Report
from Torrington Farmers' Hunt Point to Point Steeplechases at Chapelton Barton
Umberleigh on Saturday 14th June 2003.
There was a fog bank hanging over the north coast of Cornwall and Devon as we travelled up to Umberleigh and it was still visible in the distance when we arrived but I ask you -how wrong can the weather forecasters be!!. This was to be the most glorious day we have had this year and the sun shone only to be overtaken by the moon. Wonderful weather where the sale of wet weather gear was overtaken by the sell out of straw hats and strawberries. I managed to get a cheap white version of a cricket umpires sombrero for three quid and it served the purpose wonderfully all day and is now on the shelf waiting for such weather to come again all be it that it will not be at a point to point as this is the LAST one this season. The atmosphere is typical 'Umberleigh' and I am sure everyone will have a great time.
We are very early (first!) and our friends soon begin to line up each side of us. Boxes are also arriving in steady convoy and I decide to walk the course. This was not accomplished as there were too many stops for a chat but I was assured it was mostly good but patches were deemed on the firm side of good but I believe this was to be expected.
I met Mrs Woodhouse during my intended course walk and she has brought her BADGER BEER down to race in the ladies open and 'Rilly' Goschen has the ride. Last year at this meeting this owner lost her half brother to this horse here when it broke a shoulder but she is convinced that this ground is what BADGER BEER needs and so he is here.
In the lorry I also see that Mr Dufosee has brought Miss Wilson Fitzgerald's NICE APPROACH who will run in The Captain Tim Forster Memorial Restricted race and as I move around between boxes I see COUNTY BASH, KRYSTAL TIP, DEFEND THE REALM and several others who will provide good racing. The limping gentleman must be Mark Treneer who looks to be on the mend and surely in with a chance today as their lorry unloads TABENACLE and ITWORKED both to be ridden by young Andrew Glassonbury who is getting a good name for himself in this field of sport.
The conditions are getting warmer and for the first time EVER a drinking trough is provided for the now getting warm horses. Watch for this one on 'Question of Sport'.
Race one and off they go. Seven runners in the Confined Hunts' race. The Happy Team Partnership's HAPPY TEAM (Les Jefford) is clear favourite and is surely due a win with Lucy Gardner up on John Shears's STRONG STUFF taking enough money to become second favourite. The others are available at bigger prices. I invest a little on STRONG STUFF. Just a little as the tin is in a situation of half full or half empty and HAPPY TEAM unfortunately for the syndicate has this season always found one too good for her. The bag is empty! I took up my viewing position at the penultimate fence and it is from there I will be viewing the racing for the afternoon as I consider it about the best place and it is a bit cooler up here in the very gentle breeze that is about. It was Les on HAPPY TEAM that set the pace and was several lengths in front for the first circuit and not until going down the hill on the second circuit did he get joined by the best turned out Mr Farley's MORRIS PIPER with Richard Woollacott up. STRONG STUFF has previously been pulled up so the tin will not be profiting this time. Following on were D Richards and N Dickenson's ANOTHER BULA (M Shears) and Horwood Hopeful's SELECT STAR with Liam Burns up. As the leading two cleared the thirteenth it was MORRIS PIPER who went for home and continued to stride away from HAPPY TEAM and as they came through the run through and up to 'my' fence it was Richard who was going to win this one, and so he did by six lengths from HAPPY TEAM with Clove Britton's DESTIN D'ESTRUVAL (Liam Heard) three lengths back in third. The starting prices available about MORRIS PIPER was twelve to one so not a lot were on but what an achievement by all connected with this horse to get him back jumping and racing fit again.
Race two saw eight go to post for this Restricted race and as I watched them parade it was clear in my mind that the tin would have to be raided in a BIG way. I always say that and then have great difficulty in finalising my choice. This time it is clear -Lucy Gardner riding Her KRYSTAL TIP will be my choice. Remember last week I picked up on this one when it won its maiden so here goes again. By hunting around I find out that this horse is syndicated to a small group and some are here today to watch this one. The price of two to one is not going to make me rich but at least it will buck the tin up a bit. Mark Treneer's TABERNACLE can be got at three to one and D Barber and D Rees's MINSTER BELLE (P Sheldrake) is also taking a little money and Julian Pritchard on Mrs Ramm's HAPPEN TO MAKE IT is quietly fancied but me, I am on KRISTAL TIP. They're off! Two went out very early at the second fence and I think it was NICE APPROACH and HAPPEN TO MAKE IT. I couldn't see this happen and the commentary was not very efficient from my listening position but I did notice that as the group passed me at my fence Lucy was last but very close up. Mike Lurcock's MEZZO PRINCESS led the field past the starting position followed by MINSTER BELLE and TABERNACLE with the remainder close up. Lucy is still in a position which is not concerning me at the moment as this horse can come from behind -(a little!). On going away from me I could see that it was now MINSTER BELLE who had taken it up with MEZZO PRINCESS in second and Lucy now upsides TABERNACLE in third place with a circuit to go. Ten lengths will cover the field. At the bottom of the hill it was MEZZO PRINCESS who was now injecting pace into the race and set off, presumably for home but was unfortunate in making a little mistake and unseated his rider. MINSTER BELLE is now leading the remainder. At the final ditch it was MINSTER BELLE and TABERNACLE who were now joined by Lucy as they went out of sight to me. As I waited for them to come through the hedge on the uphill climb I noticed that my hands were a little sticky, its not raining or likely to so how could that happen. Here they come thru the gap -MINSTER BELLE still leading -as they take the jump in front of me it is still MINSTER BELLE but I shouted kind words to Lucy, as did all those with me who had heeded my instructions on whom to invest. She heard us and gradually crept up the inside and went on to join MINSTER BELLE and leave TABERNACLE. Over the last and the jump that KRYSTAL TIP gave Lucy at this one was good enough to see off MINSTER BELLE and the five length win was well judged and deserved. There were three lengths between second MINSTER BELLE and TABERNACLE. Tabitha Cave on WINSLEY SPIRIT was fourth. Whew! 'I told you to back it ' was the cry and off to collect. I went down for the presentation and it was a delight, although we had to wait while 'connections' arrived, it was well worth it to see the happy smiles of a delighted winner Jessica and her dad, Tony, celebrate with Lucy as they collected the armfuls of mementoes that are always on hand at Umberleigh and The Captain Tim Forster Memorial Challenge Cup. This is a lovely way to enjoy your Christmas present from your Dad. What better than a share in a syndicate of a winning pointer for a present when both receiver and giver can enjoy it!. Those photographs will no doubt take pride of place in a nice new shiny album titled KRYSTAL TIP. Quick I must pick up my winnings. The bag did not! (again!)
The Men's Open saw eight go to post with a clear favourite established in Mrs Mackness's PRETORIA DANCER down from Miss Nolan's stables and to be ridden by Julian Pritchard. Even money that he will beat Mrs Bachelor's DAMIENS PRIDE (Tim Dennis), best turned out Jimmy Frost's DEFEND THE REALM (Derek McKenna) and David Pipe's KINGSBRIDGE (K Rixon), all are at five to two against. The others are wide outsiders. I chose to support the favourite in a little way and so did Ruth. First to go was DAMIENS PRIDE who decided to run out. At the ditch it was KINGSBRIDGE that went right through the wing and so he is out of it. PRETORIA DANCER came into my close view well in front and climbing the hill well. A loose horse was in the proximity and heading for the fence that PRETORIA DANCER was about to jump. Disaster! They are going to meet and the loose horse is crossing from right to left. I think it was KINGSBRIDGE but my eyes were on Julian Pritchard. The horses collided and their heads cracked together like the sound of a shot gun. Ohhh! A very nasty crunch but the loose horse ran off, Julian took a quick turn, came back and jumped the fence and off in pursuit of the field. Financially we were out of it but it was so good to see that no damage to horses or rider was done except for perhaps a visit to the dentist by one or both of them. On passing me for the second time it was E Cann's CALLEVA STAR (R Woollacott) who was to the good of the Hawker's MR MAGGET with DEFEND THE REALM alongside. Off on the final circuit and these three horses were the ones who would contest the finish with the change being it was DEFENDTHEREALM who came home first by four lengths from MR MAGGET, with CALLEVA STAR three lengths back in third place. Pity about the favourite, pity about the tin and bag but PRETORIA DANCER finished in a not disgraced fourth place.
The Ladies Open followed with six going to post. The favourite was not easy to pick, one moment it was Roma Cook's COUNTY BASH (Lucy Gardner), then Mrs Woodhouse's BADGER BEER, then some fancied the improving Paul Tylor's GURU RINPOCHE (Mandy Hand) with some going for Miss Kelly's best turned out SEA SPIRIT (Tabitha Cave) with the latter surely due a win now after more seconds than a hungry miner. Finally it was BADGER BEER who took the honour and the last price I saw was six to four against. Off they go on their journey of three miles and 18 fences. BADGER BEER was leading the field on passing me but at the next fence Lucy was unseated from COUNTY BASH so the tin will be suffering again. Lucy stayed down for a while but possibly winded, mad, cursing but not out of it and COUNTY BASH will now go off to enjoy that period of time that the females have off after having a blind date with a BANDMASTER not too far from here. Although a stout challenge ensured between Rilly and Mandy, there was no way that BADGER BEER was going to give in and came home to win by twelve lengths from GURU RINPOCHE and SEA SPIRIT was four lengths back in third. This is certainly the ground that this horse loves and that is a bonus as up at his home the Portman course at Badbury Rings the going is seldom any different on the chalk
Only three for the Intermediate but it was three young jockeys who have raced against one another on more than one occasion and out to do it for the last time, this season, today. It would be nice for one of them I know to get a winner under his belt before leaving school but the report will read 'Tried very hard , bound to be better next year! They had a very good race, the determination showed in their faces as they raced to each fence. As they passed me on the final circuit and the penultimate fence any one of them could win. Mary Biddick's TOUCHING DOWN with brother Will in the plate jumped this fence the best and got away quick but Mary McCarthy on her best turned out NIMBUS STRATUS was still going well and the favourite , the Treneer's ITWORKED with Andrew Glassonbury up, looking confident, was up alongside. The race to the final fence was magic to watch as these novices riders gave it their all. All over the last and to the line. Each one a winner. I thought a triple dead heat from where I stood, (nowhere near the line mind you!) but the judge decided that Andrew on ITWORKED won by a neck from Mary on her NIMBUS STATUS in second and Will on his TOUCHING DOWN a half length back in third. Well done to all three of you and here's me booking my ticket for a rematch next year.
Two divisions of Open Maidens were to follow. Contrasting sponsorships for both these races. Division one will be sponsored by Mike Lurcock and City Racing Club to celebrate Rick Lurcock's 70th Birthday and the second division will be sponsored by Aileen and Ron Wosley, (Plants 4 U') their black Labrador and their Jack Russell terrier, to celebrate the forthcoming wedding of their daughter Sarah to that stalwart of videoing point to point races -Geoff. There are not many who escaped home from a meeting without carrying a well rooted clematis or honeysuckle in one hand and a video of the days events in the other. Good luck to Rick and see you next year and the same amount of luck to the happy couple.
Although the prices were not the greatest, the tin and bag profited on both races and the bookies suffered and went home wishing they had not come. One in particular had his satchel near empty and had paid out in four figure sums. Mr Callow's SNOWTRE with Adrian Wintle up pulled off the first division at odds of four to five on, with a very determined run from the Jones's DARCY JONES (Les Jefford) one length back in second and Caroline Prouse bringing in HARNAGE eight lengths back in third.
The second division saw Geoff Barfoot-Saunt on B Davies's IRON BUCK made favourite with his nearest challenger on the boards was R Grant's MORCHARD MILL (M Woodward) who could be had at three to one. Only two were to finish this race but they did make a race of it. A visitor in Tredegar Farmers-qualified G Richards DROM ISLAND (L Rowsell) made the favourite work very hard for his win but IRON BUCK was resolute in his task and made it by just half a length. The tin had a good day but the bag only mediocre.
A super day out and no one wanting to go home and I am sure that a lot didn't. I saw the connections of winning horses stagger past with the help of the children carrying all the mementoes of a winning day. The list would embarrass 'The Generation Game' - a clock, a beautiful hanging basket in full bloom, a copy of John Beasley's beautiful 'the big green annual', a wrought iron weather vane and of course -a trophy! A truly wonderful day.
That was it. Ruth and I managed to get to forty one, yes, 41, point to points this season and can honestly say we enjoyed every one of them and they were all different, very different but oh so enjoyable.
I will write a final report later this week so if there is anything -ANYTHING- you wish me to comment about please email us and we will do our best. The tin and bag reports will take a bit of working out but they should be ready for the final report.
My mother taught me :
'ESP' extrasensory perception - the ability to perceive without the normal senses
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
Ruth and Fred
