Report from Staff College and RMA Sandhurst Drag Hunt Point to Point meeting at Larkhill on Sunday 6^th March 2005.

 

As we stayed locally to the course we were able to arrive early and I walked the course, (this is a long walk here as one circuit is about two miles) and enjoyed the fresh air.  The fresh air came in short gasps at one stage.  I spotted a large clump of rubbish about five paces off one of the fences and when I went to investigate I had a fright that took all the fresh air out of my body and nearly a lot of the other ingredients that a body holds.  I was just about to stick my foot into the bundle of army camouflage material when it rolled over and promptly pointed a rifle at me! Whew! That was a fright I can tell you.  Early morning exercises were taking place and when the platoon moved off there were about twenty fully kitted soldiers carrying very menacing looking objects tramping over the course and away to the woods.  Back to Ruth for coffee, a large one!

 

The first two races were pony races.  This is the first time I have witnessed these at P to P meetings and it was very exciting.  The first for 13.2 hh ponies for nine and eleven years old and the second for 14.2 hh ponies with riders in the 12 to 15 years old age group.  Well organised, with eight runners in each race and the finishing was very close.  The first was a dead heat between FI-FI (Luke Lambert) and SCRAPPY DOO (Daniel Magee) with LIQUORICE (Henry Hayes) and BOBBY (Page Fuller) second and third.  FI-FI did not want to stop and was still travelling across country after the second race was started.  The second was won by CASHWINS BOY (Kelly Gorman) followed home by MISS SAIGON (William Fenton) and SONNET (Tom Canon).  Well done to all concerned.

 

Next came the members race with three going to post with the odds on winner TOM CASS (P York) giving no cause for anxiety throughout the three miles and came home to win by a distance from the only other finisher, PRINCE PHILIP (A Draycott).  OWENABUE VALLEY(A Vadasz) unseated his jockey early in the race and apart from being a nuisance took no further part in proceedings.  No investment on our part in that race as the odds were quite prohibitive.

 

Next came the first division of the open maiden race.  Fourteen go to post and the investors found it difficult to settle on a favourite for this race.  Initially it was David Pipe's AWARD ME AN OSCAR(Guy Wetherly) who was fancied but then drifted, then BACK TO NATURE (N Harris) took the position at two to one but eventually CABER (D Jacob) probably went off as the most fancied.  Rachel Green on DIONYSIAN who ran a good second to MANHUNTER at Chipley Park carried my investment.  NO OPTIONS ran out again today as he did yesterday,  so I don't expect to see him pointing again. A steady pace was set and it was PADAMUL (J O'Rourke) who took them past the judge for the first time followed by LORD FITZROY (A Bush), SENIOR MOMENT (J Snowden) and the remainder close up.  Our concern, yes Ruth had chosen the same as me, was about sixth as they disappeared behind the first clump of bushes.  Over the second open ditch and still PADAMUL led the way with LORD FITZROY maintaining second position, CABER in third and the remainder were in a fairly tight bunch.  With five left to jump these three continued to lead the field and were joined by BACK TO NATURE.  Our choice was beginning to get closer.  As they turned into the home straight PADAMUL had had his lead reduced and was joined by CABER, DIONYSIAN, LORD FITZROY  and BACK TO NATURE, with one fence left to jump it was going to be between these, on to the line where a good race was seen between CABER and BACK TO NATURE which the former took by half a length with LORD FITZROY twelve lengths back in third and unfortunately our choice did not pick up enough and came in fourth. 

 

There were eleven to post for division two but this time a clear favourite was soon established in EASTWORTH GRANGE (N Williams) and according to the robust investing it appeared he couldn't loose. I have taken the Sally Alner trained MISSYL (D Jacobs) to come home in the prime position but Ruth has gone for the Ali Tory trained FORCE TWELVE (N Wilmington) at a decent price.  Off they go!  No problems coming up to the first bend and the field was being led by FORCE TWELVE with QUERCUS MAXIMUS (A Goschen) in second place followed by BELALCAZAR (R Bliss) and the remainder in a tight group with DAYLIGHT GLORY (J Barnes) bringing up the rear.  On they go down behind the bushes and out and onto the open ditch being led by QUERCUS MAXIMUS and the storm has now changed to a FORCE TEN and he is upsides.  BELALCAZAR travelling well in third and most of the remainder following in a group.  Coming back into view out of the dip, the storm is back again and it is FORCE TWELVE (went in as FORCE TEN and came out as FORCE TWELVE - helluva pit that!) that leads the field followed by QUERCUS MAXIMUS, BAKER'S FOLLY (D Drake) and making up ground is EASTWORTH GRANGE.  MISSYL is also improving.  A very good race by those remaining resulted in FORCE TWELVE coming home by four lengths from EASTWORTH GRANGE and KEWLAKE LANE coming up to come in third just six lengths behind.  Well done Ruth and I will have to wait a little longer for my choice to win.  Gosh! The bag is doing well.

 

The much awaited Larkhill National Mixed Open Race over four miles was next on the card and COUNTY DERRY (N Harris) was immediately set up as the clear favourite with my fancy IRILUT (S Waley Cohen) second favourite and the remainder were available at much bigger prices.  Perhaps CHEROKEE RUN (C Tizzard) was the best of the rest.  It was as predicted.  Neil Harris had the favourite well positioned throughout the four miles and when it mattered he took it up without too much trouble and came round the final bend and came home to win by three lengths from FATHER MANSFIELD (C Prouse) who I must say made up ground and finished like he normally does, going like a train, and could be a threat at this distance wherever he runs.  Eight lengths back in third was Charlotte on CHEROKEE RUN and my choice was fourth.  Several pulled up without completing the course.

 

I will have to depend on the novice riders race to buck the tin up a little but this could be difficult with fourteen going to post.  LONGSTONE BOY (J Hughes) and ICKFORD OKEY (E Harbour) were quite fancied by some as was CARBONADO (R Shute), and NORSKI LAD (R Lee) could pull it off. Unfortunately we lost two at the first fence and a couple more later on. Well again I was not lucky as after a fine ride by Robin Shute, CARBONADO crossed  the line three lengths clear of my choice KEITHO (D Green) to register his first point to point winner. GOLDEN JACK was a further three lengths back in third position.  The time of this race was the fastest for the day so well done to the novice riders.

 

This is serious!  The bottom of the tin is visible again (the bag is looking OK!)  so I must get one in soon as there are only two races left. The next is a race for military riders and the keen competition between Alex Michael and Jamie Snowden will surely see these two fighting it out for prime spot.  BEADNELL BAY at even money is to be ridden by J Snowden and BEAT THE BANK at four to one is the mount of Alex Michael.  I tossed the euro, this is the one the bookie palmed off on me earlier, I bet I don't get caught like that again.  The two coins are easily mixed up, at least by those whose favour it is to do so!  On it goes on BEAT THE BANK!  I had a slightly worrying time but although Mr Snowden gave BEADNELL BAY  a great ride it was not good enough to better that of Mr Michael and my choice was brought home some one and half lengths clear of BEADNELL BAY and three lengths further back was RAGING TORRENT.  That's a lot better and such a good price.

 

Finally a restricted race for which nine will go to post.  Although there is a clear favourite in David Pipe's MOONSHINE SURPRISE (Guy Weatherly) and a much thought of second favourite in MURPHY'S MAGIC (J Tudor) I have chosen BLAZE ON (P York) at a very decent price to top off the tin or reduce the level to an acceptable level.  WYNFORD EAGLE led the field away from the start, past the judge and over fence six and out into the country followed by ONE DAWN (J Jones), MONTEBANK (G Walters) and the rest grouped up.  Over the open ditch and there is very little change in the order.    Down out of sight and fingers crossed for the next view to be a prosperous' one!  Back into view and ONE DAWN has a couple of lengths lead over WYNFORD EAGLE with VIEW HOLLO (E Walker) in third and MOONSHINE SURPRISE beginning to make ground and when the commentator announced that BLAZE ON was beginning to drop out steadily,  I considered my chances had gone.  Then came the good news that BLAZE ON had picked up second wind and was putting himself back in contention, this is better!  With three to go BLAZE ON was now in the lead from ONE DAWN and back in third was WYNFORD EAGLE. Yippee! Here we go, prepare to shout!  Shout I did and it worked. BLAZE ON came down the home straight going like the clappers and crossed the line eventually  beating DANTALY  by one and half lengths with MOONSHINE SURPRISE  three lengths back in third.  A great success!  Tin now looking topped up and bag looking handsome!

 

We will be looking forward to our home course meeting next weekend when The Western Hunt hold their meeting at The Royal Cornwall Showground Wadebridge Cornwall on Saturday and then probably up to Charlton Horethorne an Sunday.

 

 BE THERE!

 

Fred and Ruth