Report from the South Devon Hunt Club's Point to Point meeting held at Ideford Arch on Saturday 30 December 2006. 

 

The popularity of these early season meetings is increasing and this was proved yet again at Ideford Arch when the South Devon Hunt hosted their Club meeting with 187 entries from forty five different Hunts; there were nine races with a total of 94 runners on the day.  The 'going' appreciated the overnight rain but was still firm under a couple of inches of sloppy stuff on top: officially 'the soft side of good'. The take off and landing at the fences suffered considerably but there were very few fallers and some of these would be classed as 'unseated'.  The sun came out initially but a mid meeting downpour made concentration waver a little but when it passed we were back to the normal racing atmosphere.

 

The Racing Club members race saw nine go to post and the day got off on time but it took a little while to work out where the start and finish was.  A new venue for a lot of supporters who were still complaining at having to park so far away from the 'centre' that they missed the flag fall and certainly did not have a chance to wager or use the tote facilities.  Not so for Ruth and I and we managed to get a little investment sorted out but it was difficult, so difficult that neither of us collected.  I chose the North Ledbury representative, RATHCOOLE DANCER (A Brown) (2^nd fav) to start my tin rattling whereas Ruth chose an each way investment on GET SMART (W Biddick) to take the creases out of her bag.  With two circuits still to race TRICKY LYPS (M Woodward) refused at the third and was out of it.  It was the Hobbs family's ORSWELL CREST (fav) that did the job in fine style and led by numerous lengths throughout and came home by eight lengths from another North Ledbury representative in SPRINGBROOK GIRL (A Wintle) and three lengths back in third was best turned out POLLIGANA (R Woollacott).  Fourth was my choice, for whatever that is worth! Tired horses came back into the paddock.  This course will take a lot of getting this afternoon.

 

Next came the Novice Riders race which provided one of the closest finishes for the afternoon and in the fastest time of the day (6m 34s) The best turned out DEAR DEAL (C Atkinson) with plenty of form last season went off favourite but could only manage fourth some twenty lengths behind CROSS THE HIGHMAN (Claire Mitchell).  Mrs Welch's LITTLE APPLE BAY (C. Dalley) who for quite some time looked as though she would get the better of the Cookson's MR AUCHTERLONIE failed by a neck on the line.   No one had invested on this one on the tote and the dividend of £60.00 for a £2.00 went into the kitty.  Shame!  Bag and tin still without! 

 

Both divisions of shorter maiden races (15 fences) for younger horses were very closely contested with R G Westacott's FRIENDLY AFFAIR (R Woollacott) going off favourite in the first division and this one had some form last year and LADY MYFANWY a very clear favourite in the second division as this five year old mare has a series of being second and must surely pull off a first here. Of the remainder it was difficult to choose anything as they did not inspire any investment from their previous efforts.  I will leave these two races alone I think.   Well the favourite in the first did not get going and did not appreciate the going.  When Richard asked for an effort from fourth position the reply was not very encouraging and CHIEF AMERICO (T Stephenson), CASTLE CAZZA (Guy Weatherley), TOM CANNON (N Wilmington) and MOON BEAR (C Wallis) took up the fight over the last half circuit.  Three from home TOM CANNON got to the front and successfully held off the challenge from MOON BEAR.  At the last it was still TOM CANNON holding off all challenges to the line which he got to just a head to the good of CHIEF AMERICO and CASTLE CAZZA two lengths back in third.  MOON BEAR was fourth.  The favourite in the second division made a much better job of it and Isobel Tompsett made sure LADY MYFANWY was not going to get beaten today.  Early in the race HE'S MY BROTHER (W Biddick) refused and that was him out of the race.  Mr D Hooper's JUNGLE GINGOES decided he would like Jennifer (Congdon) out of the way and promptly unseated her.  Darren Edwards had a period when he decided not to bovver with irons but after a few bumps up and down on best turned out LIR ROSE decided to use them again and continued racing (finishing a handy fourth!). With just five runners left it was the Gents THE GERRY MAN (M Woodward)  who took the field along for some time.  With a complete circuit left it was THE GERRY MAN  followed by LIR ROSE, LADY MYFANWY, MISTER WISEMAN (N Wilmington)  and MILLENTO (A Mills).  LADY MYFANWY gained an advantage over the final open ditch and now led the field.  With two left to jump THE GERRY MAN was again back leading from LADY MYFANWY with MISTER WISEMAN in third.  A super race from the last and Isobel did not give up for one second and brought LADY MYFANWY over the line to win by one and half lengths from THE GERRY MAN who was only a short head to the good over MISTER WISEMAN. 

 

The tin is being opened and total contents are being invested in the next race, the Mixed Open!  This is a classy race of 13 runners. We saw the best turned out DOUBLE HONOUR (D Hobbs) win a good race at Wadebridge, we saw SOUTHWESTERN (Neil Harris) win at BFL, we saw GREGORY PECKORY (Rilly Goschen) win BFL Intermediate, Ros Oliver's LET'S FLY needs no introduction and Polly will do the driving. ANOTHER RALEAGH (L Payter) won hunter chases and opens last season.  There are a couple of others that also have form in the NH field.  I will take the best price (7/4) I can about SOUTHWESTERN to see off all others.  Ruth chose DIAMOND MONROE but at odds of 250 to 1 I don't think she will be picking up.  The first to give up was TWENTY DEGREES when he got rid of Rilly at the third.  A good pace was set and it was enough for Ruth's chances as DIAMOND MONROE was pulled up.  It was at this point the commentator complained that it was getting dark and visibility was poor.  Driving rain and PINK HARBOUR (A Wadlow) was pulled up.  With a full circuit to go it was now Guy Weatherley on NEWSPLAYER setting the pace.  Soon ANOTHER RALEAGH took it up from NEWSPLAYER with Diana Hobbs on DOUBLE HONOUR close in third.  On passing the crowd it was apparent that Neil Harris was squeezing SOUTHWESTERN up a little and gaining a place or two.  This is early for Neil to be getting involved as in the past he has waited longer.  There must be something in this field he wants to get rid of.  Up into third, around the bottom of the course and up into second, then into the lead from ANOTHER RALEAGH and FRENCH EXECUTIVE (C Tizzard) with DOUBLE HONOUR close behind.  At the final open ditch SOUTHWESTERN led and DOUBLE HONOUR gave chase.  Dropping away was ANOTHER RALEAGH staying on was FRENCH EXECUTIVE.  Across the top they went with Diana Hobbs giving it her all to get to Neil Harris when she slipped and shot up the neck of DOUBLE HONOUR.  It was difficult to make out what exactly happened but what was clear was that she was giving it her best to remain onboard but sadly failed and dropped off.  My choice kept on and now came home twelve lengths to the good of FRENCH EXECUTIVE with LET'S FLY another twelve lengths back in third.  We will never know if DOUBLE HONOUR could have got up but as far as I was concerned it was a good tactic for Neil Harris to get going when he did and the others had to catch him.  The tin will be VERY proud of my investment but the bag will have to wait a little longer for replenishment.

 

The Intermediate will see twelve go to post in atrocious weather which is a great pity as visibility is right down.  Ruth chose THE QUARRY MAN to carry her investment and because I could not get to my investment material through numerous rain coats and carrying an umbrella, I had to follow suit and use her money.  This I would normally appreciate but the rain is preventing any mirth at the moment so all went on to Rich Woollacott to cheer us both up.  If the conditions had been different I might have chosen Polly Gundry on SLEDGEHAMMER like I did at Wadebridge to boost the tin a little or even the favourite, MAXOU DES BROSSES (Neil Harris) as I thought he ran quite well recently.  Both on THE QUARRY MAN!   We didn't see much of the race but the bit we did manage to see was really great.  It was a brown four legged animal with a body on top, crossing the line quite clear of all else (12 lengths) and being called by the commentator, whose word I did not dispute -THE QUARRY MAN!  Later another such sight crossed the line that was called SLEDGEHAMMER and then a third called LADY EDISON (R Bliss).  Never mind the weather, just pick up the money!  All credit to Ruth, it was her choice.  I'll pay her later.

 

Two divisions of Open maiden races followed with thirteen in division one and eleven in division two.  The times now were beginning to get near to the seven minute mark as the deluge of rain hasn't made anything any better.  Sarah Gaisford made no mistake in division one and took the race by the horns (if that's possible!) and soon established a good lead which she did not relinquish and came home to win by a distance on the Du Plessis's best turned out  KINGSMILL LAKE.  Second horse was PHAIRY STORM (B Robarts) and three lengths back in third was ODE TO BLISS (L Payter).  Ruth smiling again but she decided to pick up her own winnings this time!

 

The second division was almost very exciting for me as I chose RADDICHIO (D Turner) to boost the tin and got the very good price of ten to one.  I chose this one above the odds on favourite OH SO NAUGHTY who was  being ridden by Polly Gundry this time which had a very good chance but I am relying on David Turner to get a little more out of Mr Young's RADDICHIO and fill my tin whilst doing so.  Another threat was the Dilligaf Partnership's best turned out BRORA SUTHERLAND (Will Biddick) but according to the boards, no one else had a chance.  Off they go!  OH SO NAUGHTY soon had the lead and took the field around as well as could be expected with the going now taking its toll.  FINALLY SORTED (A Mills) soon pulled up. Over the ditch and up to the cross fence with the leaders tightly bunched and it was about here that RADDICHIO went on a little and took up the running.  One circuit to complete and it was RADDICHIO up front from OH SO NAUGHTY and then came BARNEY BLUE (R Bliss) who was several lengths back in third, then came JAGO'S GIRL (C Wallis) and COVERDALE (C Tizzard).  It wasn't long before the favourite became under pressure and RADDICHIO took the advantage and cruised away from the field.  Three out I was almost counting my money.  BARNEY BLUE was no longer a threat.  OH SO NAUGHTY was no longer a threat and was pulled up.  We (me and David Turner!) had a ten length lead turning down the home straight.  Two out and it was obvious that RADDICHIO was slowing down drastically.  Slower, slower and even SLOWER!  I am now seriously bovvered!  Very bovvered!  Charlotte Tizzard closed up and came through on COVERDALE with TAMAR MOSS (E Noszkay) doing the same thing.  Ruth, who also chose this one RADDICHIO, and I could just not believe it.  We were robbed!  BARNEY BLUE was fourth.  The time of seven minutes two seconds will tell you what the going finished up like but that money on RADDICHIO is certainly only loaned.

 

Finally a flat race over one mile six furlongs will be contested by five runners around this course.  I took Will Biddick on AS COLD AS ICE to bring in a little for me and he kindly obliged by winning by a neck with the best turned out GUNNERS MISTAKE (A Holdworth) a very close second and Merv Woodward on TRICKY LYPS five lengths back in third.  A few more sheckles for the tin but nevertheless I will still go home with a space for some more. 

 

Next time it will be at the Silverton meeting at Black Forest Lodge so BE THERE!

 

Remember -When a man opens the car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new wife!

 

From Ruth and I, a Very Happy New Year to you all.  Keep supporting your hunt and if there is anyway we can help you in doing that, please get in touch!