DOUBLE BAILEYS ON THE GREEN

The Oakley Hunt meeting at Brafield on the Green

Another point to point racecourse on it's opening meet of the season offered near on perfect racing ground to the competitive fields entered at Brafield-on-the-Green.

Scheduled for seven races, the maiden open for five year olds and upwards split, taking the sport to eight contests for the Sunday afternoon crowd to enjoy.

That open maiden is out first port of call, both divisions ridden by a jockey humbled on his tally of winners so far this season Johnny Bailey.
The first horse Native Gamut, trained by Laura Thomas who has supplied a good majority of the jockeys success so far this season

Native Gamut

Listen to the trainer chat about her horse and the story behind the seven year olds success.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/laura-thomas-trainer-native-gamut-winner-open-maiden-div-i-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

Also we have our first chat of the afternoon to Johnny
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/johnny-bailey-on-native-gamut-winner-5-yo-and-up-open-maiden-div-i-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

We chat again to Mr Bailey soon after as he takes his second winner of the afternoon on Lively Article trained by Michael Keyhoe

Lively Article

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/johnny-bailey-his-brace-lively-article-winner-open-maiden-div-ii-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

The first horse Native Gamut, trained by Laura Thomas who has supplied a good majority of the jockeys success so far this season

second winner of the afternoon on Lively Article trained by Michael Keyhoe

Jack Andrews opened up proceedings with a win on the impressive Treacyswestcounty.
The nine year old won with plenty in had to take the Members race for  trainer Laura Horsfall.

Listen to Jack chat about the horse after the win

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jack-andrews-after-treacyswestcounty-wins-the-hunt-members-race-at-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

Treacyswestcounty

Only four runners in the Ladies open, but as Alan hill quoted later in the afternoon, it probably involved horses that were in the top ten of ladies open rides.
Immy Robinson took the race in fine style on Popaway, from Clare Hardwick on Dabinett Moon.

Popaway

Listen to the jockey chat affectionately about the twelve year old mare after the win.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/immy-robinson-jockey-on-board-popaway-winner-of-the-ladies-open-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

Immy Robinson  on Popaway

Connor Orr took the six runner men's open on Wild Bill for Angela Rucker.

Wild Bill

We meet for the first, but more likely not the last time with the well experienced Irishman, based with Evan David, and chat about the horse, his past and future.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/connor-orr-winning-jockey-of-the-mens-open-on-wild-bill-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

Sam Waley-Cohen on Facile Bien 

Sam Waley-Cohen on Facile Bien took the very pacey Confined race, but still a few seconds slower than that of the Ladies Open.
We chat to the experienced and popular amateur after the win about this promising six year old
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/sam-waley-cohen-winning-jockey-facile-bien-in-the-confined-race-at-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

 Facile Bien 

Alan Hill having a good season so far with horses and young novice jockeys sent another first time winner out for a rider in the novice riders race, the penultimate race of the afternoon.
Solly Woods, a West Country boy on his first winner from his second ride on a eight year old that looks a good prospect, For 'N' Against

For 'N' Against

Listen to the trainer chat about the horse, that I'm sure he would not mind me to say is for sale ( as long as it stays with Alan), One of his stable stars and popular pointer Broken Eagle, and Cheltenham.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/alan-hill-after-fornagainst-wins-the-novice-riders-race-at-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

Oh yes we also have a chat to Solly too.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/solly-woods-on-fornagainst-his-first-win-the-novice-riders-race-at-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

Solly Woods, a West Country boy on his first winner from his second ride

The final race in what seemed a marathon of an afternoon went to the Phillip Rowley trained Namako ridden by Alex Edwards in the Restricted.

We have a chat to the exhausted jockey after the race about the seven year old.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/alex-edwards-winning-jockey-namako-the-restricted-for-phillip-rowley-brafield-on-the-green-19-3-17

Namako ridden by Alex Edwards

A good day in all, very competitive racing and with the clouds always a threat we stayed dry.
The Point to point season at the door of it's most busy period this weekend shows the quality of pointers we have in this country and still yet more to come.

Listen to more Pointing podcasts and more over the next few months at

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NO YOKE CRACKED FOR THE INNUARGRAL HIGH EASTER RACING CLUB. SERIOUS RACING

Remarkable Man

Six quality races on fresh good, good to firm ground for the first of two meetings at the High Easter racecourse, usually set for one.

As most in the weighing room mentioned, people love sending horses, and riding horses at the venue that would put to the test a few professional courses dotted about the country.

The first race was the organizers members race for novice riders, won by a jockey on zero winners, and certainly no four faults, ex showjumper Tim Gredley on Silvergrove.

Tim Gredley on Silvergrove.

Listen to what the jockey has to say about the horse, his career and the future

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tim-gredley-ownerjockey-silvergrove-winner-ppora-members-race-novice-riders-at-high-easter-18-3-17

The restricted race, the second of the afternoon was taken by the Adrian Gibbons's seven year old grey Master Ally, ridden by Kate Gowing

Listen to the owner chat about the horse, how he got into Pointing and the future for himself and the gelding.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/adrian-gibbons-owner-of-master-ally-winner-of-the-restricted-at-high-easter-18-3-17

Master Ally, ridden by Kate Gowing

And the young jockey, based with Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews and learning her craft

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/kate-gowing-jockey-on-master-ally-winner-of-the-restricted-at-high-easter-18-3-17

Halfway through the card, and onto a six runner mens open event where Richard (Dickie) Collinson got a flying response from Nightscape trained by Rob Cundy.

Listen to the jockey chat about his enjoyment for the pointing game and the horse

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/dickie-collinson-jocked-on-board-silvergrove-winner-of-the-mens-open-at-high-easter-18-3-17

Nightscape trained by Rob Cundy.

The Ladies open, another quality race saw the area specialists The Morgans take the race in a confident front running style.

Making most of the runner,getting a breather into the nine year old Decade Player half way round Tabatha Worsley made the race look simple.
Well that was until the last fence anyway.

A little bit of taking the eye off the game, caused a blunder at the last

A little bit of taking the eye off the game, caused a blunder at the last, but enough was in hand to see the Kelly Morgan Trained chestnut take the spoils.
Listen to the trainer chat about the horse and where it goes to next.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/the-trainer-of-decade-player-winner-of-the-ladies-open-kelly-morgan-high-easter-18-3-17

Decade Player 

And also to Tabatha on her heart in the mouth moment, the ride she got, and the new allowance for female jockeys.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tabatha-worsley-jockey-on-decade-player-winner-of-the-ladies-open-kelly-morgan-high-easter-18-3-17

Gina Andrews kept up a week to remember when taking the Conditions race on Amigo.

Amigo.

Listen to the retaining ladies point to point Champ chat Lauren Brathwaite's  quality ten year old. and he week never to be forgotton

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/gina-andrews-jockey-on-amigo-winner-of-the-ten-yearl-and-over-conditions-race-high-easter-18-3-17

Gina Andrews kept up a week to remember when taking the Conditions race

David Kemp sent his  six year old to post Toosey for the open maiden. Ridden by Joe Hill, whose weighing room buddy Sam Davies - Thomas, otherwise engaged at Fontwell to ride for his boss Dan Skelton. the yound gelding seemed to relish the fresh unuraced  surface.

Listen to the trainer David Kemp who thinks a fair bit about this young maiden

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/david-kemp-trainer-of-toosey-winner-of-the-open-maiden-at-high-easter-18-3-17

And jockey Joe Hill who chats about this horse and other stars from his riding portfilio

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/joe-hill-who-on-toosey-winsf-the-open-maiden-at-high-easter-18-3-17

Toosey Joe Hillm walk in with trained David Kemp

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20 OF THE BEST FROM HALF OF THE 2017 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

THE ARKLE STATUE OVERLLOOKS THE WINNERS ENCLOSURE

THIS IS WHAT HE CAN SEE

THE

OPENINNG

DAY

DAVY RUSSELL PRESENTING PERCY

C'MON

THE IRISH

UN

DE

SCEAUX

YORKHILL

 YORKHILL

YORKHILL

RUBY,RUBY,RUBY,RUBY

WINNING JOCKEY GINA ANDREWS IN THE KIM MUIR

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

OK so, I wanted to do something different for my usual pilgrimage to the home of National hunt racing Cheltenham.

Well, it started well enough. Instead of the one day at the festival, usually on the Champions day, I'm set for two (the Thursday) £68 for Grandstand, car park and racecard, a fair deal I thought.

No not enough, I say to myself, overtaken by the buzz of Cheltenham when I arrive on the opening day I fancy a trip into members, so an upgrade is purchased, £30 mmmmmm. A deal or no deal????

So to the races, seven on the card,a new Champion hurdler to crown.

Yes this is yours truly before the Festival begins, and still not sure what to do.
I know,  lets write a small Blog on what is Cheltenham like from the visitors side of the rail.
Big cameras left in the bag, armed with only a camera phone and a racecard I set about the task.




Okay, lets have a look at the new stand and members enclosure, well first thoughts, again questioning my upgrade purchase. Is there a dress code????? Maybe not seeing some who swim in the Club tank with me.

And how on earth can the security really check who has badges or not?? Not tested by yours truly but i could see a few getting through the massive crowd that ascended on the hollowed ground.

It becomes very much apparent timing is essential to get from paddock to stand to watch the race with a good view, must admit I'm feeling a little negative at the moment, where can i see the racing, do i really want to watch the sports on the massive and impressive paddock big screen?

But not a bad call really not only do you see the horses in or out, positive pre racing work can get you a pole position for the day to see the action and it's participants up close and personal.

 

But can't stay here too long, have to investigate a little more of  what Cheltenham has to offer.
Let's see.........

Well if not scared of heights, going up high with a panoramic view of yes that screen, but the full paddock.

A good position you get on a sunny day, perfect views of Cleeve Hill, all the winners coming in and yes, again that big screen.  Perfect, what a day. I'm starting to feel a little more confident, the day might not be that much of a whitewash.

But i feel the best is still yet to come, a nugget to find and  a quick hop and a skip from the high up position, the saddling up area maybe to the perfect place.
Not as busy ( you can even hear the spring song of the nesting birds about) A very nice deli to get a bite to eat and a drink, you can see the winners, also rans and the about to runs all in the same place. and in view of, yes you guessed it that screen........
Well worth a visit in my book, yes my Cheltenham mojo has been restored

looking over the walkway, what a place to stand, you can see it all, and at an angle no one else can get to view......... HAVE A LOOK.

Well, if you want to shop, Cheltenham has increased this area year on year, no bargain bucket offers in place but quality. So if you want a hat, jacket, book bracelet or table???? and i see coffee and cake on offer this year, well this is the place.

OH YES,
Don't forget the horses











And yes we did mention earlier the also rans well past the newly unveiled statue, (one a many of the Cheltenham good and the greats) of Mr AP McCoy

go see the horse get washed off and the jockeys deal out more stories than a series of Jackanory. A great insight to racing.

Well, Mojo restored, day one over and another day to come.

What can i do on Thursday?? St Patricks day so it is billed, could be fun.

ANY SUGGESTIONS

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