Report from the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Point to Point on Saturday 6th March 2004
We were in no rush this morning as we left Cornwall yesterday and took in the antiques fair at WestPoint for the afternoon. Bought a couple of bits to add to our Guinness memorabilia collection, some old postcards of parts of Cornwall we both like and Ruth's mothers doll has gone in for a tidy up. In fact a complete rebuild but when the restoration lady saw the mark underneath what remains of her hair (the doll's) and the value then placed on this broken down plaything I whole heartedly agreed that 'we' should have it restored. It will never be parted with so its value is not important - only memories!! (About to become very expensive memories at that!!)
We took up Bed and Breakfast and evening meal from our new 'Stay on a Farm' book which was kindly sent to us by Lorraine (Kelly) and what better than going to stay with her for the weekend. A very very good decision. At Hayne House, Silverton (www.haynehouse-devon.co.uk) we found a warm welcome, superb room, great hospitality and lovely food. The roast beef, sausages and bacon all supplied by the local butcher (http://www.djhaggett.co.uk/) and the marmalade is one of the nicest home made ones I have tasted. Another venue which we have slotted into our little book and marked that we will return. Thank you Lorraine and Brian.
I have never been to Charleton Horethorn before so was not sure what to expect as I have been told it is a flat track. Well! I will never be able to understand the thinking about the layout of the venue. It is always difficult to get good viewing on a flat track with no rising ground to promote the spectators but we were early as usual and amongst the first ten to be parked up and the distance we had to walk, both to the paddock and bookmakers was completely unnecessary. The horses in the parade ring are not interested in the finishing line but the spectators who have paid twenty quid to get in - ARE! Such a waste of a good viewing area, in particular for those less able bodied who are restricted to their vehicles. The amount of good parking space wasted at this venue needs to be addressed. Enough said but I will request a copy of the layout before I travel up again.
The going was - well - really on the firm side of good. Not a very yielding surface as rain is definitely needed. It is a six race card and the first one is the 'Farmers' or 'Hunt' race as it is called here. Eight to post which included last year's winner and this year's favourite the Dufosee's BEADNELL BAY with 'Rilly Goschen up. The best turned out the Bishop's LEON GARCIA (Tom Bishop) and J Tizzard's CHEROKEE RUN (C Tizzard) were fancied a little and T Sprake's JACKSON HILL (Tabitha Cave) took some of the investors money but not mine. I sank a little of the tin content on BEADNELL BAY as I have witnessed two good runs from this seven year old and feel quite confident that he can start me off on a good foot. Off I go, said cheerio to Ruth, picked up my two man tent, a few sandwiches and filled the flask as it will surely be needed by the time I reach the investment area, do my business and then return to watch the race alongside our vehicle. Off they go no! no! no! yes! another one of those days! They are off at the second time of asking. P Froud's BRUE HOUND BOY (L Tebbat) unseated at the first. A long way to come to be dumped at the first but that's point to pointing! Seven continue. Others had a go at being in second place but it was BEADNELL BAY who had possibly led from flag fall to finish and came home by twenty lengths from CHEROKEE RUN and a length further back was W Heal's MR BEN GUNN. That's a good start and both bag and tin profit a little.
Now comes the Ladies open with six runners. Mrs Alford has brought her JUST BERT (Tabitha Cave) up from Cornwall as it is thought that this course will suit him and the Atkinson's best turned out CHEROKEE BOY to be ridden by Catherine are the outsiders of the field with H Goody's FRANK BYRNE (Rilly Goschen) and Rachel Green on J Browne's COOLTEEN HERO vying for favouritism. There is some money for Rosie Booth's ATAVISTIC which she will be riding and this will be her very first point to point ride. Not enough runners for a sensible each way investment and FRANK BYRNE has not shown very good form this year - yet! I will be going for JUST BERT, not a lot, just a little! Off they go! All seemed to settle on the first circuit and on taking the first open ditch the field was led by FRANK BYRNE with ATAVISTIC close up in second and a few lengths back was JUST BERT, all travelling well. Tanya Newman took G Slater's JORODAMA KING up a little closer to the leader but the group of five were well grouped really. As the race progressed FRANK BYRNE went on by four lengths from ATAVISTIC who was a length to the good of JUST BERT. JORODAMA KING had another go at chasing the leader and took up second place but ATAVISTIC was still close up in third. Over the open ditch for the final time it was FRANK BYRNE with a clear advantage with ATAVISTIC in second place followed by JORODAMA KING and JUST BERT. We were about to lose COOLTEEN HERO and CHEROKEE BOY didn't like this going and he was well back. Rounding the bend and coming into the final three from home, FRANK BYRNE was given a reminder while ATAVISTIC was travelling well and Rosie was not panicking at all and Tabitha was getting the best out of JUST BERT. Approaching the penultimate ATAVISTIC crept quietly up outside FRANK BYRNE and looked the better. At the final obstacle ATAVISTIC had a shade of the lead and Rilly was really urging FRANK BYRNE for more effort. This she did not get and Rosie took her ATAVISTIC quietly and very confidently up to the line three lengths ahead of FRANK BYRNE who was just a neck ahead of JUST BERT. I didn't win any money but I did enjoy seeing Rosie ride her first winner. Well done!
Only five in the men's open so surely this must be the time to fill up the tin. To fill it up one must open it, remove contents and place them in the sticky little hand of a bookie. This I did without hesitation and plonked a considerable amount on Mrs Woodhouse's BADGER BEER (N Mitchell). According to the boards, the only opposition I have is Tom Dreaper riding R Jenks's best turned out WOODLAND'S BEAU. The other three are available at much bigger prices. P Dooder's ASHBURY STAR at nine to one, the Yeoman Family's RUSTIC REVELRY (C Whittaker) at seven to one and the Lee's FOREST JUMP at twenty to one. Off they go! BADGER BEER leading the field, first over the open ditch, first over the last in the back straight, make the turn and all is well. Four in the home straight - BADGER BEER with WOODLANDS BEAU lead the small field well clear of ASHBURY STAR then RUSTIC REVELRY and finally FOREST JUMP who was well off the pace. BADGER BEER yet to be headed was on his way. The first in the back straight saw the two leaders together but WOODLAND BEAU looked a little untidy over that fence. Over the final open ditch when it was noticeable that BADGER BEER had increased his lead and WOODLANDS BEAU was being slowly overhauled by a well timed ride by Richard Woolacott. With three left to jump it was still BADGER BEER but was being pressed all the while by ASHBURY STAR who looked to be travelling the better. At the final obstacle there was nothing in it and the race over the line was to be sorted by the judge. First ASHBURY STAR half a length back was BADGER BEER and twelve lengths further back was WOODLAND'S BEAU. I am in trouble and need to reduce investing to a minimum until the opportunities favour me a little. I thought they did then but the horse from the Portman let me down!
The next is a maiden for younger horses and seven will go to post. The horse with good form on his last two runs is S Dixon's THE SYCOPHANT with Rilly Goschen up who has looked a winner but has not yet managed to cross the line first and as we know that is part of the objective. Mrs Millers Partnership's FOURSPICE ALLSPICE with Rachel Green onboard will probably go off second favourite closely matched with the Cook's ANNIE FLEETWOOD with Tabitha Cave in the plate. Friends of Eddy Hall's LADY WIDD with Alex Michael up is also taking a little money but THE SYCOPHANT it is and I will endeavour to help the tin with a small investment. The favourite set the pace and led the field by varying distances until the final ditch when Mrs Miller's FOURSPICE ALLSPICE (Rachel Green) closed up and joined him. ANNIE FLEETWOOD and LADY WIDD followed. With three more plain fences to jump it could be any of these four leading contenders. On passing me, and remember I came early and had to settle for watching from two fences out, the order was THE SYCOPHANT closely followed by LADY WIDD and FOURSPICE ALLSPICE. Off to the finishing line they dash with one more to jump. LADY WIDD unseated at the last. He didn't give his rider a chance and came crashing down. I could see in the distance that Rilly Goschen was having a helluva job remaining onboard THE SYCHOPHANT and I believe she didn't quite make it but remounted to get third place, a distance behind Tabitha on ANNIE FLEETWOOD but the winner by twenty lengths was FOURSPICE ALLSPICE. LADY WIDD got up but unfortunately Alex Michael did not and had to be whisked away to hospital by helicopter. I have checked up on his health as best I can and I know that he was possibly due a scan today so if any of my readers can let me know how he is I would much appreciate it. I do hope, but doubt, that he will be available to ride in the Grand Military later. Please let me know!!
Nowt for tin or bag! Rilly Goschen has had a win, a second place and a third so can she pull off a win for me in this eight runner restricted onboard the Carter's HAWKERS HILL? It will not be easy as Lucy Gardner is here on her DRUMHORC who has been placed a couple of times this season and then there is Mrs Reed on her best turned out CAPTAIN RANDOM and Nick Heath on his FRANKLY FEAR who has been consistant but has also unseated but may shine here. Off they go! The sixteen to one shot Miss Murphy's NICE APPROACH led until the end of the back straight when HAWKERS HILL made a move and took up the running. Lucy on DRUMHORC was keeping in touch but the field was tightly grouped at this stage. Several in the air together at fence number 17 then off on their final circuit. DRUMHORC now got a reminder to make sure he concentrated on his work. I was not displeased on seeing this as I thought my HAWKERS HILL was travelling well and could do without persistent harrowing from Lucy! At the final ditch it was DRUMHORC who got the better over this one from HAWKERS HILL. This is not the plan I had in mind! CAPTAIN RANDOM showing in third along with Staverton Owners Group's RETURN THE CALL. At the next fence it was HAWKERS HILL who did a better job and went on by about half a length. Three left to jump. HAWKERS HILL and DRUMHORC over together. At the penultimate they jumped together again - nothing in it! CAPTAIN RANDOM well back in third. Over the last and Lucy took off and went away from my concern and won by three lengths. CAPTAIN RANDOM was eight lengths back in third place. A really good race but it did not do my tin any good whatsoever. I will be keeping a serious eye on Miss Gardner.
Finally The Badger Brewery Confined Maiden Race for Eight years old and over. Only three runners and only two finished and would you believe it, my choice, the best turned out KING OF SWING (Mrs Vigars) was second, beaten by Dobie Whaller Racing's SPARKLING MISSILE by three quarters of a length, well done Miss Robinson. Ah! Well more chances tomorrow at Black Forest Lodge.
We will take our time back to Silverton and we are dining in tonight; local roast beef too. I am really looking forward to a hearty meal. The owner of the bag is on Atkins so I will be able to eat a few more roast potatoes. Lovely!
South Devon first race 12 noon BE THERE!
Fred & Ruth