Report from Tiverton Foxhounds Point to Point held on Sunday 5^th February 2006 at Chipley Park Milverton Near Wellington.

 

Well we got home after celebrating the North Cornwall P to P just in time to pack up and leave for the two hour run up to Chipley Park.  Early on Sunday morning there was little traffic about and we arrived just after ten to find we were being asked why we were late. The sun was up and the course looked lovely and the weather promised to remain good for the meeting.  The course would race 'Firm' with 'Good to firm in places' and with over two hundred entries big fields would be expected; unfortunately this was not to be the case.

 

The Stags Members', Subscribers' and Farmers' race only attracted two runners; Mrs Sanderson's best turned out  JABIRU (Darren Edwards) was attempting to win this one for the fifth time and the opposition came in the shape of the Ollie Jackson trained ROYAL PREDICA with Guy Weatherley up.  A very unexciting race as no pace was set and in fact the time taken by these two experienced horses was the slowest of the day.  A race did develop after the final fence and JABIRU got the decision by a neck at the end of the three miles. 

 

The Mixed Open race followed with seven runners this time and two of these were owned by Sarah Hobbs's stable so they would definitely be fancied and another one that was 'whispered' about was Mrs Young's BALLINARRID (M Miller).  At the investment arena it was some time before a definite favourite was selected and surprisingly it was neither of the Hobbs's horses.  Some fancied BALLINARRID but I think it was ANOTHER COPPER (D Edwards) who eventually went with that honour.  The more fancied of the two from Sarah was ORSWELL CREST to be ridden by a young man, Josh Guerriero, who works for Phillip Hobbs and was riding a race for the first time but the other one WAVE ROCK to be ridden by young Diana (Hobbs) was also fancied by some.  A brisk pace was set from the off and it was WAVE ROCK that did it for most of the time followed by the Roberts's CHAPNERS CROSS (Jenny Congdon), ORSWELL CREST and BALLINARRID.  On the final downhill run to the home straight with the field now stretched out a little, I thought I had chosen well when BALLINARRID took up the running from WAVE ROCK with ORSWELL CREST back in third but the uphill climb was about to tell the tale and ORSWELL CREST took over the lead and maintained it to the line and crossed it five lengths to the good of WAVE ROCK with BALLINARRID just three quarters of a length away in third place.  The time of six minutes 12 seconds was the second fastest for the day and surely we will see these runners again if this going can be found for them.  Mrs Taplin's ANOTHER COPPER (D Edwards) ran well for most of the race and will have come on for that performance and should be watched.

 

The Intermediate Race saw four go to post with a clear favourite established in Mrs Mann's KEEGAN BEARNAIS who has had a run this season with the Staverton Owners Group's SOUL KING (Charlotte Tizzard) also fancied and my choice as well. COME ON GEORGE (S Gray) and BUCKLAND BOY (W Oakes) were friendless.  Off they go with again a very steady pace being set.  On reaching the fifth the two main protagonists had it between them with SOUL KING appearing to be enjoying it a little more than KEEGAN BEARNAIS.  COME ON GEORGE was travelling along at the rear and going slow enough to ensure everyone saw that he was the best turned out. BUCKLAND BOY was not quite sure whether he liked this going or not and with form of run out, pulled up, unseated and won, he has time yet to make his mind up.  On passing the judge with a circuit to run it was SOUL KING setting the pace again with BUCKLAND BOY having made his mind up, now in second place followed by KEEGAN BEARNAIS and then COME ON GEORGE.  Down the back straight over the plain fence and on to the final ditch it was SOUL KING being pressed all the while by KEEGAN BERNAIS.  Unfortunately a good race between these two was ruined when K B hit the open ditch and unseated his rider which allowed SOUL KING to bowl along in front.  BUCKLAND BOY had decided he did like this set up and began to challenge SOUL KING and although under pressure his presence was felt and Charlotte had to pull out all the stops to get home to win by a length with COME ON GEORGE (still the best turned out ) way back in third.  That has helped the tin a little and the bag is also being opened so there are smiles at the moment.

 

Next came the PPORA Club Members' race with eleven going to post.  Young Miss Hobbs is trying to repeat last year's achievement of her sister by bringing home the family's SAINT ROMBLE whose form states that his first race this season saw him coming home third to that very good horse, Rimpton Boy but my book says different.  His third was to that even better horse Red Brook Lad who has since won a Hunter 'Chase. Quickly I say and get on this one!  Even money only but a winner is a winner. Another improving sort taking part is the Miller's MISTER SWALLOW who had very consistent good form last season and the best turned out V Greenway's blinkered POLKA (D Edwards) should also be thereabouts. Charlotte Tizzard will again be up on the family's BAK ON BOARD who will need to improve on his latest effort and Sarah West will find the opposition easier than her latest which was a match which 'Rilly' Goschen on Chasing The Bride who won easily.  Off they go and a steady pace is set and a grouped up field passed the judge for the first time and in fact there was a line of four up front when they cleared fence six.   The Dhobiwallan Racing Partnership's EARLY MORNING  (W White) was the first to be 'dhobi-ed out' as he failed to get over fence six intact.  Turning back into the home straight for the second time the field was now led by the Moller's SIR NORMAN closely followed by SAINT ROMBLE, MISTER SWALLOW and BAK ON BOARD.  Going down the far side it was BAK ON BOARD who was making the pace with SAINT ROMBLE and POLKA giving chase; surprisingly MISTER SWALLOW had dropped back and was not in contention. Over the second last it was SAINT ROMBLE who got the better of BAK ON BOARD and came away to cross the line to win by ten lengths with POLKA a further four lengths back in third place.  This was the fastest time of the day (6.08) so surely a win is on the cards for Charlotte Tizzard very soon but for the moment, well done Miss Hobbs.  A little for the tin but the bag has drawn a blank.

 

In the Restricted race we were to see two very good horses running and the outcome would be interesting.  Ten go to post with the favouritism flip flopping between Arnie Sendell's BEGGARS BROOK (M Miller) and Jo Mann's KILLARNEY PRINCE (Peter Mann) but I suspect there were enough of Arnie's friends here to make sure his runner eventually went off favourite (6/4) but it was a close thing.  The remainder were available at much bigger prices.  Off they go but THE QUARRY MAN (J Congdon) was a very slow starter and eventually got going to follow the field which was being led by KILLARNEY PRINCE at a good pace.  The field was soon stretched out and the pace of KILLARNEY PRINCE took him some twenty or more lengths ahead of the remainder which were led by Darren Edwards on Mrs Handel's HUG THE BEND and BEGGARS BROOK.  With a circuit to go KILLARNEY PRINCE passed me and did not heed my shout of 'slow down' and continued up and around for the final time and headed down the back towards the final open ditch well in the lead with HUG THE BEND and BEGGARS BROOK the nearest chasers.  As HUG THE BEND tired it was THE QUARRY MAN who got up to be third and then KINGS EURO (W Oakes) was also challenging for at least third place.  BEGGARS BROOK was now closing on KILLARNEY PRINCE but had some catching up to do.  At the third from home KILLARNEY PRINCE had a clear lead but BEGGARS BROOK was catching him with every stride. At the final obstacle it was BEGGARS BROOK who had a slight advantage and the two raced for the winning line.  Unfortunately here Michael Miller did not manage to keep his charge running straight and by moving off the racing line he allowed KILLARNEY PRINCE to gain an advantage and crossed the line two lengths ahead of BEGGARS BROOK and KINGS EURO got up to be a respectable third just two lengths away.  Very exciting but the tin suffered and these two will need to be paying me back later in the season.

 

Now followed three Division of Open Maiden races with a total of 13 runners to post.  Well we had everything. Finished alone! Only two finished! Unseated rider! Remounted (legged-up by unseated jockey!) but then pulled up! Run out! A flying jockey who landed reasonably safely! (bruised). A broken rein on the way to the start, stop, take a replacement rein from the head of the horse of a charming mounted steward. A double for Isobel Thomsett who rode FRENNI GIRL to win Division One by a distance with only two finishing and rode GHOST BUSTER to finish alone in Division Two and collected the prize (£40)for being the leading rider at this meeting and who admitted to being the luckiest jockey here today.  Richard Woollacott made amends for a rather mixed day by bringing home the favourite, the best turned out  LONG NIGHT in Division Three in fine style to win by ten lengths from GREAT GAME (M Munrowd) and Charlotte Tizzard on VICS PRIDE one and half lengths back in third.  Not a penny for either  bag or tin from the three races as in each case the investment carriers decided either - not to race, run out, race but give up when  a little tired or decided it was easier without a pilot.  I noted incidentally that all three finishers in the Open Maiden races did so in a quicker time than the 'Hunt' race, even the one that finished alone, so watch out JABIRU there are a few after you!

 

It does my blood temperature no good whatsoever to think I am leaving some Cornish earned investments here in Gloucester or is it Somerset?  We will be back soon to put that right.

 

Next week, Sat February 11^th,  it is the turn of the Mid Devon Hunt to entertain us at Black Forest Lodge; I hope we have some rain before then but it will no doubt be a very good meeting as usual. BE THERE!

 

Fred and Ruth