OKTOBERFEST PART 2 A SATURDAY SEVEN AT FONTWELL

Six races down from the previous day, seven quality races still to come to celebrate Fontwell parks Oktoberfest two day national hunt meeting.
Saturday brings in the families, though not the sunshine from the previous days meeting, the weather is well behaved for  meeting not only with quality racing on the cards but mascots charity racing, fancy dress and music all to keep the punters well entertained throughout the afternoon.

The opener,a three mile one furlong twelve runner handicap saw the field hit off at a good pace. Jockeys coming back reporting that the ground is good jumping ground allowing the horses to let down and run.
Jamie Moore in driving form at a track he likes booted home 11/1 shot Ilewindeiilah for the Lambourn based Charlie Mann yard.

'

 A lot of credit has to go to Gary (Moore) and Charlie (Mann)  in getting her right again

The favorite from the Paul Henderson team Mount Vesuvius back seven lengths in third the jockey of the winner mentioned,' Dad trained (Gary Moore) her last season, she won at Uttoxeter and then the wheels came off a little with her, Charlie has her now and has got her just right again, a change of scenery has done her good. Tom Segrue (the owner)let me keep the ride on her and to be fair she has done it well.'
The owners mentioned that the nine year old mare has had her injury problems,' A lot of credit has to go to Gary (Moore) and Charlie (Mann)  in getting her right again, i bred this one and today's win was not really that much of a surprise, we wanted this type of ground and got it today.'

Ilewindeiilah 

Off bottom weight of 10 st 2 lbs the mare may have to see what penalty she gets for a competitive win, but one to keep note of for sure.

An eight runner two mile three furlongs handicap novices chase was next to offer favorite backers a chance to get on the well priced 4/1 shot Accord from the Stow-on-the-Wold yard of David Bridgewater. The seven year old on his first win from five starts stayed on well under the ride of Tom Scudamore. 'He showed plenty of guts from the last to be fair, i though we may get caught with a turn of pace coming around the home bend but he is such a straight forward type of horse he battled out coming up the hill.'

Accord (left) battles up to the line  with second placed horse Free Stone Hill from the Dan Skelton yard.

In the paddock this one looks a very nice type indeed, and chasing seems to be his curtain call. From a yard that had had it's good spread of quality horse in it's time, it would be no surprise to see this one pick up a handy race somewhere over the coming months and one surely to underline in the form books.

Accord (left)  Free Stone Hill (right).

The feature race of the afternoon the £15000 Winner Group handicap Hurdle was again taken by the favorite. 5/2 shot Dashing Oscar from the Harry Fry yard and ridden by Noel Fehily who made all of the two miles three furlongs only really jumping well enough from two out to stay on well to beat Diable De Sivola by three lengths.

' He has grown a lot since i last saw him and is a really fast little jumper, that wasn't a bad sort of race really, it's encouraging for Fontwell to put on a handicap with a decent prize to it, but look this horse has done it well and has deserved his win for sure.'
The seven year old Irish bred now on four wins from ten runs certainly looks the hurdling type. Nimble and quick and certainly a pick for the Seaborough yard for Fry who trained his 150th winner of his career a month back.



One to watch, dependent on the competition next time out, and also it will possible depend on his penalty, but one certainly to note.

Dashing Oscar

The two miles one furlong handicap chase saw mixed fortunes for the Oxford based trainer Lawney Hill. Twenty four hours back at the course she just missed out as Velvet Cognac was taken on the line in the conditional jockeys chase. Twenty fours hours on and a mile less in distance Oliver's Hill off bottom weight of 10 st 2 lbs took the two miles one furlong Handicap chase by and impressive eight lengths from Pearls legend.
Ridden by Aiden Coleman the eight year old showed a quick impressive form of jumping the bigger obstacles, pulling away two fences out and going on again over the last.

'I have used Aiden from the start,' mentioned the trainer. 'He has given him a lovely ride, everything has suited him here today and the low weight has also has helped. We hardly ride him at home, just loose school him, when he dose that he jumps well above the wings of the fences, but to be sure he is a quirky horse but today i was really impressed by him.'
The jockey mentioned,' he has improved since his run at Stratford last month and has jumped really well today and has made use of the 10 st 2 lbs mark.'
The jockey who quoted he really enjoys riding the figure of eight of Fontwell was impressed by the improvement of the horse and would be one to note. It will be interesting what mark the gelding goes off next time out, not really over raced during this bout he could be one if off a low mark that could step up again. One to watch i'd say.

Velvet Cognac

The Marston's Kaltenberg novices hurdle over two miles three furlongs saw a healthy thirteen novices go to post.
Alan King present at Fontwell for the afternoon saddled 7-1 shot Chosen Path for Wayne Hutchinson to go to post on to take a nine length victory from Gunfleet from the Emma Levelle yard

Chosen Path

'He is only a four year old but has done that well really,'' Mentioned  Hutchinson.' He has  ran the race like a big baby really having a look at everything so should come on for the run really.' Covered up until four out the Irish bred debutante though as the jockey mentioned ran green quickened and pulled away from his field nicely, ' He probably ran a little earlier than we would usually do 'mentioned the trainer,'but with the ground being good at the moment it's nice to get them started, we have always liked him and here at Fontwell the sharpness of the track will teach the horse to race, this one could possibly have a big future.' Praise indeed from Alan King who wouldn't be in too much of  a rush for the four year old. ' We will find a little race for him in a few weeks time with not too much of a penalty and go from there.'
So, we have been told Chosen Path, this could be one for the note books over the coming months, the interest will be what path dose the trainer take.

We have always liked him and here at Fontwell the sharpness of the track will teach the horse to race.

The penultimate race of the day and the last of the races over obstacles was a two mile five handicap chase for Conditional riders. Eight runners to post and it was David Bridgewater who saddled Accord to win the opening race over the fences, put faith in young Callum McKinnes on board Orchestrated to fiddle a tune to the sound of a double for the afternoon.

Callum McKinnes on board Orchestrated with trainer David Bridgewater along side

The six year old grey on his inaugural victory from nine starts also made  it special for the young jockey only the day before having his first ride over fences, now on his second in the winners enclosure.
'Its not the easiest course to ride to be fare as you have to keep up where you are on the track. But i walked the course again this morning just to get my bearings.' The prodigy of the British racing school the young jockey mentioned,' I only rode ponies until i went to the school, got on a racehorse though wow this is great and have never looked back, i went to Tom George;s yard first then into David Bridgewaters about two years ago.'
I think there is one place we can leave this race, with a quote from a jockey on his maiden win. 'The buzz of riding my first winner is amazing.'

Orchestrated (left) upsides second placed horse Fly Home Harry

The final race of the afternoon a two mile one furlong national hunt flat race finished the two day festival in a blaze of glory. Court Liability from the Harry Whittington yard stayed on well and ran a positive race under Harry Bannister beating second and third placed horses with a necks distance between them. The favorite at 9/4 Solomon Grey in second place.

Baddesley Knight Solomon Grey in second place. Court Liability,

 The grey in the middle, the winner to his left battled hard  for Bannister up to the line. To be fair having seen a few National hunt flat races over the years at Fontwell, this one i would say is up there as one of the most competitive races at this type I've seen.
'He will come on a lot for that,' mentioned the jockey. 'He battled well up to the line and is a nice sort with a future i feel if he keeps going in the  right way.'
One again for the national hunt note books i'd say, the course well versed into putting in one or two rather good novices over the years from these bumpers.

With music to come at the East Sussex track the more was to the merry,  good pointers in a lot of areas for the national hunt aficionados . More is yet to come

More UMP PA PA  to come in the shape of Royal Windsor's Oktober festival as the last few Monday race meeting goes ahead for a few more time.

ALL BEING BLOGGED AT

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

OKTOBER BEST FOR FONTWELL PARKS DUAL MEETING

The opening race of Oktoberfest the James Todd & Co Juvenile Hurdle 

With the seasons and leaves turning as summer waves it's goodbye, heads start turning away from the flat season to concentrate more on the jumpers.
A two day festival of thirteen good quality national hunt races is what's on offer at Fontwell park as they play host to their Oktoberfest meeting.
Six races on offer for the first day, the opener an interesting little juvenile hurdle over the two miles one furlong. Nine runners to post, the Gary Moore trained three year old Sussex Ranger coming home the eight length winner making all of the running from the Alan King 11/8 favorite Kozier.

Sussex Ranger  and Jamie Moore

His jockey Jamie Moore mentioned, 'I've watched this one on the flat quite a bit, as a two year old you would not have been wrong getting excited about winning a bumper on him, dad ( Gary Moore) got him quite cheap really as he was bit of a box walker, he has gone out there today looking about him like it was his first time. He schools pretty well at home, but he is a nice big sort that will come on from that run.'
The trainer also pleased with his lot lately with a 13% strike rate of winners mentioned,' I thought he would run a good race today in that class of event, the French horse from the Nicholls yard was  my only worry (Risk and Roll) i suppose we will have to find him a same type race without taking on too much of a penalty next time,but i'm pleased with him today for sure.'
A master of finding the right type of race for the right type of horse this one may be one to note next time out, Juveniles from the Moore stable finding form at present. More like if conditions suit back here or Plumpton may be a port of call for this Tongdean Partnership three year old.

'He schools pretty well at home, but he is a nice big sort that will come on from that run.'

The first chase of the day, a six runner two mile five  Novices chase saw a good few horses come past the line that would have to be penned in the form book.
Paul Nicholls saddled the  4/6 favorite Adrien Du Pont, Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle for this five year olds first time over fences. ' He came here today to learn his craft, i said to Paul if we get beat we get beat, but he had a good attitude in the race today and his jumping though not the finished article yet was good. He will get tougher days in races than this for sure but it was a good start for him today.' Last seen at Fontwell in the Game Spirit hurdle in February, that day pulling up, the gelding worked his race well coming through the field to take the race by four lengths from second place Pickamix and third placed horse Mister Whitaker, two horses again that should be watched depending on the  on-going form of the Nicholls winner.

'I was a little bit worried that we were going too soon with him really today, but we had to see what he was about really, and these types of races/courses give them a chance to see where we are at and give them experience. He we will come on from that run for sure.' Mentioned the trainer.
The horse showed pure class and is one to watch, Wincanton could be his next outing in  a rising stars race, races that the trainer has had success in the past.
If  as quoted there is only one way to go with the winner notes also should be taken of the second and third placed horse. The Charlie Mann trained Pickamix and Mick Channon trained Mister Whitaker, both look promising types, the Ditchat master certainly liking the winner it may show good form for the runners up,

Mister Whitaker

Pickamix

Pickamix and Harry Bannister lead over the eventual winner of the Novice chase Adrie Du Pont

The two mile one furlong handicap hurdle saw thirteen very useful looking types go to post, the 3/1 favorite from the Richard Newland stables  Caid Du Lin defied his top weight of 12 st 1 lbs  to take up the race from two out, striding out under the steerage of double winning jockey Sam Twiston- Davies who mentioned. ' He ran well enough at Market Rasen last week, just getting knocked back after he started to make a run. So it was good to get him here today, work on his confidence on good ground.'

Caid Du Lin on his way to winning the James Todd&Co Ltd Handicap hurdle upsides for company Coeur Tantre

The grey beating the Irish contender in Summer Storm from the John 'the Shark' Hanlon yard who had bought a number of runners to the two day meet by four and a half lengths showed promise as he was giving over a stone in weight to the placed horse, and maybe one to note picking up now a nice looking class three handicap, all the while gaining experience and strength.

 Caid Du Lin winning jockey San Twiston- Davies on a double for the afternoon 

The feature race of a quality days racing was the two mile five furlong handicap chase, with a total prize fund of £18500.
Eight runners to post in a highly contested event, not only on paper but on racing also, the pace a strong one and taken on by the eventual victor in the Jonjo O'Neil trained Go Conquer owned by paul & Clare Rooney.
Aiden Coleman in the saddle again a jockey on his way to a double for the afternoon took on the race but left enough to get home on the 4/1 shot, beating the 2/1 favorite in Paul Nicholls As De Me.

'This horse must be one of the best jumpers i have ever ridden,; mentioned the jockey. 'He was of good quality last season but he seems to have improved since then. He jumps so well you can give him breathers in between fences knowing he makes lengths when jumping. I have to say i was disappointed in the Topham last year at Aintree i really fancied him for that, he just got behind one at the Canal Turn that went wide and made a mistake and that was it race over for him. But he is exceptional really for a handicapper like him to jump so well from start to finish.'

High praise indeed from a jockey that has sat on a few good ones in his time i'd say. So, what about the national this season. The jockey would not be drawn to that one so early on. 'He needs to settle a little more to get a national trip, we need to look at something a little closer than that to be sure, wherever he goes i'm happy to ride him anyway.'

Go Conquer 'This horse must be one of the best jumpers i have ever ridden,; mentioned the jockey

Could this be a talking horse for the worlds most watched horse race in April, time will tell. But a firm underline should be noted in this top class jumper, who knows have we seen the Grand National winner already? and it's only the start of the winter game, time will tell.

The penultimate race on day one of this superb two day festival was a race for the conditional jockeys, a handicap chase over the longer distance of the day three miles two furlongs.
Seven to post for again a race that did not spare the gas, the jockeys up front setting a strong pace from tapes up.
Colin Tizzard sent to post the 13/8 favorite in Wizards Bridge ridden by 3 lbs claimer Mitchell Bastyen, and you would not be wrong in thinking that two out the favorite would of been beaten as William Featherstone on board Shockingtimes took up the running with what looked plenty in hand four out.
A mistake three from home saw the leader part company, leaving Lawney Hill's Velvet Cognac all but the victor up to the line, Bastyen pulling out a last gasp finish to get the eight year old to take his sixth race in twenty eight starts.
'I knew i had something underneath me coming around the home turn despite looking the beaten favorite, he had a bit of a rough time of it going around but he stuck to it and battled brave coming up the hill.'

Colin Tizzard sent to post the 13/8 favorite in Wizards Bridge ridden by 3 lbs claimer Mitchell Bastyen

Note should be taken by the unfortunate Velvet Cognac from the Lawney Hill yard who jumped well prominently throughout jockey Charlie Deutsch backing his luck as Shockingtimes faltered, but more was to come over the next twenty four hours for the Oxfordshire trainer, as a hard luck story on one day turns itself about the following day.

The final race of an encouraging afternoon to what was to come over the two day meet was the three miles two furlongs James Todd Handicap hurdle.
Trainer Colin Tizzard just getting over a win in the previous race saddle 7/1 shot Buckhorn Timothy to take on six other competitors over the distance to take a length and a quarter victory from Young Dillon and Sam Twiston- Davis hungry for a treble back in second. Third placed horse and favorite  Scoop the Pot at 11/8 and length further back.

Buckhorn Timothy Harry Cobden takes the Jame Todd Hanicap Hurdle, Young Dillon takes the last with him, Scoop the Pot back in third.

'I'm delighted for the connections really, they have been really patient with him. He had a little injury at the beginning of last season that has seen him sidelined, i didn't want to commit too early but when asked he has ran on well for me.' mention Harry Cobden the man in the saddle.
A competitive handicap for the time of year Scoop the Pot back in third from the Philip Hobbs yard and owned y J.P McManus must be a horse to note, also Doing Fine from the Neil Mulholland yard a head further back in fourth a horse staying on well in the Bet 365 Gold Cup back in April, shows the winner of the race should be taken seriously. The yard of Colin Tizzard in good form at present, Harry mentioning,'I ride out there every Wednesday. And the horses are fit that's for sure and at the moment running well, let's hope i can ride a few more like this one.'

Buckhorn Timothy 

With six races down and a good mood at the track much is to be looked forward for another seven races on the card the following day, with plenty of  Weibweirst and Schweinshaxe on offer, plenty to look forward to with the blogs from

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

KING OF HIS CASTLE, A VIEW OF ED WALKERS KINGSDOWN STABLES

Kingsdown Estate Gallops

After the deluge of Fontwell park, getting well and truly soaked, a few days of yard work preparing for the new point to point season, yes you guessed. Getting soaked.
It was a pleasure to get blue skies and sunshine for a visit to the yard of Ed Walkers at Kingsdown house Lambourn, with the West Berkshire racing club.
A good few  years since my foot steeped over the threshold of this yard,also a good few pounds lighter and years younger when i was a budding amateur jockey working in the summer for Charlie Nelson.

The yard having a freshen up after that with trainers such as Jamie Osborne and Mick channon having working out of the gates it is now taken over with a trainer in his seventh year.
Only coming to Lambourn in 2016 after a successful spell in Newmarket were he trained out of a number of yards one of them the legendary stables of  Warren Place, where many of the greats were trained by the late great Sir Henry Cecil.

View of the top of the historic main yard at Kingsdown House

Ed not able to be with us, a trip to America for the sales, left his wife to take us to the gallops and around the yard. The gallops on the door step are a god send, though the trainer not having the sole use of the facilities, the Jockey club estates take care of these superb gallops.
Here are a few images of the second lots journey.

We even get to look at a horses eye view up the gallops

Two horses we spoke about in earlier blogs with the trainer having a double Romanor and Simpson both winning two good races at Royal Windsor, were seen in a more relaxed state in their boxes. No new information on what next for these two, but it was good to follow up.

Romanor winner of  1m 3 f  starsportsbet.co.uk HANDICAP at Windsor

Simpson winner of the 1 m 3f CALL STAR SPORTS ON 08000 521 321 NURSERY HANDICAP

A good stables with a great future.

        Experienced massed already, Ed walker is certainly marching in the right direction

More blogs from racing, point to point and other stable visits can be seen at 

https://mjayphotograph.blogspot.co.uk/

FONTWELL PARK , RAIN,WIND BUT IT WILL NOT STOP THEM 10-9-17

It is a great shame that the inclement British weather has to upset an event that is meant for fun and frolic in the late summer sunshine. It's also a shame for Fontwell park (one of my favorite racecourses) that over the years has been scuppered by harsh weather. Well this meeting was one of them.
Starting off with all the best intentions, the seven race card, with two Charles Owen Pony Racing series races after racing, and all the fun of the fair continued the weather blew in. We can moan,groan and go home, but nothing i suppose comes anywhere near what the dear soles in the paths of Irma and the hurricanes before have had to endure.

Poetic Lady

The racing despite the deluge of the wet stuff was of sound quality, the going to start good,good to soft in places (later changed to good to soft) kicked off with a mares two miles five furlongs handicap hurdle.
Neil Mulholland saddles the winner of this Poetic Lady ridden by Noel Fehily who riding his three hundred and forty fifth winner of his career steered home the six year old to beat Seamus Mullins's Kentford Heiress by four lengths.
'She is a nice genuine improving filly' mentioned the jockey. The trainer said,'she has been in the pize money each time she has ran since coming over from Ireland, she is a mare that needs confidence and we rode her with that in mind today.'

Second place Kentford Heiress and fourth placed Miss Spent cover on the far side the winner Poetic Lady

A good win for her owner Mrs Bridle who has been with the team near Bath from the beginning and looks to be the type in these sorts of handicaps that will do well, one to note i would say from a very confident and promising yard.

Local and popular trainer at Fontwell Gary Moore took his first juvenile hurdle winner of the season in the shape of three year old gelding Lord E, ridden by Jamie Moore in the two mile one furlong event.
The gelding on his first outing over obstacles only placed once from six runs on the flat, looked green running slightly right on the run in after taking the lead coming over the last.

The pint sized three year old who the trainer mentioned had a big heart, 'he would of been out and about earlier to be fare but he has met with bit of a set back, he would have gone to the sales but i was told i could keep him on, so it was nice to get that win into him today.'
A bold move that paid off, more likely this gelding will still make the sales ring, with the win now looks a more promising purchase. Can he repeat, only time will tell. One to watch i feel.

Lord E, ridden by Jamie over the last second place Karuna Peak behind

Fifty One year old trainer Phil York, a name you may more recognize on the point to point field trained the next winner, the first of only two races over the bigger obstacles.
Spirtofchartwell ridden by Katy Lyons made their charge two out and stayed on well to be unchallenged beating Saffron Prince from the David Bridgewater yard by two lengths.
'I only have a permit out at the moment to train, this is my third runner, i had two yesterday,' Mentioned the trainer that has ridden over 300 winners point to pointing.
' I was going to ride him myself, but with all the work getting the permit out i realized i couldn't make the weight, so Katy comes and schools for me so i got her on him as he has a few things you have to get used to before racing. I was not too sure the distance was long enough for him, he has stamina but not the speed, with a circuit to go he was still with the leaders i did fell a bit more confident.'
Situated in Effingham Common Phil has four ready for the track at present,' I have six other but not long broken in so it will be a while before they see a track, but a fantastic win today, very happy with that.'

Spirtofchartwell ridden by Katy Lyons accompanied in by trainer Phil York

The feature  race of the day the class three two mile three furlong handicap hurdle was taken on the line by the nine year old Workbench ridden by Harry Skelton and trained by his brother Dan.
The jockey lying just behind champion Richard Johnson with fifty seven winners in the jockey standings at present had to work hard on the gelding with now six wins from forty five outings.

Workbench

' He knows this track well, and was on form today which is nice for the yard as he is a bit favorite to all, Andy Gardiner who looks after him, rides him and generally puts his life into him.  He'll go chasing probably back here in October.'
The horse with his first win over hurdles more suited to the fences having taken five wins over the larger obstacles, the last race won at Fontwell just over a year ago. One to note next time out i feel here in October, more like go off the favorite though.

Andy Gardiner who looks after him, rides him and generally puts his life into him

Popular jockey at Fontwell Park Tom Cannon steered home the winner of the two mile one furlong novices hurdle. Jackblack off top weight of 11 st 5 lbs, giving second placed Thisonetime  6 lbs from a length win past the line.
Trained by Epsom based Brett Johnson the horse well ridden by Cannon from two out, edging slightly right in the testing ground the five year old stayed on well to gain his win.
'He likes this softer ground really,' mentioned the jockey. 'The new all weather bend has helped him a bit really as i have been able to give a breather at that point, he dos'nt really help himself  but he has done that well  and stayed the trip.' The jockey not long back from injury mentioned he felt well and looking forward to the rest of the season.
The horse, one to note with two thirds and a win in his last three runs could now be going in the right direction.

Jackblack off top weight of 11 st 5 lbs, giving second placed Thisonetime  6 lbs from a length win past the line.

The penultimate race, and the last of the chase races of the afternoon, took part in a deluge of rain, sending punters and noted some of the rails bookmakers packing.
The inform yard of Fergal O'Brien sent out his eighteenth winner of the season as  Rockchasebullett took the  two mile five furlong handicap chase by seven lengths ridden by Paddy Brennan.

Rockchasebullett 

The nine year old on his third win from twenty three starts leading from five fences out was joined from the third  home by second placed Kings Cross but kept on well by Brennan over the last to take him to the tally of twenty five wins for the season.
'He likes it here really and the ground suited him with the distance raced, he has done that well for an ambitious trainer.'
One again to note if coming back to the figure of eight track on soft ground as the season continues.

Rockchasebullett took the  two mile five furlong handicap chase by seven lengths ridden by Paddy Brennan

The final race of the afternoon a two mile one and a half furlongs national hunt flat race was taken in rocket style by racecourse debutante Malindi Bay, ridden by thirty one year old Liam Treadwell and trained by Kinnersley based James Evans.
Taking the final bend Treadwell kicked on the four year old filly that showed a good turn of foot in the rain sodden ground. 'She certainly has an engine for sure,' mentioned the jockey. 'She hasn't been foot perfect going around taking a strong hold early on,

Malindi Bay, Liam Treadwell

but i knew she has stayed the three miles taking an Irish Point to point maiden, I've managed to give her a breather and she has taken it on in the later stages. Onwards and upwards with her.'
A tough type, with definite turn of foot, and a good advert in what Point to pointing can do preparing horses for under rules. Sometimes you can take these bumper wins with a pinch of salt, this one i feel should be one to watch.

'She certainly has an engine for sure,' mentioned the jockey

Weather wise not the greatest of days racing. Sport wise  a good day, makes you relish what the season has to offer, onwards we go.

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK