Report from the Exmoor Foxhounds meeting held at
Bratton Down on Saturday 29th May 2004.
The promised rain
did not arrive at Bratton Down and although the course had a good covering of
grass, more than I have ever seen, the going will be firm and the longer grass
could provide some slippery corners. I
was hoping for a good lot of runners here after seeing the entries but it was
not to be and a disappointing day's racing was in store. Too many fallers although I do believe
none very serious and the times were very slow. As a matter of interest at this meeting last year there were
eight races with 73 runners and most times were under six minutes where as
today only twenty three runners spread over six races with all times well over
six minutes. The Men's Open as to be
expected, clocked the best time of six minutes six seconds.
The first race,
The Countryside Alliance Club race saw four go to post and only two to
finish. Unfortunately Martin Sweetland
fell on A Cottle's MY JESS early in the race and The Happy Team's HAPPY TEAM (R
Ross), who looked a picture in the paddock, slipped on the flat after fence
number five. Richard Woollacott brought
home his JENTAR EQUILIBRA in fine style to beat the Hayes's best turned out MAGICAL FUN who was upsides at the last
obstacle, by twelve lengths. I didn't
invest but Ruth did and was successful by choosing the correct forecast. Bag will profit, tin will not!
The restricted
race saw three go to post and again I chose not to invest as the favourite, G
Foot's ASKER JACK (J Snowden) was odds on and with this track a little
slippery, anything could happen - and did!
S Stacey and J Dawe's MRS PEGGOTY (C Tizzard) is out again and whose
form is beginning to look a little better but I doubt whether she will worry
the favourite. The other contestant is
J Down's GOLDEN SOVEREIGN and Mark Dennis will strive to get a figure in this
one's form book, as yet it consists of various letters but no figures. It was best turned out GOLDEN SOVEREIGN who took the field along
for almost a circuit but then decided to run out before getting to face the
open ditch. ASKERS JACK did get to the
open ditch but ejected his rider and Jamie was off that one. On went MRS PEGGOTY who was surely now going
to get a win in her form book. The open
ditch is a long way from the weighing room so Jamie Snowden remounted, jumped
the ditch and got back into the race but was now a long way behind. MRS PEGGOTY continued and although the
favourite was chasing her and the lead was reduced somewhat, eventually the
line was crossed some twenty-five lengths to the good by MRS PEGGOTY from the
favourite ASKERS JACK.
Four to post for
The Intermediate race with again a very clear favourite in the Ashley Farrant
ridden B Kilpatrick's CIMMAROON who has been running very consistently this
season and should give Ashley another point or two in his quest for the jockey
title. I fancy E Wicheard and J Haines's HILL TRAIL (R Bliss) who also has good form and is being touted
at a better price. S Maude's TIMPANI (R Woollacott) and best turned out
ROMANY MOVE (Mrs S Godfrey) are the other challengers who are available at much
bigger prices. HILL TRAIL set the pace
and went clear until disaster at the third fence when he fell. ROMANY MOVE took over the leading position
from TIMPANI with CIMMAROON quite happy to follow in rear. Nothing changed much until they were about
to go out into the country when CIMMAROON took closer order and then led the
trio on the final circuit. Pace quickening up to and over the final open ditch
with CIMMAROON perhaps three lengths clear of TIMPANI and then ROMANY
MOVE. Turning into the home straight
for the final time with CIMMAROON in a commanding lead but TIMPANI not giving
up, when at the final fence CIMMAROON hit it hard and fell with TIMPANI, not to
be outdone also hitting it hard and falling leaving ROMANY MOVE to close up in
solitary style and jump it and go on to win by a distance. The other two remounted and TIMPANI walked
home into second place and CIMMAROON followed, also at a leisurely pace into
third position. The distances were 'a
distance' and 'twenty lengths'. Ruth
(would you believe it?) had backed the winner at eleven to two - what luck she
is having!
Just two in The
Vielle Ladies' Open race and the commentator was pleased to announce the
sponsor but declined to say anything about their products but did thank them
for the generosity. I think this is a first for a race card in the point to
point arena to advertise methods of enhancing sexual satisfaction and a free
Guide to Sexual Discovery but why not?
One follower of pointing from the Wheddon Cross area was seen using his
binoculars to read the small print in the advert but then that is what it was
put there for. Will it make his
eyesight any better!! Not much to say
about the race but the two girls did it a bit professionally and did not make
any mistakes and the outcome was that Lucy Gardner on Paul Tylor's best
turned out GURU RINPOCHE came home
four lengths to the good of Sarah West on their NORMANIA. The bag was seen to be filled a little
fuller again!
The Men's Open
Race sported a few more runners but finished with the same number -two. The two
main protagonists, P Clarke's best turned out FRIAR WADDON (C Heard) and the favourite, P Deal's BALLYSICYOS (A
Farrant) made a good race of it but D Cossey's KHAYAL (L Jefford) pulled up, S
Rowe's MERV'S MAGIC (M Sweetland) fell
and Guy Weatherley on K Webber's STEPASIDEBOY fell at the 18th. Over the last fence both remaining horses were in with a chance
but it was the second favourite that managed that extra to get up the climbing
ground and over the line six lengths clear of the favourite.
Finally the Open
Maiden Race with five runners go to post and again a very clear favourite is
established. The Dozen Dreamers best
turned out ALBAMART WOOD (D
Edwards) is trading at even money but there is also keen interest in Kathy
Hooper and Peter Musgrove's SUP OF TEA with Alex Charles-Jones up and some
fancy the jointly owned DOUBLE BUBBLE (A Glassonbury). Lucy Garner will be on Paul Tylor's GOOD
GRACIOUS and Mark Sweetland will try to get another figure in the form book of
B Palfrey's RIFTON BRAMBLE. A very
steady pace was set up by DOUBLE BUBBLE who continued to lead the field past the
judge on the first circuit but decided he had had enough after jumping fence
five and pulled up. The field was then
taken on by ALBAMART WOOD closely followed by SUP OF TEA and RIFTON
BRAMBLE. Lucy was going well in the
rear. As the race continued the
positions altered very little and rounding the final bend and entering the home
straight with one fence to jump it was between the favourite and Alex Charles
Jones. ALBAMART WOOD then began to show
his superiority and made his way to the line to win by four lengths from SUP OF
TEA with RIFTON BRAMBLE eight lengths back in third.
I have had much
better days racing but Ruth filled her bag well and truly so there will be big
smiles all the way home. We will
collect a couple of juniors on school holidays for our visit to the South
Tetcott meeting at Lifton on Monday so I do hope the weather remains fine. The course is spruced up and watered so
there is no excuse not to run there so - BE THERE!!!
Ruth and Fred