Report from the Silverton Foxhounds Point to Point
meeting held at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday 23rd January 2005.
There was a little
snow visible on Dartmoor as we made our way North out of Cornwall for our first
meeting of the Devon and Cornwall P to P Area so we were not too sure what we
would meet when we arrived at Black Forest Lodge for a midday start. It was really great to be back with all the
stalwarts of this sport again and lovely to see the crowd bolstered by a new
supporter in young Daniel, Lauren's brother who has appeared on the scene since
the end of last season. ( Congratulations to John and Mary who had something to
do with it!) Clutching his pencil he
was sure to be finding winners.
Something I did not! I walked
the course and found it to be in really good heart and would race 'Good' and we
would have to see if the realigned bend would be an improvement. Full marks to the committee as they
continually try to improve racing conditions. With the weather dry but 'nippy'
and plenty of blue sky about we looked forward to a good days racing.
First off was the
'Hunt' race, five runners and close investing between BARTON ROSE (I Chanin)
and SBS BY JOVE (Alex Charles-Jones)
was evident with the later going off favourite. A slow start but someone had to be first to
lead and it was BARTON ROSE who eventually led the field pass the crowd and out
into the country. With one circuit
completed at a very steady pace it was now RAGGY JUMPER'S ( C Daley) turn to
lead, at least for a while, with SBS BY JOVE and BARTON ROSE following quite
closely. Lucy Gardner had MIGHTY MACK
travelling sweetly in fourth place with EMALI (W White) bringing up the rear
and not looking all that happy. Passing
the crowd for the final time there was very little between SBS BY JOVE and
RAGGY JUMPER with MIGHTY MACK taking a little closer order in third place. The 'closer order' didn't last as at fence
13 RAGGY JUMPER decided that 12 stone was too much and deposited Mr Daley unceremoniously
on the deck. The field then stretched out and it was SBS BY JOVE and MIGHTY
MACK who took them to the cross fence at the far end with BARTON ROSE some ten
lengths adrift in third. On to three
from home and Lucy and Alex were going for home for all their worth leaving
BARTON ROSE with a lot of ground to make up.
EMALI pulled up having had enough.
Two from home and SBS BY JOVE had the better of MIGHTY MACK but BARTON
ROSE was not done for and was making up ground all the time. Down the hill,
round the bend, one to jump and BARTON ROSE was hot on the heels now of SBS BY
JOVE with MIGHTY MACK unable to stand the pace. A good race to the line and SBS BY JOVE got there by three
lengths from BARTON ROSE with MIGHTY MACK four lengths back in third. Not the fastest race but a nice winner for
trainer Linda (Blackford) who didn't have the best of luck last year and it
might have been closer had young Mr Chanin kept his charge up with the
leaders. None for me as I was too busy
talking and didn't invest BUT Ruth did and chose the winner. A little for the bag, so that is a good
start.
The Novice Riders
restricted was to be contested by nine runners, one of whom attempted to beat
the white flag but was called back and were off at the second attempt. Good punting had gone on BESSIE BUNTER (6/4)
and RYDERS HILL (2/1) all of which was to prove to no avail as BESSIE BUNTER (T
O'Brien) fell at the open ditch and RYDERS HILL (Vanessa Shaw) was soon twenty
lengths adrift of the field and took very little part in the race as this mare
along with IAN'S BOY (H Evans) found the going unsuitable. MUSICAL SLEUTH (J Harris) who tried to beat
the white flag earlier was still pushing his way to the front and took the
field out into the country for the final time followed by BESSIE BUNTER and
MARTBY. A nasty tumble for BESSIE BUNTER at the final ditch left ALL EYEZ ON ME
(Z Hammond) in third place closing behind MUSICAL SLEUTH and MARTBY. I was getting a little excited at this point
and let out the odd shout (or two!) as I had invested in the Atkinson Family's
MARTBY to start my day with a little for the tin. Coming down the hill and passing the start line for the final
time the scene changed somewhat and so did my shouting. On the scene came FOREST FORTRESS (J
O'Rouke) and SLIP THE NET (D Green) to join MUSICAL SLEUTH. The latter was the first to weaken under
pressure and left FOREST FORTRESS and SLIP THE NET to race for the line with
ALL EYEZ ON ME getting home in third place just ahead of NICE APPROACH (K
Drowne). No one on the hill was sure who had won as the finishing line is at an
angle to the line of vision so it is difficult to judge but the final word from
the official judge was that SLIP THE NET had won by a head with FOREST FORTRESS
in second place and ALL EYEZ ON ME in third. A really good race but none for
bag or tin but very exciting or at least as exciting as can be when you lose!
The Gerrard Ladies
Open Championship 'Q' race saw eight go to post with a clear favourite being
established in the Bridges's WAHIBA SANDS.
A change in commentator for this race brought a lovely Irish tongue to
the microphone and it was so good hear again that lovely lilt and
expressions. I invested in KALI DES
OBEAUX (E Jones) whilst Ruth decided
Charlotte Stucley would bring her PHOENIX PHLYER home in first place. Another one quite fancied was the Tory's
WINK AND WHISPER. Off they go and
PHOENIX FLYER took up his customary role of front running- unfortunately Miss
Athay's VANILLA MAN fell at the first leaving seven to race on. At the first open ditch it was still Charlotte
cruising on her mount with WAHIBA SANDS in second and my concern in third with
the others in single file behind.
Passing the crowd for the final time the order had not changed except
mine was now looking a poor third but was trying desperately to reel in the two
leaders. (At least that was what I
thought!) WAHIBA SANDS got at PHOENIX
FLYER towards the final open ditch and took the lead with my money carrier
getting closer. (Honestly!) As they
rounded the far bend and raced down hill towards the start position the race
was really on and WINK AND WHISPER was beginning to join in. Down the hill they come to the final bend
and with one to jump it was PHOENIX FLYER leading from WINK AND WHISPER with
WAHIBA SANDS back in third. A really
exciting and good race to the line and
Charlotte took the honours by half a
length from Emma Tory and Miss Bridges was back in third. Emily Jones brought home my money carrier in
fourth place. Nowt for tin but the zip
flew open and another deposit was made in the bag. Well done PHOENIX FLYER and
well done Ruth!
The entries in The
Matford Land Rover Men's Open Race were of the calibre that we were certain of
a very good race and so it turned out to be.
Ten went to post with the very consistant COUNTY DERRY (Neil Harris)
going off as favourite with COLQUHOUN
(G Weatherly) second favourite and the others not too far away in the
investment arena. I chose GREENWICH (N
Oliver) to carry my money as he has had a run already and came second and as
Mrs Scudamore has done such a good job with PHOENIX PHLYER maybe a little has
rubbed off on her own horse. There was
a delay to the start of the race whilst we witnessed a 'baby' air show by the
air ambulance, it eventually landed, crew shook hands all round with earthly
ambulance men, then it took off again but I did not see it take a patient nor
did anyone else I spoke to, but we were off and running just a little bit
late. My horse took the lead from the
tape and maintained it with COLQUHOUN racing second for a while then LINDSAY (S
Ross) increased his pace and raced two lengths behind my leader. This order did not change much for the first
lap. Passing the crowd with a complete
circuit to go it was still GREENWICH with COLQUHOUN now back in second, LINDSAY
third and SIR WILLIAM, COUNTY DERRY and BRUTHUINNE in the waiting position and
travelling well. It was obvious there
was a lot of racing left to be done in this field. GREENWICH and COLQUHOUN were neck and neck over the last open
ditch with LINDSAY close up third followed by SIR WILLIAM and COUNTY
DERRY. Four out COLQUHOUN relieved
GREENWICH of the lead with COUNTY DERRY making up ground. Down the hill it was these three line
abreast with SIR WILLIAM just about to join them as was LEON GARCIA (T
Bishop). Two out and it was COUNTY
DERRY who poked his head in front with the others still challenging and a very
exciting race to the last and then to the line was eventually won by COUNTY
DERRY by eight lengths with LEON GARCIA in second and COLQUHOUN in third. No I didn't win nor did Ruth but we both
watched some very exciting racing.
If the Open races
were exciting then the intermediate was to provide another really good
spectacle. Six went to post and only
three finished. HIGHWAY OAK (M Miller) and TOON SOCIETY (N Harris) challenged
one another for favouritism with the latter winning this tussle. Off they go
with HILL TRAIL (J Barnes) being the keenest and it was this one that took the
field past the judge for the first time followed by HIGHWAY OAK then came BONNY
RIGG (V Shaw). It is good to see
Vanessa (Shaw) back riding again after her accident last year and back on the
family horse who hasn't been out for a while.
We wish them luck. All six
safely over the first ditch with the order not changing. Coming up to the judge in the home straight
for the final time the field was still
led by HILL TRAIL who was jumping really well, followed by HIGHWAY OAK with
TOON SOCIETY now a clear third from BALLY BLUE (A Goschen). HILL TRAIL was the first to weaken and was
grabbed by HIGHWAY OAK followed closely by TOON SOCIETY AND BALLY BLUE. The leading three closed up on one another
and the race was on between these.
Forget about the rest said the commentator. With three fences to go they were in line abreast and racing each
other for the honours. Two out HIGHWAY
OAK, good jump and just in front.
Approaching the last there was really nothing in it. Neil Harris driving TOON SOCIETY for all he
was worth! Rilly Goschen setting about
BALLY BLUE! Michael Miller giving it welly On HIGHWAY OAK! Over the last and to
the line. The lady on BALLY BLUE took
it by half a length from Neil Harris with Michael Miller back in third but only
by half a length. They enjoyed that one
and so did we. Great racing.
Three divisions of
maiden races followed; all run at a decent pace and providing much excitement
right to the end of the day. Only two
finished in division one with WILLOUBHBY FLYER (J Price) taking the honours by
fifteen lengths from WARREN HILL (D Turner); Rilly Goschen notched up a double
by taking division two on PINK LADY with another exciting finish as she crossed
the line two lengths ahead of BELLE'S LAST (T Vaughan) with Lucy Gardner
finishing third another two lengths back, after giving TSAR'S TWIST a very good
ride. The much whispered about MINTED
(R Woollacott) was just beaten in division three by MINSGILL MANS (T Vaughan)
in the fastest time of the three divisions and taking the D H Amory Challenge
Trophy. THE SYCOPHANT (S Brown) was a
distance back in third.
A brilliant days
racing in good weather on a course which stood up well and I think the amended
corner proved a success although I think the run out could be a little less
demanding but they all seemed to cope very well. Eight races is just about the right number and if this is the
standard for the remainder of the season then it will be a super season. Well done Silverton!
To the charming
young lady who provided the birthday cake - the icing was too hard, the
marzipan was soggy, there was a shortage of cherries and why did it crumble,
but the sponge was truly delicious.
Happy birthday and have a great day in Iceland, Tangier, Casablanca Marakesh.
The bag did
extremely well but again the tin remains empty. We will see what Larkhill can do for 'us' next week. I have to keep saying 'us' as I will have to
borrow a little. I've learned that
enthusiasm and success just seem to go together so I will BE THERE!
Fred & Ruth