Report
from Exmoor Foxhounds Point to Point meeting held at Bratton Down on Saturday 2nd
June 2007
Nothing new for us to be the first to arrive at the
course and today was no exception. Hooray! The car parking layout was a very
sensible one and guess what! We parked
facing the course as all the first to arrive did and the remainder were parked
in a different direction which seemed to suit everyone. Long may it continue. Rain had arrived here over the last few days
but it did not alter the racing surface and although a little more grass
existed over most of the course the going would be little different to last
week. Fences had been moved so new
ground would be used. A seven race card had been organised for our enjoyment
and although frequent changes in temperature took places throughout the day,
for Bratton Down this was really good.
Only two for the Hunt members' race and the Hunt
Chairman, Mr Thomas would be making up half the field on his very capable and
improving horse, MASTER KEVIN who has picked up a first and second this
term. His challenger would be Ian Popham
on Mr Cottle's best
turned out COLONIAL SUNSET who was sent off as the odds on favourite. All went well in this race with MASTER KEVIN
stalking COLONIAL SUNSET, watching his every move from a couple of lengths
back, jumping immaculately, the open ditch not a problem as they completed the
first circuit and set off out into the country for the final time. It was here at fence thirteen that it looked
to us as though Mr Thomas was whispering in the ear of MASTER KEVIN and it was
obvious that MASTER KEVIN was asking his rider to get off for a moment or
two. This Mr Thomas did, as he did not
want to upset MASTER KEVIN but he only got off for a short while and then got
back to riding out the remainder of the race. This odd request from MASTER
KEVIN, not like him at all, cost him the race and he had to be content with
second place. I think MASTER KEVIN might
be scolded for asking for a temporary dismount and warned not to do it in
future. I will be watching this one very
closely next week if he comes out to make amends.
Next came the eight runner Restricted race and
favourite backers were rewarded quite handsomely by Richard Woollacott bringing
home best turned out ONEMOREDEAL to win by two lengths from
'Tigger' Barnes on Bob Andrew's OFFALEVEL and three lengths back in third came
Charlotte Tizzard on FULLY LOADED. The
outcome was probably made easier by the actions of N Lowe's ORION DE SIENNE (M
Harris) who took off back to his box instead of conquering the bend into the
home straight on the first circuit.
Fence twelve also saw APPLE PIE LADY (J Congdon) stumble and unseat his
rider putting her out of the race. At
the penultimate it looked as thought OFFALEVEL was going to take this one but
Richard on ONEMOREDEAL had different ideas and landed half a length to the good
and the race over the last and up the long run in was in his grasp. There was not a lot of cheering from me at
this time as my money was on Amanda Bush riding J Daniell's
LORD FITZROY who for a considerable time was bringing up the rear but did get
up to be a good fourth, if that is possible. The tin has suffered and to make matters
worse, the bag was on the winner and would be picking up!
Just four for the Intermediate race.
According to the investment area Mrs J Perry's SANDERSTEAD (N Harris) and B
Heywood's TRY TO WYN (I Popham) would be third and fourth in this race as the
money was all going on Polly Gundry riding The Family Partnership's BISHOP'S
BLADE and Nick Schofield riding M Pidsley's best
turned out BRENDAN'S SURPRISE. The former went off favourite at an odds on
price but the other one was very close in the betting. SANDERSTEAD took the field along for most of
the first circuit with the others following close up, a good pace and all
jumping well. When the field left the home straight for the final time and went
out into the country the long time order of SANDERSTEAD, BISHOP'S BLADE, TRY TO
WYN and BRENDAN'S SURPRISE was still the set up but on approaching the final
open ditch BISHOP'S BLADE was now just the leader from SANDERSTEAD and then TRY
TO WYN and BENDAN'S SURPRISE. Three from home, all safely over and nothing
between SANDERSTEAD and BISHOP'S BLADE with the other two close up. Two from home and TRY TO WYN is getting
between the two leaders and races towards the bend into the home straight. Up to the final fence and BISHOP'S BLADE
unseats his rider leaving TRY TO WYN and BRENDAN'S SURPRISE - whoops!
Correction by the commentator, as it was TRY TO WYN who unseated (saddle slipped I think!) leaving
BISHOP'S BLADE to come home up the long run in and although BRENDAN'S SURPRISE
made a great effort there was no catching Polly now and she won by four lengths
from Nick with SANDERSTEAD a tired horse in third. Nothing for tin or bag on that occasion but
nearly!!
Next on the card is the race we have all been waiting
for. Five will go to post in The Bray Leino Ladies' Open Race.
Now this is a class
race. Here are the five runners, their
latest positions and form/ratings:
NAME Owner Trainer Jockey Latest Form
1 DOUBLE HONOUR Mrs S Hobbs M McGuinness (Ch
p) D
Useful NH/Flat winner, won 15 ladies (inc 4 mile open) Useful and consistent. 45
2 GREY
CISEAUX Mr G Brown Lucy Gardner L
Ptp/NH winner, won 3m/4m ladies,
disappointed latest, may surprise.
43
3 LET'S
FLY Ross Oliver Ross
Oliver Polly Gundry 1111111
Won 21 (inc Hunterchase) won 7 in 2007, ver game, sure to go close
© 45
4 RIMPTON
BOY Axe Valley R
Barber (bto) R Green 112211
Won 22 (last 15 of 19) game/useful, acts any, won Dulverton West ladies ©
44
5 SAINT
ROMBLE Mrs S Hobbs P
French/NH winner, won 9 PtoPs,
2nd Hunterchase, consistent, chances
here 45
In our time of consistently following P to Ps we have
not witnessed such a classy field. This
is the one we have been looking for and thanks to all those concerned for
making it possible. Off to make my
investment carrying all but the rust from the tin lid. I have no doubt whatsoever that the little
bit of Cornish that has travelled up in the shape of LET'S FLY will win this.
As is normal in the investment area the questions are asked. 'Who in this one Fred?' 'No doubt in my mind Bill' and I frequently
voiced my opinion that LET'S FLY will have the beating of this lot. Now that is a very strong statement. I quickly grabbed the tenner
that was on offer from a know-all friend who stated that he would wager that
amount of money that a grey would win.
You can guess he was not a big gambler as there were three greys in the
race but I was confident. Many little groups
of investors were desperate now in trying to decide. The figures on the boards were 7 to 4 DOUBLE
HONOUR, 2 to 1 LET'S FLY (Ruth got 9/4),
5 to 2 RIMPTON BOY, four to one
SAINT ROMBLE and GREY CISEAUX was the outsider of the field at 7 to
1. These were fluctuating a little and
possibly LET'S FLY went off favourite at 7 to 4 but I was off to take up a
viewing position where I would not miss a thing in this great race. Off they go!
Into the lead went LET'S FLY followed by GREY CISEAUX, SAINT ROMBLE,
DOUBLE HONOUR and RIMPTON BOY. All over the first.
All over the second with LET'S FLY a length to the good of the
others. Fence four and LET'S FLY had a
small advantage over DOUBLE HONOUR. Down to fence six and now SAINT ROMBLE
leads the field from LET'S FLY. Fence
seven and it was still SAINT ROMBLE from LET'S FLY then came
DOUBLE HONOUR, GREY CISEAUX and finally RIMPTON BOY. I didn't have time to look at the others very
much but I must say that RIMPTON BOY looks a picture when travelling at a good
pace with a beautiful stride. On to the first open ditch.
SAINT ROMBLE, LET'S FLY, GREY CISEAUX, DOUBLE HONOUR
and RIMPTON BOY, all very close and at a good pace. Round the bend and over fence eleven which
will be the last next time round and it is SAINT ROMBLE over first from RIMPTON
BOY then DOUBLE HONOUR with LET'S FLY on the outside and finally GREY
CISEAUX. At the next it was now DOUBLE
HONOUR who came to take it up from SAINT ROMBLE then RIMPTON BOY and LET'S FLY
followed by GREY CISEAUX. The cheering
was terrific as the field passed us with the most noise coming from supporters
of RIMPTON BOY but all the others were not without keen support. I was fortunate enough to be standing beside
the owner of LET'S FLY who appeared a damn sight more calm than me, as he
confidently said that this was Polly giving his horse a breather. Down the far side for the
last time. It was down here that
SAINT ROMBLE and DOUBLE HONOUR increased the pace with RIMPTON BOY having none
of it and joined in the fun with LET'S FLY now some seven lengths back with
GREY CISEAUX the back marker. The
excitement around the crowd was electric with all runners in with a chance if
good enough. En route now to the final
open ditch and it was SAINT ROMBLE who led from RIMPTON BOY but it was LET'S
FLY that came through with a rattle and what a rattle, up on the outside and led over the final
ditch. Four from home and they all land
in a heap but if anything LET'S FLY had a fraction of a lead on the inside
now. Coming to the next it was RIMPTON
BOY who was now making headway and getting close. With one to jump it was DOUBLE HONOUR who was
pressing LET'S FLY with RIMPTON BOY doing likewise. The cheering was terrific, and over the last
they were together. Anyone's race now -
I dashed to the line to make sure I had a good finishing view as the crowd
screamed as the three main protagonist rode out this 100 mile finish, well not
really but it did seem like it! The dulcet tones of Alfie as he announced
that LET'S FLY with a slight advantage but RIMPTON BOY was getting up on the
inside. This will be one for the
judge says Alfie, but on the line I was in the know
of who won that race - LET'S FLY by half a length from RIMPTON BOY and three
quarters of a length back to DOUBLE HONOUR.
That will do for me, the tin and the bag - thank you! A super race and it will be talked about for
a long time. The time was five minutes
fifty three which is a very good pace around here. SEA SNIPE has been around here in five
minutes fifty and carried a little more weight but then what would you expect,
she's Cornish as well!
The Men's open race also promises to be exciting for
more than one reason. Pam Pengelly's DENNIS THE LEGEND (N Schofield) is the favourite
to win but the improving LISHEEN STORM (R Woollacott) is here amongst the ten
runners to make sure he doesn't. These
two will not have it all their own way as the Brown's MAXOU DES BROSSES (R
Bliss) is here to see off both of them.
We are fortunate today to have the Pengelly picnic next to our vehicle
and as we are facing the correct way we can all join in the fun, eat their
sausages, drink their lovely wine and then go off and back Lee Glanville's
LISHEEN STORM to beat their horse. They are a true sporting family and will understand, I'm sure.
Mrs de Lisle Wells's MIGHTY MONTEFALCO (M
Harris) is also taking some money and although reported to be one paced now,
that pace could be the one that brings him over the line first. Although now fifteen Mrs Keevil still turns
out M O'Connor's SPRINGFORD looking ready to do the business and provided he
doesn't slip up he could be the one to upset the show and the Faulk's TONY'S
TIME (N Harris) is also very consistent.
Off they go with DENNIS THE LEGEND the first to show which pleased the
twenty nine people besides me but there are nineteen fences to be jumped and
three miles to travel. Soon after settling down it was MIGHTY MONTEFALCO and
The tin is looking healthy and I am not about to take
too much out for the final two divisions of Open maiden races but again I am
going against the favourite in the nine runner division one which is another
one of Pam Pengelley's horses THAT'S MY BOY (Nick
Schofield). It's Rachel Green on J
Russell's CASTLE CAZZA that I will be investing in as this very consistent
horse is now ready for a win after several placed races. As the field passed me for the first time it
was my choice leading and I did hope that this manoeuvre had not taken place
too soon. SURE HOW BAD (C Dailly) and best turned out SYLVATICUS (D Burton)
were also there. R Lowe's MELS MOMENT (M
Rice) fell as did M Wilkins's MR COOMBE (L Rowe). Rachel went on from the open ditch and built
up a few lengths lead which was pleasing to see but it has to be kept up as
others are waiting to get past, including THAT'S MY BOY! Still travelling well out into the country
and to the final open ditch it was CASTLE CAZZA followed now by B Robinson's
JEWEL THAT SHINES (M Woodward) and SURE HOW BAD. We lost JEWEL THAT SHINES at that open
ditch. THAT'S MY BOY is now getting
closer. Is it going to be another on top
the glass sun roof finish or will CASTLE CAZZA come away and do it easily. At the
penultimate it is CASTLE CAZZA and SURE HOW BAD duelling it out with THAT'S MY
BOY up into third. Up to the final fence
and Rachel was doing it well and was first over from Nick who was getting a bit
more out of THAT'S MY BOY! The race to
the line was yet another good one. The dance on the glass sun roof was in full
swing and the screams had turned to a Pavaroti-like
sound as the long run in was fought out between a very game lady rider and a
very promising young man. I did my bit
this time, not too loud, as I thought it would be justice for the tin and sure
enough it worked for me. CASTLE CAZZA by
a length from THAT'S MY BOY and SURE HOW BAD twelve lengths back in third
place. That's better!
The nine runners in division two are headed by D Bluett's best turned
out DEER VALLEY (I Chanin) on the basis that he ran very well into third
place and this one will go off the six to four favourite but late money for the
Trickey's NO WAITING (W White) has brought his
starting price in a bit. The blinkered GUN COVER (R Green), PROJECTFIVEONEFIVE
(R Woollacott) and Miss Tizzard's HYDROMATIC (C
Tizzard) are all fancied by some but as I invested in HYDROMATIC last time it ran
and it didn't give me any reward, this time I will choose PROJECTFIVEONEFIVE to
put a little into the tin. Well it was
HYDROMATIC, NO WAITING and my investment carrier that passed the judge on the
first circuit and off out into the country as leaders.
That almost completed a good day's entertainment but
there was just one more announcement to be made. The Best Ride of the Day presentation was yet
to be made. Wait for it! Here it comes! The Best Ride of the Day award goes to:
MISS POLLY GUNDRY
ON Ross OLIVER'S LET'S FLY
CONGRATULATONS
POLLY! WELL DONE!
Thank you Exmoor Foxhounds for an excellent days
racing and we will now dash home and prepare for the Hunts' Relay Race at the
Royal Cornwall Show and then onto next weekend to see if the Tiverton
Staghounds can do as well - Sunday 10th June 2007 - BE THERE!
Ruth and Fred