Report from the Thales Royal Artillery Hunt Point to Point at Larkhill on Saturday 28^th January 2006.

 

I have been to Point to Points in some inclement weather in the past but I have never experienced such cold conditions as there were at Larkhill for this meeting.  I know what it would do to a brass monkey but sensibly they (the brass monkeys) did not come out to play and therefore did not have to suffer such pain.  The chill factor of that wind was incredible.  I walked the course and as it is about two miles round I returned quite warm but if one dared expose ANY extremity of the body to the present elements, immediate frost bite would occur.

 

Ruth had the kettle boiling after defrosting the water container and a command decision was taken that it would be cocoa and not coffee for refreshments and the sandwiches would be toasted on the gas fire as soon as the kettle had finished boiling.  Gloves were held over the steam from the boiling kettle and this made noting the runners for the first race possible but the ink in the pens refused to melt so pencils had to be used.  We were made aware at this stage that fence ten would be omitted for all races as the conditions around it were quite rough, so the run down to the open ditch would be longer than usual.

 

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery Club Members' race over two miles four furlongs was due to run at 11.30am but the news that it was to be delayed until 1205 sent everyone rushing back to their vehicles and clouds of pollution rose in the air as engines were started and heaters were switched to full on.  There were six unregistered runners in this race and not a lot of information was to hand about any of them so guess work set in and Ruth chose CHATHAM as she liked the nautical name (It was a port division when I was serving before the mast!).  I volunteered to run to the investment area and because I didn't wish to fumble about with any change and possibly have to remove my gloves I placed my notes on the same horse.  The news that the Hunt race which was due to be the second race was to be a walk over and formalities were to be performed during the first race would prevent any time loss so that the card would be back to its normal time table, came as a welcome relief and eventually and after Col Webb-Bowen's MATRIX (J O'Rourke) had completed the walk over, the RHA Club Members race got underway.  It was quite an event laden race with HULTON deciding very early on that Miss Garrett was in the way on his back and discharged her and headed back to the stables. The best turned out ROULETTE ran out at the sixth fence, took a turn, rejoined the field and was soon in the lead and was in that position when running out again at the 18^th but the good news is that our choice was then left in the lead and came home a fifteen length four to one winner for the bag and tin with HOPTON back in second place and COMET in third.  The wind factor does not allow the face to alter its shape very much but we are smiling underneath this frosty cover.

 

It now appeared that a deputation from the PPORA met with the RA P-to-P Committee and a decision was made to postpone racing for an hour in the hope that some frost may come out of the ground. This could not possibly happen as the wind chill would not let anything thaw and as the day progressed it got even colder.  The only very obvious movement was the number of bookmakers that were leaving.  A good investment might have been on how many would be left at the end of racing.  

 

Eventually we came to the open maiden race division 1 for 5, 6, 7 and 8 years old, with six going to post and again I opted to go along with Ruth's choice and the investment went on Rachel Green riding JUSTTHETWOOFUS from Richard Barber's yard.  If it weren't so cold I would have chosen the favourite, the best turned out BOWD LANE JOE with Richard Burton up but the 'keep gloves on' attitude prevails and the investment is made.  Considerable interest was also being shown for the Sarah Davies trained and ridden SHANNONVALE who I thought at one time would go off favourite but not to be and Richard Burton went off with that honour.  Off they go!  It wasn't long before SHANNONVALE took a keen hold and set the pace and quite a good one at that and soon established a three length lead.  On passing the crowd SHANNONVALE continued to lead from BOWD LANE JOE with JUSTTHETWOOFUS and LOUSTIC COLLONGES (R Bliss) sharing third.  Down the back they go, omitting fence ten and on to the open ditch. Little change in the order at the ditch but MIDNIGHT LEGACY (R Woollacott) was now closing up in fourth place but was receiving some reminders as the field disappeared out of sight into the dip.  On reappearing the order was still the same with SHANNONVALE three lengths in the lead.  Up the climb and round the bend and head for home although there are still six fences to jump including an open ditch.  It was really lovely to watch from here.  Fence fourteen and there were three together which happily included our choice.  At the final ditch SHANNONVALE decided enough was enough and got rid of Sarah and this left JUSTTHETWOOFUS in the lead over BOWD LANE JOE with LOUSTIC COLLONGES a distant third.  For the remainder of the race Richard Burton tried to get back at Rachel but it was not to be and to a great cheer of delight from the tin and bag holders, JUSTTHETWOOFUS crossed the line five lengths to the good of BOWD LANE JOE with LOUSTIC COLLONGES a distance back in third.  It might be cold but I will endure it whilst the tin is profiting and likewise the bag. 

 

Five run in the second division of the open maiden for 5, 6, 7 and 8 years old. At the off it was the John Dufosee trained STARLIGHT STRIKER  (R Bliss) who was probably the favourite but closely fancied was my choice, the 'Rilly' Goschen ridden QUERCUS MAXIMUS.  'Tigger' Barnes was on WILLOW RYDE who was also taking some of the punters' money.  The best turned out O'HARA BROOKE (H Fry) and SHIKOKU LASS (J Sole) were not fancied.  My choice gave me some frights from early in the race by jumping severely right at the fences.  'Rilly' did an extremely good job at fence five when her mount dived right and appeared to stumble on landing which saw her at the buckle end.  I thought my money had been wrongly placed but as the race continued I began to enjoy it immensely.  It was not until coming round the final bend that I realised that WILLOW RYDE who had just got to the front was the stronger and was going to take all the catching.  He came home first by just three lengths from QUERCUS MAXIMUS with STARLIGHT STRIKER five lengths back in third.  I lost but enjoyed the race and felt a little warmer at the end of it.  Ruth did not collect either.

 

The Ladies Open saw a match between two good horses.  'Rilly' Goschen riding Mrs Susan Hooper's syndicated CHASING THE BRIDE and Sarah West on Mr Parson's best turned out BARTON SAINT.  They raced together for most of the time and jumped without problems but when it mattered the very experienced CHASING THE BRIDE came home to win by twenty lengths.  No investment by either of us on that one.

 

Next came the Men's Open with six going to post and Mr Morris's GOLDEN JACK (C Morris) was made the clear favourite to win this one.  On passing the judge with a full circuit to go I was a little disappointed to see that my choice, the best turned out HILL TRAIL (J Barnes) was bringing up the rear and looking as though he was not enjoying himself. He did get up to run in second place for a while but I lost my investment, but I did witness an outstanding performance by Mrs Goody's, John Dufosee trained BARTON BARON, who was well ridden by Ryan Bliss.  It was David Johnson's MAXIMIZE (G Weatherly) who took the field down over the open ditch and into the dip at the far end of the course with HILL TRAIL running in second place and BARTON BARON in third.  Coming out of the dip and up the hill my choice decided he had enough and gave in, leaving BARTON BARON chasing MAXIMIZE.  He soon caught him and turned on full speed for home pulling clear from the remainder and going on to win by twenty lengths in a time of five minutes fifty-six seconds which was by far the fastest time of the day.  Felix de Giles on HI RUDOLPH was back in third place.  This finish was most impressive.

 

Two divisions of intermediate races followed with three runners in Division One and five in Division Two.  We were now seriously cold and many bookmakers and spectators had left for home.  The chill factor had increased and gasps of breath were freezing as they left one's mouth and fell to the floor as lumps of ice and invariably tripped one up as they landed at your feet. It didn't stop Ian Howe bringing the odds-on favourite, his LADY BARONETTE home to win Division One by fifteen lengths from DURSEY ISLAND (D Turner) with BARTON BANDIT (J Harris) and then Jamie Snowden, fresh from not riding at Southwell brought home the Awdry's SPIERS PEACE to win by a distance in Division Two from the best turned out PANDELI (J Sole) with Mr Maltby's RYE BROOK (H Fry) a further distance back in third.

 

That concluded the meeting which was spoilt by the weather and conditions but Army did their best and we will be going away with a healthy looking tin and bag and I am sure we will unfreeze in due course and be ready for Black Forest Lodge tomorrow where we will no doubt meet up with more of our Westcountry pointers.

 

BE THERE!

 

Fred and Ruth