Report from the Tiverton Foxhounds Point to Point
meeting held at Chipley Park Milverton on Sunday 6th February 2005.
The weather on the
run up this morning was extremely varied.
Some sleet, some rain and some sunshine and some very frosty
conditions but we plodded on and found
Chipley Park clear of any bad weather and the course in good condition.
With the staff on the left With
the staff on the left
Wrong way up Right way up
I have taken the
opportunity to print these little diagrams so those that need to know will have
no problem in future in getting it right.
Last year they were completely wrong both were upside down but progress
has been made - the one this year on the far side of the course was the correct
way up but that is where it all ended and as they crossed the track they forgot
everything they had been told and it was back to their old ways and it was -
yes! you have guessed it - upside down on this side. Then it's obvious if you put one up one way and tother up other
way you will come out 50% right! Clever
thinking!
I must comment on
your race card for an excellently produced document. Comprehensive and clear
with the form under each runner and a bit better than average paper. Good advertising coverage but a course plan
would have helped new comers.
Only two entries
for the first race but a very competitive one.
Mrs Sanderson's JABIRU (D Edwards) would race against Mrs Deal's
BALLYSICYOS (G Weatherly). Both horses
have consistant good form and in the investing arena the fancy is for
BALLYSICYOS but only slightly. From the
off a good pace was set by Guy Weatherly
but Darren kept JABIRU in touch.
They raced like this both showing immaculate jumping and the distance
between the two seldom got more than four lengths until fence 13 when JABIRU
put in a very good leap and closed and passed BALLYSICYOS who blundered a
little at the final open ditch. At the
penultimate JABIRU jumped well and was two to three lengths to the good. At the last it was JABIRU who did not get
too high and on landing it was seen that BALLYSICYOS was making his run up the
inside where he took the lead and raced on to win by four lengths. A good competition to start the afternoon
off.
Thirteen to post
for the mixed open race. The Bishop's
LEON GARCIA (T Bishop) is the little uneasy favourite no doubt based on his
eight length second to RED BROOK LAD recently but then T Williams's PERKYS
PRIDE was set to win but unseated in his last race so is also taking some of
the investors' money. I will be
attempting to get some back from the Willcox's KALI DES OBEAUX (E Jones) who
looked promising at Silverton but only managed fourth so could do better
here. Off they go and at the first
fence we lost TAW PARK (D Edwards) so the field down to twelve. On passing the judge on the first circuit it
was LE CURE (J Barnes) who led the field from PERKYS PRIDE , HARVIS,
GENEREUX and KALI DES OBEAUX going well
but it is a little early. Little change
all the way round and up to the judge again and it was LE CURE from PERKYS
PRIDE and third place was being disputed by my concern and GENEREUX (L
Jefford). Off on the final lap as the
excitement grows. Going down the far
side young Kath Hobbs having her first ride in points made some headway up into
fourth place but over the final ditch it was still LE CURE from PERKYS PRIDE
with KALI DES OBEAUX lying in third.
The field began to stretch out as they crossed the bottom of the course
and coming up the home straight with two to jump it was still LE CURE just
holding PERKYS PRIDE. At the
penultimate both these were being hard ridden but PERKYS PRIDE seemed to be
getting the better of the deal. A good
jump at the last was enough to see PERKYS PRIDE go on to cross the line some
four lengths ahead of LE CURE with GENEREUX some twenty five lengths away in
third. PERKYS PRIDE won but LE CURE
also ran extremely well and KALI DES OBEAUX was only fourth but surely better
to come. No reward for the tin and I
don't think the bag will be open either.
Now comes the
Intermediate Series Race with ten going to post. The Irish might have had a tough time at rugby but as a race
commentator Mr Malone is doing a fine job and has given Mr Sherrin a break for
this race. Although Di Harding's PROBY
LADY does not carry much form it must be the combination of Mrs S Alner/Daryl
Jacob that brings the honour of favouritism to this one and that combination
will do for me. The form of J Boulter
and F Wilkins's CANTENAC BROWN is
somewhat better and is also taking good money in the arena. Good interest came late for GILZINE (J
Llewellyn) but this was probably due to the Welsh visitors walking along the
line with a fist full of euros handing them to 'the takers of all currencies' -
the bookies! From the off CANTENAC BROWN
set the pace and although he was joined temporarily by KILLY BEACH (K
Northcott) he led until the start of the final circuit when BOBS LAD (D Luff)
took up the prime position. CANTENAC
BROWN was given a reminder or two by Michael Miller and this jogged his memory
as to what he was supposed to be doing.
After the final ditch it was CANTENAC BROWN, BOBS LAD and KILLYS BEACH
that took the field along with PROBY LADY slowly getting in on the act. BOBS
LAD was now making a real determined effort and led by about four lengths at
three from home with KILLY BEACH on the wide outside with CANTENAC BROWN;
PRESUMING ED is still with a chance. By
the penultimate CANTENAC BROWN had taken it up again and went for the line with
PROBY LADY making a really good run up the inside and PRESUMING ED got the
better of BOBS LAD to come in third. A
real good race! That was a sterling
effort by Michael Miller to get home by five lengths ahead of PROBY LADY and
PRESUMING ED. The one to watch out of
this lot is definitely PRESUMING ED for future runs. Again I do not pick up so a better effort is necessary as I have
no intention of leaving my Cornish money up here in the Milverton area. Ruth is
about to tell me that she has to pick up as she thought Adrian Wintle looked a
nice jockey, so she placed a little each way on PRESUMING ED at 16 to 1.
This is going to
be more difficult than usual as 18 go to post for the PPORA Club Members
Race. I did choose one for a little
investment and that was on Charlotte Tizzard riding CHEROKEE RUN which went off
favourite. There is not a lot to say
about this race as it was the new lady on the scene that stole the show. Young Miss Kath Hobbs riding in her first season
showed how it should be done on Mrs Hobbs's SAINT ROMBLE. She went to the front before three out on
the first circuit and never really looked back. CHEROKEE RUN was travelling well but at no time could Charlotte
get on terms with the determined Kathy.
Down the far side on the final circuit the lead SAINT ROMBLE had over
CHEROKEE RUN increased and although a little shaky over the last two or three
fences this horse with past form over less distances was coming home a winner
all the way by ten lengths. A winner on
her first day at pointing was greeted by much applause by her friends and
relatives. Well done to Kathy! Miss Tizzard will have to wait a little
while before she gets CHEROKEE RUN over the line in first position but she was
25 lengths to the good of the third horse EARLS TOY.
Ruth's
Great-great-great grandfather had a mill at Itchen so in the past she has
followed this one ITCHEN MILL (D Jacobs) at great odds although this mares form
can almost be pronounced as I see very few figures in it but she is not going
to do so today and is off looking for an alternative. Thirteen will go to post for this restricted race and a clear
favourite is established in Lucy Gardner riding her QUESTION IT. Put some good quality paper in the tin when
she won her maiden, took some out again when only second at the Army meeting so
I will not be trusting Lucy this time.
The second favourite MISTER SWALLOW (M Miller) is my fancy as when he
has not run out or pulled up he has run really well and Mr Miller seems to be
in form the way he won the intermediate earlier. All the others have no chance according to the boards. This race really gave me so much fun from my
viewing point behind the Jimny! Off
they go with MR SWALLOW leading from the flag with ITCHEN MILL bringing up the
rear. Passing the start and on to fence
number nine it was still MR SWALLOW followed by ENOCH (E Tory) and ROYAL
CZARINA (J Snowden) with ITCHEN MILL in the rear. Passing the judge with a circuit to run it was MR SWALLOW and
ENOCH together followed by MARTBY (M Atkinson). ITCHEN MILL bringing up the rear, so it looks as though Ruth was
right with her decision. At the second
of the ditches ENOCH was a little untidy and MR SWALLOW wasn't so he continued
to lead. QUESTION IT was making headway
now. ITCHEN MILL is now not last but
tired horses have dropped back past him.
With three fences left to negotiate it was MR SWALLOW who has set the
pace from flag fall being followed by MARTBY and making good headway up the
inside is ----ITCHEN MILL. Ruth is
almost afraid to look as her disregarded charger is making ground and at
speed. MR SWALLOW is getting reminders
but just ahead of ENOCH with ITCHEN MILL travelling well in third place. Its is now that Ruth's shoe lace is undone,
I don't know how as she is wearing wellies but it is necessary to look anywhere
as ITCHEN MILL gets into second place.
At the final obstacle it was MR SWALLOW, and although I will pick up on
him it is seeing Ruth who by now cannot believe what is happening that is
giving me a good laugh! To the line
they race and from our viewing point it is not quite obvious who had won -
whew! What a sigh from Ruth when the winner was announced, first MISTER
SWALLOW, one and half lengths second, ITCHEN MILL and third twelve lengths back
is ENOCH. That was really fun and profitable at that and the tin will be replenished.
Three divisions of
maiden races followed, two of which filled the tin to overflowing. Although jockey Zoe Lilly was new to me I
chose her charge, the Stainer's PIRANDELLO DUE to carry my investment and on
checking with Ruth, she had done the same and I was a little upset to see what
a huge price she obtained. Well luck
went our way in this division as coming up the home straight to the winning
line Darren Edwards on Mrs Sanderson's FOUR IN HAND was leading when she went
flying, a crashing fall and in the process brought down the favourite BILTON'S
NAP (D Jacob) who was travelling well at the time. Zoe, having lost her whip rode out PIRANDELLO DUE with hands and
feet to win by half a length from fast travelling HIGHWAY ROBBERY (G Barfoot
Saunt) and the improving BARRY LYDON (Alex Michael). Some cried very lucky - NO! three miles to race, eighteen fences
to jump, cross the line first with jockey onboard - if you do just that - guess
what! YOU WIN! Well done Zoe.
The second
division we did the same thing again, both picked the winner in FLORA POSTE.
Ruth because is was Mr Wintle in the plate and me because the second behind
SONNET SUPREME was a better effort than it looks at first. Lucy Gardner on Miss Earle's MIGHTY MACK was
fancied by quite a few as was ALFIE'S ROCKET who will now be ridden by Colin
Heard as Darren Edwards is stood down after his previous fall. Well Mr Wintle made no mistake about who was
going to win this one, always in a handy position when he took it up down the
back straight and over the last open ditch he led from SIMPLY BERT (H Fry) and
JUST CARAMEL (T Faulkner). Up the home
straight it was FLORA POSTE from MIGHTY MACK and SIMPLY BERT and to the line
the race was on. SIMPLY BERT got the
better of MIGHTY MACK but FLORA POSTE held on well and won by five lengths with
six lengths between second and third.
Finally division
three saw a brilliant finish between Mr Old's best turned out DIONYSIAN (D Jacob) and the favourite
MANHUNTER (T Vaughan) with the latter holding on to take it by half a length
with PHARTODANTE (M Munrowd) ten lengths back in third. The silver will go to this division at six
minutes thirty-nine point eight nine seconds and it is hoped that in the silver
cup will be a little note to Mr Vaughan warning him that it is an offence to
wave a whip in the air whilst standing in his irons whilst crossing the winning
line- or is it?
An excellent days
racing and I am glad I didn't go to Marrakesh as some so called supporters did,
it was far better here and both tin and bag will be taken to the listening bank
in the morning and will reduce the outstanding debt considerably. No doubt only temporarily.
Next week is a
blank for pointing but all hands to the hunting field and give your local hunt
ALL the support you can please.
Next meeting for
us is at Buckfastleigh on Sunday 20th February 2005 so after you
have supported your hunt on the 19th travel on to
Buckfastleigh. BE THERE! This includes you Clarky!
Fred & Ruth