Report from the Silverton Point to Point meeting held at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday 20^th January 2008

 

The rest of the UK are suffering with the recent and current bad weather but not Black Forest Lodge and although we have had some difficulty in convincing everyone that it is still ON and racing will go ahead, we trundled up the A30, answering telephone calls as we went and looked forward to a good days racing.  We were not disappointed.  The course is in good condition and one wonders sometimes how much rain this land will take.  A competition between here and the Badbury Rings course ought to be organised, as that is another one that will take a fair drop of water.  Over fifty, yes 50, lorries and boxes in the park, so good racing is ensured.

 

After completing all the 'Happy New Year' compliments it was on with the racing in 2008 and with only three runners for the Hunt race, a gentle start perhaps with minimum investments.  That was not to be the case as The Nute Tompkins Partnership's WINTER SCENE with Lucy Gardner up is in the trio and that will be good enough for me to scrape the tin, including copper and invest the lot.  The good price of even money in a three horse race made me consult my race card for a glance of who could be the opposition?  Mr D Winzer's best turned out  THE KEW TOUR with Willie White up is also taking some good investments and is as close as five to four against with the party being made up with The Chanin Family's JUST REUBEN with Tom Chanin in the plate.  A quick glance along the line to check I have the best price and then to whittle it down even further I nominate who is the 'bookie' I would like to sting and finally with decisions made, on it all goes!  When I check with the bag holder who is opening ALL zips, as to which one is carrying her investment, she not only tells me it is the same, but that she is so confident she has backed a straight forecast with Lucy coming home ahead of Willie White!  That is confidence!  A level break sees the three runners leave the start area, temporarily disappear in the dip before tackling the first fence which they all clear successfully as they do the second fence at a very sedate fence.  Up past the crowd, which is a good one, it is at this time we are told by the excellent commentator that the going is officially 'good to soft' but it is really too late to consider whether that is an advantage or otherwise as no investment is redeemable if the going is not liked by any of the participants, but all is well as Lucy takes the trio out into the country.  Now I know WINTER SCENE has liked to make the running in the past so I am pleased to see Lucy go on a little as they clear the three including the ditch going out but is out jumped by THE KEW TOUR going across the top, but not by much and I know that WINTER SCENE knows how to jump these fences as she did when winning here last season.  I am now told that THE KEW TOUR's trainer is retiring after this meeting and would like to sign off with a winner.  Well Gordon let your winner come at any time as I know you well deserve a winner BUT not this one!  JUST REUBEN has found the pace too hot at this time and is being left behind.  I noticed that Willie was having to ride THE KEW TOUR for a few strides prior to going out into the country for the final time so the pencil that has been broken into several little pieces in my pocket has now been released, not with any chances of it ever being used again but before it gets pushed through the lining.   Prior to the final open ditch Will was riding hard on THE KEW TOUR now.  Crossing the top of the course Lucy had a lead of about two (maybe one!) lengths but the continued reminder from the dulcet tones of Mr Clapham was that THE KEW TOUR will not go away.  I didn't want him to 'go away!' I wanted him to stay there, behind Lucy.  A quick search found a length of pencil which was still suitable for splintering and once more the pressure was on.  It was soon now that Lucy applied the necessary pressure and with three left to jump it looked all over but no - the twelve year old gelding THE KEW TOUR,  he will not go away I am told AGAIN and closed up as WINTER SCENE jumped two from home.  Lucy let out a bit more and came around the final bend, over the last amidst plenty of vocal encouragement and on to win by two and half lengths. The spectators nearby are still wondering where twenty seven pieces of lead pencil came from as the bits floated down gently from the sky.  If they joined them all together they would find out that they advertised a vets practice somewhere, but little did I care as I ran off to collect.  I passed the bag carrier en route, all zips open as she had A LOT to pick up.  I don't often go into the paddock to congratulate owners but if one Dominic Allers-Hankey can get himself into the photo why shouldn't I?  Well done.

 

Next came a good race amongst fourteen novice riders in their Restricted race.  There were about 12 different hunts represented in this race and fourteen jockeys, many hoping to claim their first win.  The favourite at the off was probably the Drinkwater's GULABILL but may be S Vaughan's LANICENE (Danny Cook), who was taking late money, had the privilege.  Jenny Carr riding JEL Racing's CRAIGMOR was also fancied but the remainder were available at very big prices.  Nineteen fences and some pale faces were evident as they passed the crowd for the first time.  The field was soon stretched out and it was TRICKY LYPS (L Adams) and GULABILL who took the field over the first of the open ditches with the Milne's SPARKY TRIO following in third.  Because I had received an email from Lorna and Adrian Foster during the week I thought that as their horse was running in this race with Rhys Flint up I would invest an each way bet at sixteen to one in the hope that at least a place could be achieved.  The bag holder was at our vehicle locking up the zips when she took notice that a neighbouring investor was placing a huge amount of money on LANICENE so off she went to do the same only the amount that was taken from the bag was considerably different.  After a complete circuit both 'invested on' horses were doing very well.  The two market leaders took the field which was now closed up considerably out on the final circuit.  My investment put in a sloppy jump or two but apart from that was still in it.  LANICENE was going well.  Over the final open ditch it was LANICENE by a fraction from GULABILL who were laying it down now and going ahead by about ten to fifteen lengths with the Atkinson's KIWI RAP (Claire Atkinson) following in third and my choice was still there in fourth spot.  Arms were waving now and fitness both on behalf of the horses and their riders was beginning to tell.  Onto three from home and it was LANICENE who was laying it down and the challenge now came from Claire Atkinson who was getting the best out of KIWI RAP who was closing with Amanda Cole on JOLLY HOPEFUL also finishing well.  My choice Mrs Foster's TROEDRHIWDALAR was still there but back in fourth place and not closing now.  CRAIGMOR tired and dropped back through the field.  To the line with very tired horses in their care went Danny Cook on LANICENE to win by three lengths from Clair Atkinson on KIWI RAP with a very fast finisher in Amanda Cole on JOLLY HOPEFUL.  Well done to all of them.   A smiling bag holder is again on her way to collect whereas the tin did not need opening. (Unlocking!)

 

I had my eye on another 'dead cert' but unfortunately the only word which was not used was 'cert'.  I lumped on A Walter's even money ( I was on at two to one!) favourite FLEUR DE NIKOS (Jenny Carr) to win the eleven runner Ladies Open race and that proved a big mistake.  This mare had an 'r' against her latest form which means she refused to race, well on this occasion she did start and as a front runner Jenny went on as front runners do but this mare gradually slowed and came back through the field and didn't want to race at all.  Mr Flook's YOUNG TOT (J Hughes) was not happy with the pace and prior to the open ditch took up the running and led the field.  The favourite got in close at the open ditch and made Jenny Carr wobble a bit as she overcame this mistake and I think that FLEUR DE NIKOS gave up from there on.  Having completed a circuit and passing the starting area it was YOUNG TOT still taking the field along with DOOF (Alice Mills) now relegating the favourite back into third place with The Otters Club DR CERULLO (P Gundry) travelling well on the outside.  At the next YOUNG TOT took off a bit early and Jodie Hughes was out the side door and was probably the first faller of the day and this now left DOOF in front, but being closely followed by the Hobbs's CROIX DE GUERRE and then came RYE BROOK (Rachel Green).  Up to the open ditch it was now CROIX DE GUERRE that took it up from DOOF with RYE BROOK and BALLY BLUE (L Gardner) following.  Across the top and you can see distances between them very clearly as they clear the fence up there and it was still CROIX DE GUERRE who was taking them along with Chloe Roddick on D Lloyd's WAGES that came quietly up into second place with URBAN REBEL also beginning a challenge.  Three out it was still Hobbs's grey that took the field along but WAGES was travelling well.  Two out and Chloe hadn't moved much, but was there pushing Kath Hobbs and the Smith-Maxwell's URBAN REBEL was within striking distance - just!  The two main protagonists came round the home turn together with WAGES on the inside they met the last - up and over and it was CROIX DE GUERRE who got it a little better and raced away to win by two lengths.  WAGES in second was well clear of URBAN REBEL with DOOF back in fourth.  The tin suffered badly and the bag owner didn't do very well either.

 

The Men's Open race was one I was prepared to watch as SOUTHWESTERN (N Harris) was here to start his campaign and to see him strut his stuff in the paddock meant he wasn't here to hang around.  He had ten runners up against him and his price of one to two ON meant that the money was down for him to win.  Some thought M White's course specialist HIGHWAY OAK  (M Miller) had a chance and there was a little money for DIAMOND MONROE (P John) and The Two Clomes Syndicate's JULIES BOY (N Schofield) but the very clear favourite was SOUTHWESTERN who was out to better last year's running when he was beaten by SIMOUN.  Enough said really!  The blinkered CLONSHIRE PADDY who was ridden at great pace by his owner Mr W Potter went some fifteen lengths to the good of the pack for some time but as they crossed the far end for the first time this grey began to come back to the field whereas SOUTHWESTERN sliced through to join HIGHWAY OAK in second place.   JULIES BOY and ZESTA FIESTA followed.  With over a circuit to run SOUTHWESTERN and HIGHWAY OAK took it up and made a race of it for quite some time but going out into the country for the final time it was noticeable that HIGHWAY OAK was needing persuading and was not able to keep up the pace.  ZESTA FIESTA was being ridden but could see the leader in the distance as SOUTHWESTERN went on ten lengths, jumping well, twelve lengths and on to the winning post to get there fifteen lengths to the good of ZESTA FIESTA who was fifteen lengths to the good of DIAMOND MONROE.  We have a lovely horse in our midst and it will be an exciting season again following this nine year old.  Well done!

 

Only six for the intermediate but it still didn't make it easier to find a winner. There was an uneasy favourite in the Salter's SIMON'S SEAT(Rachel Green)  who initially was odds-on, then even money (when I invested!) then slight odds against at the off.  The Racing Reverend, Simon Beveridge on his FORT OF GOLD took some of the punters fancy as did Darren Edwards riding his father's best turned out KNIGHTSBRIDGE HILL but it was SIMON'S SEAT that was expected to win, in particular by me.  The first to leave the scene was C Bennett's FERTILE VALLEY who stepped at his fence and gave Polly no chance!  Neil Harris on YUFO led the field as they completed a circuit with no great pace and others in with a chance yet.  Going up the nip for the final time, when LITTLE WORD (S Alwood) took the fence ok but crumpled on landing and was out of the race.  At the final open ditch it was YUFO and KNIGHTSBRIDGE HILL leading and going away from SIMON'S SEAT by about 15 lengths and then came FORT OF GOLD who would need many prayers before worrying the leading two.  As they turned back towards us for the final time it was Darren and his friend Neil racing together.  Three from home and KNIGHTSBRIDGE HILL was just ahead but not much in it.  Down and around the corner and they were together and both jockeys giving it their all.  At the last, very tired horses, with YUFO holding his head high gave Neil no chance and ducked him out on landing.  KNIGHTSBRIDGE HILL went on to win by a distance from - yes, my investment carrier, SIMON'S SEAT and a distance back in third was FORT OF GOLD after being remounted late on.  Oh dear the tin has suffered and no zips are being undone on the bag so it is back to the drawing board but with four maidens left to choose from it is not going to be easy!

 

Division one of the Open maiden saw twelve go to post and it was one of these that really impressed me and I am sure we will see this one progress throughout the season if she stays pointing - R Kelvin-Hughes's TOT OF THE KNAR with Polly Gundry up.  This one was still pulling hard and no doubt stretched Polly's arms quite a bit after the winning post as she appeared very keen to go round again.  She won by twelve lengths in a very good time and fastest of all the maidens by far.  Jonathan Barnes brought R Nichols's AMBER DAWN into second place followed some way back by S Willcock's CARDINAL SINN (N Harris). The latter will surely appreciate going the other way round.  

 

Division two also had twelve runners and it amazed me to see support for the jointly owned SO LONG (N Harris) as this one ran so poorly down at Wadebridge but it will go off favourite but will not carry any of my remaining cash.  I am choosing Dai Brace's THE BROGUE ROGUE (L Rowsell) to swell the tin and I see the bag holder is doing the same.  Lucy soon took my fancy to the front so I was sure to get some excitement but I am afraid it was short lived.  THE BROGUE ROGUE was still leading on passing the start area with SO LONG travelling well in second.  THE BROGUE ROGUE was leading going out into the country for the final time but it was not too long before SO LONG took off and increased the pace followed by the Green's ROYAL NITE OWL and Mrs Hutchings and Mrs Hodges's MARTIN PITCHWOOD (J Barnes), with the tiring BROGUE ROGUE back in third with Polly on R Maggs's UNCLE MATTHEW closing up in fourth.  They are very strung out across the top of the course.  Back down the hill it is SO LONG and UNCLE MATTHEW.  At the last it was SO LONG who got the better of the tussle and went on to win by eight lengths and the tired UNCLE MATTHEW was beaten on the run in by a head by MARTIN PITCHWOOD.  There were a lot of happy punters but I was not one of them and smiles were not the scene of the day on the bag handlers' face.

 

Polly did get another winner albeit a little facile on R Pike's ROCKWITHACAVEMAN who she brought home twenty lengths ahead of S Vaughan's OOPSMYLORD (no not Rev Simon but D Mansell!) who was twenty five lengths ahead of my choice, Lucy Gardner on Paul Tylor's MR WOODROW.  I did pick up a little as I chose to invest each way, as did Ruth, but it was only a little. 

 

Dai Brace has another runner at the meeting and it is here in the final race, but after my previous attempt to win with THE BROGUE ROGUE I will steer a different course and leave MARGAM ABBEY (Lucy Rowsell) alone and go for Polly on Mrs Hillard and Mrs Walker's ARVAKUR at a really sensible price.  The form of MARGAM ABBEY is that his dam was a useful pointer; well my mother was a ballet dancer!!  Well after this race I had to borrow a toilet roll as I was left with so much egg on my face, as this fine stamp of a six year old grey gelding came home without breaking sweat to win by twenty lengths from my choice ARVAKUR, albeit in the slowest time of the day, but by now the course was well used and they raced on very holding ground. Well don Dai!   Ryan Bliss finished third on the Dunsford's MISS RAZZMATAZZ.

 

Thank you Silverton for a great day's racing and the rain held off just as you predicted and the quality of the organisation and racing was first class.  It will be equalled BUT not beaten!

 

Next week we are off to Chipley Park for the Tiverton meeting on Sunday 27^th January 2008 and this meeting has been so well supported that two races have already been split and the likelihood of two more being split exists.

 

FIRST RACE 1100 AM - YES!  1100 AM - BE THERE!

 

Fred and Ruth