Report from the Axe Vale Point to Point meeting held at Stafford Cross on Sunday 8th May 2005.
We were not sure
how long it would take from Cloutsham to get here but we had a very pleasant
journey over Winsford Hill (past the
Mounsey Hill course) and in the morning sun saw the true beauty of Exmoor (that
should keep the Wheddon Cross gang happy!) and arrived in good time. We were very thankful we did really as it
took us some ten minutes or more to manoeuvre around, through, under, over yards
of blue rope. Not a help if you use a zimmer frame, push chair or
motorised wheel chair. I have never
seen so much used to achieve so little.
One area, about a half acre, cordoned off with blue rope which every
spectator on the open ditch side of the course had to pass over or under to
reach the paddock/shops/amenities was to accommodate officials' cars. OK so that might be classified as a
necessity but the only officials here were the two judges so the maximum of two
cars were there all afternoon. Blue rope scenario definitely over played. Secondly there were two sets of loudspeakers
strategically placed ( they echoed between one another) for one side of the
course but not one speaker on the predominant side of the course near the open
ditch, finishing line or starting line.
Runners, riders and results could not be clearly heard on this side of
the course. This is not the best
viewing course as it is and now we not only cannot get a good view, we cannot
hear the commentary - pity because
there is a lovely picnic atmosphere here but one has to leave the picnic table
to hear the announcements and en route to hear it you are bound to trip over
some blue rope!
Oh! The ambulance was parked obstructing the view of the
commentator down the far end-and dare I say it -AS USUAL!
The 'farmers' race
was to start our racing day off and five went to post. A clear favourite in the blinkered, tongue
strapped FREEDOM BAY (E Tory) was soon established but I thought MARDEREIL (N
Wilmington) had a very good chance but he clouted a fence, one of the new high
ones, very hard and didn't show any enthusiasm after that and was pulled
up. After the first circuit it was all
over really because FREEDOM BAY took a commanding lead and came home to win by
twenty five lengths from REDBERRY HOLLY (J Barnes) and ORINOCO'S FLIGHT ( M Holmes) was ten lengths back in
third. Nothing for the tin yet but I
have got the quickest route from paddock to picnic area sorted out and only two
lines of blue rope to jump/vault/duck under.
Race two was the
confined in which six go to post. The
decision had to be made whether to back Tabitha Cave riding PREACHER BOY or
Michael Miller riding best turned out
HIGHWAY OAK as I thought these two were the main protagonist. They were vying for the title of
favourite'. Well I settled for HIGHWAY
OAK and that proved to be a very sensible thing to do. It all looked to be going very well but a
little concern entered my head as with a complete circuit to run it was
PREACHER BOY taking them along with CHEROKEE RUN (C Tizzard) close up in second
and HIGHWAY OAK back in third (close!).
Around the top end of the course behind the tents and to face up to the
five fences down the straight it was still PREACHER BOY but HIGHWAY OAK was still travelling well.
At the end of the straight and rounding the bottom bend these two were still
disputing it and so to the homeward straight.
A real good race between these two but I would say that because it was
my choice HIGHWAY OAK that came out on top and crossed the line five lengths to
the good of PREACHER BOY with CHEROKEE RUN thirty lengths back in third
place. Off tin lid and in with a
little!
Race three was the
mixed open with nine runners and a few
classy contestants involved SPUDDLER'S DREAM (N Williams), TALES OF BOUNTY (R
Green) and the very in form PERKEYS PRIDE (C Tizzard) to name a few. I chose
TALES OF BOUNTY but the consistant SKIP N TUNE (M Miller) also caught my eye
but I did not change my mind and left it to Rachel Green to keep the tin topped
up. Juggling up front a little but
predominantly it was TEME WILLOW (C Allen) who took the field along until we
came to the final circuit and rounding the far bend and to line up for the home
strait it was just three in it. TEME
WILLOW, PERKEYS PRIDE and TALES OF BOUNTY.
A good race over the penultimate and then it looked like it was my
choice making the best of his way home.
Things went wrong from here on in and young Ms Green omitted to jump the
last fence and of course was disqualified with TEME WILLOW taking the number
one spot and two lengths back was PERKEYS PRIDE and then a distance away was
SKIP 'N' TUNE in third. I believe my choice would have won (according to others
as well!) so I hot footed to the weighing room to ask Ms Green for some reward
for my tin but she had just given £150.00 to the stewards and didn't have any
change so the tin is without but I didn't shout at her and just ask that she
does better next time.
The intermediate
was well supported and fourteen went to post.
The favourite who went off at six to four was TOUCH OF FLAME (M Miller)
with Nick Williams on EASTWORTH GRANGE the second favourite. I was on POLLIGANA (R Woollacott) who has
won his last two outings and I see no reason why he shouldn't make it three. The price was very good so with luck I should
make up for my loss in the last race.
Well it was good to watch and POLLIGANA was taken along in mid pack for
a considerable time until it was thought necessary to make a move. Not a fast move, just a tantalizing creep
through the field and keeping out of trouble.
As the field came around the starting corner and levelled up for the
home straight and the two final fences it was POLLIGANA on the inside then
EMALI and TOUCH OF FLAME (M Miller) leading the field. Over the penultimate and Will White was giving
EMALI a good ride and would frighten us all if he came home at 20 to 1 but
POLLIGANA remained to the good and on to the final fence. BEACHTIME (C Tizzard) now closed up and it
was in the order of POLLIGANA , EMALI and BEACHTIME over the final fence and it
remained that way on the long run in and over the line. POLLIGANA by one and half lengths from EMALI
with BEACHTIME two lengths back in third.
Well done Richard (and Emeley).
Just topping up the tin again and would you believe it -the bag as well!
Nice to see a
novice riders race and in this one seven will go to post. The tongue tied blinkered TITUS BRAMBLE (C
Allen) was clear favourite and would go off at even money but not with my
blessing. I am for the horse that I
reaped some dividends from at Buckfastleigh and whose name is spelt wrong in
the race card -GUDLAGE (V Shaw) it is -and at a sensible price as well. A worry to me is the good horse SAINT ROMBLE
(K Hobbs) from the well know stable of P Hobbs and although not so good in his
last race has been pretty consistant this season. They're off! It was not
long before my choice was taking them on at a good clip and jumping well, at
least at the fences I could see. Up
around the tented area and down the straight for the first time going well. Up around the tented area for the second
time and still doing it very well. Over
the five down the straight, round the bend and up past the starting area and
still in that very good position namely -the front! Two to jump, one to jump and to the line it was GUDLAGE all the
way with TITUS BRAMBLE one and half lengths back in second and a further six
lengths back was SAINT ROMBLE. This was
a good class win and in a good time ( only bettered by the mixed open), for
this combination and they hope to repeat it at Cothelstone on 18th
May -all being well! Transportation
now necessary for both bag and tin -call in Securicor!!
The restricted was
yet another Richard Woollacott/Emeley Thompson affair. Fifteen went to post and the most fancied of
the runners were WESTBOURNE (D Allers Hankey) and SOMEDO SOMEDONT(R Green) with
COOKIES BANK with Richard up taking good money and will probably go off as low
now as three to one. I saw this one win
at Seavington and was the best winner that day and in that tiring going, so
there is no doubt in my mind that he will travel well around here. WESTBOURNE went off at a good pace and soon
got well to the fore with MAGNEMITE (C Jones), KNIGHTON COOMBE (J Snowden) and
SLIEMA (N Wilmington) chasing hard from a considerable distance back. Approaching the back straight for the final
time WESTBOURNE was still leading but came to grief off the bend and was out of
it so SLIEMA was now in front from MAGNEMITE and KNIGHTON COOMBE with POLAR
BRIGHT (D Edwards) and COOKIES BANK closing up; MISS KARINGAROO (W White) also
getting a look in. A fence was left out
on the home strait due to an invalid still being attended to so with one more
fence left to jump it was SLIEMA followed by COOKIES BANK. Unfortunately SLIEMA came to grief just here
and I am not sure what happened but I do know that COOKIES BANK went on to win
by a length from ENOCH (E Tory) with SOMEDO SOMEDONT another length and a half
back in third. Yet more for the tin
which is just about to overflow so a black plastic bag has been unravelled and
will do until I find a bigger tin.
Two divisions of
maidens followed and would you believe it! Richard Woollacott and co won the
first on AUSTIN APPROVED by one and half lengths from GRAND BRETAGNE (C
Prowse) who was seven lengths to the
good of AQUIRED (C Tizzard). What a
benefit day that set has had, good luck to the young couple.
The second group
of seven runners brought out another success story when Les Jefford won on
TRIGGER MEAD. He has real bad luck with
this runner in previous points logging an unseated and a fall before getting a
second place but there was no stopping him on this occasion. I think I am
correct in saying from flag fall to finish this one led the way. Eventually
crossing the line ten lengths ahead of LORD DAVID (N Williams) in second place
who was a distance ahead of JOE PUBLIC (S Partridge) and these three were the
only finishers.
We had a very
successful day but I sympathise with one group of owners who were looking
forward to their horse TALLISON running in division one of the Maiden races
only to have to withdraw it as their jockey was stood down and a suitable
replacement was unable to be found. You
will have to wait a little longer before a figure is added to your form book
but not to worry too much as your steed is only seven!
A pleasant journey
home now after a great weekend if I can only get out from behind this blue rope.
Next weekend we will be up at Hunnycot (Anne) Holnicote (The Baroness),
yes Ann we will be there and then back down to Lifton for the Tetcott meeting
before travelling North again to Cothelstone but I hope to get Newton Abbot and
Exeter in before then. You see the tin
is full and I can afford it; unfortunately I shall have to travel alone as the
bag handler cannot come in the week because it is necessary for her to earn a
remuneration from other tasks and pay for my petrol. I'll keep this job going so make sure you are there- remember BE THERE!
Fred and Ruth