Monday, 15 January 2018

ABLE AMPTON DUSTED DOWN FOR THE DUNSTON HARRIERS MEET 14.1.18

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/opening-comments-about-the-dunston-harriers-point-to-point-at-ampton-14-1-18

The Dunston Harriers opening meeting at Ampton continued a point to point season that so far has had plenty of high noted moments.
This meeting was not to be out done. seven races, ninety seven entries with sixty four of those declaring on the day,

made for the chimney  in view of the sugar refinery get well stoked up for the day.

The opening race an 11 runner 10 year old and over conditions race.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/opening-comments-of-the-10-years-and-over-conditions-race-at-ampton






I chat to trainer and jockey after the race about Broadway Symphony the winner of The Ten year olds and over East Anglian area Conditions race

 https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tracey-bailey-and-jockey-zac-baker-after-broadway-symphony-wins-the-10yrs-conditions-race








Tracey Bailey    Zac Baker    Broadway Symphony   Mr N Sutton

Two divisions of the Open maiden.
Div I
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/opening-comments-about-the-open-maiden-divi-at-ampton-14-1-18

Trainer Andrew Pennock takes an advantage point to watch the DivI open Maiden

Andrew Pennocks trained Steeles Terrace takes the race in 6m 28sec by 12 lengths, ridden by Evan David
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-about-steeles-terrace-winner-of-the-open-maiden-divi-at-ampton-14-1-18


Steeles Terrace owned by The Two Farmers and a Butcher Partnership
DivII
Summer Sounds

Francesca Nimmo trains Summer Sounds to get her point to point tally off to a start.

I chat to the trainer about the gelding who took the race by 5 lengths in 6m 32sec

And jockey James Jackson-Stops, NOT Jo Jackson-Stops and i wanted to call him all through the introduction.............
                    Francesca Nimmo          Summer Sounds          JAMES Jackson-Stops                                                                                           

The Timico sponsored mixed open, a qualifier for Mixed open final at Cheltenham on the 4th May.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/opening-comments-about-the-timico-mixed-open-race-at-ampton-14-1-18

Helen Connors trained Warden Hill to takes the race, on board Tom Chatfeild-Roberts.



https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-about-warden-hill-winner-of-the-timico-mixed-open-at-ampton-14-1-18





https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-helen-connors-and-jockey-tom-chatfeild-roberts-after-warden-hill-wins-the-timico-mixed-open





Warden Hill 

A brace of winners for the Oxfordshire based Hill team.
The Restricted race sponsored by the Hodge family went to Allie Beag


The Intermediate sponsored by Pearn Wyatt Transport went to Hawkhurst

I chat to jockey Joe Hill about both horses after the race.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/joe-hill-after-allie-beag-wins-the-restricted-at-ampton
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/joe-hill-after-riding-his-brace-on-hawkhurst-in-the-intermediate-at-ampton




Ian Cobbold,Lawney Hill,Joe Hill, Allie Beag, Izzie Marshall and Alan Hill










      


 Joe Hill, Hawkhurst, Lawney Hill and Keith Loads









The final race of the day, The six year olds and over PPORA club members conditions race for novice riders.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/opening-comments-of-the-6-years-and-over-conditions-race-for-novice-riders-at-ampton

WELL DONE BRUV
 Went to 17 year old Hector Barr riding his first winner for his father Stephen Barr on the nine year old Finnegan's Hollow.
Finnegan's Hollow.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-of-the-winner-of-the   conditions race for novice riders

And we hear about the fantastic achievement and breakthrough win for the young jockey from his mother Emma Barr and we chat to the boy himself.
              https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/mum-emma-barr-and-jocke                                                                         Emma Barr    Hector Barr Stephen Barr


Finnegan's Hollow winner of the six year olds and over PPORA club members conditions race for novice riders.
Seven perfectly formed races to polish off weekend seven of the 2017-18 point to point season, and we haven't even got started yet...........
This weekend I'm off to the Barbury International meeting at Barbury racecourse for my first Saturday point.
The best of the Irish and English pointers available to be viewed, and i guess some sold at this superb meeting with three.... YES THREE!!!! pointing bumpers.....
Listen to pods and views of this and many more meetings already ridden their races at

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Wednesday, 10 January 2018

NEW YEAR AT FONTWELL 2018


With forty three runners spread over six races Fontwell park opened it's gates to a new year of racing.
The deluge of rain the week before had the course holding a couple of inspections due to standing water on the course at the weekend,the inspections left the course raceable but with a heavy,tacky going.
One must admit though, the addition of the all weather surface on the home bend saved the course that over the years without the new surface the meeting would of surly been abandoned.
. As one jockey mentioned when questioned about the state of the going that is was the best thing the course as ever placed on a racecourse, and it would be a good idea if some other courses followed suit.

On to the racing, the 4 year old + maiden mares hurdle eight went to post Jonathan Burke on the Charlie Longsdon trained Scorpion Princess going off the 5/2/ fav.
Anthony Honeyball though had other thoughts, the  3/1shot My Dance ridden by Aidan Coleman tracked the front runner on a moderate paced 2m3f race and with a blunder when asking the horse to take on the lead kept on well to take the race by two and a half lengths.




'She is a very straightforward sort of mare,the ground on the rail was okay for her, I asked the groundsman before racing and he said the inner or middle of the racing line was the better ground, she wanted to hang onto the rail so i let her and it suited her fine.'

Fourth at course and distance before Christmas, and a win today the ex point to point mare certainly seems to be heading in the right direction for owner Michael Fiddy and would be one to watch for sure out of the Honeyball yard.





My Dance ridden by Aidan Coleman

The Racing Welfare maiden hurdle a furlong over the two miles saw again eight go to post, and another beaten favourite to keep the bookies warm on a cold January afternoon
.Chris Gordon with the 7/2 fav Be Daring just missed out by a neck as the 6/1 Jeremy Scott trained Blue April scrapped his way to the line.
Blue April over the last, the grey he 7/2 fav Be Daring in behind

The stewards enquiry as the two went over the line seemed to come close to one another held the placings, Tom Cannon on the runner up mentioning it was his horse going into the winner more than the other way around. On board Nick Scholfield mentioned,'This horse has kept on going so he has done that well, Jeremy doesn't really give me any instructions on him but in this tacky ground i have had to get after him a bit, he was idling when getting to the front a little, the ground though is not making it easy for him.'
The French bred seven year old on his first win from fifteen runs is probably not one to place too much faith in, blinkers on and as the jockey mentioned still being a little idle in front I think the owners were grateful just to get the win into him, I'm not too sure though what this indicated for the ones behind.
Blue April
The first chase of the six race card at Fontwell went in the way of a 3m 1f Handicap. Only five to post and backers of the favourite were given a bit of a fright, five out the 11/10 shot Greyed A ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies seemed to overjump, land on his nose only his forward momentum keeping the horse from falling all the way over and maintain his front running pace.
The course and distance winner from the beginning of December kept on the pace,forging forward two out to take the race by five lengths from the John Flint trained LacSacre.
Greyed A 
'It's hard to be rude about this one when he has gone and done what he has just done, but sometimes he really doesn't help himself when jumping, he is the same schooling but all you have to do is trust him really.'
The seven year old on his 12th run and 3rd win is truly a type that will do what he wants to do.
Trained by Dr Richard Newland who the young jockey has had a good relationship over the past few seasons this one could be back at course and distance in February to make it three on the bounce, if the ground is still heavy I'd say he would be in with a chance.

The jockey now riding well after a slight lay off with a broken arm early on in the season mentioned how the facilities offered by the Injured Jockey fund ( CALENDERS OF THE BIG REVEAL FROM THE LADY POINT TO POINT RIDERS IN AID OF THE IJF STILL AVAILABLE) really helped him gain fitness to come back in good form.
Greyed A in front of third spot horse Allchilledout

De Rasher Counter
The Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap hurdle saw another favourite go in at 11/4 and give Nick Scholfield a double for the afternoon when on board the Emma Levelle trained De Rasher Counter.
The six year on on his fifth run two of the runs being through the winners enclosure seemed to take the 2m3f in his stride, making headway on the eight runner field three hurdles out, taking up the running and keeping on from the second last to beat Morianour  from the Evan Williams yard by three lengths.

'He is a nice type this one I have managed to give him a squeeze two out and he came alive, but he has performed well and could be one to go on.' Mentioned the jockey enjoying his time this season as a freelance.
The trainer mentioned how versatile the six year old by Yeats is 'He can go on any ground and I feel he will get a fence but that will not be until next season.'
The gelding will maintain hurdling this season over the 2m4f and may be aimed for a payday event before his chasing career begins, but be sure to note this one though winning on heavy here will go to other venues on better ground and still show his worth, bred well and should be one to watch.
'He can go on any ground and I feel he will get a fence but that will not be until next season.'

Six went to post for the 2m 3f handicap chase a strong run from the Charlie Mann trained  Cody Wyoming saw Harry Bannister bring home the 12 year old by seven lengths from the Seamus Mullins trained Jaraith.
'He has done that well today, you sort of have to let him do his own thing on the course really but he has kept on well when headed  and for his age has shown a good appetite.'
On forty two runs and eight wins the syndicate known as The Neardowners surly have had some fun with this gelding.
'He is a game sort as he can sulk mid race but he is a nice one to get on.'

The trainer mentioned that the figure of eight track would probably suit this horse,'You just do not know what he is going to do until he gets to the races really, but he has been good to us and it's great these veterans races are about so these horses in the latter part of their careers can race against each other rather than with the younger horses.'
This one will more likely be out next season and with eight races under his belt would not surprise anyone if he were to take a few more trips to the winners enclosure before retiring.

                  Jaraith                                                                            Cody Wyoming

The final race of the day The Happy birthday Tom Maiden hurdle saw another beaten favourite into second place.
Nick Gifford sent Puppet Warrior to post the 6/5 fav, but it was the 7/2 shot Seaston Spirit that took the races from the Oliver Sherwood string, Leighton Aspell steering the five year old home to a  two and a half length lead. Despite a few blunders this improving sort now on his third run.
'The mistakes are all part of his learning really, he has never run in this type of going before and that will help him to strengthen his character, I'm sure he's a type that will take all of what  he did out there on board and seems a good improving sort.'
The horse looked like he raced well on the heavy going, though not a massively strong pace it showed true grit for the maiden to go well enough of testing ground.
Seaston Spirit

One to watch I feel out of the Sherwood yard.
       Cloud Hopper            Canyouhearmeknow        Seaston Spirit 



                                                  WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK








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Tuesday, 9 January 2018

NO LARKIN AROUND AT LARKHILL NINE QUALITY RACES ON OFFER 7-1-18






https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/opening-comments-on-the-larkhill-racing-cubs-meeting-larkhill-2018

In it's 71st year Larkhill with a record 195 entries hosted 9 races. The Larkhill Racing Clubs meeting at it's home course was not only value to watch, but an absolute thriller from start to finish for the point to point follower.

Race one, The Larkhill Racing club Conditions race Div I won by 6/4 Fav Chaseforgold.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-winner-of-div1-of-the-conditions-race-chasforgold

I have a chat to jockey Sam Jukes after the race about the 2 runs 2 wins nine year old gelding.












George Hiscock rider of second placed horse Boygojumping beaten a head

Chaseforgold

The conditions race DivII was won by a Welsh duo we have spoken to a lot so far the season.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-div2-conditions-race-at-larkhill

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-winner-of-div2-of-the-conditions-race-pink-eyed-pedro

I have a chat to both Grandfather and Grandson team David and Conor Brace
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/david-brace-trainer-of-pink-eyed-pedro-winner-of-div2-conditions-race

The Wedovans.com Ladies open was taken by a horse that was a real treat to see racing at Larkhill.
Ridden by Harriet Tucker, the 2014 winner of the Paddy Power Gold cup at Cheltenham Caid Du Berlais
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-the-ladies-open-race-at-larkhill

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-winner-of-the-ladies-open-race-caid-du-berlais

I have a talk after the race to winning trainer Rose Loxton and jockey Harriet Tucker
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-rose-loxton-jockey-harriet-tucker-after-caid-du-berlais-wins-the-ladies-open
Harriet Tucker
The open maiden was due to be split in two divisions. Division two declaring over the safety factor for horses to run had to be split into 2 parts.
But what went forward just showed how up and down this racing game can be.
Energumene

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-div2-part-1-open-maiden-race-at-larkhill

Div II part one of the open maiden was unable to be completed

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-div2-part-2-open-maiden-race-at-larkhill

Energumene
Sebastopol
I chat to the Tom Lacey about the winners of the open maidens Energumene and Sebastopol
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tom-lacey-after-wins-with-energumene-and-sebastopol-in-div12-open-maiden

And also a jockey with a double for the afternoon Tommy O'Brien.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/tommy-obrien-after-wins-on-energumene-and-sebastopol-in-div12-open-maiden

Back to normality, and The Southern Counties Auctioneers Mens Open.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-mens-open-race-at-larkhill

Cousin Pete
'Dibby' Brown and Nick Phillips after the race won by 13 year old Cousin Pete.
Nick Phillips
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/elizabeth-brown-nick-phillips-after-cousin-pete-wins-the-mens-open


https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-the-restricted-race-at-larkhill
The Restricted race, the penultimate event of the afternoon was a dead heat between the Richard Bandey trained, Martin McIntyre ridden Irish Legionnaire and Sam Jukes trained and ridden The well Road.

The well Road               Irish Legionnaire
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-winners-of-the-dead-heated-restricted-race-irish-legionnaire-the-well-road

The final race The Frome Livestock auctioneers and Symons &Sampson conditions race for novice riders, warmed the hearts, hands feet and noses of all that stayed on to watch the 9th race.

                                                          

WELL DONE MICIAH
                                                    


                                                                                         

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-the-conditions-race-for-novive-riders-at-larkhill

Winner of The Conditions race for Novice Riders L'Edorado
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/comments-on-winner-of-the-conditions-race-for-novice-riders-ledorado


Cold, exhausted but satisfied that all in attendance have witnessed a days racing that has warmed the cockles of everyone's hearts
We will leave The Larkhill racing Clubs meeting with a final picture that encapsulates the sport of point to pointing.

WWW.MJAYPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK
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