Fakenham for the west Norfolk hunt point to point

West Norfolk Hunt Point to Point

A point to point with a difference, held on a professional racecourse the West Norfolk Point to Point staged six quality races in glorious early spring sunshine.

A good crowd came to watch the best of the local pointing talent. The hunt and Point to pointing offered great faculties at Fakenham Racecourse.

The first race for veteran and novice riders. Ten runners went to post with horses that have been good campaigners throughout the season.

Susquehanna River trained by Nicholas Wright ridden by Phil Bullard who on his first ever winning ride mentioned,’ It’s such a relive to get off the mark, I have has a couple of close seconds this year, and to do it here as a lot of my family are from Norfolk is great.’

Susquehanna River, Phil Bullard

The nine year old by Indian River, formally from the Nigel Twiston Davies’s yard, had been unlucky in his seasons campaign, coming close on a few occasions, and tried to throw away his chance on a couple of Occasions. Bullard mentioning at one stage he thought he was going to run out. But stuck to the task well to beat good horses such as the Jack Andrews mount Cambonnais and third place horse Kilbeg Opera.

The horse ridden very handy throughout the race, bought the Oxford university first year student home in fine style, the first of many he hopes. 

Moving on from the novice ride came the winner of the next. 

The Admiral Benbow ridden by Dicky Collinson. A rider who this season has had tremendous success with a number of high quality pointers.

The Point to Point owners and riders association members’ conditions race saw the eleven year old

 Out of the yard of Andrew Pennock come out from his run at High Easter eight days back in fine style. Third on that day, the horse looked very fresh as he beat Love Manhattan and Kriss William.

 ‘I had to push him along a bit,’ mentioned Collinson. ‘But he is a tough sort, Andrew (Pennock) has always liked him, he’s been unlucky on a few occasions so it’s good to win on him now.’

Admiral Benbow ridden by Dicky Collinson

The Collinson-Pennock combination made it quick double as Counting stars duly won the next race, The Subaru Restricted beating Royal Benefit in fine style. 

Counting stars, R. Collinson

Again a quick turnaround for the Andrew Pennock charge, running third to Ignite the light at High Easter the previous weekend.

Counting Stars, like The Admiral Benbow looked a picture of health in the enclosures, which shows the trainer has his horse well at present.

‘This is such a class horse,’ mentioned Dicky Collinson.’ Everything about him just oozes quality; sitting on him I though he was the best horse in the Pennock yard, he is such a thrill to ride.’

A horse that needs a sympathetic ride has been unlucky not have had more wins under his seven year old belt, Collinson accepting his part in that mention that a less aggressive ride would of resulted in a different outcome in some of his defeats. 

But at seven the bay gelding by Morozov is one to watch for in seasons to come.

Counting Stars winning the Subaru Restricted at Fakenham

The  dual crusaders may have though a quick treble was on the card as in the Men’s open the impressive Galros Lady went to post with only four others to beat.

Galros Lady

The six year old mare with five wins under her belt this season stepped up in class to open races and looked in trouble from a long way out. Collinson having to set about her coming past the stands to stay in contention. ‘I thought when I had to get after her I was in trouble to be fair.’ The mare finishing second to a horse that is no slouch himself. 

Master Workman out of the David Kemp Yard and ridden by Sam Davies-Thomas pulled away from the remaining runners before the last to take the race in fine style. ‘I always though we could have the beating of Galros,’ mentioned the jockey who with the win went joint second in the jockeys championship. 

Master Workman,   Sam Davies-Thomas

Master Workman giving the second placed Galros lady a stone in weight seems to have found his form as the season progressed, only running eight days back at High Easter when second to Decade Player a horse Davies-Thomas thinks highly of.

The trainer David Kemp as with Andrew Pennock, knows how to get racehorses fit and happy, and goes to show the amount of top quality amateur trainers we have throughout the country. 

‘Both David and Andrew would have a very similar type of training ethos,’ mentioned Sam.

Master Workman,  winning the Men's Open

Collinson on the second placed Galros lady thought she felt very lack luster in her race, and had a hard enough season so far. 

She didn’t really handle the going as well as she had been doing in previous races and looks like we may have seen the last of this quality six year old for the season.

The ladies open again a small field of only three went to post. Caulkin hoping to make it four wins at Fakenham was beaten by the ten year old Bay to go, ridden by Louise Turner and trained by Laura Horsfall. 

The dual Hunter chase winner seemed to approve of the going around the sharp left handed tack and won the race with ease from his challengers. Vulcan Surprise in second and Caulkin in third. ‘ I’ve struggled a bit to hold him  today, we agreed on going a steady pace, but he was just too strong, by the final lap I’ve just said to him to go on and he has done the rest. He’s an old pro really and really done it well.’

All three horses in the race seemed to be nice types and would not disgrace any winner’s enclosure so it was made all the sweeter for the Moscow Society gelding to come home in such good fashion, Louise mentioned that was he third win of the season, and hopes to get a few more before the seasons out.

Bay to go, ridden by Louise Turner winner of the Ladies Open

 On the day of her third win of the season, Dicky Collinson was striving to get his third win of the day. 

Riding Mister Serious a seven year old by Kalanisi who has had a string of second placed runs throughout the season, being the bridesmaid for his maiden race enough times,with a positive ride from the jockey in form took his maiden race in fine style beating John Ibbots Cresta Run in second and Dale Peters Max O in third.

Mister Serious, Dicky Collinson on his way for his third winner of the day

The jockey mentioned that in the early part of the season the horse never seemed to be going,today something clicked and he seemed to take his race never moving out of first gear. ‘

If he can win like that in his maiden on soft ground, his restricted and intermediate in better ground should be no problem.’ Both Jockey and trainer after racing seemed in deep conversation regarding the form of the horse, and rest assures a careful and constructed plan for his progression will be planned.

Mister Serious, Dicky Collinson

One to watch and see I feel, Dicky was sure to tell me that the horse has a lot of maturing to do at home as well as on the course. If he remains in the Pennock stable for next season, he would maybe turn out to be a strong contender.

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The Kimblewick hunt point to point Kingston Blount 16-4-16

Kimblewick hunt

With rain giving the Oxfordshire countryside a good dowsing the day before, Kingston Blount point to point went ahead.

The start of the meeting the clouds threatened, only to give way to bright sunshine for the last three races.

The ground good to soft/soft in places, gave plenty of debate with owners and trainers, run the horses or not? A lot of course walking was completed.

Seven races on the card that included the four mile feature race,the Southern national. Local Trainer Alan Hill hoping to take the spoils of the race home with him, just up the road.

The first race was a member race. Six runners to post, Elizabeth Brown’s charge Moorland Sunset set off as the 5/4 favourite.

Moorland Sunset  in front

The thirteen year old, who won at Siddington in a same type of race in March, would not have wanted the ground any softer, but pulled away from Alan Hills Ravethebrave by two lengths up the straight. 

The other runners a distance back with another Alan Hill charge back in third, made

Jockey Nick Phillips delighted with the win, with only five completed rides around this season; all five of these have been in the winner’s enclosure, so the strike rate is high.

Not a bad sort of race, the horse could be one to note in the final throws of the season.

Moorland Sunset in front up the run in from Jo Hill on Ravethebrave

Gift of Dgab trained and ridden by Laura Thomas. Second in her hunts members’ race in March, beaten by the winner of the first Moorland Sunset,  won the  conditions race in fine form. 

‘ I blame my riding in the members race last time out, but Nick (Phillips) was on a very nice horse, I was glad to see him win in the first as it gave me hope on the form of mine.’

The winning jockey of the first very complementary about this winner.

The jockey mentioned the twelve year old who before this season had a few years off with a pulled tendon said, ‘He pulled me along a bit in his first run, and today  he was bit keen, so we really wanted to make the running, so did some others so I had to sit in behind, and he settled nicely.’

Gift of Dgab (farside) Rua Nua (nearside)

The horse running over his ideal trip of two mile five furlongs, once asked, pulled away from the field very well and had the race mapped out for him by the trainer for the past few months.

Next for this front runner, who cost very little at the sales. ‘ Let’s see how the legs are in the morning and we go from there, we hope for good to soft ground for a bit longer to help with them, but he can easily take the good ground .’

One to watch for next time out, and if you see him out in front, he stays well and would be well worth a look.

Another short distance race, this time for the four to seven year old maidens. And another trainer, rider combination. Dale Peters on board the five year old Why Lie took the first race in his career, after visiting the second and third spot on his previous two runs.

 ‘This is a very nice horse,’ mentioned Peters. ‘Not the easiest to train or ride but he has plenty of talent.’ The five year old by Zagreb wanted to go flat out from the start to finish, but was controlled well by the jockey who mentioned he seemed to have plenty left at the finish, and must be a horse that would need underlining in the form books.

Why Lie, Dale Peters

The next race was for the novice riders, and again the young Gus Levinson on board his multi winning horse Premier Portrait went to post with four others to try to make it four in a row for the nine year old racehorse.

All didn’t seem to go the way for the young jockey who mentioned he thought his horse was little more switched off from his other runs, and from three out seemed happy to sit in behind the rest of the field,having to shake up his mount to take the race by only a length.

‘I wasn’t that concerned on the run in and I thought he’d get there, but I’m  delighted to get another winner, especially as there is possibly only one more run in him this season.’

Premier Portrait, Gus Levinson

The feature race was the next, the four mile Southern National.

Only three runners to post, one of them the Alan hill trained, Joe Hill ridden Supreme Danehill, who showed from three out his dominance beating Clare Hart on Vincitore.

Alan Hill, Joe Hill and  Supreme Danehill

The eight year old took on most for the running the whole way round of the four miles, and with an excellent show of jumping seemed to grind the rest of the field into submission.

Supreme Danehill

‘He jumped very well, and we knew he’d like the ground and distance so we were very optimistic.’ Mentioned the jockey, who doesn’t do too much with the horse at home, but Victoria Pendleton has the charge. 

A yard that is going very well at present,’ It’s been a good season but hard one, the lad’s at home have been putting in a lot of hours. I was injured, and then our novice rider was injured so that caused a lot of extra horses to ride. But we have got through it and getting our rewards now, so it’s all good really.’

Supreme Danehill, J. Hill

The open maiden being the penultimate race, saw trainer Laura Thomas take a brace of winner’s home with her for the day.

This time stable jockey Johnny Bailey on board urban storm blew away the rest of the field to take the run in home unchallenged. Phil York on Gerjoeycasey trying to challenge coming around the home turn, finishing a long way back in second.

The ground now becoming testing, seemed to suit this six year old By Urban Ocean, were the rest struggled through the tacky soft ground. 

urban storm

‘He hasn’t got a great deal of speed but he has done that well,’ mentioned Bailey, who was very complimentary about the trainer. ‘This horse had ulcers, but didn’t give that sort impression that anything was wrong. But Laura investigated a lot with this fella and we found out he did have them, sorted him out and bought him on again. She can really train well, and I’m please she has had a double today.’

The combination in their first season, together, both finding their way, but a winner like this one will go a long way in cementing the relationship.

‘On his jumping this fella is ready to go up a grade; we know he can stay now, so we will have to see what next for him.’

But rest assured this trainer with a positive and professional attitude will place the horse well, and is bound to take a trip to the winner’s enclosure again soon.

urban storm, J. Bailey

The final race of the day with sixteen horses entered, only one declared leaving Sam Davies-Thomas to walk over for his fourteenth winner of the season, one behind second placed jockey in the championship Will Easterby. Will Biddick in a league of his own in front.

Sam Davies-Thomas

‘The talented young jockey who is very busy riding at present has a good stable head on his shoulders and is positive on what he is doing,’ I have no injuries so that’s good and it’s all going well, a bit disappointed last weekend as a lot of my fancied rides didn’t run to plan, but that’s racing and i have to look forward.’ 

The jockey who has taken seven years to get to the stage where he would be one of the top riders on the circuit is still enthusiastic about each weekend,’ I can’t wait for the declarations to come out on Monday’s and see where I’m off to next, I just love it.’

Mr Raj, walked over for the Restricted

The horse that Sam had to hack canter passed the post, trained by Thomas Gallagher Mr Raj took his second win of the career. The trainer mentioning that a win was a win, and the horse is still fresh to run again soon. 

Davies-Thomas mentioning’ the trainer has had real bad luck this season, losing a few horses, so it’s good he gets a winner and a fresh,undamaged horse at the end.’

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EIGHT CARD BUMPER AT FONTWELL.

A Deluge of rain hit the southern part of the UK before the start of an eight race card at Fontwell. Standing water clearly in evidence as race by race horses were being scratched due to the ‘aquatic’ going.

Newbury, with a quality flat two day meet had already been abandoned, leaving the Sussex course to fend for itself through the rain.

The going started off at good to soft, soft in places which was commendable to the ground staff at Fontwell, but by the third race and the rain falling very heavily the going soon changed to heavy. Jockeys coming in from the races mentioning very soft/heavy ground but sloppy so horses were getting through it.

The first race a two mile one furlong handicap hurdle, seven went to post. Colin Tizzard sending Sartorial Elegance, a runner twice here in recent months. Both times in the winners enclosure off at favourite.

 Sartorial Elegance,Red Devil Star

But it was local trainer Suzy Smith who saddled Red Devil Star to take the race,beating the favourite four lengths back in third.

Michael Nolan the jockey mentioned how he felt the horse to be a little easier to ride this time out from his run last time out at Chepstow. ‘He felt not easy at all in behind at Chepstow, but I have tried to pop out on him today and he felt at little easier.’

Red Devil Star, Micheal Nolan

The jockey out of the stable of Phillip Hobbs seems to be getting his slice of the winners at present said,

’ things are hard when your injured and have to get things starting from scratch again, but at the moment things are going my way which is good.’

Trainer Suzy Smith said ‘a lot of people tell me that Beneficial sired horses like to better ground, but this horse is the exception, and loves this wet sloppy type of going.’

Four runners in the next, a three mile one furlong novices chase. Two finished the course as the rain lashed down.

Paul Nichols still chasing the leading trainers crown and having a fantastic week prize fund wise, sending 11/4 shot Saint Rogue to post to beat the only other finisher Restless Rebel by twenty seven lengths.

The ten year old pulled up in his last run at Doncaster, was left well out in front with plenty left as the Nicky Henderson horse Lessons in Milan un- shipped Peter Carberry four out when well out in front.

                                                             Saint Rogue, Conor O'Farrell

The Nichols team with a good weekend on the northern tracks seem to be pressing all the right buttons at present and slowly closed the gap on the Mullins team, regaining the lead in the leading trainers championship,with the winner of the Scottish National.

The winning horse today though may have a summer jumps campaign ahead of him to keep him fresh for next jumps season.

Paul Nichols was also successful in the next, a two mile five furlong handicap hurdle.

Red Hanrahan, also ridden by Connor O’Farrell came home to beat the Suzy Smith trained favourite Clondaw Cian by seven lengths.

Leith Hill, Red Hanrahan

The five year old by Yeats, not the easiest of rides,’ he was hanging with me the whole way, but he won it well really, despite being a hard ride.’ Mentioned O’Farrell ‘he has gone through the ground well, but I have had to hold his hand a bit with the jumping, telling him to come up. If I hadn’t he would of possible got himself wrong into a few.’ 

The horse up the run in, hung right to the stand side running rail. The jockey doing his best just to keep him going forward, but the jockey always in control, and certainly earning his fee.

Red Hanrahan,Connor O’Farrell

Top Fontwell jockey Tom Cannon had the winner of the next, a two mile five furlong handicap chase.

Don’t do Mondays, trained by David Bridgewater, ridden out to take the race thirteen lengths in front of Howlongisafoot bidding to become a Paul Nichols three timer.

The nine year old, last time out at Fontwell in November when third. Stayed on well from the second last to take his race, but jockey Tom Cannon said ‘they have given me a nice chance to get him into the race, the trainer allowing me to get on with it. 

It helps when the trainer used to ride because he understands a little more of what goes on in the race.’

Don’t do Mondays, Tom Cannon

Cannon in his fourth season as top jockey at the Sussex course mentioned this year it hasn’t all been all his way, but living in Guildford not too far from the course he is more than happy to keep supporting the track.

The fifth race a two mile five furlong handicap hurdle saw a 16-1 shot take the race in the shape of the Tom O’Brien ridden, Michael Roberts trained Snipetydoodah, beating the 5/1 Neal Mulholland horse Highbury High by ¾ of a length.

Snipetydoodah,

Tom O'Brien

The eight year old mare by Kings Theatre has not had the greatest of form in the past, but the jockey mentioned, she has had a wind operation that has seen her come right. Before she used to panic a bit in her races, but know she can breathe a bit more easily it really helps.

The ground not really in the mares favor, held on well to beat Highbury High and Dennis O’Regan, 

‘ I tried to save a bit up my sleeve for the finish as I was a bit unsure what with her breathing problems, but she has done it well really.’

The mare nearly retired after her operation to mend broken bones in her face preventing her to breathe properly, was given another chance to shine on the racecourse.

And what a great decision and call, as due to the going change the horse was nearly one of many that was going to be scratched from the card.

Division two of the Handicap hurdle was again taken by an outsider 25-1 shot, Zoe turner trained Frank N Fur ridden by young eighteen year old Frankie Penford on his first winning ride made sure of the victory by beating Surf in September by twenty five lengths. 

‘It was so nice, she jumped so well and went through the ground a dream.’ The young jockey who cut his teeth race riding with pony racing at a young age. ‘I had forty rides at the pony racing Circuit, with seven winners.’ The young jockey not that much of a stranger to the winner enclosure. Also being a champion as south East champion pony racing jockey a few times.

Frank N Fur,Frankie Penford

In his fourth ride, two as an amateur and two as a professional the young jockey who was escorted to the weighing room to make sure he weighed in said. ‘ I rode out a lot when I was at school in professional yards, an experience I would advise all those starting out to take. I then had to come to the decision of, go to University or stay in racing, so stay in racing I did. I then though I may well as get my professional licence out, and have never looked back. I love it.’

Those who follow the racecourse pony racing series sponsored by Charles Owen may well remember the young jockey being placed in the final  2010 on Push the Button, a pony still racing and winning.

Frank N Fur,

The eight year old mare that the young eighteen year old from Gatwick will always remember, seemed to love the ground and jumped for fun, 'she really stood off the last, scared me a bit as I was so far in front.’ The young up and coming was every bit please with the media attention and the presentation, despite being covered in mud.

 To follow on from the debut success, was another jockey looking for a first. His first 100 winners.

Andrew Thornton, nine more to go

Andrew Thornton who replaced Aiden Coleman on the Lawney Hill trained Bertenbar, looking for his fourth win at Fontwell. 

As with last time the twelve year old made the race a fight up the straight beating the 9/4 favourite Withy Mills by 2 ½ lengths, and showed how much  spirit this son of Bertolini has.

Thornton now only nine winners from the century seemed really pleased with the win, as much as the emotional trainer and owner. 

Bertenbar

Trainer Lawney Hill mentioned, ‘we will have to see how much he gets noticed by the handicapper know, to where we send him next. 

We have been entering all these 0-100 handicap races but may have to look beyond that, it’s up to the handicapper really.’

Bertenbar. Andrew Thornton

Whatever the race, if one can be found be sure we could see this veteran on for a five timer at Fontwell at some stage.

one mile five furlong national hunt flat race

The final race of the day a one mile five furlong national hunt flat race, Seamus Durack sent out the favourite 6/4 Hahnenkam to complete a brace of wins in these types of races, as he won impressively with another racecourse debutante, Alfredo a few weeks ago.

But on this day Durack had to settle with a second as the Gary Moore charge Knightly Pleasure, ridden by son Josh Moore, won easily by nine lengths, pulling away from his field from the furlong marker.

Knightly Pleasure, Joshua Moore

The nine year old by Kayf Tara on his second run, the first run being at the course and a shorter distance last October, when he could only finish 7^th of 11 runners to the impressive Suzy Smith horse Jennifer Eccles.

No give away on how much they think of this horse from the Moore team, but to win impressively from the much fancied Hahnenkam is proof enough how well this gelding stands.

One to watch and see if it takes it’s chances again in this seasons campaign, or returns hurdling later on in the year.

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SUNDAY GODSTONE WITH THE SOUTHDOWN & ERIDGE HUNT 10-4-16

Huntsmen and hounds of the Southdown & Eridge Hunt

In the heart of Surrey Godstone point to point paid host the Southdown and Eridge Hunt, were a good attendance and fine weather pathed the way for six high class and competitive races. One of them being the South East Grand National mixed open.

The first race an open maiden saw eleven runners to post, Gina Andrews hoping to carry on her winning streak from the last at High Easter the day before, now on board the even money favourite Fizzlestix.

But at the finish it was the ever popular colours of red and brown and David Maxwell stormed up the finishing straight beating Andrews by twenty lengths on an impressive five year old Brice Canyon.

Brice Canyon

Consistently in the winners enclosure in the geldings first three runs David mentioned that he had been running consistently below par in those outings.

’This is a proper good horse, it beats everything on the gallops at home, he’s a good jumper and we just could not understand why we haven’t won on him already, I think the ground has just come right for him today and he's shown what he could do.’ 

Maxwell mentioned how he thought this was one of his best maidens, that being high praise enough from an owner/rider who knows what is needed in a racehorse. Especially after a superb placed ride over the Aintree fences in the Foxhunters.

‘That was the best fun you could have with your clothes on, it was just a thrill.’ Talking about of course his ride in the race third placed Mendip Express.

 ‘We are off to Punchestown with him next to take on the Boldgers and on the Fringe in their own back yard.’

 David giving praise to these type races as getting better and better. 

But certainly his maidens are showing they are improving to.

Another good healthy declaration for the conditions race saw the Rose Grissell charge of Time is tickin beat the mighty team Maxwell. The ten year old by Alfora, ridden by up and coming jockey Oz Wedmore winning by ten lengths.

Oz Wedmore on Time is Tickin

Winning a restricted and placed in a Hunter chase last year, the horse has taken time to get going this season. 

Coming round the bend at Godstone the gelding looked as If he was going to get headed up the final two fences, but fighting on again the horse took over, and went away from Rob Conti and Maxwell and Black Glen Boy and Dicky Collinson.

 ‘He wore a tongue tie for the first time today and that has made all the difference.’ Mentioned the jockey who is having a very successful season so far. ‘There wouldn’t be much improvement from that run; I would say that would be one of his best contests. But we will try to get him on that ground again if we can and get another win from him before the end of the season.’ 

The young jockey not too enthused by the rest of the season mentioning his other fancied mounts are not on full form at present, but there is plenty of time yet for this up and coming to make his mark.

Winner of the Restricted.

Oz Wedmore on Time is Tickin

The third race of the day was the South east Mixed Open Grand national run over the extended distance of 3 ¾ miles.

A quality field, but racing has its way in becoming a great leveler as Louise Allan who had her first winner (as a jockey) of the season at High Easter the day before, in an emotional fashion, due to the loss of her charge Clonbanan Lad in the Foxhunters a few days before, bought home Mr Robert Clifton-Brown’s Kimora by ten lengths from the useful Hunters Lodge and Rey Nacarado.

Louise Allan on Kimora

The ten year old mare, no slouch herself winning the mares’ race at the Fontwell’s hunter chase meeting last year, was ridden with fine execution to take on the front runners from about three out, with that run she gained momentum to which the others could not match, making it easier going for the rider/trainer coming over the last. 

That was the first time I have ridden her actually in a race,’ mentioned Louise.’ I have watched her in races, and have been told to be patient with her, but when she is asked to kick and go she just flies, and that’s what she has done today.’ 

Kimora winner of the South East Grand National open

Louse mentioned they were lucky to buy the horse really, who was bought for the veteran owner Mr Robert Clifton-Brown to have some fun with. 

‘After sadly loosing one of his horses at Aintree I didn’t really want to come to the races this weekend, but I was told to get on with it, and I’m thrilled for the owner really who hasn’t had a great time of it himself this year.’

The mare know looks like she might go back to Fontwell, but with a possible penalty, if the ground stays soft a trip to Cheltenham for the Hunter Chase evening meet could be on the cards. But whatever, this weekend is what makes National Hunt racing what it is. One for you Clonbanan........

The Open maiden race saw an eight runner contest. Leading East Anglian jockey Dicky Collinson’s mount Hi Lucy Lou going to the tapes the even money favourite, showed her worth by a gutsy performance beating Eagle Harbor and Clondaw Nell by five lengths.

The eight year old Luso mare owned by the same partnership as the impressive Galros lady showed that a pair of quality racing mares is worth a lot in the racing world. 

‘I’m so please for the owners,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘It’s so nice, possibly not practical to have two quality mares in the team. This mare though has such a fast jump she just grinds her opposition into submission. When you know you have good horse under you it makes decisions easier in a race.’ 

Hi Lucy Lou  winning the open maiden at Godstone

Collinson gave praise to the trainer Andrew Pennock. ‘He trains a tough horse, not over worked, but when they work they have to do their job, some come to the races for a rest and still win, but it seems a good partnership and long may it continue.’ 

Hi Lucy Lou, in her first run for the Pennock/Collinson combination will be watched now and see how she comes out of a race before future plans are announced. 

And that the same for Galros Lady, the five times winning mare for the two farmers and a Butcher partnership has a plan yet to be disclosed, possibly Stratford but who knows, anyway it’s a fine situation to be in with a pair of mares on the table.

Hi Lucy Lou, R. Collinson on board

The penultimate race of the day a restricted Subaru race, five runners went to post.

Margot Fontane 

With her win here at Godstone five weeks back, Peter Bull’s Margot Fontane was sent off the odd's on favourite, despite having a fall at the Penhurst meet two weeks previous. 

‘When she ran here first time she didn’t really know what had hit her, so we took her to Penhurst, she knew a little more that day, a bigger field and she stepped through the open ditch fence and bough her down. Disappointing, so i dropped her out a bit today and it has done the trick.’

The small six year old mare by Tobugg beating by a distance the runner up Tinkakellyflyer and Oz Wedmore.

Peter Bull on board Margot Fontane

The veteran jockey in the changing room mentioned, ‘she never really feels like a racehorse. She hunts well and often, and bred to stay so I’m delighted on her come back, at such a young age.’

 Both wins know being at the Godstone course and in impressive fashion makes up for her size and feel. And is a young horse with a big future.

The experienced showed in Bull as at the second last he put her into the fence at an angle,’ she was wrong approaching the fence, so I put her into the fence at an angle to give her a bit more room, instead of asking her to stand off. So we’ll have to see how she comes out of the race and go from there.’

A small horse with a big future of point to pointing. A true amateur on her back in Phil Bull who will look after her and place her just right. Underline her for the future.

The last race of the day a race for veteran and novice riders went to the fore. 

Jockey Marcus Gorman on even money favourite The Crafty Butcher timed his announcement to retire from the point top point saddle just right as he bought the nine year old trained by Carolyn Gorman home by two lengths from the witches’ hat.

 ‘I’m pleased he has been challenged, he is lazy in front, in Ireland he never made the running, so a chase up has spurred him on again. We really fancied a win today, and whatever happened I was going to retire here so I’m delighted.’

Marcus Gorman on The Crafty Butcher

The jockey with 80 point to point wins to his credit, the first one being at the now closed Berkshire course of Twesledown on the late National hero Dick Saunders trained Optic Paddy, in the year Marcus aptly forgot to mention.

‘My best memory I would take with me from the saddle. Must be my ride around Aintree, apt for this weekend really but that one stands out.’

Marcus who has seen so many changes in the point to point field one of them being the lack of farmers with horses to run is delighted with his lot and a final piece of advice he could give to the young bucks in the changing room was to ‘Enjoy it, as before you know it your as old as me and retiring, so have fun while it lasts.’

Marcus Gorman, The Crafty Butcher winning the veterans and novice riders race (centre)

A fitting end to a glorious day. Throughout the country meeting have been well attended, good racing on offer. Point to point racing I feel is in good firm hands.

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