Report from Mid Devon Foxhounds Point to Point held on Sunday 8^th February 2004 at Black Forest Lodge near Exeter.

 

A lovely breakfast at Lower Thornton Farm, Ken provided us with the warmth that was going to be necessary this day at the Black Forest track.  It is only a few minutes away so we don't have to be that early, but whilst the sound of 'chat' comes from the kitchen I know we could be late even now -don't they go on!

 

We took the point that lightening 'never' strikes in the same place twice and took up our usual parking spot and then off to walk the course with a real cool wind coming from the Nornorwest.  The going will be 'good' again and with a drying wind the times should be on the fast side.

 

Only three for the first race - The Confined Hunts' Race, with it difficult to separate K Cumings' FRIAR WADDON (C Heard) and D Williams's MIDNIGHT COUP (A Farrant) as to being favourite but I don't have a problem here as the outsider of the three is Jennifer Congdon on her O SO BOSSY.  She informed after his last run that although not placed she was not disappointed and that this fourteen year old had jumped well.  I managed to get five and half to one so looked forward to filling the tin, (if there is room!) again.  Like most professionals, jockeys are also ones to improve with both age and experience and this was more than obvious the way Jennifer rode her horse.  In the past 'Bossy would have been expected to dash off in front and then possibly get caught on the run in. Not this time!  FRIAR WADDON had a three length advantage at the open ditch for the first time followed by O SO BOSSY and waiting in third place was MIDNIGHT COUP.  The positions changed little until on passing us and going out into the country for the final time it was Jennifer who had taken it up and led the way.  Over the open ditch O SO BOSSY still led, but FRIAR WADDON decided he would like to lead and managed to do so by a length and the commentator told us frequently that MIDNIGHT COUP was waiting in third and had nothing to worry about - YET! With three fences to go it was still FRIAR WADDON from O SO BOSSY and waiting still was MIDNIGHT COUP. Down the hill after jumping very well Jennifer went for home and established a three length lead.  The chasing pair joined her and they seemed to jump the next together but O SO BOSSY  came out of it better and the waiting MIDNIGHT COUP could not find enough to create a challenge and that was how they finished.  Over the last and onto a six length win from MIDNIGHT COUP  with FRIAR WADDON back in third.  A well ridden race, well timed and I am off to 'pick up'!

 

The Men's Open will give us a chance to see the blinkered POLAR CHAMP (A Farrant) again and I have no doubt he will repeat the performance we witnessed at Wadebridge.  The price is very very odds on so this time the tin will remain locked. Six runners to the start.  Off they go!  Miss C Overton's KINGSTON VENTURE (J Barnes) led the field as they passed us and went out into the country for the first time.  POLAR CHAMP took closer order after the open ditch but KINGSTON VENTURE led the field until coming down the hill, when POLAR CHAMP decided to set the pace  and this he did with his only real challenge coming from KINGSTON VENTURE, who stayed with him for the entire race and came home in second place by five lengths.  A distance away in third was P Gooder's ASHBURY STAR (D Allers-Hankey).  The time of 6 minutes 1 second was the fastest of the day and surely will see POLAR CHAMP hunter chasing before long!  A good run by KINGSTON VENTURE will also be putting him in the winners enclosure before long.

 

Just prior to the Ladies Open race a very good judge of horse flesh and also a friend of mine whispered in my ear that by far the fittest horse in the paddock for this next race was the best turned out Mr Salter's SUNBURNT, trained and ridden by Miss J Houldey so I immediately grabbed at the eight to one available.  A modest investment but enough to ensure an excellent return when SUNBURNT crosses the line in number one position.  Richard Kelvin Hughes' SAILORS FOLLY (Polly Gundry) went off favourite with the Stucley's PHOENIX PHLYER a good second favourite with money also for the consistant GAROLO (V Tremlett).  As they passed me for the first time it was SAILORS FOLLY who led by about four lengths BUT there was SUNBURNT going well in second place.  Forgive me for I know not what or who followed as I was, for obvious reasons, focussing on the two leaders at this time.  As they completed the first circuit it was still Polly out in front but Miss J Houldey was not letting her get too far away and I did notice that PHOENIX PHLYER had joined my investment carrier in second place.  Out on the final circuit it was still Polly cracking on but as she looked over her shoulder she saw that SUNBURNT was still there as was PHOENIX PHLYER.  At the final open ditch SUNBURNT began to narrow the gap and took the ditch alongside SAILORS FOLLY.  Across the top end of the course which was now bathed in sunshine and looked super. SAILORS FOLLY picked up a two length advantage and coming down the hill with three fences to go it was SAILORS FOLLY with SUNBURNT in second who had been joined by PHOENIX PHLYER.  All out for home now and it was Polly who had the better one on the day and came away to win by ten lengths from SUNBURNT with PHOENIX PHLYER back in third just half a length behind.  A good race, nothing for the tin but it is only loaned I assure you!

 

The Intermediate race saw seven go to post.  The favourite was established as the Fry's EARL'S TOY who won last week but just by a short head so I think it might be a bit soon to trust that one. Lucy (Gardner) is out on her BAK ON BOARD which is another one that goes well fresh and is very consistant, then there is the Partridges MORRIS PIPER who will make his own mind up whether he wants to start - or not!  The best turned out W Day's SILVER POT BLACK (M Barber) could be improving.  The jointly owned BRIARY BOY (N Wilmington) has been out and could be improving.  Command decision - Richard (Woolacott) is riding really well again so on it goes on MORRIS PIPER as he came good last season and there is no reason why he shouldn't see this lot off.  A friend? standing nearby, when he heard of my choice reminded me that MORRIS PIPER had started.  It wasn't long before I reminded him that he had also finished and indeed - in front of his choice.  The race was a tonic to watch and when The Definitely Blonde Partnership's EARLY MORNING CALL (J Barnes) fell when challenging MORRIS PIPER and BAK ON BOARD for the lead, the race was all over. (It's easy to say that now!)  Richard brought MORRIS PIPER home to win by ten lengths with EARL'S TOY in second place and SILVER POT BLACK running on to pick up third place.

 

Eleven turned out for the Restricted race with, once again a clear favourite emerging in P Finn's CANTERBURY JACK (A Farrant) but BESSIE BUNTER (M Miller) is quite fancied by some after winning the maiden at the Silverton meeting.  I deserted Richard Woolacott this time on Mrs Elliot's PORTO and I am going for Ed Retter's BISHOP'S BLADE (Sarah Gaisford)  who won a maiden at Wadebridge in fine style.  Up the hill past the crowd for the first time it was my choice leading the field with MRS PEGOTY (L Jefford), ALPINE FUGUE (S Lewis) and CANTEBURY JACK in close attendance.  Mrs Russell's LIBERTY LIVELIHOOD (Lucy Gardner) unfortunately didn't quite make it at the open ditch but I think both came out unscathed.  On they went with PORTO now joining the leaders.  Passing the crowd for the final time it was still BISHOP'S BLADE leading with PORTO, CANTEBURY JACK and MRS PEGOTY going up the climb and out into the country.  This is really getting me warmed up now!  The open ditch was dolled off, so perhaps Lucy didn't come out of it so well after all - on to the next - whoops! Those dulcet tones of the commentator changed to a grind in my ears as he tells me BISHOPS BLADE has hit the deck.  Going so well!  I hope all is well but it has left CANTERBURY JACK with an easier task now.  ALPINE FUGUE and BESSIE BUNTER give chase and cut the lead down a little but although Darren Edwards tried very hard on BESSIE BUNTER he could not get at CANTERBURY JACK and eventually ALPINE FUGUE got the better of him (BESSIE BUNTER) and came in second ten lengths behind the winner. Two lengths ahead of BESSIE BUNTER.  Lost out there and the tin will have to be open again.

 

Two divisions of open maiden races followed and to get me some to replenish the tin I chose Polly riding Richard Kelvin Hughes's MY MOONDANCER.  I know nothing about this horse but the connections are normally associated with good stock so I lashed out!  There was another really good bet in the race in a visitor from Wales  -the best turned out  Mr and Mrs W Perkins's JOHNSAIR, who started at five to two but I stuck to MY MOONDANCER and regretted it!  First JOHNSAIR, second CORALINGA and third, MY MOONDANCER.  Ah! Maybe I'll get it back on the last race.  How many times have I said that but sometimes it works.  Would you believe it, the zips were being rattled on the bag and quite a nice sum was deposited.  She liked JOHNSAIR - a lot!! Well done Ruth!

 

After visiting the paddock for my last look of the day I bumped into Mrs Shaw, Vanessa's mum and she was also on the way to the investors lobby.  We chatted a bit and then it was time to invest.  I really wanted to use David Pipe's OUR WEDDINGPRESENT with Ashley up to bring back all I had lost but something told me that it was not just coincidence that I had chatted to Mrs
Shaw.  Vanessa is quite capable of winning this and so is Mike Weir quite capable of training one to do it so ignore the remainder and plonk it on Mike Weir's BALLYKNOCK ROSE with Vanessa Shaw up.  A very exciting race indeed.  The start did not go all that well but eventually they were off.  Down the short hill, around the first corner and passing the crowd for the first time it was R Weaver's ANOTHER BIT (G Barfoot-Saunt) who led the field followed by Mrs Walter's WORTHY MAN (L Jefford) and then came BALLYKNOCK ROSE and the remainder. All over the open ditch safely but at the next ANOTHER BIT unseated his rider so this left WORTHY MAN with a two length advantage over BALLYKNOCK ROSE and Mr Wickett's BEAFORD PRINCESS  (J Young) in third.  At fence nine Vanessa jumped well and got in front of WORTHY MAN by half a length.  This did not last long and Les Jefford brought WORTHY MAN to the front but BALLYKNOCK ROSE came back again.  This is good stuff!  Out into the country for the final time and BALLYKNOCK ROSE continued to lead the field.  Lucy Gardner was well placed on Mrs Russell's LISTEN TO US but OUR WEDDINGPRESENT was still in a waiting position in rear.  On they went&OUR WEDDINGPRESENT was seen to give Ashley a worrying time over one fence before the final ditch and he was pulled up shortly afterward.  On went BALLYKNOCK ROSE who was now joined by O Stephens's GIPSY GIRL who drew away from LISTEN TO US by about seven lengths and now down the hill.  With three fences to go it was still BALLYKNOCK ROSE but at the fence they were now neck and neck.   With two fences to go there was nothing between them and the race for the line was truly on.  I must say that Miss Shaw appeared very cool and took the last fence in front of us very calmly (on the outside!!) and went on to win by three lengths from GIPSY GIRL and these two were a distance ahead of SMOKEY JOE.  Brilliant!!  Run now in case he has thoughts of going home with my winnings - no he wouldn't do that - would he?

 

That was a great finish for me and I believe the bag is content as well.  Off now to prepare for next weekend when we will be at South Pool Harriers meeting at Buckfastleigh and then onto the South Dorset at Milborne St Andrew.  BE THERE!

 

My telephone is at present ringing - it's a very nice sound of the huntsman blowing 'Gone Away' and if you want that ring tone for your mobile instead of 'Colonel Bogey' take a look at www.countryside-calls.co.uk you will be surprised what's available.

Regards Ruth and Fred