Tuesday, 13 December 2016

LARKHILLS OPENER OF THE SEASON WITH TRIPPLE H



As I pulled up to the racecourse that usually has  superb views across the Wiltshire countryside, I was met with a solid blanket of early morning mist. 
But as the kick off time of 11.30 approached the blanket was lifted, as if Mother Nature was only just keeping her baby under wraps until the final moments to allow the new season to start at Larkhill.


The first race was for the Hursley Hambledon Hunts Members and subscribers race, three went to post. Six-year-old Tommo and Oz Wedmore did his best in well making sure the remaining two Shantou Breeze and Upham Running could only see his tail jump the fence in front. 
Coming out of the dip and up the incline four from home the leader ran out of fuel leaving the winner Shantou Breeze well in front Lance Madgwick in the saddle.
Shantou Breeze
‘It is a difficult race to read when one goes off like that and there are only three of you, but he was ready for the race and well deserved the win.’
The nine-year-old trained by Michael Madgwick was fourth twice to leading winning point to pointer horse Premier Portrait last season at Larkhill, Portrait again on winning form with the opener at Black forest lodge and at Wadebridge at the weekend. The form I feel speaks for itself with Shantou.

The nine-year-old trained by Malcom Madgwick was fourth twice to leading winning point to pointer horse Premier Portrait last season at Larkhill,
Trainer Jack Barber with 50 winners to his credit last season opened his tally with a fine crop of declared entries.
Aikideau ridden by Bryony Frost took on the race to beat Grand Gold and Paige Fuller by ten lengths to win the Ladies open.
A good classy race on paper the nine-year-old looked well and pulled away with ease from the final two fences.
 ‘You know if you’re on one of Jacks, especially one as good as this one your onto a winner,’ mentioned the jockey.
Aikideau leads Grand Gold 2nd and Trueflyingcolours 3rd


Aikideau







The horse now on seven wins from ten starts certainly likes the Wiltshire turf, and is also versatile on what ground he runs on. 
A nice looking sort and it would be no surprise to see this one out again at the Chaddersly meeting on the 27th December to make it two in a row.







Half way through the meeting, the ground good, good to soft out the back straight,a class field went to post for the men’s open over the Larkhill three miles.

To post Lilbitluso a horse from last season a class act, winning on the opening day of the season at Cottenham, finishing off with a second in the Champion hunter chase final at Stratford. Via a win in the Red mills intermediate final at Cheltenham Hunter chase meeting.

Coming to the last,the two horses at the fence Lilibitluso and the eventual winner Real Milan. Champion jockey will Biddick looking for his first win back of the new campaign, deputising for the injured John Mathias came to a crashing fall leaving Real Milan and Jack Jones to take the winning post with no opposition.

Real Milan 
‘It’s so scary just how good this horse is,’ mention the 21 year old jockey riding for his father Nicholas Jones. 
‘We have one horse and a few hunters, this one being dads pride and joy, he is happy to do it all on his own as he is more relaxed that way.’
Again, another versatile sort by top pointing stallion Milan from last season showed this sire can breed them to stay and jump. In fact, the second Barel of Laughs and Caesar Milan also being by the coolmore resident.

‘We have had so much fun with this horse and it’s great to see both horse and son home safely,’ mentioned the trainer.
Lilibitluso up looking fine from his spill which made it a little easier for Joseph O’Shea to take. Jockey Will Biddick having the rest of the afternoon off from the fall. We hope to see both back soon.

‘It’s so scary just how good this horse is,’

Jockey Martin McIntyre started off his double winning afternoon off well with a bit more work to do on Peter Hammersley’s Coolharbour Joe, taking the Restricted race by a length and a half from Jack Barbers Amzac Magic.

The eight year old trained by someone who you may more likely to see on the Arab racing circuit seemed a tough sort showing that his maiden win in Ireland at Bellurgan was no fluke, the horse to stand near seemed a big strong sort, only a eight year old and will surely come on from that run.

Coolharbour Joe,
‘He’s a good sort and I got the call to ride this one in the week courtesy of one of my old colleagues at Enda Bolger’s so it was a good one to take, I knew the horse in second as I have ridden him to win at Chaddersly so knew what I was up against.’
A horse to take note of as the Barber racing team thing a lot of Amzac Magic who will defiantly come on from his spin.

Titans Approach 
McIntyre’s second of the day came in the last race on Ben Clarke’s seven-year-old Titans Approach in the open Maiden. By high Chaparral this horses breeding would not look out of place on a flat racing field. 
‘He has been placed at Fontwell over two and half miles,’ mentioned the trainer with his first runner and winner of the season. ‘so, we knew what we had with him, we bought him for a new partnership at Doncaster and knew we could place him in on the lowest grade in a maiden to start him off, even with his experience.’  The trainer with nine horses under his charge near Crewkerne his Christmas will be a little more of a settled affair. 
‘He maybe out again at Chaddersley on the 27th we’ll see how he comes out of this one, the last thing we want though is to run any of them not ready and break them before the season really kicks off.’

'I knew the horse in second as I have ridden him to win at Chaddersly so knew what I was up against.’
























'He maybe out again at Chaddersley on the 27th we’ll see how he comes out of this one,' 















Two horses that already have been out and running in good form battled it out for the Conditions race, the penultimate race of the afternoon.

Anquetta, third to Lough Inch at Cottenham on the opening day of the season and Porlock Bay a winner at Black Forest lodge on the same day were well ahead of their remaining rivals coming to the last.
Anquetta (right) Porlock Bay (left)

The eventual winner (nearside) in the well-known colours of Robert Waley-Cohen rolled a little to his left allowing the Luke Harvey trained Porlock Bay ridden by Gina Andrews to challenge at the line.
A length separated the two the twelve-year-old Anquetta taking the prize.

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen mentioned. ‘He has run on really well, the three miles here always going to stretch him,but he has enjoyed himself out there, probably a little too much coming over towards the horsebox park side.

Both horses doing nothing wrong in their first two runs of the 2016-17 campaign, both to be sure to be in the winners enclosure again soon.
Anquetta
No pointing next weekend, a chance to lick wounds or prepare a little more before a 27th December meet at Chaddersley Corbett. 
The next meeting for me to Podcast and write. and take pictures, will be the Cambridgeshire Harriers meeting at Cottenham on New year’s eve.

Don’t forget you can hear my podcasts and view images and reports from all my meeting attended at

Thursday, 8 December 2016

FONTWELL FESTIVE JUMPERING FESTIVAL


Anyone wanting to earn a bit of extra Christmas cash should have been along the very competitive early December card at Fontwell park.


Not only £500 to the best dressed Christmas jumper on display for the afternoon, but high priced horses also ‘jumping ‘into the winner enclosure.

 The mood started well with 40/1 shot Bohernagore from the Zoe Davidson yard beating the favourite Nick Gifford’s Cashanova by seven lengths back in third in the class four handicap hurdle.

‘ He could of gone round again really, the plan was to make the running because that’s where he settle’s best.'
Ridden by the young nineteen-year-old claimer and graduate from the pony racing circuit Frankie Penford the eleven-year-old on his debut win from eleven starts made mostly all the two mile one furlong of the Sussex track.
‘ He could of gone round again really, the plan was to make the running because that’s where he settle’s best, and he helps you out so much to, so you can actually concentrate more on race tactics.’ 

The jockey was full of admiration for the horse out of the East Grinstead yard where he is based, the trainer delighted with a win, a long time coming with only 3 wins from 117 runners so far in 2016.

Bohernagore 
The second race of the afternoon, a three mile one furlong novices chase went to local Winchester trainer Chris Gordon’s The Chuckmeister. Off at tapes at 11/1 the seven-year-old on his first win from eight starts took up the race before the last keeping on well up the Fontwell incline to take the race by seven lengths from Suzy Smiths King Charlie.

‘The horse had something to prove with his jumping,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘It’s good to get one in for a local owner too, Tom has done what I have asked him and to concentrate in getting him jumping rather that to race and jump and it’s seemed to have worked.’

‘The horse had something to prove with his jumping.'


The Chuckmeister




Jockey Tom Cannon also delighted to get a win on one of his local tracks, a track in the past has always been lucky for him on the winner front.






The third race was a very competitive juvenile hurdle over two miles one furlongs. Alan King with Rainbow Dreamer took the race, this time making the bookies pay out as the Wayne Hutchinson ridden three-year-old went off the 10/11 favourite. 
Only being out of the winner’s enclosure in some way or form for two of his eleven starts the three-year-old was in touch all though the race, taking up the lead just before the last.

Volpone Jelois



The Paul Nicholls’s charge Volpone Jelois three and a half lengths back in second is a horse  
The Ditcheat trainer likes the ex-French flat runner. Running on at the last but did appear to have needed the outing, and one certainly to underline for future trips out.




Alan King mentioning,’ You know straight away if they are going to work.'
Cheek pieces applied to the horse for the run seemed to make a mark difference to the horse Alan King mentioning,’ You know straight away if they are going to work, we schooled him in them last week and he went really well so we were hopeful today.’

It looked in this race the first three home could have a nice races in them this season, the third horse placed East Indes from the Gary Moore yard, all to highlight in the notebooks.
The yard of Alan king all set for a good week approaching, continuing his consistent form. Cheltenham and Doncaster being the climax at the weekend, Doncaster being the favoured track.
Rainbow Dreamer
The combination of Jonjo O’Neil and Aidan Coleman took the main chase of the afternoon, a three mile one furlong handicap chase. 
Adam Du Breteau led the five other competitors from four fences out, and ran on well to beat Gary Moore’s Leo Luna by four lengths. 
One his third win from twelve starts the six year old showed easily why winning all his races at different distances makes the six year old stand out., Aidan mentioning. 'This one has improved on his performances and has been kept in good form.’
'This one has improved on his performances' 

Adam Du Breteau



This horse if placed well, would have a nice race in him. 
The concern now for the Cheltenham trainer would be where and what distance to take on next. 
 One to watch I think.





Dual training licence holder Hughie Morrison took the next, a two mile three furlong mares only novices hurdle. 
Star Rider ridden by Tom O’Brien kept on well at the last to beat Flints Legacy from the Nigel Hawke yard by five lengths.
The four-year-old Cape Cross filly who only a few months back was bagging a smart two mile event at Newmarket seems to be learning her craft
‘She has a big engine this one,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘All she needs to do is sharpen her jumping up a little as she steps up in grade but she has stamina for sure and could be a nice horse.’

The four-year-old Cape Cross filly who only a few months back was bagging a smart two mile event at Newmarket seems to be learning her craft, from a yard more known for their flat horse production and seems to have a few nice horses to come out over the winter months.
 Sister Cybil and Major Mac being a few O’Brien seemed to mention.
Star Rider
Eight horses to post for the penultimate race of the afternoon, a two mile three furlongs’ handicap chase. 
Lambourn trainer Sam Thomas giving a leg up to his old weighing room pal Jamie Moore on Jamrham. 
Off at 9/2  the horse took on the race two out and pulled away from second placed horse Micquus by eight lengths to claim the prize.
Jamrham No7
‘I’m made up for Sammy to get a winner today, I’ve missed him in the weighing room as I have known him for a long time, so I’m pleased to see him here today.’
The trainer not long moved to Upper Lambourn mentioned,’ We seem to be learning as we go on, moving to Lambourn has been the right move there is so much going on there and this one should be one to have fun with if we keep performing in the way he has been today,but you just forget how much you don’t know how a horse works when you’re riding, training opens your eyes to so many aspects of the industry.'
‘I’m made up for Sammy to get a winner today, I’ve missed him in the weighing room.'
Again, from the home of Jump racing, Lambourn trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis sent out 8/1 shot Whatthebutlersaw, Mark Grant on board to beat favourite Shaddai by four lengths. 
The seven-year-old gelding stayed on well up the finish and take on the favourite Shaddaii in his second win from ten starts.
Shaddaii,Whatthebutlersaw,Kingston Mimosa
‘This horse could do with going a little further really,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘The race suited him really as they went on and then stopped in front of him, so he has outstayed them really, but he is sure to win again.’
The Arcadio gelding seemed to have needed his run a month back at Exeter and has shown to have come on from that. 
Note would have to be taken if this one comes out over more of a trip and would be one to highlight.
A good win for a small trainer, not a festive jumper in sight though, most having their fill from bumper packed seven race card before Christmas.
Whatthebutlersaw

Next jumping here at Fontwell on a busy Boxing day meeting, all to be blogged by.

Tuesday, 6 December 2016

DALE DOUBLE IS KING OF THE CASTLE

A picture postcard December morning. 
Cold and crisp, some would say not so even. But all would say the second week of the new season certainly off to a great start.

Two meetings on the first week, only Barbury for the second for trainers to get their early season charges out for a run.

A few remained in the stables and not declared, the home bend being in for some controversial comments on the state of the ground, the winter sunshine not yet glowing over the turf to take a slight frost on the grass off, request for the rail to be moved waved off by the powers at the course.

Six races, Dale peters one half of controversy last week at Cottenham, continuing this week with a fine double.


The first came on Tommy Morgan’s Teeton Power in the mares and fillies’ open maiden. 
The five-year-old chestnut made good use of the lead and showed great courage, four out the mare took up the race  the rest looking in trouble making for an easy run in down the hill to the final two fences.
‘she is a class horse,’ mentioned peters. ‘I gave her a slap two out and could hardly pull her up she could be something special and has plenty of scope.’

Tommy Morgan’s Teeton Power in the mares and fillies’ open maiden. 
Only on her second run, the first a third in May at Dingley, Tom Morgan who has had a good season already bagging winners at Cottenham mentioned,’ this mare has it all, she jumps and travels well we are very excited about her, I was hoping we would have got a better price than 4/6, but over the moon.’
One to note I feel, the horses, yard and jockey on form.

Dale Peters second of the day came in the last race, the 4,5,6 year olds maiden over two miles 4 furlongs. Wither or Not winning in fine style. 
‘This horse will get further I think, I was a bit worried they would catch him for toe around here but we knew he was right as he has been doing well at home,he just got a little lazy in front as soon as he got the others beat down the hill he pricked his ears and though that was that, but I knew he could gallop and gallop at a good pace to.’

Dale Peters second of the day came in the last race, the 4,5,6 year olds maiden over two miles 4 furlongs. Wither or Not winning in fine style. 
This ex Irish horse showed great heart and stamina, Dale peters certainly getting his horses right for the start of the new season.

A quick note on Mr Merch that ran second last week at Cottenham, a horse Dale is very hopeful with, the report was he has come out of the race well, Peters certainly with this Saffron Walden six-year-old also can look forward to as the season marches on.

Teeton Power 


















Wither or Not
















Karinga Dancer ridden and trained by Laura Thomas took the Dodson & Horrell PPORA member race, again winning in fine style. 
The ten-year-old by Karinga Bay who probably is at his best over shorter distances seemed to take the three miles in his stride and took to the last well clear of the rest of the field. 

Karinga Dancer ridden and trained by Laura Thomas took the Dodson & Horrell PPORA member race
‘He could have gone around again really he went so well, he jumped well and got the trip with more in hand, I'm quite excited about his future actually.’

Laura one of the flock that requested the rail to be moved on the home turn said,’ I take it back actually, the ground rode really well, no problems at all.’
Again, a great start for a team that had success in the west country on the opening day with Full Throttle and very intense both ridden by Johnny Bailey Laura mentioning, 'I don’t want it to stop really, it’s great, I have a good string this year so very exciting.’

Note should be taken that the winner had to carry 3lbs more than it should, an error on weighing out seemed not to affect this horse, looking at him he would not have minded carrying a few pounds more. 
One yard I feel to follow.
'I don’t want it to stop really, it’s great, I have a good string this year so very exciting.’

The mixed open was again taken by a trainer rider combination, Sam Jukes on Iberico took and beat a good field of pointers to land the prize. 
‘I’m delighted with that performance, it was a bit of pressure on with his first run for me, but he has overwhelmed me on how he has done it really.’ 
The horse now on seven wins from fifteen starts is a type that could be very handy for the season, his jumping being the only thorn in his side, today though not a hint of that trait, jumping well from fence to fence.

‘I walked the course yesterday and nearly didn’t run him, but he handled the ground well and we won.’  
Sam with a small string attached to the Ledbury hunt mentioned he had a few horses that he is really excited about this season. The well road being one in particular

Shaun Houlihan


 The seven-year-old conditions race was taken by local competitors Karen Hobbs with her nine-year-old Princely Player.

 Ridden by Shaun Houlihan the Kings Theatre gelding had to work a little over the last, Royal Riviera challenging up the straight.



‘He has done that so well, beings he has had a long time off, Shaun has given him a beautiful ride, giving him breather where he could and it has helped him in the end, I’m really happy for him.’ mentioned the trainer.
Only three got home in the race, the jockey who is with the yard of Phillip Hobbs doing enough to see the horse home. ‘it would be good to get above the eight winners I had last season, the possibility of turning conditional not being out of the question.’

The horse owned by the KP & The nuts racing club, one of the members being clerk of the course at Royal Windsor Jeff Green will probably have a month off and then another race looked for, one to watch out for especially if he comes back to Barbury.
Princely Player
Jack Andrews got his start to the season of well with a winner in only his second ride of the new campaign. 
Last year’s leading novice ridder on Lara Horsfall’s Treacyswestcounty took the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate race by making virtually all the running, Sam Jukes on Chasforgold chasing down five lengths behind looking for a double for the afternoon.
Lara Horsfall


‘He is like a little terrier really,’ mentioned the trainer.’ Even at home if something comes to challenge him he finds that bit more, he has always been good, rapid over his fences, but under pressure last season seemed to buckle, today though perfect.’

The eight-year-old took his time to win his intermediate, with a string of placed runs last year looks a type that has possibly found his form, a horse that takes a bit of time to get over his races may not be seen until well into the new year.

The jockey mentioned, ‘It’s early for me to get a winner really, this one is a clever sort of horse and gets from A to B so fast, I’ve probably got one fence out the back straight wrong, but he got me out of trouble.’



Treacyswestcounty took the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate
Next racing at Barbury, will be in new year now with the Barbury international, in the meantime the season marches on with three meetings to choose from this weekend. 
The Cornwall Hunt Cub has six races at Wadenbridge. The triple H’s. Hursley Hambledon Hunt have their meet at Larkhill, one of many meetings at the Wiltshire course this season and the Ratcheugh racing club have their meeting, the first northern meeting this season at Alnwick, incidentally this could be the where the Dale peters roadshow continues his quest.
More images, podcasts and write up at

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

COTTENHAM UNITED FOR CAMBRIDGESHIRE POINT TO PONT ACTION



Only twenty minutes from the heart of flat racings HQ Newmarket, in a corner of the village of Cottenham the point to point fraturnaty celebrates yet another start of point to point season. 

Two meetings for the sports followers to go to on the opening day, this one and Black forest lodge a short way off the A380 near Exeter.

Those coming over to the East of the country and Cottenham were offered six races, small fields but packed in quality.

12:00 noon saw Sir Mark Prescott lower the starters flag for the PPORA club members race, eight runners, within the pack Tommy Morgan’s Lough Inch, the winner of the race last season and a horse that truly loves the Cottenham turf winning several of his races at the track.

Lough Inch
This season being no different, with regular jockey on board Sam Davies Thomas, third in last seasons jockey’s championship the nine-year-old seemed to command the opening salvo with an exhibition of front running and jumping.
Both jockey and trainer Liz Harris seemed delighted by the horse that owes both nothing over the years with his full of heart runs.
His twelve length victory showing what a class team this is. The trainer, with a new addition to the family in tow mentioned that this good to firm ground specialist will wait until the ground is just to his liking before his next trip.
Liz Harris (left) seemed delighted by the horse that owes both nothing over the years with his full of heart runs

The jockey going on with the day in controversial fashion.
 New job in the bag with Dan Skelton, the jockey had to wait to the last for his second winner of the day on Extreme Appeal, a four-year-old out of the Kelly Morgan yard. 
Again, a good clean front running jumping exhibition saw the horse in his second pointing season show what he is made of beating Dale peters of Mister Murch by seven lengths in the 4.5.6 year old open maiden.
‘Kelly has done a great job on this one as he used not to jump too great, today though spot on.’ And you would not of though it about this horse as he met all his obstacles just right.

The race though did throw up a few googlies in its running.

First, John Mathias on Holy Dancer fell four out, the jockey taken to hospital where it was reported he has a fractured pelvis, we all wish John well, and a speedy recovery.

John Mathias on Holy Dancer

Second, the runner up in the race Mr Murch, Dale Peters reports he thinks this six-year-old grey if produces his home form at the races could be something special, this and the winner need a strong highlight in the notebooks.

Mr Murch, Dale Peters reports he thinks this six-year-old grey if produces his home form at the races could be something special
Both jockeys in the race before the open maiden seeing honours reversed and a trip to the steward’s room as Peters on All the sevens and Davies-Thomas on Skipping on came to the last together, Dale Peters mount edging over and pushing the drive of Davies Thomas and Skipping on over to the stand rail.

All the sevens and Davies-Thomas on Skipping on came to the last together
All the sevens kept the race, peters picking up a £75 fine for careless riding. Sam Davies Thomas convinced without the interference he would have made it a treble for the day. ‘Dale and I are good friends, it’s racing and that’s that, no hard feelings,’ mentioned this young jockey who in my opinion is a future champion point to point jockey. Not only tidy on a horse, but well liked in the paddock this boy will go far to be sure.
‘Dale and I are good friends, it’s racing and that’s that, no hard feelings.’
Another team destined for the bright lights are the Oxfordshire based team of the Hill Family. Trainer Alan ever popular within the sport saddled Consigliere to take the Men’s open in record time of 5 min 45 sec. Again, piloted by son Joe Hill another young jockey with a bright future the thirteen-year-old showed dominance against the three other runners, bowling in the eight lengths winner over Never complain from the local yard of the Marshall’s.

Consigliere






‘The horse owes us nothing.’ Mentioned the jockey who was delighted with the horse that is a sturt supporter of the Ponting field.
 ‘Dad and I have will now have a bit of a think where to go next but he has been a great servant to us and we all think dearly of him.’

Not a big field to be up against but Never Complain in second place is no slouch himself not being out of the first three in all his seven runs. The only plip on the winners form being a creditable 11th in the Cheltenham Foxhunters.



The ladies open saw a Bound for glory take the spoils beating Gina Andrews on Sharp Suit by five lengths.
The ten-year-old trained by David Fitch-Peyton saw action on the last day of the 2015-16 season winning the ladies open at Umberleigh. The horse again coming out looking well for a brief rest to take the race with a show of front running and positive jumping.

The horse twice a runner in the Aintree Foxhunters seems a class act, (which I would say stands in the favour of the second place horse, the Alan Hill Sharp Suit) this time ridden by Allie Sterling, regular jockey Hannah Lewis only giving birth a few weeks ago.
Allie mentioned ‘ You would pay to ride this one in the foxhunters he is that good, I should reckon Hannah is dying to get back and ride him, it took effort for her not to be here today.’

The ladies open saw a Bound for glory take the spoils beating Gina Andrews on Sharp Suit by five lengths. 

David Fitch-Peyton
Trainer David Fitch-Peyton who is doing his trainer modules as we speak was very happy with the performance and will now plan the ten-year olds path for the season ahead. A yard with good horses and a professional attitude would surely be a head turner wherever you see a runner entered.

Ride of the day in my mind must go to the reigning ladies champion Gina Andrews
Ride of the day in my mind must go to the reigning ladies champion Gina Andrews on the second horse Sharp Suit, who needed all the jockey’s skill and persuasion to challenged Bound for Glory at the last.
Four out, minds were cast back to the AP McCoy days for pushing on a horse to the untrained eye a no hoper, to a near victory.
 Andrews putting up her stall to other contenders for her crown what was needed to take her on.

She did not have to wait long though to get her 2016-17 campaign off to a winning start as she partnered Celtic Silver trained by husband Tom Ellis, though very much I reckon a team affair to victory in the Restricted.
The seven-year-old grey took an easy victory by twelve lengths from Scorpion Star. 
‘He’d make a good ladies horse as he is not that big, but it was good to have that sort of opener to progress him on.’ Mentioned the jockey

Celtic Silver


Tom Ellis





The trainer also impressed with the relative ease of his win, mentioning it took a little of the pressure off getting the first win out of the way. 

‘We are very busy at the moment, plenty of horses in, pointers, breakers and others so we are hard at it.’

 But this duo certainly will not shy off from that and continue to grow and will be defiantly a team important to this winters game.





Another class meeting, the next one on new years eve.
 Next weekend another  quality meet as the Point to point owners club meet at Barbury opens its account for the new season.

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