Report from Dulverton Farmers Hunt Point to Point Steeplechases at Mounsey Hill Gate on Saturday 24 May 2003. 

 

The weather was pretty bad as we left Cornwall but the amount of traffic coming down the A30 into Newquay and surrounding areas made us feel very pleased that we were moving out for a couple of days, at least.  We arrived at Mounsey Hill for the Dulverton Farmers Meeting just in time, as the Clerk of the Course was desperately in need of a large cup of black coffee.  Out stove, on gas, boil kettle full of Cornish water and the remedy was provided in double quick time.  We sent him on his way feeling considerably better and now ready for the next task.

 

The course was in fine fettle and the fences bold.  The racing going would be good with good to soft patches or just about that anyway.  The entries are good and the boxes begin to arrive so a good day's racing is envisaged with hopefully plenty of entries.  The weather is showery but for Mounsey, it's not too bad.

 

There cannot be many 'farmers' left in the Dulverton Farmers Hunt as they have only managed to muster three to run in their race.  Mrs White has got her BELLS WOOD here and it will be ridden by J March.  The word has got round that he works for Philip Hobbs.  Mark Sweetland will be riding the favourite, Chris Brake's GOTHA and to make up the trio there is one with no chance whatsoever and that will be the secretaries best turned out  entry and will be ridden by Tessa Hayes - TAKE THE BRUSH.  Well - I invested on the favourite and took the even money available.  Just a little out of the top of the tin.  Ruth covered herself with a little from the bag and bet that BELLS WOOD would finish second to GOTHA.  Every angle covered - not bloody likely.  BELLS WOOD fell and although interfered with, TAKE THE BRUSH still carried on, then finally GOTHA gave up and TAKE THE BRUSH finished alone and the price of about ten to one or even more was available on this horse finishing alone. The pilot was ecstatic on crossing the winning line with no one else in sight.  Well done Mrs Secretary and family and it proves that it only takes seven minutes ten second to make a fool of any punter.

 

Race two was The Ladies Open Race with ten going to post.  The favourite was soon established in Mrs Newman's BRETECHE (T Newman) and then there was good late money for Oliver Carter's VAGUE IDEA who would be ridden this time by Tabitha Cave.  Oliver was seen trying to invest considerably after his horse had gone to post and after he had got his wind back from legging Tabitha up but I think the bookies were a little wary of him and they would only lay a little.  Miss Nolan's STEADY EDDY (Miss De-Lisle-Wells- I really must get her Christian name!) was also fancied by some and probably went off second favourite.  I fancied P Wilkins's JOLITAN (Rilly Goschen) to replace what was taken from my tin in the last race and I took four to one that he would come home first complete with blinkers.  I remember chatting up the lovely young lady who led up the Lawrence's SQUADDIE (Mandy Hand) last year, and I did so again today as the price is twenty to one about him but he did win at 33 to one last year, so I need to keep an eye on him.  Not this time - its eyes for JOLITAN.  Off they go - was it first time or was it second time, I really don't know as they are out of sight to my viewing position.  Not that that takes a lot of doing at Mounsey Hill.  I'll ask Richard after the race whether it was a first timer or otherwise!  There was always a group who could win this race and they stuck pretty close together.  My concern was up with them for most of the time and was running well but all of a sudden Tabitha decided to join in and brought VAGUE IDEA up to join the leading group.  BRETECHE had been prominent throughout as had STEADY EDDY with JOLITAN still there.  The leading trio began to pull away from the remainder and back in fourth place was SQUADDIE and my JOLITAN followed him.  As they levelled up to take the second last it was probably VAGUE IDEA who touched down first followed by STEADY EDDY  and BRETECHE and then came SQUADDIE and JOLITAN.  One fence left to jump and VAGUE IDEA and STEADY EDDY were at it together when Mr Carter's grey decided he had had enough and dashed out through the wing.  STEADY EDDY went on to win by ten lengths with BRETECHE in second place and eight lengths further back was that twenty to one shot - SQUADDIE.  Tabitha was not hurt but annoyed, but more surprising I didn't hear Oliver shouting.  Nowt for tin and less for bag!  This will have to change very soon!

 

Now comes The Stags Dulverton Men's Open Race with eight going to post.  I must choose sensibly and, FURTHER MORE, correctly.  David Barlow is here to ride Mrs Asburner's BELARUS and is available at eight to one.  I remember last year at this meeting Mr Barlow turned up and rode this horse to win the men's open race impressively plus a couple of others for Tessa White but a clear favourite has already been established in The Double XX's QUICKSWOOD (Colin Heard) who has run consistently this year. The second favourite seems to be Miss Burrough's PARK END (M Sweetland) at four to one and a little cash for R Westacott's SIR WILLIAM (Richard Woolacott).  Well here goes, the sticky hand moves towards the tin and - no not that much! A little bit more than that! Go on stick it on - well all these little thoughts ranged through my mind until eventually I took more than a little, not a lot but with a winning reward the tin would really appreciate it.  Off they go!   Too early to shout yet but why am I suffering with heat rash when its lovely weather but quite chilly!  The two commentators make it much more exciting but I do like the phrase "Over to Alfie!" and then its Alfie's turn to say "No change in the order etc." well with them only having travelled two feet between commentators I wouldn't expect the order to have changed very much but these commentators had it off this year and liaison was sweet and continuous between them.  On passing the judge for the first time it was that PARK END leading the way followed by GLENAHARY ROSE (Jamie Snowden), R Hawker's MR MAGGET and QUICKSWOOD in fourth.  My investment was travelling well in fifth place.  I am sure that David was waving his whip at the crowd and not at BELARUS, not yet anyway!!  They disappear out of sight and sticky hands now take a different shape and are place flat together and along with two eyes, all pointing to the heavens, sweet mumblings are uttered.  They come back into view and investment carrier is still travelling well.  Out in the country it was noticed that BELARUS was making up a little ground but the leaders were the same.  As they raced past the judge with a circuit to run it was still PARK END in the lead followed closely by GLENAHARY ROSE, QUICKSWOOD, SIR WILLIAM and BELARUS.  More indulgence with the heavens by me as they disappear for the final time.  I now heard that instead of a length or one and half lengths it was 'a gap' between the fourth horse and my concern.  I don't need GAPS!  Now Alfie is telling me the gap is about five lengths - I really do not need this!  All leaders over the final open ditch.  Running on to the third from home it was still PARK END, QUICKSWOOD and GLENAHARRY ROSE followed by BELARUS and SIR WILLIAM.  For what good it will do I have just taken a sprint out into the country to shout either verbal abuse or encouragement to David Barlow, none of which he will hear because being the good man at his job he is, he will be attending to the business of getting past three other horses.  GLENAHARY ROSE was the first of these to weaken.  I am now in third position.  Did I remember to do it each way?  PARK END was tiring, QUICKWOOD was not!  BELARUS - in the words of the commentator - is making quick progress.  I was not! Whilst sprinting to the country I struck a root of one of Exmoor's larger trees and fell flat on my face.  Apparently I continued to shout BELARUS home and by the time I reached the upright position and took over from whoever it was helping me in the heavens, BELARUS was almost alongside me and travelling well.  Off they go to the finishing line.  One for the judge!  Whew!  I wonder who made it?  The noise that came out of me was a mixture that could be heard when calf has lost mother or mother has lost calf but when the judges decision announced as-first NUMBER TWO I did say a little thank you to anyone who was listening.  Its not cold anymore, I am glad I came, life is a bowl of cherries AND the tin has been rewarded.

 

In The Royal Oak Withypool Intermediate six went to post and it was expected that the consistent Mrs Prouse's FATHER MANSFIELD (Caroline Prouse) would make amends for his two lengths beating last time out but it was not to be.  Jonathan Barnes on T Bevins's LE CURE really dominated this race and came home in a good time of six minutes fifty-two seconds and was three lengths clear of Caroline with Les Jefford on The Happy Team Partnerships's HAPPY TEAM back in third..  None for tin or bag but not a lot out either.

 

I see Terry Hamlin is here today to watch his WHAT A MOVER with Polly Gundry up run as he missed the last winning run.  I also notice he is being supported by two woof wear socks on one leg.  Unfortunately Terry came unstuck whilst doing some sterling work at the Devon County Show so we wish him well and to be minus woof wear as soon as possible.  The tonic that J Dare, J Snook and Terry must have got from this running of their little mare must have made them all feel delighted as she came home five lengths clear of MY JESS (M Sweetland) who was three lengths clear of UNCLE JAMES. If they can get one more run before the end of season it will be a just reward for their patience.  A little for the tin as by the time I had cleared mud away from my eyes the price had gone down to even money BUT a winner is a winner.  The tin is ok but the bag - very very low. 

 

Two divisions of the open maidens were to follow with one of them being split.  So maiden race division one part one saw nine go to post and for me this showed the fun that can be achieved out of this amateur sport of ours.  I first met Martin Heuff when he was riding his Samarakan at Great Trethew and then he was with Grant Cann.  Now his is riding Stafford Sampson's ALLER COOMBE and one of his 'enemies' will be Polly Gundry on Ollie Bush's new five year old THAT'S MY BOY.  A good race took place but the real thrill was when over the last together came ALLER COOMBE and THAT'S MY BOY and the race to the line was won by Martin Heuff  on ALLER COOMBE by half a length. The jointly owned BETHILDA (J King) who had run a good race was way back in third place. The paddock produced a very happy crowd with Martin surely the happiest.  At last he has won a point to point and beat a previous employer into the bargain.  The tin did not celebrate as I expected Polly to win and the bag LOST again!

 

Part two saw nine go to post again and the two most favoured horses, J Young's FOREST FORTRESS (D Turner) and V Greenway's best turned out  VEXFORD DELTIC (Charlotte Tizzard) both came unstuck, one fell and the other unseated her rider but this did not deter the six to one shot S Hawker's SOOTSIR (I think Jonathan Barnes may have ridden this one but both our cards say R Hawker rode it!) from galloping home some fifteen lengths clear of Richard Woollacott on the Dalgren's ALL SEWN UP and back in the mist was the third horse home, P Thomas's LEMON ZEST (J March).  Nothing for the tin but not a lot had been taken out but this damned bag is looking seriously flat.

 

The final race saw 13 go to post and a clear favourite was established in R Nuttall's BAY MOUSE (Geoff Barfoot-Saunt) at the peculiar price of thirteen to eight - yes this price is often seen when dealing with professional racing but in the amateur set up it only provides confusion to those that seldom go racing and seldom bet.  Why not 6/4 or 7/4 but 13/8 confuses most! Good prices could be obtained about the remainder.  I am reluctant to give back any more of my BELARUS type money so the tin remains closed for the day.  The bag is open but I am not convinced there is anything in it but the direction of Ruth is towards the investment area so there must have been a little within.  Mr Redwood's BUTLER DIDIT (Les Jefford) who has been so consistant this term with six times in the frame to his credit set a good pace and led the field for most of the race with I Ham and S Francis's TELIMAR (J Barnes) keeping him company and B Robinson's RANDOM TRIX and P Froud's VITINSEL (L Tibbatt) not far away.  On the final circuit Mrs Snook's HANDSTAND (M Sweetland) began to close up and on reaching the penultimate there were only three horses in it - TELIMAR was the first to weaken leaving BUTLER DIDIT and HANDSTAND to race for the line.  Hooray for BUTLER DIDIT, that will make the form figures look real smart for this season.  The result was a dead heat and no doubt we will see HANDSTAND again and again as this chestnut gelding is only six years old.

 

This concluded a good days racing on this big track with the weather holding out well and some very happy owners and riders.  With WHAT A MOVER and ALLER COOMBE winning, it could have been called Auctioneers Benefit Day - but I would prefer to add BUTLER DIDIT and call it Patient Owners Day.  Brilliant!

 

We are not going home tonight but back to stay at our Bed and Breakfast stop over with Mary Read and Family at Pyrland Farm in Cheddon Road Taunton.  Not only will we enjoy the B & B but the farm shop will entice Ruth and it will be money from my tin that will pay as there is very little in the bag.   Home grown lamb and beef will be my choice whilst I expect Ruth to pick up some sausages and chutneys which Mary makes plus home made cakes. This is the life!

 

Monday we are at Lifton - BE THERE!

 

Ruth and Fred