Report from Barbury Castle PPORA Point to Point two day meeting 14^th and 15^th January 2006  Day Two&

 

Although overcast there is no rain at the moment and as I walked the course I was again impressed by the way things had been moved overnight and horses would race on new ground.  Jockeys in later races would be advised to walk some of the course on yesterdays ground as that would again be how the going would become after a few races.  Overall the going would be 'good' and just right for the time of the year.  It would be holding ground and thus energy sapping so no doubt again there would be some very tired horses finishing and even some very tired horses - NOT finishing.

 

We had a lovely evening meal, good night's rest and now all we want is a few winners to pay for the outlay.  We do not have to work very hard to better yesterday, that's for sure!

 

I am expecting split races again today but probably not so many as yesterday.  The first race, the PPORA Club Members Race for Novice Riders is already split so eleven will go to post for Division One.  I got to the investment area quickly for this one and took the two to one about David Maxwell's DUNSTON BILL and this proved a good move as others began investing on him as well and the price soon reduced and was possibly even money (favourite) at the off.  It was my choice that decided to go off at a good pace and led the field up the straight, jumping the first three nicely but a little ponderous at the fourth, followed by the Keeys's GENTLE RIVAGE (C Stewart) and Felix de Giles on the family's FATHER JIM and then ALEXANDER FOURBALL (R Jagger).  Over the ditch and no change in the order but the field now strung out.  GENTLE RIVAGE was the first to come to grief with what looked like a saddle slip and was pulled up.  With one circuit to go my choice was clear by three lengths followed by FATHER JIM, then came ALEXANDER FOURBALL with ALPHEUS (R Mason) eight lengths back in fourth.  Over the final ditch DUNSTON BILL by two from FATHER JIM followed by ALPHEUS and ALEXANDER FOURBALL.  DUNSTON BILL continued to run well and held his lead and he must have heard my shouting as FATHER JIM tried to get on terms but it was not to be and there were four lengths on the line between DUNSTON BILL and FATHER JIM in second with ALPHEUS five lengths back in third.  From flag fall to finish and still a little in hand so keep your eye on this one for future meetings.  I know Ruth was also on this one so both containers profited a little.  Easy!

 

Division two saw ten go to post with the Churton's STRONGTROOPER and Mrs Lee's DUSTY BANDIT ( R Lee) flip flopping for favouritism and P Morrey's JOHANN DE VONNAS also popular.  Off they go but C Clark's WORKAWAY (H Kitchin) was not too keen to start and was left with plenty to do to get to the field.  I choose STRONGTROOPER to fill the tin and it looked good initially as my choice led the field; but a long way to go. Over the first ditch, my choice led with L Clothier's PAUNTLEY GOFA in second and DUSTY BANDIT in third.  WORKAWAY was still a fence in arrears.  Out into the country for the final time my choice began to slow very quickly and continued to do so and was not in the race any more.  Very disappointing.  At the twelfth it was DUSTY BANDIT and BILLYWILL (E Cookson) who led the field and began to go clear. WORKAWAY began making impressive strides through the field.  In line for home it was BILLYWILL on the inside of DUSTY BANDIT with the now tiring WORKAWAY back in third.   BILLYWILL went on to win by four lengths to the delight of his jockey with DUSTY BANDIT in second place and the gallant WORKAWAY six lengths back in third.  Nothing for tin or bag, but I have noted the third horse down in my little book for the future.   This brought a double for trainer Kim Smyly.

 

Two divisions now of Maiden Races for Mares.  Ten to go to post in Division One with the favourite carrying my investment.  Dr R Jowett's DANTALY (J Snowden) is the choice for both Ruth and I and we need this one.  Our choice went extremely well for the first circuit and was well up as leader or with the leaders for quite a while but was headed by Mrs Woodhouse's RIO POPS (R Bliss) and LADY MERCURY (D Pike) as they approached the twelfth.   Down the far side for the final time and at the final open ditch Jamie Snowden must have heard me shouting and it was there that DANTALY picked up the lead again and at four out the lead was about a length over D Sherlock on Mrs Teague's OVER ROUND who was now on the scene.  RIO POPS weakened quickly.  At three out it was POLLY FLINDERS (R Cope) who got up and jumped into second place but DANTALY kept on.  With two to jump DANTALY had seen everyone off and went for the line which she reached twelve lengths ahead, amid much cheering, of POLLY FLINDERS with MELDRUM MEG (H Kitchin) anther ten lengths back in third. Income for both bag and tin and all of a sudden it is not cold, it is not overcast, it is just a perfect day! (Long may it last).

 

The favourite in division two was my choice again and I took this one not only because I thought the horse would make it but also because one of our young jockeys who is doing extremely well at the moment, has the ride. So on goes the investment on Mrs Collett's SCUTTLEBROOK with Gerry Tumelty onboard. Ruth chooses J Bailey's KIMMERIDGE BAY (J O'Rourke) to carry her investment and between us we had a very exciting race.  Off they go and it was nice to see as they passed us that our two choices were travelling alongside one another in first position.  Over the ditch for the first time it was KIMMERIDGE BAY followed close up by SCUTTLEBROOK and NON STOP AIMS (J Sole).  Passing the judge with a lap to go it was SCUTTLEBROOK, KIMMERIDGE BAY followed by NON STOP AIMS, KNIGHTON STAR (G Barfoot-Saunt) and CHOSEN (P York).  Over the final ditch it was KNIGHTON STAR who led the group of five but because he made a slight error it allowed KIMMERIDGE BAY and SCUTTLEBROOK to get at him.  A tussle for a short while between our choices resulted in Mr Tumelty getting fed up with Mr J O'Rourke alongside him and he went for home arriving there some fifteen lengths ahead of his rival with CHOSEN (P York) three lengths back in third.   Off with tin lid and a reasonable deposit is made but making sure not to make too much noise as the bag keeper is not quite so happy with her second place KIMMERIDGE BAY.

 

I confided in a friend that I thought Mr Jordan's LADY MISPRINT with Sarah Gaisford onboard had a real good chance in the Ladies Open Race as I remember this one running extremely well in the past and at six to one was a real snip.  On went the investment without further ado with a total disregard for the form of Paul Nicholl's ASK THE NATIVES, Axe Valley Racing's RIMPTON BOY (Rachel Green) and Tracy Williams's PERKYS PRIDE.  Well it nearly came off. The front running Lady was soon in her favourite position and there she remained except when taking a breather until turning for home with two to jump when Rachel brought RIMPTON BOY who had been making steady progress since the final ditch, up alongside and went on to clear the last and to the line to win by five lengths from a now tired LADY MISPRINT.  ASK THE NATIVES was eight lengths back in third.  A very good run by the winner but my choice also did it well and will surely win again soon.  For sure all runners in this race will benefit from the race and will provide good sport in the coming season.

 

The Men's Open also saw the tin lid being opened again and the bag was also replenished all due to an excellent run and a very fine ride by Jamie Snowden onboard the Caroline Keevil syndicate owned DEEP POCKETS.  Ian Chanin onboard H Welstead's KINGSTON BANKER was a threat and raced alongside for quite a while but tired when it mattered and dropped out and left the favourite DEEP POCKETS to go to the line to win by ten lengths.  Mrs Powell's GATSBY stayed on to come home in second place with Patrick Conlon's FAMILY BUSINESS (J Pritchard) fifteen lengths back in third place.  This was a true test of stamina and this one should surely go Hunter Chasing soon after four consecutive wins through the classes.

 

The two final races were Divisions of Maidens for Horses and Geldings with eleven in Division One and thirteen going to post in Division Two.  It was a 'Greenall' who brought home Lord Daresbury's REASONABLY SURE to win the first race, whether 'O' or 'T' Greenall I am not sure but neither was the numbers board or race card but whoever it was he had to fight hard to get this favourite to the line in front of Philip York on S Doody's LIAMOS achieving it by only half a length after a good ride by the two throughout.  The third horse, Lady Talbot of Malahide's NORTHERN PITCHER was some 25 lengths back and very tired. 

 

The distance between first and second in Division Two was only a little more decisive after a good fight between 'Tigger' Barnes on S King's SHEPHERDS HUT and R Cope on John Hilsdon's DONALD WILL DO.  Those who invested in 'Donald' were just about to count their money but Mr Barnes got the last ounce out of his charge and won by a length.  Harry Bailey's HARPOON HARRY stayed on for third place fifteen lengths behind.  A real good finish to the day but nothing for the bag or tin on this one as they were both good priced outsiders.

 

That was not too bad for us as we made up for a poor yesterday but surely we can do better in the future.   Down in the Westcountry we probably wont see too many of those horses again this season but the ones that do venture down will be worth following as this was a good testing course for the start of the season.  Oh! There is one that didn't gain too much experience as the first fence proved too big an obstacle but I am sure Louise's Choice will make up for it!

 

None next week but Larkhill and Black Forest Lodge the weekend after so -

BE THERE!

 

Fred and Ruth