QUALITY POINTING AT THE SUFFOLK POINT TO POINT AMPTON 13/3/16

Ampton Point to Point hosted the Suffolk Hunts meeting on a glorious late winters/early spring Sunday afternoon.

With the most important week ahead in the professional and amateur jumping game of horse racing, quality racing was on offer in a seven race card.

The meeting started off with a banger of a race. 

The member’s conditions race saw the very popular Galros Lady top performing mare so far in the season, winner of her last three outings going to post with eight others which included course maiden winner the master remover, Intermediate winner Sa Kaldoun, and various other quality pointers that had not as yet found their consistencies.

Galros Lady

The ground given as good to soft still had its surprises around the home turn, were all jockeys mentioned it was very tacky. 

Galros lady and the inconsistent runner this season Ballyboker boy taking up the race, Ballyboker boy at one point looking to take the scalp of the six year old mare but Collinson rallied the mare up and pushed her on over the last to take the race by two lengths from  Ballyboker Boy in a time of    6 min 41 secs.

‘She possibly may go hunter chasing at Stratford or Fontwell,’ mentioned the jockey with a book of fine rides throughout the afternoon. ‘Stratford being a possibility, though nothing in concrete as of yet, Andrew (Pennock the trainer)  said she might just turn a bit mare’ish as  we get the better ground and weather, she is only six so we will take it as we see it with her.’

Asked if she would be an exciting prospect for next season, the popular jockey said with a wry smile on his face, ‘yes possible, and be nice to have a nice ride in the foxhunters at Liverpool.’

Who knows, only to say this mare by Alhaarth is something that might just be exciting.

Galros Lady (nearside)  Ballyboker Boy (far side)

The intermediate race saw seven to post. 

The improving Nightscape out of the Rob Cundy yard, and Sea Current trained by Tom Ellis and ridden by the ever impressive Gina Andrews were horses that did not show in the shakeup of the race. The Tom Ellis charge pulling up from three out ‘He just didn’t stay here and with the ground good on the run in and on the other side of the track, but very tacky at the bottom of the course it just wasn’t to be,’ mentioned Gina Andrews.

Rocky Island ridden by Joe Wright, trained by Thomas Messenger saw the race won by a length from Kirstian Gray out of the Fred Hutsby yard.

Rocky Island

Rocky Island who has not run since a disappointing run in a Hunter chase at Huntington in May on the back of a restricted victory pounced on the below par running of the fancied entries, and though he took his race well, would be one to take note on his performance next time out to see if the eight year old has finally found his from.

Second placed horse Kristian Gray lost his second place in the steward’s tent after the race as the jockey Harry Nugent failed to weigh in at the correct weight due the weight cloth being lost mid race.

‘I just cannot believe it,’ mentioned the jockey.’ the tack seemed fine, and was checked at the start’. But the seven year old seemed to run on well from the last and beat the third placed horse (now placed by the stewards to second spot) Black Glen Boy by fifteen lengths. Mishaps put to the side this horse should be one to note on his next appearance.

Rocky island pecking on landing after the last, Ridden by Joe Wright

The third race of the afternoon was a ladies open and the re appearance of the very popular Berties Dream. The Lauren Braithwaite trained veteran ridden by Gina Andrews seemed to dominate the pace of the race to take the race by two lengths from the rodeo clown and Sharp Suite.

Berties Dream

The jockey who has great affection towards the horse mentioned ‘he really enjoyed it around here, I had to get him racing from a long way out as others were giving him a challenge, but he is such a lovely horse.’ Gina who has a couple of booked rides at the festival said ‘that’s my eleventh winner of the season, Clare Hart keeps matching me every weekend so we are neck and neck in the standing at the moment.’

Berties Dream ridden by Gina Andrews

The men’s open was taken by the Gerald Bailey trained Empire Builder ridden by George Greenock, beating Carlanstown by a length and a half. 

The ten year old by Brian Boru who was fourth last time out to Mr Mercurial a horse that could be a good each way bet in the foxhunters at Cheltenham and with a good run at Cheltenham could improve the form standings of this winner.

Empire Builder

An enthusiastic ride from the jockey who mentioned ‘he made a few mistakes on the back straight, and hated the tacky ground on the bottom of the track so I had to really get after him to go and take the lead.’ The horse bought out of Doncaster sales is a firm favourite of the jockey may be seen out at meetings more often as the ground becomes better, the aim is to get the gelding to the Cheltenham hunter chase evening meeting in the spring.

Empire Builder (No4) with second placed Carlanstown

At the halfway stage the meeting had seen quite a lot of drama. 

The Subaru restricted race would add to this as two maiden winners Tommy O’Dwyer and The Admiral Benbow went head to head on the finish line and could not be split by the judges. The race ran at a good pace 6m 32 sec saw the two leaders pull away from the field leaving Counting Stars the third placed horse by fifteen lengths.

Tommy O'Dwyer (nearside) Admiral Benbow (farside)

Richard Collinson the jockey of the third placed horse failing to weigh in and had a trip to the steward’s tent for his error, and not best pleased with his efforts, costing the Andrew Pennock charge his third place. 

Though no fine was placed on the jockey for the error, punishment was enough loosing the horse his placing.

Dead heat jockeys Alex Ferguson in black Jack Day in white

Tommy O'Dwyer and The Admiral Benbow

The open maiden race, split in to two divisions saw Alex Ferguson take another trip to the winner’s enclosure backing up his dead heat share of the prize in the last.

In the Gate ridden by Kate Gowing

But division one was won by the Caroline Fryer trained In the gate. 

The six year old by Kings Theatre, ridden by young jockey Kate Gowing at only eighteen years old and still studying sport for her A levels,from two out was neck and neck with Multimedia ridden by the ever hungry Gina Andrews. 

Both jockeys could be heard for miles screaming there rides home but it was Gowing on her first winner as a jockey who got the better of the experienced Andrews. ‘I’m so happy with that win.’ Explained Gowing.  ‘He really jumped well for me, and it  feels good to get my first winner on board.’ 

Multimedia Gina Andrew (nearside) In the Gate Kate Gowing (farside)

Kate explained that she rides out for Fryer before attending the Norwich high school for girls and sees Gina as a role model of the weighing room.’ I’d love to in time to do what Gina is doing that would be great so to actually beat her in a finish is a big honor.’

The horse pulled up in his last two starts pointing seems to have relished the difference in the courses and going, the form book not really showing what this horse could be about. One to note on the better ground.

Division two saw another close finish for the afternoon. Again involved the jockey from the Subaru restricted Alex Ferguson. 

Honourable Henry ridden by Ferguson and trained by Nicholas Wright was neck and neck with Mister Serious over the last, Honourable Henry this time getting the full spoils of the race with the jockey riding a double for the afternoon. 

‘I have had to really ride him hard to get him to come up the hill but he is a nice horse.’ Alex who like Gina Andrews has a few rides over the festival certainly has prepared himself for close, uphill finishes as has two winners have had to be hard ridden to gain their places.

                 Honourable Henry beating Mister serious in DivII of the maiden open.

As the sun started to set below the Norfolk skyline, many punters started for home. With one more race to run a Suffolk Hunt members and subscriber’s race the race reflected the amount of followers that were left to watch it.

Four runners took the tapes, 50% of the runners owned and trained by the Turner family, Ed Turner the trainer riding Franks a million. 

Kriss William

But it was Rupert Stearn on the other Kriss William who came up trumps as by two out only two were left running, the other being Floreat who was beaten three quarters of a length by the Turner horse.

 Only in action two weeks back at Horseheath the ten year old who was then beaten five lengths by Done a Runner seemed to thrive on the tricky track and take advantage of the lack luster field. The second placed horse showing in previous runs this season a lack of staying power that Ampton needs.

Kriss William ridden by Rupert Stearn

A good win for the Turners, but Kriss William still needs to show more I feel to impress in better company.

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MID SURREY FARMERS GODSTONE MEETING 6TH MARCH 2016

Riders of the Mid Surrey Farmers Hunt

The second South East meeting for the season, and the Godstone point to point courses first of the year.

Charing had the pleasure the first race meeting of the area, were only 20 or the 58 horses declared completed the full course. 

Godstone, with its sweeping climbs and turns, offered its entrants the going of soft.

To walk the course again one had to think. How many would actually get round? But the horses proved that most went through the soft going fairly well.

The meeting had huge ups and down all afternoon, but a good attendance showed that the course was popular with its public.

After an amuse bouche of Pony racing, the six race card began with a members conditions race, sponsored by a new major sponsor for the pointing circuit Volvo.

Six runners went to post. David Maxwell’s Minerfortyniner, going off as one of the fancied entrants due to the seven year olds course wins last season in maidens and restricted. 

With David’s horses running in fine form over the past weeks it was no surprise to see the gelding  romp home in front by a distance from in second Excitable Island ridden by the inform novice rider Jack Andrews.

‘I rode him twice last season,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘He is a very nice horse, and I was aware in my mind with this course if you’re on a good horse you kick on at the open ditch, I knew I had plenty under me so let him run.’ 

The horse in the winners’ enclosure seeming a little uncomfortable after the jockey got off him. ‘ that’s just him really, he gets a little wound up after the races, but he is not that bad at home, it’s just the way he is.’

David who has had some nice winners at the start of the season, and none more so than his winner at Fontwell a week earlier, Mendip express who goes to the foxhunters at Cheltenham in ten days time. ‘He is A1 at present, and will be a very nice ride around there, so I’m looking forward to it.’ David seemed very positive, not only about his ride, but also the chance of great media coverage of the race due to the fact Victoria Pendleton could line up. ‘I really hope she gets there, it’s been great for the sport this season, and with now the introduction of Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s presence as an owner, the sport looks healthy.

Minerfortyniner, David Maxwell

The second race for veterans and novice riders certainly got the racegoers on their toes in the final stages. Izzie Marshals mount Cronkies Lad went to post as favourite due to the fact of the ten year olds win in a ladies open at Charing in February. 

But on the day could not keep up with the staying power of the three horses that took the field on for most of the course. Hunters Lodge, Mazuri Cowboy and Broughtons Bandit,who had the field well stretched by about three out.It was the for mentioned two up front Hunters Lodge, Mazuri Cowboy, who came away to attack the line together, so much so the judge could not split them.

Mazuri Cowboy over the last in front. Hunters lodge tucked behind in third

Jennifer Harbison on Mazuri Cowboy and Gareth Henderson on the Kent Grand national winner Hunters lodge, both off the point to point rating of about 90 flew over the final two. Jennifer on her horse landing over the last just in front. ‘It’s the first time I have ridden the horse, and we went a very good pace.’ Gareth mentioning that he had no choice really other than to go with it. ‘ we hit the front, and he is the sort that when he does get his head in front he thinks he has done enough, which allowed the rest to come back at me.’ mentioned the rider of number 12.

Mazuri Cowboy

                                                                  Hunters Lodge

‘My horse has really stayed on well,’ mentioned Hunter Lodge’s jockey the popular Gareth Henderson. ‘I managed to get up Phil York’s inner (jockey of third placed horse Broughtons Bandit) which isn’t an easy thing to do, but my fella really try's for you, and it’s great we have another win for him for everyone involved.’

The third race the mixed open, sponsored by Investec, who are popular contributors the racing game, seven runners went to post. The favourite being the David Maxwell’s mount of Many Stars.

David Maxwell receives his prize on the investec zebra

Little is known about the eight year old by Oscar, other to say that he is coming out of a yard that seems to of hit form.

Again the race seemed close with a handful sweeping around the bend to meet the rising ground of the Surrey course, local horse and Veteran runner 13 year old Mr Bennett and from Sussex, Wor Rom from the Grissell yard challenging the winner.

Many Stars

The eight year old winner is surly one to be noted on his next outing and with the experience of Maxwell in the plate would look a sure favourite to continue his six year old form.

A sad day for Peter Bull as soon after the line Mr Bennett in third pulled up and needed urgent medical attention, a horse that the owner, trainer has put and lot of work into over the past season.

The restricted was a race that had seen many of its runners out at the beginning of the season.

Miss Alice Jones, Nimbus Lad all horses that have been around the tracks the past few months, but it was Zuccotti Park an ex Irish pointer and placed in restricted races last season who made up for an unlucky fall last time out at Charing. 

The eight year old by Flemensfirth seemed to lap up the soft ground on offer, that linking with a shorter distance of two and a half miles seemed to motor away from his rivals at two out, to beat maiden winner Letskeepitsimple by eleven lengths. 

‘I was never happy with him at Charing,’ mentioned Dale Peters his jockey.’ He was never going as well as he was today, the ground there was so tiring, but he got through it well today, he really needs three miles to be fair as there was a lot in the tank today.’ 

A horse with speed and stamina is a rare find and would be a horse to take serious note of on good jumping ground. ‘ the owners would like to take him hunter chasing, but I’m not too sure, he is know qualified for the Subaru Final at Stratford, so we will have to see if he takes his chances, he’d be nice to leave for next year really, a nice open horse.’

owner, trainer and jockey Zucotti Park

Dale Peters who trains and prepares horses for yards as well as rides, has nine horses under his charge at present. ‘Dad trained so I took over from him really, but it’s going well at the moment, I have some nice horses and owners.’ And one to take note of from the yard? ‘This horse Zuccotti Park, and one my dad owns Mr Merk who I like a lot and might run in a maiden soon.’ So two horses to place in the note book there.

Zucotti Park

The Open maiden saw six to post, with only two finishing. 

From around three out maiden horse Margot Fontane ridden by Peter Bull and the well fancied nick Pearce's charge of Clondaw Nell were left on their own.

Peters Bull's Margot Fontane

Over the last it was the maiden though who had the upper hand and went on from Clondaw Nell who’s jumping wasn’t that great early on under the talented Sam Davies Thomas.

‘I’m really plesently surprised and delighted.’ Mentioned the jockey, trainer and breeder of the six year old mare by Tobugg, who earlier in the day lost his veteran horse Mr Bennett in the mixed open.

 ‘It’s been a hard day, but this little mare has made it a little more bearable.’ The admiration for the local trainer/rider well in evidence as throughout pats on the back and hugs were offered by all. ‘The plan was to let her run and find herself really, she was working so well at home, but you just never know until you bring them to the races. She was taking me forwards the whole time and I never really asked her a question which was what I wanted, I didn’t look what I was up against all I wanted her to do was get some experience, she is such an honest mare, we hunt, cross country everything really, she is just a nice little mare. I suppose we will have to go home and think what next know, but she’ll have a bit of a break, and then go on.’

 And rightly so as this small built mare has beaten a horse well that has decent form.

Owner, trainer, breeder and jockey Peter bull receives his prize.

Peter bull speaking affectionately about his veteran Mr Bennett. ‘It was very very sad, he has been with us in a field for a long time, he came with a bit of an attitude and we calmed him down, he was enjoying life. I would have loved to have had him as a young horse as he had serious ability, but we must look forward, and this little mare can help with that.’ 

One to watch I feel Margot Fontane.

Lord Multiflex, Ukranian Star, Counting House

The last race of the day, a South East Hunts club member’s race saw only four runners to post. 

The fancied runner being Lord Multifix who finished behind Hunters Lodge in the Kent Grand National who was involved in the dead heat earlier in the day. 

But it was the top weight Counting House, trained by Richard Gurney and ridden by Anna Sansom who beat the fancied Lord Multi fix by three lengths. 

‘I thought the ground was a bit soft to start with, but he’s stayed on it well and jumped well, which has won him the race really.’ The jockey in her first ride of the season only just getting her licence back after being sidelined with an ankle injury which prevented her getting granted a riders permit. ‘He is a nice horse, we had him last season, he was placed in a couple of opens, won a conditions race and this was his first outing this year.’

Anna Sansom

At thirteen, the chestnut gelding by Kings Best would need some placing for a repeat performance, maybe watching the form of the second placed horse would show where the winner sits in the grand plan of the season.

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LARKHILL DRAMA WITH THE NEW FOREST HOUNDS POINT TO POINT

SATURDAY AT HORSEHEATH WITH THE THURLOW

With a bracing wind blowing across the hills of Horseheath Point to point course, a venue with excellent viewing and facilities, a fair crowd came out in support of a seven race card for the Thurlow Hunt Point to Point. 

Six races were billed but the last race an Open maiden just crossed the safety factor line of eighteen runners, and split into two divisions. So, a bonus race to those who gave up their Saturday trip to the shopping malls for the day.

The first race, a club members event, saw a quality eleven go to post with horses such as the Shelia Crow trained Abbeyview a horse well placed last season after having a rocky start.

  Green Winter, a winner at Larkhill, placed at Barbury and a winner last season in a Hunter Chase. And from the David Kemp yard Brave Encounter, a winner here at Horseheath last time out.

Green Winter with Abbeyview

Shelia Crows charge was sent to post 7/2 fav, but it was the John Bryan charge Green Winter who claimed the race. 

Sam Davies Thomas took the field on from the start, but it was not until three out that he was joined by the fancied runners of Abbeyview and Green Winter. It was then over the last the winner got busy, with Jockey Zach Baker, younger brother to flat jockey George Baker bringing the eight year old chestnut gelding home up the straight.

The young jockey with a fair book of rides for the day mentioned ‘This was perfect ground for him today, he deserved to win. The last race was a good contest, so coming here we are happy he has come home in front.’

Abbeyview having a better start to his 2016 campaign than previous seasons tends to come into himself with a few runs under the belt. Finishing second to Green Winter would warrant this horse to be well fancied next time out.

Green Winter(inside) Abbeyview (outside)

The second race was for novice riders, and anything that the younger sibling of the Andrews clan Jack, is a board would have to be taken seriously.

And this was the case with the ten year old Done a Runner, already a winner in a novice rider’s event at Higham, and a horse that looks very versatile at home on staying and galloping tracks, proving himself as with the placed horses Kriss William and Curraigflemens coming over the last together, he pulled away up the straight to win the contest by five lengths. 

Already with a Point to Point rating of 100 the son of Alderbrook would be sure to be put up a few more bars on the fence.

Jack Andrews on Done a Runner

‘The horse went really well for me, jumped well and I was very confident. It was nice to get a winner at this meeting again, last year Gina, Bridgette and I rode a winner here which was fantastic, so it was nice to maintain my hold on the Novice rider’s championship.’

Done a Runner

Again Victoria Pendleton continued her education of the racecourse with the Alan Hill trained Supreme Danehill.

 Finishing unplaced, she got her mount home, ready for another Hunter Chase run on Pacha Du Polder at Wincanton mid week, her hopeful ride in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham.

Paige Fuller on Goodnight Vienna

With Hunter chases in mind, it was Paige Fuller the leading Hunter chase rider at present with two winners under her belt, that bought home Goodnight Vienna by six lengths from Irish Rebel in the Ladies open.

Seven runners went to post, the favourite, It was me a winner of four events at the course falling at the ninth in mid contention. 

it was me departs at the ninth fence

This left Fuller and her ten year old mount to claim the race, and well deserved as last time out at the course he was tuned over up the straight by Gina Andrews aboard Berties Dream.

 ‘This is such a nice horse to ride,’ mentioned Paige. ‘He jumped so well, gaining lengths in the air, and I was surprised he took me to the front, he just never stopped galloping.’

This was the jockeys fifth win of the season, two of them being on professional courses Hunter chasing.

Goodnight Vienna

The Men’s open was a superb quality race.

 All horses in the field with possibly thirty wins in Point to points between them. But it was the quality eight year old Mr Mercurial under the steerage of Paddy Gerety who got up on the line to beat the unbeaten Glint of Steel who, at post having nine successes from nine starts in an average time of the day of 6m 15 secs.

Paddy Gerety  receives his prize

Trained by Shelia Crow this Cheltenham Foxhunter contender, who won the same race last season took his inaugural 2016 show well. ‘The ground here is just right for him,’ mentioned Gerety.’ The aim would be if it is good ground at the festival he will take his chances, at the price of 50-1 he would possible worth a small bet.’ The son of Westerner certainly beat no slouches in the race, and would be well worth a look in a few weeks time.

Mr Mercurial

Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews

The Restricted race, eight went to the tapes. Again a fair quality to the race with horses such a Lule Kyle who finished just behind the quality mare Galros Lady at Ampton and the eventual winner from the Andrews/Ellis combination Total Compliance, a winner here at the track last time out beating Wivannie. 

 Jockey Gina Andrews mentioned.' Finally he's got it, he started as quite a green horse at home, but seems to be improving each time he comes to the races. He has been really well at home and would possibly be a nice ladies open horse in time.’ 

Gina Andrews on Total Compliance

It would be interesting to see how far up the bar this seven year old by Milan can go if continues to improve the way he has been going. But be sure he will have every help from the quality guiding by the husband and wife, trainer and jockey partnership, one to watch.

Gina who know goes one above contender Clare Hart in the Ladies jockeys rankings mentioned how well her season is going.

' I'm in front today, but Clare will probably ride some winners tomorrow.'

Total Compliance

The final race of the day, an open maiden saw the race go one over the safety factor of eighteen. Two divisions in that case were put out to the course. 

Trainer Gerald Bailey greets Alex Vaughan-Jones on Ignite a Light

Nine runners for division one saw Alex Vaughan-Jones bring the Gerald Bailey trained

Ignite a Light home by half a length from the placed horse here last time out Pettistree. 

The jockey mentioned that the horse who was bought at the Doncaster sales suited the left handed courses better than his previous  pulled up outing on a right handed track, 'with the better ground also it all suited him well here today. We had him at home until November doing a bit of show jumping and cross country, but he is a horse that just wants to get on with it, so he is probably not the easiest to train, he would have some improvement to him for sure, he will possibly want to come back here at Easter, but we’ll see how he come out of this race.’

Ignite a Light with Larger Thn Life

Division two of the open maiden saw ten runners to post. 

Bengo who finished in front of Pettistree, both behind the winner that day Pedro King here last time out was sent on the form correctly off at 11/8 fav.

Bengo again showed he had a small advantage over that day winning the race by half a length from Againn Dul Aghaidh the third horse home Ballalough beaten a neck. 

Bengo with third placed horse Ballalough

Owned, trained and ridden by a member of the Ferguson family and registered with the Thurlow the six year old Irish bred horse seem like the winner of the first division to be improving. 

Jockey Alex Ferguson said ‘ he finished second here last time out, if possibly we had this type of ground that day he might of won,to easy to say know but he is the type that just keeps plugging away, but we got there today.’ Alex who has been riding under rules as well as points is certainly getting the experience which can only help maiden horses of this calibre.

Alex Ferguson on Bengo

Both divisions incidentally were run at 6 min 25 secs, which goes to show the winners have very little between them. And it would be interesting to see what paths they follow next.

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