REPORT from The Western Hunt Point to Point meeting held at The Royal Cornwall Showground on Saturday 11^th March 2006. 

 

What a super day's racing it was.  A little overcast and the warmest coat was the order of the day but the forecasted rain stayed away and an afternoon of good competitive racing was held on 'good' going.  Loud cheers greeted the winner on every occasion as the distances between the first three were almost always very close. 

 

The tin was starting the day off in a healthy state due to some good results of hunter chases and some military races at Sandown but the bag is only rattling with loose change so some effort is needed in that direction.

 

The first race, the Confined Race is one of the most competitive I have seen for quite some time.  There will be seven going to post, four of which have won this season.  The arena where bank balances are ruined or restored cannot decide who to make favourite and when I last saw it the Heard's NDITLR (C Heard), the Gardner's TSAR'S TWIST (Lucy) and Mr Messer-Bennetts's SEA SNIPE (Tabitha Cave) were fighting for the position.  I think NDITLR went off with that honour. I chose Lucy to top up the tin the same way she did at the Mid Devon meeting with her TSAR'S TWIST and checking with the bag owner I found that her choice was the same.  The sun popped out for a few minutes as the first race of the day got underway.  It looked like a good pace as they passed the judge for the first time and it was Lucy who led the field over the first of the open ditches closely followed by Mark Munrowd on H Channon's SPORTING CHANCE, and then came CHAPNERS CROSS (Jos Guerriero), SEA SNIPE  and FRONTENAC (Darren Edwards).  PEEJAY HOBBS (Sarah Gaisford) and NDITLR were bringing up the rear but the group were closely packed.  Down the hill, round the bend and then quickly up to fence eight.  CHAPNERS CROSS was the first to show signs that he would rather be somewhere else and was not responding to any encouragement from Jos.  Darren was soon informing FRONTENAC that there were still a couple of circuits to go but this one also did not show too many signs of being very keen.  Running up to the final open ditch, Lucy still had TSAR'S TWIST travelling well up front with PEEJAY HOBBS now up in second place, SPORTING CHANCE in third place followed by FRONTENAC with NDITLR on his outside.  At fence fourteen it was SPORTING CHANCE over first with PEEJAY HOBBS close up, followed by TSAR'S TWIST and NDITLR.  Vocal support for Lucy and TSAR'S TWIST was now becoming very much louder from our viewing area as it looked as though we were in with a real chance here.  CHAPNERS CROSS was not going to be in the first three and SEA SNIPE who had not looked to be running with much conviction was also trying to get up on the inside but did not seem to be travelling as though the going was to her liking.  Down the hill they go and around to fence 15 with SPORTING CHANCE now being challenged by TSAR'S TWIST.  It looked from our position that some work by Lucy was now required as there were a couple of fast finishers behind her in this lot as well as having to get up on SPORTING CHANCE.  Coming up the final straight and over the last two fences it was a very tight race with good riding being shown by all three positioned jockeys.  To our great delight it was Lucy on her TSAR'S TWIST getting over the line just half a length to the good of the fast finishing Colin Heard on NDITLIR with SPORTING CHANCE two lengths back in third place. PEEJAY HOBBS was fourth. This was the fastest time of the day and all three horses that were in the frame will surely win again.  Tin and bag both opened and topped up.  Excellent racing to start the day off.

 

Next came the Ladies Open race with six going to post.  Mary McCarthy on her SANDY DUFF has chosen to come here this weekend, which is great and would go off the clear favourite but Sarah Gaisford on VIRGOS BAMBINO was fancied by some and I know Lucy (Gardner) on GREY CISEAUX would be trying very hard to get the better of the favourite.  It was possible to wager without the favourite although the odds on VIRGOS BAMBINO in that list were quite short so this would be a watching race only for the two of us.  A good pace and an uneventful first circuit with CENTO (C Tizard) taking the bunched up field past the judge out for the final lap. Over the final open ditch it was GREY CISEAUX , CENTO, and VIRGOS BAMBINO practically together with Mary on SANDY DUFF waiting in fourth position.  Around the far bend and down the hill to take 14 it was Lucy now leading from Sara and then Mary still waiting in third.  It was obvious the race would be decided between these three.  Down the hill it looked as though SANDY DUFF might choose a different route home but Mary leaned over a little to the left and the favourite followed her instructions and came to fence 15 and took it behind Lucy.  Time to set sail for home now with three left to jump and this was where SANDY DUFF showed his true courage by gradually overhauling his challenger and came up the home straight, jumping like a stag and passing the winning line ten lengths ahead of Lucy on GREY CISEAUX with Sarah on VIRGOS BAMBINO two lengths back in third.  Nothing for the bag or tin but once again it was lovely to see a good race and won by a very good horse.  I think the rider had something to do with it as well.

 

The Intermediate Race saw seven go to post and at the 'off' the market leader was the Heard's  COFFEE MORNING who has won on this course before  but it was BEACHTIME (C Tizzard) that took them along with BALDHU JAYARR (Lucy Gardner) in close attendance and the remainder in a group following.  These two led over the first of the open ditches and continued to take the field along with FOXY JUDAS joining them just prior to fence seven but not long after and before coming into the home straight for the second time FOXY JUDAS decided he could manage without a pilot and unseated Will Biddick.  To the final open ditch it was a group consisting of BALDHU JAY ARR, OFF THE HOOK (Ian Hambley), BEACHTIME,COFFEE MORNING and KATIES HERO (R Darke).  Anyone of these could take this race if good enough.  A very exciting race was in store.  Coming up the home straight the two men, Richard Darke and Ian Hambly did all they could to get the better of Charlotte Tizzard but it was the lady who took the spoils and crossed the line just half a length to the good on BEACHTIME with KATIES HERO in second place and just a length back came OFF THE HOOK.  I wanted Tim Dennis on his ALAMBIQUE to win for me but he decided to choose a course which was not in keeping with that one laid down by the Clerk of the Course and will now have a 'run out' in his form reading.  Perhaps a level course with deer fencing all round it would suit in future but the tin did not prosper on this occasion.

 

Three divisions of Maiden races were to follow, all very competitive and provided excellent racing with very tight finishes.  Neil Harris took Division One with MAXOU DES BROSSES just getting the better of Guy Weatherley on COMMERCIAL EXPRESS with young Miss Tickle, riding her Mum's AMARULA in third place.  The latter was an exceptional ride for this novice lady and will surely be winning soon.  The rumour has it that she has been having evening lessons from another very good local jockey.  Both bag and tin collected on this one.  Division Two saw Guy Weatherley make amends for his previous one length defeat and this time came home in first place by a head from Tim Dennis on JAUNTY JANNER with Will Biddick just one and half lengths away on ELEGANT ACCORD in third place.  Nothing to collect on this one as we were both on the third horse to win and not each way.  Not to worry, the receptacles are looking quite healthy at the moment.  Division Three went to a surprise winner at an outside price.  At times this one was available at ten to one and I think would have gone off at eight to one but Lucy Gardner's LIMOGOS went around this course practically faultlessly to win by five lengths which, apart from SANDY DUFF, was the greatest margin of the day but it was not Lucy up on this one but her brother Mr Tom Gardner. His first winner. Well done!  Jamie Snowden, fresh from Sandown came in second on EMBERCOME with Jenny Congdon on BELLAS MAN three lengths back in third.  Three very good races but not a lot of profit for us.

 

Now comes the Men's Open race where I am going to invest half the tin.  I saw my choice come second (one length) after a very good race against that good thing SPUDDLERS DREAM at East Cornwall so off to the investment area with the 'get rich kit' in my pocket.   Jamie Snowden has been chosen by Ruth to load up the bag by bringing home KNIGHTON COMBE in first place but I beg to differ.  Guy Weatherley is up on POLAR CHAMP but this 13 year old has tried three times already this season so I'll readily by-pass that one.  BRUTHUINNE (Derek McKenna) and DALE CREEK (R Woollacott) have not reclaimed their last season's form yet so leave them alone.  In a big way (for me anyway!) I will be on Ben Robarts to better his last outing by one, and bring up the hill JALONS STAR, to make me very happy. So that's the five that will contest this one.  POLAR CHAMP had a go, KNIGHTON COMBE needs a little brushing up in the jumping area, BUT  JALONS STAR did it all without a hitch.  In a handy position for most of the race and when it mattered got to the front and went on to cross the line a length to the good of POLAR CHAMP with KNIGHTON COMBE four lengths back in third.  Not as quick as Lucy Gardner on TSAR'S TWIST by a second but six minutes four around here is very good.  A super race, well done Ben and I am off to ring Securicor!

 

Finally there is a decent eight runner Restricted Race to finish the day and my choice for this one is Neil Harris onboard SOLDIER OF ROME.  This one ran a very good race over three miles to win his maiden easily at Great Trethew so should be able to get round here ok.  Colin Heard is not on the winners score sheet here today, yet will be trying hard on the family trained INNOCENT REBEL who also won at Great Trethew, but that was over two and half miles BUT he did win by fifteen lengths.  CORAL BAY (Will Biddick) was going well on his last run but was hampered by a faller but previously won here at the North Cornwall meeting and will probably go off the market leader.   Off they go and although the tin is healthy I have only a little investment this time as I have deposited the key with the Clerk of the Course and I don't wish to bother him again until prior to the journey home.  CORAL BAY set the pace which was a good one but Will Biddick did not have to look far at any one time to see a challenger, INNOCENT REBEL always there, SOLDIER OF ROME on the case.  Unfortunately I did not take too much notice of the remainder as I was concerned with these three who were holding the up front positions for most of the time.  Turning for home it was between them and all jumping well.  Up the home straight, over the last and to the line where INNOCENT REBEL got the better of my choice SOLDIER OF ROME by two lengths and CORAL BAY was four lengths back in third place. Ah! well, never mind, don't be greedy and what a great days racing it has been.

 

Thank you to all concerned who brought their horses to this meeting and provided us with a lovely day's sport.  We are far down in the country but where else would you get car parking without attendants and please yourself, ALL facilities under cover, (horses can parade under cover if it is really bad!), good toilets and showers and not too far away and a very good point to point course to boot!

 

Next week we will go to Buckfastleigh and support the Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers meeting so you make sure you are there - yes BE THERE!