Report from the Eggesford Hunt Point to Point meeting held at Upcott Cross on Saturday 12^th April 2008

The thing referred to as ‘weather’ attempted to thwart the endeavours of the Point to Point team of the Eggesford hunt but it failed to do just that and after replacing blown away tents, muddy gateways and providing tow in facilities this meeting went ahead and we were rewarded with a good afternoon of quality racing on holding ground which took some getting and times reflected this. The refreshment tent was well used and those who provided a good service were a happy gang. The trade stands seemed to have earned a days pay and at least two supporters, one a bookmaker and one a Bodmin Moor farmer went home with very smart green wellies they didn’t come with. Attendance might have been down, but I do hope your massive effort was rewarded and your hunt benefited from nine really competitive races which you provided.

The handlers and jockeys of the Pony races were the first to get wet and it really did let these youngsters know that it is not all sunshine and smiles in the racing game as they paraded; nevertheless it went ahead and to tell these budding jockeys to take it easy is like telling my Jack Russell to leave that rat alone. Like bats out of hell they went and the results of the two races can be found in the Pony Racing section.

The hunt race saw eight go to post and I immediately decided that a good investment on the favourite was called for although Mrs Rowe’s CANADA (R Ross) has won this event on two previous occasions and could be a threat. (The bag handler’s choice!). The best turned out, S Prouse’s SHOBROOKE MILL (C Farrant) now a veteran of fifteen years could also be a threat as could Ken and John Heard’s MURPHYS MAN (T Dennis). Alice Pearn on father John’s KING GEORGES will no doubt run well as will Mr G Wilson’s RIVER HEIGHTS (S Allwood) but it is half a tin on the favourite, Mr and Mrs B Watts’s BIG BRENDAN who Richard Woollacott should bring home in first spot. Down the home straight the going is almost good but going up the other side it is very holding and this will take the stuffing out of them. A steady pace is set and then it was announced that the last fence would be omitted. Why? A rail had not been painted! Off course a B & Q van now seen approaching the event gateway at great speed. Within the rear of the said van is a man in white overalls stirring a litre tin of gloss with a strong stick, so that no time will be lost in painting the naked rail. Meanwhile a steady pace is being set by the field and as they passed the judge for the first time it was CANADA who took it up followed by SHOBROOK MILL and MURPHYS MAN was bringing up the rear, but there was really nothing in it at this stage. Over the first open ditch it was CANADA now followed by BIG BRENDAN, who got in a bit close but came out of it ok. Coming down the home straight the pace increased a little and CANADA was now chasing BIG BRENDAN with G Kivell’s KEEP HIM KEEN (S Allwood) following in third, then came KING GEORGES and MURPHYS MAN – by pass the naked rail fence – paint wet but B & Q van has been towed out of the way! With one more circuit to travel it was BIG BRENDAN and CANADA who were joined by KING GEORGES with KEEP HIM KEEN and the Roberts’s ALFA SUNRISE (A Monro) close up. SHOBROOKE MILL and RIVER HEIGHTS were pulled up. At the open ditch KING GEORGES led from the favourite. BIG BRENDAN now asked for an effort and in giving it took over the lead. KING GEORGES got a bit tight to fence 15 which allowed Richard to progress but it was these two that took the field across the top and the rest are struggling. KING GEORGES unfortunately unseated Alice at the bend at the far end. Down the home straight and it was obvious that Richard had not asked anything of BIG BRENDAN and was on his way to the line. CANADA kept on and came home in second place some twelve lengths behind the winner with KEEP HIM KEEN twenty-five lengths back in third. That has set the tin up for the day but unfortunately the bag has not had to be opened.

Next came the Intermediate race which had to be split. Nine to the start line for Division one. D Staddon’s LORD OF THE ROAD (R Mahon) went off the uneasy favourite with J Symes’s WHIZZAAR (R Woollacott) challenging for that honour but had to be content with second favourite. J Brake’s DAD SAYS HEAZLE (I Popham) was fancied by some but for me it was a small each way interest on Mrs Shrubb’s ARCTIC SHOT (J Buck). The pace from the off and across the top was a steady one and it was noted that jockeys from the first race reported the going as soft but they were getting through it ok. WHIZZAAR led the field but I was happy with frequent mentions of ARCTIC SHOT. The first open ditch saw WHIZZAAR maintain his leading position with LORD OF THE ROAD and MOORLANDS RETURN (R Hawker) following closely; WITHIEL LAD (W Biddick) and ARCTIC SHOT in fourth and fifth places. Down the hill and passing the judge the pace increased but a largish blanket would cover most of them, perhaps Mrs Lawrences’s NO WAY A LADY (D Edwards) was a little detached. Just before the turn we lost DAD SAYS HEAZLE, seemed to have slipped and left Ian Popham to walk home. (not far!) Up towards the final open ditch and the pace was now a racing one and many in with a chance. After the ditch WIZZAAR went for it and got a good lead from MOORLANDS RETURN and began to stretch the field out. Three out and WIZZAAR took off in front from LORD OF THE ROAD and now Mrs J McCullough’s SULAWACEE (Rachel Green) was also there. Two from home and the shouting started as WIZZAAR and LORD OF THE ROAD took it as one. This was a sight for sore eyes as the two jockeys rode to the final fence with just nothing between them. They again landed as one and neither would give in. The sight of all supporters cheering and shouting was great and the judge decided that WHIZZAR had it by a neck from LORD OF THE ROAD with MOORLANDS RETURN now fifteen lengths back in third. Nothing for bag or tin on that one, but a very good race in the fastest time of the day of seven minutes eighteen seconds.

The second Division had ten runners and would no doubt be as equally competitive. After some deliberating I finally chose Mr C Dupont’s (Miss Alner trained) BRAEROY (J Derham) at eight to one to finance the tin for me. This took some courage I will tell you as B Kilpatrick’s MR BENNETT (Danny Cook) is in this race and will go off clear ODDS ON favourite closely followed by D Ralph’s best turned out NIVER BAI (A Ralph). These two have both won their last TWO races, but BRAEROY came a decent 4 length second in his recent attempt at an Intermediate and will be my choice. J Frost’s FORT OF GOLD (S Payne) may also be in the shake up. Off they go! The first casualty was P Pocock’s WESTOVER LAD who unshipped his pilot, Will White, unceremoniously as the field reached the top of the course (fence 2) on the first circuit. Gordon Gallagher took the field along on Mrs Trueman’s MIRAMAR and no doubt these connections are also looking forward to the running of The Totnes and Bridgetown Races Company’s Novices Hunters’ Chase at Newton Abbott tomorrow where they have DE LUAIN GORM running for them. I thought I would put that little bit in just to make Jan and Roger Evans more envious as they have chosen to miss out on all this lovely racing by going on holiday in Spain. Roger, the P to P season finishes in June. Spain will still be there then! On with the Intermediate - Passing the judge with two circuits to go MIRAMAR leads the field at a fairly sedate gallop followed by T Williams’s WINNERS ENCLOSURE (L Gardner), The Sam Partnership’s REGAL STORM (P Gundry) and then BRAEROY. Jim Cole on D Ford’s DAME EDNA is not having a very comfortable ride. The leaders all get over the ditch. Free wheeling down hill it is still MIRAMAR followed by a non position changing field. Down on his nose went WINNERS ENCLOSURE and Lucy had to sit really tight at fence ten but did and continued to race on. Bunching up now they go out onto the final circuit. Up the far side it is still MIRAMAR with WINNERS ENCLOSURE up to within half a length, NIVER BAI, REGAL STORM, MR BENNETT and BRAEROY are all there. DAME EDNA and HAWKRIDGE (N Harris) pulled up. MIRAMAR over the final ditch with MR BENNETT moving up and BRAEROY being given the ‘hurry up’. Ugh! The pace is now hotting up. NIVER BAI moving up but MR BENNETT is down on his nose at the next and that is bound to have shaken him up a bit. Across the top and preparing for the run down it is NIVER BAI followed by MR BENNETT and then comes BRAEROY. They still have a long way to travel and three fences to jump but I do feel that a shout or two is necessary at this stage. No jumping as yet! NIVER BAI is first over with MR BENNETT getting all the urging that is possible from Danny Cook and BRAEROY staying on. Three in a line and impossible to split them as they race to the last with jumping, shouting and screaming all par for the course now. My heart missed a beat (only one!) as BRAEROY stepped at the last but came out of it running and then it was to the line. Three men and horses wanted to win this race but the outcome was that only one did and of course, it was BRAEROY by half a length from MR BENNETT who was a length to the good of NIVER BAI. A great race and a great outcome and to the tin I must go!

Now another competitive event in a nine runner Confined Hunts’ race. The even money favourite was Mrs Scott’s SO LONG (N Harris) who has been so consistent this season, but the opposition of C Rush’s BALLYBROWN (W Biddick) and Mrs Trump’s MCSOLO (Polly Gundry) kept his price from going odds on. Off they go and over the first it was Mrs Condry’s COOKIES BANK (R Woollacott) leading the field and gave the fence plenty of air. M Watson’s HANDYMAN (S Allwood), Ken and John Heard’s NDITLIR, John Pearn’s FINEWOOD (Alice Pearn) and best turned out MATRIX (W White) were the leading group and the pace was a quicker one than has been as they reached the first open ditch. The loose horse running around the top bend indicates we have lost one and it turns out to be Mr Ford’s HAZEL MERE. Around the bottom bend and facing up to the four up the hill the field was led by BALLYBROWN with MCSOLO closing up, SO LONG back in third followed by COOKIES BANK. HANDYMAN travelling well as is NDITLIR and this group pull away from the remainder. MATRIX pulled up. Over the ditch and BALLYBROWN jumped it well and was off to stretch this field but SO LONG had his eye on him but was four lengths back. Polly had MCSOLO in third. Across the top and ready for the down hill run and Neil had SO LONG up to and possibly to the good of BALLYBROWN and Polly still in third. SO LONG crept away and there was no doubt Neil had this one sewn up and pushed out to win by four lengths with the other two left to fight out the places which went the way of the lady for second with Will back in third. Another good race and nothing for me but the bag is being unzipped and a deposit made. Well done Ruth!

Here comes the BIG one. The four miles, Simpkins Edwards Devon National Mixed Open Race. Four miles and twenty two fences and the ditch will be jumped three times. This will certainly take some getting on this course today. Eight go to post. I have deserted Lucy on the Nute and Tomkins Partnership’s WINTER SCENE this time and unlike Ruth who has chosen the uneasy favourite DARE TO DREAM (N Harris) I have settled, with rather a large investment, on Mr C Dupont’s BROWN COCKLE (R Green) and hope he can see off the challenges which I expect to come from CONCERT PIANIST (R Woollacott) and DARE TO DREAM. Well the pace was a sensible one throughout and with one circuit to go all eight were still standing. There were three leading a group all in with a chance, BROWN COCKLE, CONCERT PIANIST and WINTER SCENE as they approached the final open ditch. DARE TO DREAM began to close up into fourth place. Of these CONCERT PIANIST was the first to weaken whilst the other three were making a good race of it he ran down a fence and Richard was out of it. At the top of the course it became very exciting as DARE TO DREAM joined BROWN COCKLE and WINTER SCENE. Forget the rest! The third last was jumped as one! WINTER SCENE was the first to tire. BROWN COCKLE found a bit more and over the last fence did it well and raced a very gallant DARE TO DREAM to the line but could not get to him. WINTER SCENE was back in third. Super win this one. Well done Rachel and the tin is now almost full. Sorry about this one Ruth!

Next came a restricted race with 17, yes 17 runners. I must admit I could not pick one out of this lot to win some more for me but a little each way to provide some more interest was invested in H Irish’s SHADY HOLLOW (S Allwood). How The Cash For Honours Partners’s LORD SHARK (N Harris) was made a two to one favourite beats me. He did win his maiden well but so did Sally Alford’s PENDOUN (P Gundry 6/1), so did Mrs Dickinson’s RANGE ROVER (N Williams 6/1) and so did P Gibbins’s TANDORI (S Payne) so I will keep investment very low. Starter not too happy so restarted. TRICKY LIPS was the first to be pulled up. TANDORI, SHADY HOLLOW, ON YOUR TOES (G Galagher) and SUPREME ROYAL (I Popham) took the field across the top and commenced the down hill run. RANGE ROVER had moved through the field and was nearing the leading group. Front running TANDORI fell. Rob Lee on MAN OF THE MOMENT had to sit very tight as he got in too close but remained onboard. With a circuit to go it was SHADY HOLLOW leading from SUPREME ROYAL, S Newton’s AUSTIN APRROVED (R Woollacott), ON YOUR TOES, TOP VIEW, ANSA THE QUESTION, RANGE ROVER and MAN OF THE MOMENT all in with a chance. Final ditch and it was my choice that took them away from it and SHADY HOLLOW was now looking very good for the tin. SUPREME ROYAL in second and a very close second at that. ANSA THE QUESTION got the fence wrong and Will was very lucky to stay put. LORD SHARK was pulled up and the favourite was out of the race. Now came the bad news – SHADY HOLLOW tipped Sam Allwood out of the side door. Never mind, not a lot lost and I will certainly be following this one. At the third last PENDOUN was closing up for Polly but out in front was SUPREME ROYAL followed by RANGE ROVER. On they went as gradually RANGE ROVER got the better of SUPREME ROYAL and Nick Williams crossed the line some seven lengths to the good of Ian Popham on SUPREME ROYAL with PENDOUN six lengths back in third. A very good race and the first three AND SHADY HOLLOW will go onto better things for sure as this race was completed in the second fastest time of the day.

Three divisions of maidens followed with nine runners in each and we saw three very clear cut winners from this. Polly brought Miss Tripp and F Read’s DUXY HILL LADY flying down the home straight to win easily, twelve lengths, from best turned out Mrs C Lawrence’s THE BUDDLE (D Edwards) followed six lengths back by Danny Cook on D Williams’s RYEMAN. The favourite was M Pidsley’s SIR OSCAR (N Harris) 6/4.

Division two had an even more convincing winner in Lucy Gardner bringing home the even money favourite, her BE BRIEF to win by twenty lengths from The Sweetland family’s FENNY LILY and behind that one some five lengths back came D Bryant’s FIDGETTFEET .

Rachel Green clocked up her double for the day by easily wining the final division of the maidens on best turned out Mrs Barber’s JUST HERE. After getting the better of Will Biddick on Mrs Clarke-Hall and Mrs S Messer-Bennetts’s COOL FRIEND it was like poetry in motion as she crossed the line fifteen lengths to the good of Will who fought out for the places with Darren Edwards on R Hamilton’s improved JUBILEE JACK who was one and half lengths back in third.

You had worked extremely hard to put this meeting on Eggesford Hunt and despite the varied weather pattern, the loss of tents, and no hair dryer being available to dry the wet paint on the rail of the final fence, it was a great meeting. Racing was well entered and very competitive. The only people to leave earlier than usual were at least two bookmakers who were spent out and that means there were a lot of happy people, like me, with tins full up. The bag was not quite so happy. Thank you.

Next week we are off to the Dartmoor Hunt P to P at beautiful Flete Park which will include Pony racing and then we will go on for the Sunday meeting of the Seavington at Little Windsor. You (except Jan and Roger!) – BE THERE!

Ruth and Fred