THE GRAFTON HUNT AT WHITFIELD RACES 15TH MAY 2016

Great weather and a good crowd, eight races to enjoy looking over the Northamptonshire countryside bathed in yellow. 

The Grafton Hunt point to point at the Whitfield racecourse, the last one of the season gave a chance for trainers looking for near to perfect going for their charges.This Showed as each race was packed with quality and quantity throughout the afternoon.

As usual in most point to point meetings the first race is reserved for a hunt members race, this meeting being no different saw five go to post, last year’s winner of the race Fermat being sent off the 5/2 fav.

With a good pace from the off, the finish saw a true race on the good ground from the last fence, as last year’s winner looking to make a back to back brace of wins was beaten a head on the line by Christopher Henn’s Midnight Monkey ridden by Nick Meek.

Mr John Connell the owner was delighted with the win mentioning that he had been waiting for the better going for most of the season, and coming over the last wasn’t too sure if he was going to get to the line.

‘This course takes more getting than you think, and Nick Meek has ridden a brilliant race on him, getting a breather into him coming down the hill, then allowing him to run up the straight.’

Christopher Henn’s Midnight Monkey ridden by Nick Meek.

The jockey on his best ever season with six winners mentioned he knew the horse well, riding most of his work and schooling.

' I though from two out he didn’t have enough in him to get his head in front, but he got his second wind and took me on from the last. I’m delighted for him as he deserves the win.’

The eight-year-old by Midnight legend will possibly get on the course one more time if a race becomes suitable the owner looking at possibly Chaddersley Corbett in a few weeks’ time.

Midnight Monkey ridden by Nick Meek.

The intermediate race saw the 1/3 on fav She’s Real take on a good field of runners and take the race by four lengths from Franks a Million from the Turner yard.

The eight-year-old mare ridden by  Tom Chatfield-Roberts, owned by his father John and trained by his aunt Helen Connors maintained a good winning run for the season. The only dash in the season being a poor run at the Cheltenham evening hunter chase meeting.

 ‘she settled better today, at Cheltenham she was a bit keen which didn’t help her cause,as a mare you can never really know what she is going to be, but today she did enough to make it tell in the end.’

The family has six horses in training between two stables, and looking to go to the sales in a few weeks’ time to add more to the tally. 

This mare will would also be looking at getting another run into her before the end of the season.

The jockey on nine winners for the season so far mentioned, ‘we didn’t start too early with her for one reason or another, but we have had a lot of fun with her so we would be looking at possibly one more run.’

She’s Real 

A field of seven went to post for the ladies open, Alan hill sending his well run nine year-old gelding Sharp Suit to post the fav for the race.

With Champion lady jockey Gina Andrews on board still looking to keep ahead of her good friend and challenger Clare Hart in the leading female riders championship. 
The horse by leading point to point sire Milan looked the class act and easily put aside the rest of the field coming home three lengths clear of Tabitha Worsely on Major Decision.

Alan hill sending his well run nine year-old gelding Sharp Suit to post the fav for the race.

The horse in Blinkers jumping a little to the right over the last two didn’t seem to bother the in form Andrews who mentioned, 'he has a tendency to do that, that’s’ why we run him on right handed tracks so when he jumps across fences he doesn’t lose too much ground.’

 The horse having run with and without blinkers seems to need them more as the year’s progress. But has been a constant sort of horse from his maidens runs over the years. The jockey mentioning that now he has become a good ladies horse.

Gina mentioned also that from her own yard that the runners are getting thinner on the ground as the season draws to a close.

Sharp Suit 

The next two races, the novice riders race for five year olds and over, and the restricted race were taken by the partnership of trainer Francesca Nimmo and jockey Hugh Nugent.

The first of the quick-fire double Champagne Rian in the novice riders race, the eight-year-old was sent off as favorite to take the thirteen runner event.

‘This horse has run over the past three weekends winning at Chaddersley last week. But we have changed a few things around with this horse, he didn’t like the gallops and a few other things and it has seemed to have worked.’ Mentioned the trainer who has still about a dozen horses in the yard at present.

The jockey mentioning that the horse has just found his form at the moment so it’s really nice to come to the close of the season full of running, the rest of the season being a quite one.

Champagne Rian

Clondaw Island 

Clondaw Island another eight-year-old out of the yard making it a very successful meeting for the trainer and jockey taking the first division of the split restricted race by two lengths form Dunara Castle.

The race run over two and a half miles was run at a strong pace Francesca mentioning’ this horse is a tough sort, the pace was very strong but steady towards the end, that’s helped him a little I think.’

The jockey confirming this by saying from tapes up the rest of the field went a good pace, playing into the gelding’s hands, ‘the race ran to his style of racing really which suited me, I was able to get a second wind into him which bought him home with not many challenging me from behind.’ The jockey who rides out of both Francesca’s and Fred Hutsby’s yard seems to be an amateur that will have plenty of ammunition for the 2016-17. ‘ It’s coming together nicely for the back end of this season for me, next season I will be looking forward to a lot. ‘One for the note books.

Division two of the restricted was taken by Phil York’s seven-year-old mare Gersjoeycasey,beating Rose Grissell’s Barrafohona  in a hard fought finish by a head.

‘she is a nice mare and will come on a lot for her runs,’ mentioned the jockey who turned fifty the week before.

The mare by Milan the top sire at present for pointers already a dual winning horse when winning her maiden at Pepper Harrow in April took the trainer/jockey to his 299^th winning ride of his career the jockey mentioning that he will focus firmly onto his 300^th, then after that it’s 301. 

But rest assures this nobleman of the weighing room will remain focused well into the future with his horses and  with his pending milestone ahead of him will not take his eye off the game.

Phil York’s seven-year-old mare Gersjoeycasey, (left) Tabithia Worsley on Barrafohona (right)

The penultimate race of the afternoon, a maximum runner open maiden was not a place for the faint of heart.  

Fifteen maiden horse went to post, Sam Lee bringing his mother’s Katesoneoneeight home by a commanding ten lengths from the Zac Baker’s ride Gather round.

 Sam Lee bringing his mother’s Katesoneoneeight home

‘He isn’t the straightest forward of a horse to ride’ mentioned the jockey. ‘He gets worked up before the race and during and we seemed to be going a slow pace that I have had to take the running from about a circuit and a half out. But he jumped well today and it’s good to get a win out of him.’

 The young eighteen year old jockey mentioning that when he had his first run he told his mum she should retire him, but she soon told him that he was one of the most constant horses in the yard. Direction the young jockey is most glad he took, and goes to show mums know best.

In his third season riding the young jockey surely knows where he wants to be heading, giving high respect to those with experience in the weighing room, and on nine winners in total now is one of many talented juniors riding between the flags.

Katesoneoneeight 

One for the notebooks in the race would be the charge of Phil Bull, Present Charm a six-year-old by Presenting, third in bottomless ground at Northaw was sent off favorite for the race. Phil mentioning that the runs would have done the young horse no harm at all. One to watch.

The final race of the day was for horses ten years or over, in a conditions race,again a thrilling race to finish off the day.

 Camellia Henderson on board the twelve-year-old Shakalakaboomboom who bough home the veteran a by two lengths form Dicky Collinson on The Admiral Benbow.

Coming to the last you would not of been mistaken to think Collinson on his eleven year old could not lose the race, but a blunder at the last saw the stuffing knocked out of the Andrew Pennock's charge, allowing Henderson and Shak’s to take back the lead.

Coming to the last you would not of been mistaken to think Collinson on his eleven year old could not lose the race, but a blunder at the last saw the stuffing knocked out of the Andrew Pennock's charge,

‘To be honest I thought we had been beaten, we had the same issue here last time out my fella comes to the last, there’s one in front and he has had enough. But to be fair he has stood off the last and that has helped him and he has gone all the way to the line.’ 

The jockey who has just taken her category A amateur licence out really would have liked to take the veteran off to a hunter chase, ‘He is a horse that likes a number of weeks between each race, so the season is running out on us. But next season I have three really nice horses to ride, and with my Cat A out we can go from there.’

The horse ridden in blinkers for the first time ever in his illustrious career had not been into a winner’s enclosure for a number of years, the jockey mentioning that this may have just given him a little boost that he needed.

 ‘I wish the ground was always like this throughout the season, he doesn’t like the soft ground so maybe next year we would not bring him out so early on.’

 Camellia Henderson on board the twelve-year-old Shakalakaboomboom wins the ten year old and over conditions race

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FONTWELL PARK SPRING HUNTERCHASE EVENING 12TH MAY

A superb evening of Hunter chase action at Fontwell park, seven races and entries coming as far as deepest Wales and the mid country.

Quality racing was on offer. 

The first race of the evening a chase over the point to point distance of three miles one furlong, favorite backers did not start off with a profitable evening.

Champion point to point jockey Will Biddick took the 8/13 favorite to post Blazing Whale, whose form showed that he had not been out the first four for many of his races.

Whereas David Kemp's Curraigflemens who has had an inconstant state of form seemed to enjoy the twists and turns of the East Sussex course beating the favorite by Four lengths.

Owner Mr John Ridge mentioned, ‘he’s been a horse with me now for a couple seasons, we ran him in the same race here last year, but it was awful weather and he didn’t show up, this season he has had a few pointing wins so we thought we’d give the race another go.’

Though the track was bathed in evening sunshine, the rain the day before rendered the going good to soft.

The jockey Shane Roach riding his best season so far

The jockey Shane Roach riding his best season so far, rode his first ever winner for the Owner at Parham in April. 

‘It’s great to be riding good horses and getting the wins, I’m grateful to Mr Ridge for giving me my fist point to point and Hunter chase win.’  The Irishman showing his qualities, and now getting the wins would be a rider to watch in forthcoming seasons.

Curraigflemens

The second race of the evening, a shorter trip of two and a half miles was run. but this time the smile was taken off the bookies faces as the 4/favorite Maxi Chop Trained by Rose Loxton and ridden by Stan Sheppard, took on and won the race with great ease. Beating the second placed horse Only Time’ll Tell by twenty-six lengths.

Maxi Chop Trained by Rose Loxton and ridden by Stan Sheppard,

The horse a winner at Newton Abbott seven days before, showed that he can travel well, the jockey mentioning that the drop back in trip had certainly helped his ride. 

‘he has jumped his way to the front, coming around the home turn, I wanted and got the better ground on the inside. The ground is so important to this horse, the distance also helped.’

The jockey who had had thirteen wins under pointing this season, fifteen winners under rules certainly is a jockey for the future, picking up rides of this calibre certainly helps his cause.

Another entry that had traveled a good distance to East Sussex was Miss V Collins horse Gauvain, again against the favorite the Paul Nicholls trained Polisky the fourteen-year-old ridden by Leanda Tickle stayed on strongly to beat the even money favorite in the two and a half mile third race of the evening. 

‘This fella deserves a win, he has come up against one better for the past few runs, he jumps and travels  so well, to be fair in his younger days he was a class two miler, but I’m delighted.’

The jockey who works for Rebecca Curtis mentioned she has had a quite but enjoyable season,

’ I seem to be in the winners enclosure a lot, but not riding.’ The jockey mentioned but seemed to be enjoying her 'in limelight moment' when she can get it.

Gauvain

The owners of the veteran delighted with the win could not contain their excitement, showing the whole of the East Sussex track how much it meant.

The fourth race of the evening was the Open champions hunter chase, a good class field from ex Hennessy winners in Carruthers to quality open race winners in Little Chip and Adept Approach.

But it was the twelve year old The Ferbane man ridden by inform jockey Shane Roche who outclassed the field. 

Trained by new season trainer Petra New who only chalked up her first winner in April at Parham, Roche supplying the riding services then.

Little Chip leads the eventual winner The Ferbane Man over the last

The trainer not to comfortable with media attention mentioned the race hadn't quite sank in but was delighted with the outcome,

'I never though we would get here, the rain at the beginning of the week wasn't going to suit us,but it’s dried up a bit and has given us the ground he loves.’ 

The next for this gelding could be the Berks and bucks meet at Kingston Blount in a few weeks time.

The jockey on his second double of the season is usually a man who shows little emotion, but could not hide his delight on how well things are going.

Shane Roche on his evening double

‘He has seemed to be beat coming to the last, but the third horse behind him has spurred him on to get his second wind and we have flown up the hill, I’m delighted. It’s such a thrill to get on horses like him and I’m pleased for Petra also to train her second winner ever on a professional track is something else.’

The trainer mentioned that she has very few facilities at home,’ I take the horses that will run to Nick Pierces once a week,Shane gets on them there, gives them some work or school, then rides them on the course.’ 

A method and a combination that obviously works, and goes to show that a good horse and talent can come from any corner, and get to the winners enclosure.

The shortest race of the evening a two mile one furlong event went in line of the favorite. Grandioso ridden by Jame King and trained by Steve Flook took the race comfortably from  second placed horse Joker Choker.

The 11/10 favorite showed  that he took the pace and stayed on well to win by three lenghths coming over the last upsides the Nicky Martin’s eleven year old.

Grandioso ridden by Jame King and trained by Steve Flook 

The jockey now on six wins from only eight rides showing that the young lad has had a high strike rate partnership. 

The horse qualified through the Radnor and West Hereford hunt showing that the horses that have traveled for the evenings racing are none the ware from their trip, this ex-Paul Nichols trained horse only winning a couple of days back at Southwell, and probably would be given a little well deserved break from his efforts during the week.

Grandioso ridden by Jame King

If ever you see Sam Davies-Thomas at a meeting you can be sure this quality jockey would have a placed horse or a winner or two. 

That what I put to the young Oxfordshire jockey has he bought home the penultimate winner of the evening Kimora, trained in Newmarket by Louise Allan.

The smallest field of the evening with only five runners, the 11/10 favorite won impressively by ten lengths from Flying Guru. 

The jockey mentioning he had got this spare ride as the trainer who usually rides the mare herself only claimed the 3 lbs and was that light would have to carry a massive amount of dead weight.

 ‘ I took the whole 7 lbs off the horse which really helped.’Mentioned the jockey, ‘ rides start to go a little quite know, but I have had a tremendous season so can't complain, especially when you pick up spare rides like this one.’

 The jockey on twenty two pointing wins with Sam Mathias and William Easterby on the same, is still hungry to claim the second spot from the ever impressive tally of Will Biddick on forty seven wins.

Kimora, trained in Newmarket by Louise Allan, ridden by Sam Davies-Thomas

The final race of the evening went to Wales. David Gibbs bringing his seven year old gelding See U again Son from Pontypridd to take the two and a half mile maiden race by and impressive nineteen lengths.

Bradley Gibbs his son on board the horse seemed to love the challenge of the twists and turns of Fontwell.

See U again Son

The jockey mentioning that he knew when they bought the horse he was a nice type, the form showing through his races confirming that. 

‘ we knew today would be the right race for him, and we were proved correct, we were coming here with a good mare for the mares race, but she had an injury that put pay to that, so we just bough this fella. It’s a long drive down but well worth it.’

The quality maiden made all in his race and showed the rails price of 11/10 was well planned.

The father and son team show no fear in travelling to get there spoils as the jockey said,’ you have to travel to take the best on and see how good your horses are.’ This horse defiantly showing his quality and would be one to watch for next season.

See U again Son from Pontypridd, ridden by Bradley Gibbs

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Playing it safe at royal Windsor evening racing

Controversy at Windsor racecourse surrounded what was to be a classy card of early season flat racing.

Windsor was to stage the first race of their £75,000 sprint series, the final in August, together with the £16,000 listed race the meeting was to be one were trainers could make an early start on their end of season winning tally.

 But it was not to be. 

Looking back in records I cannot see the last time the Berkshire course had abandon racing only three races old, and with Her Majesty in residence in shouting distance of the course, a lot though it a very rum to do.

An evening that started well enough, before racing a Shetland pony race using the final two and half furlongs, all young jockeys donning the royal colours to impress awaited press, the crowds arriving in their evening finery.

 And a first race ran in the relatively dry overcast atmosphere, a five furlongs’ novice’s filly stakes won by Mark Johnston’s Sea of Snow, ridden by James Doyle, in a close fought finish beating Richard Hannons Tiggalisious.

The two-year-old by Distorted Humor out of an Oasis Dream mare, certainly bred to go a little further, Doyle mentioning that the race gave no hiding places for any of the runners, especially this small filly, that showed a good turn of foot.

Sea of Snow (grey colours), ridden by James Doyle

‘I think we would like to get another run in he before we decide on a plan for her.’ Mentioned the jockey who has a big week of big time races in front of him. Riding this Sheikh Hamdan possible improver, a massive start to the week for the young jockey.

As the second race hacked down to the mile two furlongs start, the rain started to cover the Berkshire track. Roger Varian sending to post Central Square the 11/10 favorite for the maiden stakes.

The four-year-old gelding by Azamour took on the race driven by Andrea Atzeni to stay on well to beat Doyle on charge for a quick double on Hugo Palmer's Paris Magic. 

‘He is a nice laid back sort, that needs a bit more of a galloping track really, over a mile and half he might be one to pick up a decent prize,’ The jockey already sowing a few doubts in racegoers minds that the home bend that would cause controversy later on mentioning the gelding had felt uncomfortable as they turned toward home.

Central Square

The jockey with a nice book of rides for the week, was looking forward to finding out a little more about Choreographer his ride in the group two Dante on Thursday. The well-built colt by See the Stars that took his maiden at Windsor and would be looking to improve.

The rain continued a little more dominantly during the third race, a one mile two-furlong handicap for three year olds. But not hard enough to wilt the Charles Hills colt Grapevine ridden by Michael Murphy.

The home bend now showing a little more concern as the leader stumbling slightly as he turned for home.

 ‘The bend is very slippy at the moment, but the horse was well balanced so he managed to keep going forward.’ 

Grapevine No6 ridden by Michael Murphy.

The trainer who had a very promising Chester the previous week mentioned that he was a nice horse that had done well to keep on his feet

Charles Hills colt Grapevine  who won the one mile two furlong handicap

The concerns of the winning jockey and of others who had also found pulling up on the sharp right handed bend a little tricky, was enough to send trainers, jockeys, stewards and safety officers down to the affected parts to check the state of the ground. 

An inquiry was held as some showed astonishment in the length of time it took to make what they though were a forgone conclusion.

Racing was abandoned, reports that most of the jockeys were happy to ride in the fourth, the six furlong sprint challenge, were quashed by stipendiary steward Richard Westropp who mentioned in the safety of all in concern we have put measures in place to abandon the meeting.

The cause, a slippy surface on the home turn and the pull up area, were the grass was short enough not to allow the horses gain their grip. The conclusion the right one.

Of course there will be racegoers and professionals on both sides of the fence, controversy, plenty.  But to be fair to say all live to take on another day, the only causality being the meeting itself.

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SEVEN RACES, SUN AND FUN AT THE KIMBLEWICK KINGSTON BLOUNT POINT TO POINT 7-5-16

With seven races for the Kimblewick hunt point to point held at Kingston Blount on its penultimate race meeting of the year, in glorious early summer sunshine the crowds came out in support of some top pointing action.

The going classed and good-good to firm, the track reported by those who have walked the Oxfordshire course as good racing ground ample sized fields were on hand to give the enthusiasts of the amateur racing game something to cheer about.

Top riders in attendance, more notably Gina Andrews and Clare Hart, who are battling hard for the ladies’ rider’s championship crown as the season draws to a close.

The first race a restricted, saw the pace harsh as the front runners trying to make the race a speed event thundered over the Oxfordshire countryside.

Dicky Collinson given the all clear by doctors to ride the day before after his fall at Whitfield a few weeks’ back  got himself straight back into contention  from three fences out making his stamp on the race and try to give the slip to the eight other competitors.

But it was new boy Shane Quinlan on board Emgee, trained by Andrew Campbell who tracked Collinson to challenge and overtake the Pennock horse Torran Na Dtonn coming over the last.

‘I was having to get after my fella from about halfway, but he kept going for me all the way to the line,’ mentioned the Irishman, who has only just taken out his amateur licence. ‘I have not been here before as I only got my licence a few weeks back, this is my fourth ride as an amateur, and my first winner so all is going well.’

The young jockey previously conditional to Neil Mulholland maybe new to the amateur game but is no slouch in the saddle having had fifty rides under rules with nine trips to the winners enclosure, and should be a force to be reckoned with as he looks forward to the new season in November were he can take the pointing game on from the start.

The horse who was pulled up at the Cheltenham Hunter chase meeting in April, but a winner at Lockinge looks like he maybe one for the note books as he runs  at meetings on fast ground towards the end of the season.

Shane Quinlan on board Emgee

Clare Hart took the next race, the conditions event on a horse owned by her parents and trained by herself. 

Kazuri Kate battled hard from the home turn to challenge and overtake Phil Bull Aboard On your max who like Dicky Collinson in the first took the race on from three out.

Sam Davies Thomas On the consistent six-year-old Tulsa looked to be the challenger before hart kicked her eight-year-old mare home in fine style.

‘She is such a gutsy mare,’ mentioned the jockey.’ I know with her if we have the right conditions with her she can be off the leaders two out and I’m still confident we can get to the front.’

 The mare now will look to go again in a few weeks’ time at the same track. Only if the ground is safe and not too firm.

The trainer/rider now with nineteen winning rides for the season, and four behind the top spot held by the reigning ladies champion Gina Andrews is a keen as ever to ride, but rest assures the horses come first and she mentioned she would not put any horse in jeopardy in order to gain the crown.

Kazuri Kate

The owners of the mare by Exit to Nowhere were delighted to the win. ‘we were not going to come  here until a few days ago, the Garthorpe was the intended run for her. But the ground seemed right here so we u turned and came here instead.’

The hart family steeped in the pointing fraternity history, still enjoying the excitement of the sport.

With that in mind Clare hart came out for the four runner ladies open race to ride Dabinett Moon for Fran Marriott, this time challenging her rival in the jockey’s standings on the very consistent Alan hill charge Start Royal.

Andrews looked a sure winner from four fences out as the twelve-year-old gelding took a commanding lead, Clare hart pushing her eight-year-old mare to stay in contention.

‘This mare is awesome, to beat a class horse in Start Royal is something else.’ The mare taking over the race before the home turn and stepping through the gears to beat Andrews by a commanding twenty length’s.

‘Next season she could be something very special, she is such a lovely horse.’

Dabinett Moon,Clare Hart

Talk of the mare going handicapping over fences or brush hurdles is in the air but time is on the hands of this Midnight Legend eight-year-old.

The owner Christopher Marriott mentioned that as long as Clare has a chance of the championship she will run again. Hart now only three wins from the top spot.

The mare’s half-sister Apple days incidentally has just had a foal by Passing glance, so the thought maybe how long this mare can continue before being sent to stud.

The men’s open was another event were local trainer Alan hill had to settle for second spot.

Again with a consistent horse throughout the season looking for his fourth win on the bounce Consigliere ridden by Joe hill was beaten by a horse that has had experience around the best tracks in the country, but not as constant in the winner’s enclosure as the thirteen-year-old Hill horse.

Swallows Delight trained by Julie Mansell lapped up the fast going to beat consigliere coming up to the last. 

The trainer electing to take a trip to Badminton rather than come to Kingston Blount.

Jockey, veteran rider David Mansell mentioned ‘I’m so pleasedd for the owners who are so supportive to the sport,we were concerned about the Hill horse but we heard through the grapevine he had a hard race on heavier ground, so were not sure if this type of ground would suit.’

The jockey on his third win for the season said ‘I have a hard season to be fair, but I have had some rides were I think the horses would be nice for next season.’ The jockey on his one hundred and eightieth winner of his career, and at the age of fifty two still openly enjoys riding. 

‘I have said to my wife, when you see me not pushing a maiden horse on tell me, then I’ll know it’s time to give up.’ Though talking to David that does not seem anytime in the future yet.

Swallows Delight trained by Julie Mansell

Merrydown Vintage, Phil Bull near his three hundredth winner

Another veteran of the saddle Phil York was responsible for bringing home the winner of the Intermediate race. 

Merrydown Vintage, trained in Guildford by Ray Fielder took a commanding lead from two out to see off Velvet Royale by eight length’s

‘The horse needed good ground and a galloping race, which we have been looking for all season. Phil mentioned to me that the track was riding a little softer that it looked.’ Mentioned the trainer who may run the horse a couple more times before the season closes, the hunt race at the Berks and Bucks meeting at Kingston Blount in a few weeks’ time looks a possibility.

The jockey now on his two hundred and ninety eighth winner of his career and turning fifty this Friday mentioned,’ I have only had about seven wins this season, but I still love riding and we will keep plugging on until I get the three hundred.’ But asked if plans to retire then, the answer firmly back,’ no way. I still like to keep playing.’

Nandini, trained by David Kemp and ridden by Rupert Stern who was on his first visit to the Oxfordshire course took the newly developed older horses maiden race, limited to four, five and six year olds.

The six-year-old that has been well run throughout the season was commented by the trainer as being a very hormonal type of mare, ’we may have run her a few times just coming in or out of season which has affected her, she wants the top of the ground anyway, so I hope this win might be a breath of fresh air for her to go on and win again.’

The jockey on a 100% strike rate at present on the course was a last minute replacement on the horse Sam Davies Thomas the usual call up. But it was decided to change things around to freshen the mare up, Rupert being at the course to ride another runner for the owner and was asked to give the mare the ride. 

The plan worked and the mare took on the race from the front and won the race well giving the second placed horse a length at the finish line. 

‘The plan was never to make the running, but we popped out in front, nothing came past me so I sat there comfortably and let her get into a rhythm,’ the mare obviously is a type that likes to think she is getting her own way, as long as she puts in runs of that caliber then I’m sure connections will allow her to continue in that chain of thought.

Nandini, trained by David Kemp and ridden by Rupert Stern

The final race of the afternoon a member’s race saw the return to the course of Victoria Pendleton on now her own horse According to Sarah, trained by Alan Hill the eight-year-old ran a creditable second in a well-run race to Tim Underwood’s Tempelpirate a horse that has been off the scene for two years with injuries.

Victoria Pendleton on now her own horse According to Sarah

Ridden by Joe Hill the nine-year-old took on the race with authority from three out getting to the line well in front of the second. ‘I got the call to ride this horse early this morning, I think Tim was going to ride him but I’m delighted that’s my first ride for him.’

‘The horse that has had an occurring leg problem,but has always been a horse that has looked well,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘He has just not been ready to race, but we can take him home, see how he comes out of the race and go from there.’ Rest assured the veteran trainer will look after and place this gelding just right for next time out.

Tim Underwood’s Tempelpirate, ridden by Joe Hill

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MAYDAY AT NORTHAW POINT TO POINT WITH THE CAMBRIDSHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHASE MEETING

Midweek this meeting was very doubtful to get the go ahead from the racecourse inspectors, but dry weather just about got this popular meeting to go ahead, the going classed as soft/heavy made it a choice weather to run to horses or not,a lot of owners/trainers electing to leave their runners in the box or take them home.

This left the races to have very small fields as the horses hacked their way around the Hertfordshire track.

Five runners for the first race the East Anglian Area Club member’s conditions race saw a class field headed by Andrew Pennocks Counting stars a horse that stable jockey Dicky Collinson who was stood down for medical reasons for the week mentioned in previous blogs that he was one of the best horses in the Pennocks string.

 Star of Massini,

But it was another well marked horse off a point to point rating of 93 who came off the near bottomless ground on the home straight, Star of Massini, trained in Essex by Mr N Padfield and ridden by top novice rider Jack Andrews to take the race by a length from the Pennock horse.

‘That was winner number eleven for me this season so hopefully I can get a few more now,’ mentioned the jockey who was rushing off on an hour and a half car journey to Mollington for a ride in the last.

'The small field, pace and the ground has played into my hands, if we had gone any faster out there none of us would have made it to the finish line.’

Sam Davies Thomas deputizing for the stood down Collinson mentioned,’ the going beat us, it’s not very good out there really, so I looked after him more than raced.’

 Star of Massini, followed home by Counting Stars

The next race though the intermediate was a little luckier for the young jockey and the experienced Andrew Pennocks horses.

The Admiral Benbow who was part of a Dicky Collinson treble at Fakenham a few weeks back, which included Counting Stars, saw off well three other competitors in a very slow run race. The jockey mentioned that the trainer was going to don his race ride boots himself to get on this one, but a deal was struck if  Davies-Thomas came to ride the rest of the Pennock horse’s that he could take on this one. This taking the young jockey onto twenty winners for the season, seventeen winners being his season best so far.

Sam Davies-Thomas, Andrew Pennock

‘we have had a bit of a talk in the changing room and have all decided to go steady early on in order to make a race of it from the second last, but it’s nice to get spare ride in the caliber of this one.’

The Admiral Benbow

The novice riders race went to true amateur racing people, Stuart Wright riding for his father Richard rode a nice race on The Duke of Kentford to get home in front of Sean Roach on Dallas Cloud.

‘I’m so delighted with that win.’ Mentioned the young jockey of the fourteen year old veteran,whose day time work is within the hustle and bustle of city life.

 ‘It was hard work though, he was keen with me early on so I let him in front and could hear the rest on the back straight final time round pushing their horses, so I had to keep my fella going to the line.’

The Jockey on only his second winner of a five year career riding in points mentioned he used to ride this horse out at Stuart Morris’s, while at University in Leicester. The horse on retirement was given to the Wright’s by the Stuart family on the agreement that he would have fun out and about for the rest of his days.

Richard Wright a third generation farmer mentioned,’ he is such a great schoolmaster, who is enjoying his time at the moment, we are so lucky to have him.’

Richard and Stuart Wright

Again a small field of four for the ladies open,and saw jockey Tabitha Worsely fresh from her win the weekend before at Parham take another race by five lengths on a horse never previously ridden before, Major Decision.

A veteran at fourteen the gelding by Saddlers’ Hall, trained and owned by Miss J. Wickens seemed to take the pair well up the finish line, the going getting no better, if not worse as racing continued.

‘I have never been so slow coming up to the first fence before in a race, but he pulled himself to the front and kept plugging on through the mud,’ mentioned the jockey.’ It’s been an indifferent weekend for me a few placings one going through a wing, but a winner here tops it off nicely.’ Who’d be a jump jockey??

The owner mentioned she bought the fourteen-year-old off the internet a couple of years back, and has enjoyed her time with him, 

‘it’s great to get a winner, it’s been a long winter, so it’s nice to get a win. And it was nice to get Tabitha to finally ride him, she is very much in demand.’

Tabitha, a second year student at Birmingham University has now though got to concentrate on her final few exams, but is a young jockey in high demand.

Major Decision, Tabitha Worsley over the last

Another young jockey in demand this season is Sam Davies-Thomas. On a winner already in the afternoon, he claimed the ride on another winner on the Andrew Pennock horse Mister serious, in the three horse restricted race.

On his twenty first winner of the season, Sam mentioned that the seven-year-old pulled very hard all the way round. ‘This fella has a high cruising speed, he needs a big field on good ground so he can be made to go at a high speed, it’s was very difficult out there.’

Sam Davies Thomas on a hat-trick of wins for the afternoon

Sam’s previous best season was seventeen winners, the afternoon topped off a good weekend for the Banbury based jockey when Allforthelove came home to beat four others in the last race of the afternoon, the open maiden.

 Trained by James Owen the ride usually taken by Tim Domworth  who was elsewhere on the Bank Holiday was a lucky spare ride for the jockey on treble for the afternoon.

Sam Davies Thomas on Mister Serious

A mixed meeting at the Hertfordshire course, a good attendance though for those who came out from the suburbs of London to Coleshill Northaw.

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