Report from The Lamerton Hunt P to P meeting held at Kilworthy on Saturday 22^nd March 2008

 

The Entries Secretary (Jane) had kindly kept me informed of progress against the elements at Kilworthy and I was able to publish the adjustment of the start time through this website.  After efforts on the morning of the meeting were still being thwarted 'the contingency plan' came into action and what a terrific success story that is.  After being met by a portable loo in the horse box area greeting us resting at forty five degrees to the perpendicular, our thoughts ran wild as to what 'the contingency plan' consisted of.  IT WAS A SUPER PLAN!  Well done Lamerton Hunt and its supporters.  Firstly I must commend those responsible for creating the greatest of atmospheres that abounded.  The first car park attendant was diplomacy himself and as we were the first to be parked we moved to suit his requirements and were thanked accordingly.  The 'tented village' did not have a roof, the front door to the ladies changing room was a size that showed many coloured socks moving around at the bottom and different hair styles at the top but the parts that mattered were ably covered with a drape of a huge 'magic' carpet.  The boxes that provided the declaration area and Secretary's desk were operated with maximum efficiency and mirth.  The barbeque area was efficiency itself and what better place to store the baps than on the 'shelf' from where they would never fall off (at sea we call it the deck).  The hurriedly provided lounge for those requiring alcohol was superb and it looks as though that board carrying all the optics and hanging on the side of a lorry will be kept for perhaps a lawn meet somewhere!!  The salad lunch for Ruth was obtained in one very good container and was excellent value for which I believe thanks must go to Deb Kivell.  I preferred the meringues.  I bought two!  Why two you might ask?  Well these meringues were obviously made with the whites of free range eggs and whilst delicately attempting to hold a salad and meringue, the force of the gale directed itself towards me and a meringue took off, cleared the neighbouring hedge and was spotted at a height of eight feet travelling towards Dartmoor at terrific speed.  Never to be seen again.  The second one did not get away!  It was beautiful.  I had better mention now that throughout the meeting the wind never decreased or warmed up from force ten at zero degrees respectively but it was a super meeting. The ground would race good or good to soft and was considered near perfect for racing this time of year.

 

After all that some racing and we were entertained to seven very good competitive events.  The Farmers race saw the closest finish of the day. It was Charlotte Horsley who soon took up the lead on COFFEE MORNING and as this one went off the odds on favourite it would have to stay there throughout to pick up the winners prize as opposed to second place where they finished last year.  Tessa Hayes had R White's DUTCH BILL soon upsides and these two pulled away from LOUP DU SUD (Dean Summersby) who finished third last year and then the others.  DUTCH BILL did get in front of COFFEE MORNING at one stage just by a length but Charlotte soon got back on terms.  Coming back in sight for the last time and with four downhill to jump and then the exciting up hill finish it was still COFFEE MORNING and DUTCH BILL locked in battle and were ten or twelve lengths to the good of LOUP DU SUD who had skipped clear of BEWLEYS GUEST (M Sweetland). Jane Baker's best turned out KANAPARK (E Noszkay) and Emma Boon's PASSIONATE KNIGHT were behind but I believe still racing.  Three from home and it was clear that Charlotte was asking COFFEE MORNING for more and went two lengths to the good but from the third position it was LOUP DU SUD who was closing fast.  Two from home and COFFEE MORNING just jumped out to the left a little and in the centre was tiring DUTCH BILL and it was now clear that LOUP DU SUD was going to be the threat.  Over the last together and then a great race up the climb to the line saw COFFEE MORNING take it by a neck from LOUP DU SUD with DUTCH BILL fifteen lengths back in third.  A great finish and well done Charlotte.

 

Twelve to post for the first division of the Confined hunts' maiden race and late money poured in for S Rowe and S May's CLASSIC RARITY (S Allwood) but not enough to worry the price of Sally Alford's, Polly Gundry trained and ridden KARLEY who went off an even money favourite and second favourite Exeter Racecourse Group's WHAT A MOOSE (R Woollacott).  Except perhaps for J Cole's ROY MY BOY (L Rowe) and D Treneer's HANNAH BAY (Alice Mills), the others went off at double figure prices.  An early casualty was J Keenor's best turned out MISS PURDY (Lucy Gardner) who never made it to the first of the open ditches where the remainder cleared it and went out into the country with HANNAH BAY taking them along from F Daniels's COSTARD (J Cole) and I Ward & R Johns's REY BEAN (M Dennis) with CLASSIC RARITY and WHAT A MOOSE following.  I have interest in KARLEY but the tin did not wish to part with more than a token amount due to the competitiveness of this division.   At this point the commentator decided to give us an update on the conditions like - 'It is really blowing here!'.  If ever there was an understatement.  He could not give us the temperature as he had tears in his eyes and couldn't read the pocket thermometer he always carries. HANNAH BAY continued to lead followed by CLASSIC RARITY and at this point a loose horse is identified as WHAT A MOOSE, so the second favourite is out of the race.  Out into the country for the final time.  James Cole had to sit tight on COSTARD and this one was soon pulled up.   Going out of sight it was still HANNAH BAY and CLASSIC RARITY by about five lengths back to Vanessa Shaw on R Fell's LITTLE LORD LEWIS and then, making eye catching improvement was Polly on KARLEY.  Back into view with four to jump it was still CLASSIC RARITY, HANNAH BAY and KARLEY leading the field.  These three pulled away from the remainder and it was between them now.  A ding dong battle!  To the final fence and it was KARLEY (no doubt encouraged by my shouting!) who had the edge from HANNAH BAY and then CLASSIC RARITY.  Great riding by Alice Mills saw her persuade HANNAH BAY for that little bit extra and she got over the line two lengths ahead of Sam Allwood on CLASSIC RARITY with Polly three lengths back in third on KARLEY. Exciting yes, profitable - no!  Well done Alice!

 

The second division also had twelve runners and again it was a competitive event as apart from the favourite, Lucy Gardner trained and ridden BE BRIEF at six to four there were five or six horses available at three or four to one.  I will visit the tin and take a fair amount and invest on Lucy to bring in a little Easter reward.  Off they go and they all jumped the first of eighteen fences, then cleared the second and onto the open ditch where the cheek pieces of R Eaves's best turned out SEYMOUR BRIG (John Monk) showed to be first over it followed by the field.  Mr and Mrs Langdon's VIXEN TOR (J Cole) was soon travelling well in second place but was six or seven lengths back from the leader SEYMOUR BRIG.    The Colwill's BROOK CASTLE (T Dennis) was in third place.  Twelve still in it as they face the final open ditch with SEYMOUR BRIG still out in front from BROOK CASTLE with The Blue Rinses Partnership's blinkered NOQUIETO (R Woollacott) moving stylishly up the inside.  All to play for now as many are in with a chance.  BROOK CASTLE was the one running well in the home straight but Lucy was now asking BE BRIEF for a greater effort and was soon to join BROOK CASTLE and NOQUIETO.  BROOK CASTLE led fractionally over the second last from BE BRIEF. NOQUETO is now fresh out of stamina.  Tim Dennis got to work on BROOK CASTLE and Lucy was not asleep either as they raced the uphill finish and it was BROOK CASTLE that got there by half a length from BE BRIEF with NOQUIETO eight lengths back in third.  A good finish but the tin will not collect this time!

 

The Mixed Open with six runners is a very competitive affair and I will run out of superlatives to praise the running of Polly Gundry trained and ridden 'Sheik' Pike's ROCKWITHACAVEMAN who will go off the two to one ON favourite.  I have invested in an each way bet on S Trump's McSOLO (S Allwood) at 14 to 1 as I think we haven't seen the best of this one yet but the money is certainly on the favourite.   Reg Hand's DANTES BACK (D Edwards) is here after running poorly at Wincanton on Thursday so maybe these conditions will suit him better as he surely is the form horse and maybe Ben Robarts's JALONS STAR is now ready for a win and the best turned out The Musical Mayhem's Partnership's CONCERT PIANIST now has his ground and may surprise us all.  DANTES BACK led the field followed by CONCERT PIANIST round the first circuit at a steady pace followed by JALONS STAR, ROCKWITHACAVEMAN, McSOLO and THIRTYTWORED anchored at the rear.  Over the fence that will be the last in a circuits time and onto the final open ditch they go and no change.  DANTES BACK keeping the pressure up with JALONS STAR and ROCKWITHACAVEMAN tight in behind.  Exciting now awaiting their reappearance from over the hill.  It is still DANTES BACK leading with JALONS STAR in second followed by the young improver who started the season off winning his maiden and has gone through the ranks to this level, ROCKWITHACAVEMAN.  These three across the field approaching two from home with McSOLO now getting up into a close fourth.  DANTES BACK was the first to weaken allowing JALONS STAR to lead from ROCKWITHACAVEMAN challenging.  The final fence and over it together and now to race uphill to the line with Polly getting all she required from her charge and took this race by three lengths from JALONS STAR with my choice getting up to be seven lengths back in third.  I was at the winner's enclosure when the conqueror walked in and what a reception and it was surely due to a horse that has done it all this season.  Well done Polly!  Sam got my investment carrier into a place but as there were only six runners I didn't pick up.  I consider I have only loaned it and this one of Mr Trump's will repay me - this season!

 

I replenished the tin from the winner of the Confined Hunts race as I chose DUSTY BANDIT (M Miller) (2^nd fav) to beat the other three including the odds on favourite, the Elliott's best turned out SARA MONICA (R Woollacott).  This was achieved easily by ten lengths from Sam Allwood on the improving M Watson's HANDYMAN with SARA MONICA back in third.  I will further embellish the tin when I follow the same jockey on his only other ride in the Intermediate Race.

 

First I must take a chance that Will Biddick will bring in M Madden and S Skelding's WITHIEL LAD to win the Restricted race and to do this he will have to get the better of at least Sam Allwood on S Hobbs's NOEUD VERT who will go off as a great threat, as will that competent mare J Du Plessis's KINGSMILL LAKE (Emily Noszkay).  A fair investment is made and prayers are offered up!  The ground is holding now to say the least and will take some getting.  ANSA THE QUESTION (D Edwards) planted herself at the start and did not race.  APPLEPIE LADY (J Congdon) pulled up early.  J Penn and P Bult's REDLYNCH SPIRIT (M Griffiths) went off at break neck speed and soon had a twenty length lead.  R Alford's OH VLO (G Weatherley) tripped up!   The long time leader gradually came back to the field which was being led by NOEUD VERT and KINGSMILL LAKE and WITHIEL LAD who Will appears to be taking a slightly wider approach than the others.  On they go and words of encouragement are being voiced but with no great volume - YET!  Before disappearing for the final time at the far end the long time leader had been swallowed up and was in fact, pulled up!  Into sight they come and it is WITHIEL LAD, KINGSMILL LAKE, NOEUD VERT and D Plowright and T Porter's CHARM LORD (J Monk) followed by weakening best turned out S Newton's AUSTIN APPROVED (R Woollacott).  Towards the second last and it was KINGSMILL LAKE leading, but decided she didn't wish to jump that fence and dived to the left, interfering with no one or thing except Emily's pride and left Will on WITHIEL LAD to race out the finish with NOEUD VERT, which he did very well and got across the line by three quarters of a length to the good after much arm waving, cheering, shouting and hooraying from both tin and bag handler (first winner for the day!)  as we had both invested.  Thank you for that one Will! 

 

Now the major investment!  It was a good price (initially!) I got on Fern and Friends Partnership's MASSIMO and provided Mr Miller can do the same as he did in the Confined, I will be going home with tin full.  He will have to get the better of best turned out the Symes's WHIZZAR (R Woollacott) and of course the in form Kit James's THOOR BALLYLEE (W Biddick) as well as the much fancied L Vickery's promising mare KIAMA (P Gundry).  Initially MASSIMO was eight or more lengths off the main group but going along ok.  Coming back into view and passing the start area for the first time MASSIMO was still anchored at the back of the field but closing up a little.  Over the ditch and going up this side MASSIMO was asked for some effort and gosh! did he provide it, as he raced through the field and to take it up.  At a corresponding position last circuit he was ten lengths back and now he was ten lengths to the good followed by KIAMA.  Coming back into view it was MASSIMO followed by KIAMA and S Prouse's TED ONE (C Farrant) with WHIZZARD trying hard as was Sam Allwood on syndicate horse CANDLELIGHT VALLEY.  No need to cheer here now, other than to offer congratulations as MASSIMO went on like a real good thing and won by eight lengths from WHIZZAR who was ten lengths to the good of CANDLELIGHT VALLEY.  The tin is looking really good.  (whisper!)  The bag is looking the worse for wear!  So be it!

 

Thank you Lamerton you have done us proud today and please believe me your efforts are really appreciated.  One last word of thanks goes out to the Race Commentator who braved the atrocious weather and did a marvellous job and your knowledge of this sport is really appreciated as is the way you managed to put the commentary over.  Many thanks!

 

Some one was heard to mention that a wind direction was about CHANGE during the afternoon and could we standby to turn the 'contingency tented village' around to face the other way.  It didn't happen but I am sure Lamerton you would have coped!  I remember last week a racing day had to be cancelled because of wind.    Not so at Kilworthy - NEVER!  THANK YOU!

 

Easter Monday Trebudannon 24^th March 2008. First race at 1pm for the Four Burrow Hounds P to P meeting&BE THERE!

 

Ruth and Fred