning trainer takes his visitors first up a long inclined tack to some all weather gallops shared and owned by his neighbours to see his four charges go about their paces up the 7 furlong woodchip surface.

Krackatoa King one of them, this promising chaser who has only had the one run over the larger obstacles showed his audience his paces and his size. As his trainer commented,  he calls the horse, the giant.

Other horses on show were some very nice three year olds. Some un- raced as of yet, but this showed how the trainer takes time with his charges as he says, ‘I don’t really go into statistics too much, i just concentrate on the horse and work from that. Some of these here this morning only worked for the first time at the weekend, and what I saw was very pleasing.’

This young trainer who, in his third season with about ten winners to his name crafted his knowledge from the stables of Alan King, where he was assistant trainer. And speaks very fondly of his time under the master of Barbury Castle.

The stables that are all full at present and situated in an 18 boxed American barn system that as the trainer mentioned works well for him. ‘They are well ventilated so the horses have plenty of fresh air all the time.’ The trainer also commented that in time, a move to larger premises could be on the cards.

 Midnight Jitterbug                                                                                                                    Cinderfella

All the horse looked happy and contented. And, did not seem to bother with the out of the norm invasion by a group of enthusiastic racing buffs wandering in amongst them. Horse such as Midnight Jitterbug an unraced bumper horse by Midnight legend and the appropriately named for the time of year Cinderfella. ( oh yes it was)

 The atmosphere of the whole yard set up was friendly and relaxed, helped by the mulled wine and minced pies on offer from Noel’s racing secretary Clare Ludlow.  A set up that surely in time, like all his horses will come to flourish and emulate the successes of his former boss.

So remember the name, don’t tell me you were not warned, this trainer is one for the future.

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Together with racing and Point to Point reports

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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