Report from East Devon Hunt Point to Point held at
Bishops Court Ottery St. Mary on Saturday 28th February 2004.
With the
assistance of the hunt secretary, Mrs Parker, I was able to keep our readers
right up to date with the 'going' situation at Ottery. A clear concise description of how things
were at Oliver's was passed on and there was no doubt in my mind what I would
find when I arrived there after journeying through very cold, blustery and
snowing conditions on our way up from Cornwall. Clear skies, no frost and the course was in perfect
condition. I think everyone would agree
that this was the best that Oliver's has ever been seen. Going was 'good' and the eleven race card
started off on time. Now for a marathon
afternoon of first class racing. I
believe all other P to Ps in the country were 'off' but here it is all 'go'.
The dulcet tones
of the gentleman in the white coat rang out during the afternoon and quite
rightly so as things had to go quickly and smoothly with such a big card but
Oliver could have done with a lift down to the start as the delay down there
was more than just noticeable. I lost
count at five false starts! Whilst
starting has to be seen to be fair for all, this is an amateur sport and no
jockey club regulator was there to take anyone to Portman Square!
The 'farmers' saw
four go to post with D Johnson's VIVID IMAGINATION (A Farrant) a clear
favourite with the betting on who was going to be second more important, D
Llewellin's LAZY LEMON or Mrs Trump's best turned out NORLANDIC (L
Jefford). The outsider of the four, M
Pidsley's ESKIMO GOLD (M Sweetland) given no chance. A steady pace in which
VIVID IMAGINATION slowly increased and went on to win by twenty eight lengths
from NORLANDIC and LAZY LEMON a further
fifteen lengths back in third. We both
lost a little on this race but nothing to worry about yet, but to be truthful
the 'impossible' would have had to happen to see us win anything at all BUT it
does occasionally come up!!
With ten to post
for the men's open a good race was envisaged and to the arena I must go to get
the best for my investment. The clear favourite at odds on price was Neil
Harris on Mrs Cook's RIGHT TO REPLY and as this horse is thought a lot of I
suppose I should invest but I went looking for the best price on David Pipe's
ONEMINUTETOFIVE (A Farrant) who won at Great Trethew last week and is running
to qualify for later in the season. I
found six to four against and on it went.
The best turned out M
Dare's MOUSESKI (N Williams) has let me
(and others!) down over the past couple of runs so although tempting at ten to
one is let go, BUT there is definitely a win in this horse. The other one that won last week is the
Pudd's COOL WAGER (D Edwards) at 12/1 and W Caudwell's TUBBER ROADS (J Owen)
was second and is at 14/1. Off they -
no! no! no! yes - early leaders were TUBBER ROADS who went on by about eight lengths then ONEMINUTETOFIVE and J
Berwick's BRUTHINNE (D McKenna), the pace soon settled, but on passing the
judge for the first time it was still these three leading the field but FATHER
JIM, COOL WAGER and MOUSESKI were close up. All over the open ditch with a few
stragglers. Down the back, under the
trees up to the cross fence, not a lot of changes yet. Mrs Merriman's LILY LANE ( R Colridge) was
way out the back. On passing the judge for the final time, closely grouped,
TUBBER ROADS, RIGHT TO REPLY and ONEMINUTETOFIVE led the field closely followed
by MOUSESKI. Along the bottom straight
we could see two loose horses but it was RIGHT TO REPLY who had now taken up
the running pursued by my interest (and Ruth's!) -ONEMINUTETOFIVE with a gap to
MOUSESKI and COOL WAGER. Unfortunately for some, at fence 16, RIGHT TO REPLY
unseated and left the well strung out field to continue on their journey home
with no more ado. I don't think Ashley
would have beaten RIGHT TO REPLY but the rules are that you MUST have a pilot
onboard when crossing the line. Both
off to collect as ONEMINUTETOFIVE came home twenty lengths clear of MOUSESKI
who was twenty lengths clear of COOL WAGER.
Whooppee! Good for both bag and tin!
Eleven to post for
the confined hunts' race and I decided early that I would be investing in Ken
and John Heard's BILL ME UP (C Heard) who made up ground really well from a bad
start at Buckfastleigh. This was a more
open race than the previous and eventually the best turned out Sir R
Cooper's CASPERS CASE (N Williams) went off favourite with probably F Bishop's
LEON GARCIA (T Bishop) and my concern as second favourites. Off they go no! no! no! yes - one of those
type again but eventually - off they go!
H Merriman's BOY BAND (C Daley) was a little reluctant to start but
Roger Oliver's RONANS CHOICE (R Darke) took them to the first followed by the
Lawrence's SQUADDIE (L Heard) and the Richards's SIR D'ORTON (C Tizzard) and
the remainder close up. BILL ME UP was
in fifth place. Then came the very bad
news - BILL ME UP had unseated. What is
happening- the form of this horse is 12212-12, not a letter in sight but now
when I decide to make a little there is a letter 'u' in the form. Ah! Well such is life - on with the rest of
the race. Over the first ditch it was
RONANS CHOICE followed now by D Williams's MIDNIGHT COUP (A Farrant) then comes
SIR D'ORTON, CASPERS CASE and E Cann's CALLEVA STAR (S Kidston). The leading order was the same over the
final ditch and then down to the back straight with the field beginning to
stretch out now. On approaching the
cross fence (17) it was RONANS CHOICE who was first over followed by CASPERS
CASE and then SIR D'ORTON and LEON GARCIA.
Round the top bend, over the last two and the order did not change. RONANS CHOICE won by four lengths from
CASPERS CASE and five lengths back was SIR D'ORTON. This was a good paced race
and was won in a decent time of six minutes nine seconds. None for the tin but it is only loaned.
Race 4 - The Straw
Man's Intermediate with fourteen to post and Jamie Snowden is on the favourite,
a horse who has been impressive this year, James Drummond's OUT THE BLACK with
another previous winner in the Fry's SIMPLY SAM (N Williams) second favourite
and good prices about the others. I
thought the Faulks's PENDRAGON (N Mitchell) ran a good race at Larkhill so I
will invest each way at 5/1 meaning I will only get my money back (one fifth
the odds) if he is placed second or third but will pocket a good bit if he
wins. Off they go! I believe they got it right this time! All safely over the first and off down the
back with BY MY SIDE (Alex Charles-Jones) leading the field. On passing the judge with two complete
circuits to go it was still BY MY SIDE closely followed by SIMPLY SAM, SOUL
KING (R Bliss), SHERBOURNE GUEST (J Kwiatkowski) and OUT THE BLACK. My concern was back in the field at this
stage and did not look to be going at all well. Does he normally carry his tail out that straight? Lucy (Gardner) seems to be travelling quite
well on her BAK ON BOARD so as yet it is anyone's race. At the 10th we lost another of the fancied runners in
HEISAMODEL (M Miller) and it was noticeable that OUT THE BLACK was in the rear
of the leading group. PENDRAGON was not
going well. BY MY SIDE and SIMPLY SAM
took the field out into the country for the final time. PENDRAGON still not looking happy AND NOR
WAS I! BY MY SIDE and SIMPLY SAM took
the remaining field over fence 16, round the bend and up to the cross fence for
the last time. OUT THE BACK was
definitely taking closer order. Coming
to the final obstacle, ears pricked, clear of all others by six lengths was OUT
THE BLACK, with BY MY SIDE in second place and BAK ON BOARD eight lengths back
in third. PENDRAGON finished but in
such a position he could have been adjudged to have been in the next race if
only he had a lady onboard.
Thirteen start in
the ladies open race with plenty of form to go by. The Tory's WINK & WHISPER (Emma) was third at S Dorset and is
available at 13/1 which is a good each way bet and 'Rilly on the Dufosee's
BEADNELL BAY is having a go at 7/1 and Charlotte Tizzard is out on the more
than useful KNIGHT OF PASSION for Mr Crabb.
Ah! Here is Polly on Richard Kelvin Hughes's SAILORS FOLLY who won at
East Devon but at the skinny price of even money. I am off to the tin to pick up a little more and it is going on
Ray Geddes's EASE THE PRESSURE (Rachel Green) who has yet to lose a race. So why would he consider it happening
today! All on and off - no not yet- now
off they go! On passing me with two
circuits to race it was KNIGHT OF PASSION, BEADNELL BAY and SAILORS FOLLY who
led the field. These three continued to
lead for some distance with EASE THE PRESSURE and T Sprake's JACKSON HILL (T
Cave) hard on their heels. Coming to
the last in the home straight it was difficult to pick one out of the group of
six or seven that would win. Down to
the open ditch, past the start area and onto fence 15. Now its BEADNELL BAY in front from SADLER'S
REALM (Lucy Gardner), SAILORS FOLLY and KNIGHT OF PASSION with EASE THE
PRESSURE moving up. A little too early
to start shouting but fingers are crossed.
WINK AND WHISPER now came on the scene and relegated SADLER'S REALM back
into fourth. At the cross fence it was
EASE THE PRESSURE that jumped into the lead from BEADNELL BAY with WINK AND
WHISPER and KNIGHT OF PASSION back in third and fourth. Just a little shout is available now but quick,
followed by a kick in the shins as Ruth is on BEADNELL BAY - whoops! Under breath shouts now continued until the
line where I am very pleased to say that my investment came home one length to
the good of WINK & WHISPER and two lengths further back was BEADNELL
BAY. Small period of commiseration with
Ruth and then, (when she couldn't see me), I laughed all the way to the arena -
PAY OUT section. Open tin, deposit, and
onto the next one!
Two divisions of
restricted races followed with fifteen in division one and twelve in division
two. Tabitha Cave rode a good race for
me and for the tin on S Messer-Bennets's SEA SNIPE to win division one with W
Caudwell's SUTTON COURTENAY (T Davey) four lengths back in second and D
Underhill's STATE MEDLAR (R Woollacott) another length back in third. In division two Godfrey Maundrell brought
his RHYTHM KING here to make amends for the poor display at Holnicote. Well that is just what he did and beat
Ashley Farrant on P Finn's I AM SAID I by one length. There were a couple of late fallers - RIVER DANTE and
THUNDERTHIGHS, allowing J Snowden to bring in WITHYCOMBE into third place but
he died on his way back to his box.
In the first
division of the many divisions of the open maiden races we again saw Geoff
Maundrell riding out a good finish to get his HEADWRECKER home by two
lengths and at a very decent
price, from D Chown's WILD CHIMES (N
Williams) and S Lewis's NEARLY A MILDRED (Rilly Goshen) 15 lengths back in
third.
Now we have to
split division two of the open maiden so we see part one and two go to post
with nine runners each. Part one was
completed with the field decimated by the riding of Nick Williams on R
Blackburn's best turned out COMBAT DRINKER who finished a distance to
the good of Jamie Snowden on M O'Connor's FLO KEEN and another distance back
saw HAYLING STAR (M Sweetland) in third place.
I was more than pleased with this result because D Johnson's THINK
COMMERCIAL went off favourite but I went for the second favourite with a
considerable amount of the tin on his head.
I think Nick saw my face as he flashed past with a circuit to go and
realised I needed him to win and this he did handsomely. Open tin-
insert winnings - slam lid shut making sure not to damage any of its
contents.
Part two saw Jamie
(Snowden) doing a great job on Gill Greenwood's WAYWARD SPREE to come home by
ten lengths from the five to four favourite David Roger's FOUR OF A KIND (R
Darke) who was four lengths up on Ian Hambley riding The Ansell's OFF THE HOOK.
In the 17 runner division
three I took notice of a P to P goer who had information from a friend whose
Aunty was in the same WI as one of the syndicate's Uncle's wife. According to him, the Axe Valley Racing
syndicate were going to win this division with LORD ANNER (N Williams). Well who am I to argue with that brilliant
piece of info. The price is right so I
take a decent each way bet. Not totally
convinced that the WI or its members would know the difference between win or
each way I am quite happy with my investment. It only took six minutes twenty second to prove the information
that I received was very valid and home came LORD ANNER twenty five lengths to
the good of the well punted Lawrences' ZAKLEY (C Heard) and the Heywoods' SMOKEY JOE was a further length back in
third. I and Nick Williams have now
combined to fill up the tin and I cannot lose it all today as it is nearly dark
and we are packing up the tins and preparing for a dash back to Camelford for
the North Cornwall Hunt Ball.
There has been
some balloting out in the last two races and this must be very disappointing
for owners/trainers and riders alike.
Having to wait all day and to then get balloted out is very upsetting
but the light is fading fast. This
course has stood up extremely well against all odds and the meeting has been a
very successful one with the East Devon hunt funds being swelled
considerably. Well done!
Off they go - no,
no, no, yes - at last for the final one of the day. It is difficult to distinguish but my fancy is there - Rilly
Goschen on Mrs Woodhouse's RIO POPS. On
passing the judge for the first time it was S Jarrett's ASHWICKE GAMBLER (T
Dreaper) who led followed by SURE HOW BAD (L Tibbatts) and RIO POPS and Alex
Charles-Jones on Mrs Nicholls's VIRGOS BAMBINO. Off into the dusk they go!
Going down towards the open ditch for the final time it was VIRGOS
BAMBINO who led the field with RIO POPS and MAYBE A DOUBLE close up
behind. Mrs Scott's CARACCIOLA (W
White) and Richard Kelvin-Hughes's KYALAMI (P Gundry) also travelling
well. As they close onto the second
from home the commentator was able to recognise the Tizzards' best turned
out PITCHFORK PETE making good headway but at the fence he took a heavy
fall and KYALAMI did the same and CARACCIOLA looked to have unseated from where
I stood. There was disaster at that
fence. Out of it came Ryan Bliss on
MAYBE A DOUBLE to win by a distance from VIRGOS BAMBINO in second and RIO POPS
in third. A rather unfortunate
happening to a great day's racing.
There were twelve races where 146 horses competed. The tin is OK and the bag is 'improving but
needs to do better'.
I have received
good news from the Shaw household.
Vanessa who came unstuck at Great Trethew and was taken to hospital is
out of that place now and at home recuperating. She will not be riding for a while as unfortunately she has crushed one vertebra and fractured another,
and fragments from the crushed one were close to her spinal cord which was
quite dangerous. So they operated to remove these and screwed either side
of the breaks which will be taken out in six months time. She is able to walk around a bit, improving
everyday, but a long time before she will be up on a horse again. She is very
determined and will be back
racing next season! She has NOT been
put off riding and cannot wait to get back.
We wish her all the very best.
Next week we will
be at the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale and the South Devon meetings and hope to
see you there, in fact - BE THERE!
Regards Fred and
Ruth