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 25^th 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.

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.’ 

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.

More Blogs and images throughout the point to point season can be see at.

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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.

Milly Acres  with T. Chatfeild-Roberts 

         

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, led in by Ed Turner,Ridden by Rose Turner

                                                                           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.

 

  Viking Ridge, Ridden by Miss S. Klug

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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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BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY AT HACKWOOD PARK

With a multitude of point to point meetings on during the Easter Bank Holiday, Hackwood Park hosted the Vine and Craven point to Point.

A 9.30 inspection after the arrival and departure of Storm Katie during the night, the course was deemed fit to race.

The going classed as soft, but made for tacky,holding ground for the handful of competitors during the afternoon. Horses finish very tired as races made to start at a good pace, but staying power was certainly needed towards the end of the race.

Guy Levinson on Premier Portrait

The first race, a countryside alliance member’s race saw six to post. Plenty of impressive entrants that have shown their worth throughout the season. Shantou Breeze, Carrigkerry and the eventual winner Premier Portrait, who showed impressive style by winning with lengths to spare.

Young Jockey Guy Levinson, who still at school has had now five consistent wins out of the nine year old by Portrait Gallery showed that with each win he becomes more confident in the saddle.

 ‘He’s been a terrific start for me and the family. I’m so lucky to be on board, we got a bit tight for room around the bend, but he went through the ground well and took me up the towards the line.’ The young jockey who comes across as a serious, professional person when he describes what he has done,

’ we have another nice horse at home also that will go very well, so all is looking good at the present.’

Premier portrait beats Terra Bleu and Shantou Breeze

The horse again at the top of proceedings in the case for leading horse of the season may have to step up in competition to raise his pointing rating from that of just 100, but surly has done nothing wrong so far, nor his jockey to impress the pointing followers.

Premier Portrait

The second race of the day, and the furthest was the 3m 3f ladies open. Three times around the Hackwood Park left handed track took five runners in a race that need staying power.

And that was the case for the 2011 Hennessy Gold cup winner Carruthers, now at thirteen years of age outstayed his challengers to romp home by a distance. 

Carruthers ridden by Laura Bradstock

This firm family favourite for the Bradstock/Oaksey family seemed to still love the game and bring home young Laura Bradstock granddaughter of the late Lord Oaksey for her first ever winner.

 ‘That was fantastic,’ mentioned the emotional and exuberant young jockey. ‘He jumped so well for me and went through the ground so well. We wanted to bring him here for this longer distance race that would suit him rather than any other meeting today, but I’m so glad it’s paid off.’ 

The horse now would have to be looked at to find more staying long distance races, a hunter chase at Cheltenham not out of the question. But this veteran of the field still looks like he has what it takes, but like his racing days form still looks like one you would have to be cautious of as he dips in and out of good form as it suits.

Carruthers

But that would not matter to the firm member of the Bradstock family, who like them the Hackwood Park followers reveled in his victory.

Mum Sarah Bradstock proud of daughter and horse

Unlike the longer distance ladies open, the men’s equivalent was over the shorter distance of        2m 4 f.

Six going to post, and another veteran fourteen year old Working Title Owned by Paul Drinkwater, Trained by Samuel Drinkwater and ridden by John Drinkwater romped home by a distance from second placed local horse Moscow Blaze.

Working Title

This veteran whose form of late has not been great since his win a Weybridge in December seemed to relish the course and going and from three out took on and suppressed his opponents who had no answer to the winners aggressive staying power.

 ‘ We are very please for him, he went through the ground well and jumped well also, and with the ground on the turn slightly at the moment it’s probably the best sort of going for him. He wouldn’t want it much firmer, so we’ll have to see where he goes next.’ Mentions the jockey whose form himself has not quite picked up in comparison to the season before. ‘It’s been a bit quite for me for sure, but now we can get the better ground, hopefully things will start to pick up.’

The Drinkwaters and Working Title

Again like the winner of the ladies open. This winner could step up in class, but with his form in and out may need to be watched, but don’t be surprised if coming out of this race we will see this son of Oscar turning out in quick time to grab another race victory.

Working Title and John Drinkwater

The open maiden saw only four take to the course, two of which only showing any true form as of yet. Leading Novice rider Jack Andrews mount Quick Oats. And the mount of Guy Disney Dan’s wee man.

Dans Wee Man Guy Disney

It was Guy Disney that took the race by the scruff of the neck from the off to take the seven year old by Kayaf Tara into a commanding lead. This aggressive tactic certainly paid off as the Sarah Stafford charge picked off his opponents one by one to be the only horse to make it past the finish line. 

‘We knew he’d stay, so that was not a surprise, and he didn’t seem to mind the going and he loves the course.’ Mentioned the ex Light Dragoons officer who can claim for himself a job well done, after getting his riding licence back after a injury in the field in Afghanistan left him with a prosthetic leg. This war veteran who already has been to the North Pole and back with Prince Harry.

Guy Disney wins the Open Maiden on Dans Wee Man

The horse trotting over the finish line failed to make the winner enclosure due to the fact of an injury which pulled him up a bit lame,

’ he went through one about three out which I think has made him a bit uneven, he's okay but we’ll take him home look after him and the see what’s next, but no immediate plans at present.’ 

More like if the ground turns on the firmer side we may not see this one back till next season and at only seven he has plenty of pointing ahead of him, but with four placed trips and a winners trip to the unsaddling enclosure so far this season this one s a serious contender on the softer ground next season.

The conditions race, yet another small sized field saw six run. The majority of runners with at least one trip to the winner’s enclosure so far this season, saw a good contest.

It was a winner from Godstone a few weeks back Minerfortyniner, owned and ridden by the experienced David Maxwell who again saw off the rest in spectacular fashion, beating the Tracey Bailey trained, the gunner Brady by a distance.

The jockey was very complementary about this horse at Godstone, and again feels this is a very nice horse. At only seven years old this consistent gelding looks to be promising material, and I’m sure with the experience behind him will be placed to maximize his potential, possibly the trickiest race he has had yet, the horse by Catcher in the rye may have turned heads in the ease he seemed to take his win.

Minerfortyniner, ridden and owned by David Maxwell winner of the conditions race.

The last race of the day confined to fillies and mares saw only four runners go to post.

This being so, the race saw the closest scrap for a finish of the day. 

Jack Andrews on board Jump to the Beat held off the challenge from David Sansom on Sun Lady from the last to complete a double for the Easter Weekend for the leading novice rider. 

Jack Andrews on Jump to the beat (left) Sun Lady, David Sansom (right)

‘It’s the first time I have sat on her today.’ Mentioned Andrews who before the Easter break has had a little lean spell from the winner’s enclosure. ‘She is a very nice sort, Clare (Hobson the trainer) said she would stay, but she also showed a little turn of foot as the other horse challenged. It’s a ride I’d like to keep.’

Jack Andrews on Jump to the beat, winner of the confined fillies and mare race

At only six the filly by Beat All,showed maybe she would be a type that would collect a few more wins in the back stages of the season, and one for the note books I think. 

And with the challenge for the novice riders title Jack would surely want to be getting this one home again to keep of the rest of the baying novices behind him. As Jack mentioned there was still a lot of the season to go so nothing is done and dusted yet.

Okay, not a great deal of runners for the afternoon. But quality none the less. Big story lines in Carruthers and Guy Disney’s win on Dans Wee Man. And notable horses in the last winner Jump to the Beat and Minerfortyniner. Not bad for a small racecourse in Hampshire with a lot of heart, coloured race cards and what I cold see fantastic car park picnics............

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