Report
from the Seavington Hunt Point to Point meeting held at Littlewindsor on Sunday
22nd April 2007
We had a lovely meal last night at a local pub, The
White Lion in Broadwindsor close to our B & B at Seaborough where we were
treated to first class B & B accommodation with a truly excellent breakfast
which set us up for the day and all in sight of the P to P course. Another benefit I gained by staying at this
place was to be reminded of how hard the staff work when dealing with a racing
yard. Teresa who I met at about 7.30 was
as bright as a button and busy doing her horses. The same person I met after breakfast was
preparing the requirements for the lorry ready to go to Wincanton with a
runner. At the P to P course whilst I
was walking it I came across a lady, Teresa, riding around the perimeter to
sound out the going where she later joined her boss who walked it with
her. Much later when I was viewing the
runners in the 'farmers' race and was about to congratulate the lady who had
just won best turned out, it was none other than the same Teresa. I bet her day did not finish there
either. Real hard graft but she
certainly smiled and looked as though she enjoyed every minute of it - well done!
Two pony races here saw the younger ones enjoying themselves
in lovely weather and for ponies 138cms and under George Shaw brought JUMBLE in
to win with Joe Ponting on LITTLE LORD WILLIAM
in second place with Edward Sibbick on WRAYTON VICEROY in third. The best
turned out ROMANY RIVER OTHELLO who Suzy Reed rode looked a little
picture. I had a small wager on MILLIE
ridden by Lauren Reason but it was amongst the also-rans. In the 148cms and under I had more success as
I chose BWL GIRL to get my day started and it did just that. Thank you Bradley Gibbs for providing a good
win to get my investing afternoon going.
Jack Barber was second on MISS BRADY and Robert Hawker was third on
CHARM II.
A lot of work and water had gone into preparing this
course and the preparation definitely made it raceable but possibly with some
slippery areas to be watched. The first Maiden race over two and half miles for
five, six and seven year olds saw four go to post with the best turned out T Thorne and Mrs Bean's THE BUSY FARMER (R
Woollacott) go off favourite carrying my investment. Chloe Roddick's MENDIP DANE
has a little form and is fancied by some with INTHEBACKJACK (T David) (pulled
up) and SWEET NAP (R Bliss) (slipped on the bend) being the others. Only two went on to finish this race but it
was a good contest between THE BUSY FARMER and MENDIP DANE with Richard getting
the better of Chloe on the run to the line winning by one and half
lengths. This helped the tin no end as I
managed to get 7/4 at the investment area.
Very nice! The bag handler also
collected! (The first for two days!)
Just three for the 'farmers' race with Mrs Moores and
R Lissack's best turned out SIR CUMFERENCE going off favourite with Rachel
Green up followed by R Buckler's RIVER REINE and then The Eight Optimists'
KITIMAT (L Riley). The last mentioned
acts on soft/heavy but he will not get that here today. It was obvious that two of these did not
fancy the going and KITIMAT pulled up before getting into the final circuit and
SIR CUMFERENCE, although completing the course and credited with second place
was a distance behind the winner, RIVER REINE.
Competition was not up to much but Miss Buckler rode the winner with
authority and competence. A little more for the tin, this is the way to do it!
Eight will race in the Open maiden race and the favourite
will be carrying my investment and I am surprised to get two to one, but this
price did not last long and before the off this one was odds on so R Buckler's
CLOUDY BLUES (C Tizzard) had better pull it off. I don't normally do it but after a visit to
the paddock I came away with the impression that Mrs C Budd's LUCKY PENNY (Neil
Harris) really looked good and as the price was five to one a small investment
will have to be made. The Atkinson's best turned out KIWI RAP (M Atkinson) is
also fancied and JEL Racing's CRAIGMOR (Polly Gundry) is being wagered on and
will go off about six to one from ten to one at the opening. Off they go! This was a very exciting race
for me as my choices were travelling well throughout and shouted on as they
passed me going out on the final circuit.
Up to the final open ditch and I was holding two slips and those horses
were travelling first and second so I was on a winner for sure. The third horse was CRAIGMOR. Over the final ditch it was LUCKY PENNY from
CLOUDY BLUES but nothing in it. In the
straight these two were joined by a threatening looking CRAIGMOR. LUCKY PENNY
made a horribly blunder at the last and shot Neil out of the saddle but not
enough to ditch him and he landed back in and continued racing. A
terrific race to the line ensued and from my viewing position I was out of the
money but after what seemed a very long time (to me anyway!) the result was
announced. LUCKY PENNY first by a head with CRAIGMOR in second place and CLOUDY
BLUES just a length and a half back in third. That was a super win and a very
profitable one as well. The tin looks
super now!
The Men's open race saw four go to post with The
Exmoor Partners' SOUTHWESTERN (Neil Harris) a very clear favourite followed by
the closely matched pair, blinkered BARTON HILL ridden by the owner Mr T
Atkinson and the jointly owned COOKIE'S BANK (R Woollacott). The outsider was the Miller's MISTER SWALLOW
with cheek pieces in place.
Unfortunately this race didn't bring the excitement that Open races
normally do and as predicted, after being held up for a good part of the race
Neil brought SOUTHWESTERN slowly into play and by half way through the final
circuit this one was leading and looking good.
Down the home run and over the last a clear winner and to the line
without being pushed too much he won by six lengths from MISTER SWALLOW and
back in third, eight lengths back was BARTON HILL. No investment on that one so no loss either.
The Ladies' open was even more short changed than the
men's as only two went to the line and no investment was made as the lovely
looking Axe Valley Racing's best turned out
RIMPTON BOY (R Green), led up by Jack Barber, went off the odds on
favourite and although the Faulks's TONY'S TIME is no slouch he probably is not
up to the grey gelding's class. Well
they didn't rush themselves and with no surprises RIMPTON BOY came home to win
by eight lengths from TONY'S TIME.
The Novice riders' race saw five go to post and the
favourite is soon established as another one of Mr Buckler's to be ridden by
his daughter and is
Finally a two horse Restricted race. Mr Thompson's SIMPLY BRUNO (R Woollacott)
versus G Probert's LADY PURTON. For the
first time in my following of racing and having an investment or two I saw a
bookies board with both horses at odds on.
Four to six on and four to five on and one other price on the board was
for one of them to finish alone. I saw a
lot of money being placed but I refrained from trusting my earnings for the day
so did not invest. Off they go at a
brisk pace. First one in front then the
other, jumping well. Over the first of
the ditches. LADY PURTON led as they
passed the judge with two circuits to go. Over the fence number seven and off
down the slight hill back to the start area.
Oh! SIMPLY BRUNO slipped and Richard was off leaving Polly to race on
alone. LADY PURTON reduced her speed
slightly through the start area but safely over fences 8 and 9 then over the
second open ditch. No rush but over the
plain fences in the home straight and on to complete the final circuit. Over fence 14 and on passing the area where
Richard had slipped up. Down towards the
start area. Now what do I see! Polly has stopped or more to the point LADY
PURTON has stopped. Polly would like to
continue but her horse is fed up at not seeing any other runners so decides not
to continue. Much arm waving taking
place and three hunt mounted stewards are called into action. Steward number one to gallop on in front
which should convince LADY PURTON that there is a race to be won. Steward number two to gallop alongside to
convince the six year old mare LADY PURTON that she is racing. Steward number three to stay in the wings and
to take up galloping duties when steward number one gets tired. Now we see a lovely sight where three red
coats are travelling well but having to go some to keep up with LADY
PURTON. Down the home straight comes the
young lady followed by three galloping huntsman and she went on to win in a
time of eight minutes five second. Wait
a minute!! Stewards enquiry! Did this
consist of outside help? Is a lady
jockey allowed to employ mounted stewards to help her win a race? Why didn't the stewards do it properly and
jump the fences as well? A lot of
questions but relief came when the announcement was made - RESULT STANDS! We live and learn but great fun and no one loses
out.
We then had a pleasant journey home and dashed to put
up all the weekend results before Ruth dived into her one and half litre bottle
of scotch she won on the raffle at the Seavington Hunt supporters club
draw - and so to bed!
Next weekend we will be at Trebudannon for the second
of the Four Burrow meetings and Ruth is baking a cake and bringing her bottle
of whisky plus a bottle of Port that was left over from last year so make sure
you make your way across to see the bag and tin (we will be parked just past
the judges trailer!) but rest assured they will be empty for the occasion.
On Saturday at Trebudannon, on Sunday we will be at
Stafford Cross for the Axe Vale meeting - BE THERE!
Fred and Ruth