Finn Muirhead, 12, has his name on the Mid Devon Point to point 138 pony racing trophy for the first time, after a great performance at Black Forest Lodge. Finn, on Dillan’s Girl, and Fergus Gillard, on Veno Star, were in the mix from the start, and by the far corner were fighting it out in front. The Mid Devon race is one of the longest of the season, with the 138s riding almost one full circuit of the course. Finn stopped the clock at 2.30 minutes, Fergus was second and Tyler Heard was third on The Jobs Not Straight.
The 148s line up at the point to point start and complete a circuit and a quarter, meaning that riders really have to judge their pace to get home, especially on soft ground..
Connor Brace is one of the most experienced riders on the circuit and judged his race on Don’t Tell Dai to perfection, winning by 15 lengths in 3.27 minutes.
Fergus Gillard was second again, this time on Hawksfield Flyer, and Tamby Welch was third on Buddy’s Girl.
The next pony racing is at Buckfastleigh, on Sunday, March 13 – for more information go to http://www.ponyracing.co.uk
CONFIRMED RESULTS FOR THE MID DEVON AT BLACK FOREST LODGE ON SUNDAY, 28TH FEBRUARY
138cms & under OPEN Race
1. Dillan’s Girl – Finn Muirhead
2. Veno Star – Fergus Gillard
3. The Jobs Not Straight – Tyler Heard
4. Ginger Wizard – Chad Bament
5. Menedh Jumping Jack Flash – Otis Morgan
6. Lucy In The Sky – Harry Brown
7. Hideaway Evening Star – Taylor Fisher
8. Wide Valley Superman – Walter Fisher-Barnett
8 ran
NR: Becca Walk O’The Wildside – Molly Landau
148cms & under OPEN Race
1. Don’t tell Dai – Connor Brace
2. Hawkesfield Flyer – Fergus Gillard
3. Buddy’s Girl – Tamby Welch
4. Peaches & Cream – Alicia Kemppainen
Disqualified: Mario – Taylor Fisher
5 ran
1 Robin Dec Souza (Darren Edwards) 4-5 fav not alwys fluent, led three out, clear when blnd last
2 King’s Bench (Matt Hampton) 15-2 led after four out til next, no extra from two out
3 Pasternak Jack (Heidi Lewis) 12-1 rear til good late hdwy, nearest finish
11 ran; 2 1/2l; 8l; 6m 26s
Owner; Tony & Eileen Worth; Trainer; Dean Summersby
1 Double Bank (Mervyn Woodward) 13-8 fav made all drew clr three out v easily
2 Whenharrymetsally (Matt Hampton) 5-2 with leaders, outpaced three out
3 Imperial Circus (John Mathias) 7-2 in touch til outpaced & held in third from four out
6 ran; 15l; 12l; 6m 22s
Owner: John Cole; Trainer; Emma Oliver
1 Masterleaderman (Harriet Tucker) 10-1 slight lead from 13th, edged left flat, held on well
2 Sobre Tresor (Taylor Pook) 7-4 led til 13th, close 2nd & every chance til not quicken from last
3 Fiulin (Leanda Tickle) 4-1 chased leaders, one pace from three out
5 ran; 1l; 12l; 6m 25s
Owner; Harriet Tucker; Trainer; Harriet Tucker
1 Commanche Conflict (Sean Houlihan) 7-1 effort three out, just led next, dvn out
2 Bob The Butcher (Byron Morrcroft) 7-2 in touch, every chance two out, went 2nd last, just held
3 Paddycards (Sam Painting) 4-1 led 7th til four out, wknd & lost 2nd at last
7 ran; 1 1/2l; 8l; 6m 30s
Owner; John Pearn; Trainer; Alice Plume
1 Itchymei’mscratch (Tom David) 5-2 led three out, soon clear, easily
2 Creative Inerta (Ben Clarke) evens fav prog 13th, one pace from three out
3 Steel Brush (Matt Hampton) 3-1 chased leaders, kept on near finish
11 ran; 8l; 6l; 6m 33s
Owner; Keith James; Trainer; Gareth Moore
1 Goodnitesweetheart (Stan Sheppard) 13-8 fav left in lead two out, soon clear
2 Constantine Bay (John Mathias) 5-1 not fluent, hdwy four out, every chance til no extra apprg last
3 Not So Scruffy (Alistair Harvey) 33-1 rear. left moderate third after two out
12 ran; 2l; distance; 6m 33s
Owner; Polly Walker; Trainer; Ed Walker
Open Maiden Division 2 (Devon Marquee Company for the Major AC Arden Memorial Cup)
1 Darkgesture (Josh Newman) 13-8 fav led/ disputed til drew clr two out
2 Scarborough Boy (John Mathias) 7-2 tracked ldrs, effort three out, kept on
3 Forrardon Xmoor (Vicky Wade) 14-1 led/ disputed til wknd three out
9 ran; 1 1/2l; 12l; 6m 35s
Owner; Dark Horse Partnership[ Trainer; Keith Cumings
Official going today Friday is GOOD TO SOFT ,SOFT IN PLACES.
Please be aware of parking arrangements for Sunday. Please can all Pony Racers use the original horse box area to park their horse boxes/trailers. You will be limited to an area near the entrance gate.
All point to pointers please use the main car parking gate and park in an area to the left of this entrance. When you leave drive down the hill to join the hard track which leads out through the main lorry parking entrance.
I’m sorry to say you will still have to walk the same way to the paddock. As this is a longish walk it would be most helpful if more trainers/owners could saddle up in the paddock so racing isn’t delayed too much.
Tuesday 23rd February 2016
Linda Courtney reports the Course Inspector and Assistant Clerk Of The Course have walked Black Forest today and the latest going report is SOFT, GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES.
With a very good entry of over 100 horses please remember to get there early to watch the future stars of the point to point world!
12 noon Pony racing.
1pm Point to Point racing.
Useful Information:
Met Office 5 day forecast: Exe Estuary, 2.7 miles from EX6 8HR at the same altitude
BBC Travel News: Devon
Related Articles:
[display-posts taxonomy=”category” tax_term=”Black Forest Lodge” taxonomy_2=”category” tax_2_term=”2015-16 Season”]
Two well supported pony races kick off the Mid Devon point to point on Sunday at Black Forest Lodge, with the first race off at 12 noon.
The course offers the chance to ride a proper race with the 148s completing a circuit and a quarter of the track.
The Braces won at the course last year and return in the 148s with Don’t Tell Dai, ridden by Connor Brace. Fergus Gillard will be challenging on Hawkesfield Flyer, as will Calypso ridden by Ben Godfrey. Tyler Heard who won last week on Shotgun Minnie has been confirmed as a non runner.
Tamby Welch teams up with Buddy’s Girl, Alicia Kempainen partners Peaches and Cream, and up and coming rider Taylor Fisher rides Mario.
Nine ponies line up for the 138cm race which is off first and all will be bidding to beat Tyler Heard on The Job’s Not Straight.
CONFIRMED ENTRIES FOR THE MID DEVON AT BLACK FOREST LODGE ON SUNDAY, 28TH FEBRUARY
Racing will take place BEFORE the Point-to-Point races
138cms & under OPEN Race
Becca Walk O’The Wildside – Molly Landau
Dillan’s Girl – Finn Muirhead
Ginger Wizard – Chad Bament
Hideaway Evening Star – Taylor Fisher
Lucy In The Sky – Harry Brown
Menedh Jumping Jack Flash – Otis Morgan
The Jobs Not Straight – Tyler Heard
Veno Star – Fergus Gillard
Wide Valley Superman – Walter Fisher-Barnett
(9)
Non-Runners:
Molly Landau / Becca Walk O’The Wild Side – 138cms
Linda Courtney reports the Course Inspector and Assistant Clerk Of The Course have walked Black Forest today and the latest going report is SOFT, GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES.
Preview extract:
A trip back to the popular Point-to-Point horse racing course at Black Forest Lodge is a must for all country loving family folk next weekend where the Mid Devon host their meeting on Sunday Feb 28th. Pony racing heads up the action at 12 noon and 12.30pm with two pony races on offer.
The main seven race card follows at 1pm and has attracted over 100 entries with the Open Maiden race already having been divided.
The course offers excellent viewing, bookies, bar, hot refreshments and food, rail side parking for the disabled and many trade stands.
Entrance is £10 per person up to a maximum of £30 per car with five passengers. Children under 16 free. Dogs on leads welcome.
Course is located at Kenton near Exeter off A380 Postcode EX6 AHR
FORM GUIDE
Key:
f
=
fell
u
=
unseated rider
p
=
pulled up
k
=
knocked over
b
=
brought down
c
=
carried out
d
=
disqualified
?
=
unreliable form
s
=
slipped up
+
=
improving rating
r
=
refused
blkd
=
baulked
ro
=
ran out
t
=
took no part
(c)
=
course winner
Abbreviations:
NH = National Hunt
L = Length
Rest – Restricted
Nov = Novice
RT – Rating
PTP – Point to Point
An up to date form guide and synopsis of the horses entered at this meeting. Form figures for up to 6 outings appear. A dash(-) is used to separate 2015/16 form from 2014/15 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2013/14 form or earlier. Horses marked with an asterisk (*) indicates National Hunt form. The higher the rating the better the form. No responsibility can be accepted for any errors which may be considered to have occurred.
John Bradley confirms Bishops court going remains Good To Soft, Soft in Places for the East Devon Point-To-Point #gopointing #ottery
Friday 4th March 20-6
Course inspection carried out by Norman Chanin, Edward Darke and Richard Lindley. The inspection went well all fences passed and the ground passed as Good to Soft, Soft in Places this might be revised in the morning if we are unlucky with the rain.
There is a softer patch just after the last fence on the run in. We will be keeping the horses up paddock side of the track due to it being slightly better ground.
John Bradley, Clerk of Course
Monday 29th February 2016
All the fences are in place and ready at Bishops Court. The ground is improving. But still good to soft soft in places.
Rain is expected Tuesday but I don’t think the the conditions will change much as we have had so many good days recently.
The course inspection is on Thursday and I’ll give a further update then.
– John Bradley, Clerk of Course
Thursday 25th February 2016
Correction to the going at Bishops Court, the going is good to soft, Soft in places.
Wednesday 24th February 2016
The course is drying nicely and the fences go out tomorrow (Thursday), it has been left late to save the ground, with all vehicles have been kept off the course.
Bishops Court will be ready for the 5th of March, and all things considered the going will be much the same as normal for this time of year: Good to soft, good in places.
Although Buckfastleigh closed its doors as a licenced racecourse in August 1960, this historic old course still provides a marvellous setting for point-to-points.
Oldies will know that they used to go right handed in the past, but they race left handed now. The original grandstand is sadly just a relic. Nevertheless, the course still basks in a glorious setting with fine viewing for the two point-to-point meetings held at this venue each season.
The February South Pool meeting had to be postponed for a week this year due to the never ending wet winter, and as so often happens with rescheduled fixtures, the quantity of runners and the crowd numbers appeared to suffer. The going was very testing but the track was in exceptional condition and the fences looked superb. There was a strong betting market.
The first three short priced favourites were all beaten, but punters struck back with three successive winning favourites to earn a score draw.
Jepeck (9-4 from 5-2) turned the tables on his Chipley conqueror Blinding Lights (6-4 to 5-4 fav) in the opening Confined (3lbs and 7 lbs penalties respectively) Blinding Lights eventually finished third behind runner up Delphi Mountain (3lbs extra), who drifted slightly from 2-1 to 9-4. This trio should certainly figure again before the ground dries up.
Kernel Victor (6-4 to 7-4) is a promising stayer, and followed up his Milborne St Andrew win at the expense of the Welsh trained Oscar mare Frelia, who was backed from 7-4 into 5-4 fav at the off. Kernel Victor was always travelling well and won comfortably although Frelia was doing her best work on the run-in.
The £1,000 Mixed Open is the Devon & Cornwall Area classic race for winners only. The race featured an ultra game staying performance from Kirkleigh who attracted support from 5’s to 3’s and deserves a gold medal for guts. Tom Chanin had him out in front from flag fall and he bravely fought off the challenges of Dicky Bob (6-4 to 4-6) and Indiana Bay (9-2/5’s). Last year’s winner Blazing Whale (9-4 – 11-4) finished fourth without threatening the principals.
The tide turned for punters in the Confined Maiden (yes, strictly a race for the home team). Tom Chanin employed hold up tactics this time on Whatastormnorm (7-4 to 5-4 fav) and a well timed run did the business. Arcs Abound (solid 8-1) kept on well to deprive newcomer County Road of the runner up spot. Arcs Abound’s dam won eight points so he has a bit to live up to. County Road was seen as 5’s in a place before contracting to 2-1 and looks a winner in waiting when he learns a bit more about the game. His half brother has been successful over hurdles for Tim Vaughan this season. The eight minutes recorded for this race can be ignored because the eight runners stood frozen on the spot for 20 seconds before trundling off.
Sophie Lacey’s youngster Bells On Sunday had been well backed on her racecourse debut at Milborne over a shorter distance, and relished the stamina test in the 11 runner Mares race when a well supported 2-1 favourite. Midnight Queen (8-1) showed promise on her debut to chase home the winner. Her dam was a point-to-point winner.
The dice again rolled the punters way in the getting out stakes with in-form Jo Buck steering Master Baker (4-5 fav after 6-4 in a place) to a resounding victory. He will win again. Annwyl was backed from 16’s to 8’s and this mare was well in touch until fluffing the third last.
A trip back to the popular Point-to-Point horse racing course at Black Forest Lodge is a must for all country loving family folk next weekend where the Mid Devon host their meeting on Sunday Feb 28th. Pony racing heads up the action at 12 noon and 12.30pm with two pony races on offer.
The main seven race card follows at 1pm and has attracted over 100 entries with the Open Maiden race already having been divided. The feature race of the day looks to be the Tozers Solicitors-sponsored Men’s Open race with ten quality entries headed by the Devon based trainer Emma Oliver’s Double Bank. This 13 year old dual Taunton Hunter Chase winner has won previously at this course and ran well when four lengths third at Wadebridge carrying top weight earlier this month. Those entered to take him on are outside raiders Premier Portrait already on a seasons hat-trick, and would have been four from four had young jockey Gus Levinson not been disqualified for not weighing in. Doctor Braveheart another on a hat-trick of wins is trained by David Brace who has a good strike rate at this course. Tony Star looks an interesting entry having previously been trained by Phillip Hobbs who has a Chase win under rules when ridden by Richard Johnson at Ludlow to his credit.
The Molyneaux Financial Planning-sponsored Ladies Open race also has quality entries with Devon based Hunter Chase veteren Coombe Hill entered. Trained and ridden by Millie Wonnacott. Coombe Hill has a total of six Hunter Chase wins and eleven Point-to-Point wins to his credit, and was narrowly denied a further win when a head second here at the January meeting.The Keith Cumings -trained What About Will should be considered having won his Restricted race at this course last season under jockey Vicky Wade. Outside raiders looking to challenge could be recent Wadebridge winner Sobre Tresor having won by twelve lengths ahead of Ray Diamond and Get It On from the Angela Rucker team who also catches the eye having run a good second in a Ladies Open at Barbury in December.
The Confined race sponsored by supporters of the Mid Devon could go the way of the Dean Summersby-trained Robin De Souza, a winner of all three of his Point starts to date including a win at this track when winning his restricted having stayed on well under Darren Edwards. Also entered is the Sue Popham-trained Iron Chancellor, a Hunter Chase winner who loves the soft going and ran a neck second at Wadebridge earlier this month when sent off odds-on favorite under Sean Houlihan. Whenharrymetsally from the Keith Cumings team is another catching the eye, having won well at Chipley Park in January when beating odds on favorite Posh Totty that day.
Sedgemoor Top Bid could fly the flag for the area if snatching the Intermediate race to follow up on his neck win at Wadebridge under jockey Lee Drowne.  Those looking to challenge could be Chipley Park winner Stony Road, Thorpe Lodge winner Minella Friend and Paddycards who ran second here in the intermediate race at the last meeting. Commanche Conflict looks to be a new recruit for the Alice Plume team and has shown some good place form in Intermediate company last season. The Intermediate race is sponsored by B.J. Barkwell & Sons and the Lyndridge Residential Home.
In the Subaru Restricted race the Harriet Brown-trained Creative Inerta could go well having won his maiden race here in January under jockey Ben Clarke, the combination were travelling well at Barbury two weeks ago before falling three out. Itchymei’mscratch from the Gareth Moore team is another suggestion having finished second in a 17- runner race at Cocklebarrow in January.
Two divisions of the Open Maiden end the days events, those entries having shown promise in the first division are Kilcoman Wizard having clocked up four seconds last season and deserves a win soon, Goodnight Sweetheart after his four lengths second at Larkhill earlier this month and the Ben Clarke-trained Looking Glass for his seconds at Wadebridge and Barbury. With Dark Gesture catching the eye in the second division of the Maiden, having run second here at the last meeting and looks sure to improve for the run, Nothing Personal and Troubleshot are two others showing improvement and could go close. Sponsors for the Open Maiden races are Devon Marquees.
The course offers excellent viewing, bookies, bar, hot refreshments and food, rail side parking for the disabled and many trade stands.
Entrance is £10 per person up to a maximum of £30 per car with five passengers. Children under 16 free. Dogs on leads welcome.
Course is located at Kenton near Exeter off A380 Postcode EX6 AHR
Useful Information:
Met Office 5 day forecast: Exe Estuary, 2.7 miles from EX6 8HR at the same altitude
BBC Travel News: Devon
Related Articles:
[display-posts taxonomy=”category” tax_term=”Black Forest Lodge” taxonomy_2=”category” tax_2_term=”2015-16 Season”]
Linda Courtney reports the Course Inspector and Assistant Clerk Of The Course have walked Black Forest today and the latest going report is SOFT, GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES.
With a very good entry of over 100 horses please remember to get there early to watch the future stars of the point to point world!
12 noon Pony racing.
1pm Point to Point racing.
Useful Information:
Met Office 5 day forecast: Exe Estuary, 2.7 miles from EX6 8HR at the same altitude
BBC Travel News: Devon
Related Articles:
[display-posts taxonomy=”category” tax_term=”Black Forest Lodge” taxonomy_2=”category” tax_2_term=”2015-16 Season”]
Great Britain are out to defend their crown in the fourth running of Anglo-Irish International Point-to-Point Challenge.Reigning champions Will Biddick and Gina Andrews head the British teams, which will take on their Irish rivals at Inch Point-to-Point, held near Tallow in County Cork, during the Easter holidays on March 23rd. Four men and four women from each country will go head to head in a series of races during the day.
The teams were selected based on their positions in last seasons championships owing to the early staging of this years renewal.  Joining Will Biddick on the GB mens team will be John Mathias, Darren Edwards and Nick Orpwood. The GB womens team, supported by AGA, is unchanged from last years winning quartet: Gina Andrews, Hannah Watson, Claire Hart and Catherine Walton.
Britain has won the Anglo-Irish challenge each year since its inception, beating Ireland by 21 points to 17 when the event was held last May at Chaddesley Corbett in Worcestershire.
Britains team details:
    Will Biddick – 30, is chasing his fifth consecutive mens championship and is currently leading the way
    John Mathias – 24, runner-up in last seasons championship, former national novice title-holder and multiple Welsh champion
    Darren Edwards – 31, currently second in this seasons national championship and the reigning champion in Devon & Cornwall
    Nick Orpwood – 27, Northern champion
    Gina Andrews – 23, double national womens champion
    Hannah Watson – 29, runner-up in last seasons womens championship
    Claire Hart – 32, currently leading the 2015/16 national womens title race and reigning South Midlands champion
    Catherine Walton – 28, Northern area champion
Irish Team Unveiled for Next Month’s International PtP
The countdown continues to the fourth ever staging of the International Point-to-Point which features the British versus Irish Jockeys Challenge as its centrepiece, which is now little over a month away, and the preparations for the event, which takes place at Inch on Wednesday 23rd March, now step-up a gear with the announcement of the riders who will form the two Irish Teams.
On the Mens side, Derek OConnor, Jamie Codd, Barry ONeill and Rob James will step forward to represent their country at Inch next month. OConnor, the eleven-time Irish Champion, was the first rider to win a UK Point-to-Point race whilst holding an Irish License when scoring at last years challenge in Chaddesley Corbett which sealed victory for the Irish Mens team who will be looking to retain that crown 12 months later. OConnor, who currently heads the Leading Riders table once again this season, is looking forward to the defence of their title in Inch, The jockeys challenge has created a great atmosphere at the participating meetings over the past number of years and the atmosphere is always great in Inch, so it should draw a big crowd for what is always a well-supported fixture. He is joined on the Irish team by Jamie Codd, the 2013/2014 National Champion, who will make his third appearance in the Challenge having missed the inaugural contest through injury, although he has yet to taste success in the series to date, It will be great to bring the challenge to Cork and Im hoping that the change in venue might help change my luck in it so far!
Meanwhile Barry ONeill, who currently sits in second position in the Irish National Championship, is the only rider on the Irish team to have participated in all previous challenge races to date since its in inception in 2013. It will be great to welcome the British team over to one of our most popular meetings of the year and hopefully I can make it fourth time lucky. That trio are joined on the Irish team by Rob James, who will make his debut in the challenge competition next month. The Wexford rider has enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks since being crowned leading Novice rider at the end of the 2013/2014 season, and currently sits on the 15 winner mark for the campaign. I was delighted to get the call-up to have the opportunity to represent Ireland as is not something we get to do often in this sport, so I am really looking forward to it. The four riders selected were the top four riders in the National table on Monday 15th February 2016.
The Irish Ladies team features an experienced team of four riders who have all previously been a part of the Challenge contest, withLiz Lalor, Maxine OSullivan, Evanna McCutcheon and Sheila Ahern forming the four-strong line-up. Lalor is the reigning Ladies Champion and once again heads the table this season as she goes in search of a fifth Ladies title, having enjoyed plenty of recent success aboard her fathers star mare Carrigeen Acebo and she is raring to go with this years event. We havent managed to get the win on the board for the Irish Ladies team so far, but hopefully now with home advantage and the big local crowd behind us, we might be able repeat the efforts of Dereks win last year.
Lalor is joined on the team by Maxine OSullivan, a two-time Ladies Champion who visited the winners enclosure last weekend at Cragmore, and Tipperary-based Evanna McCutcheon who is a regular in the Cross Country races between the flags where she has enjoyed particular success aboard the likes of Long Strand and the late Lord Nellorie. Recently she has become synonymous with her handling of the star sprinter Maarek whom she trained to win the Listed Beverly Bullet Spring Stakes in late August before narrowly missing out on the Group 2 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh a month later. The final member of the Ladies team is Sheila Ahern who has enjoyed great International success this season following her recent exploits in the Fegentri series, whilst she also enjoyed a strong start to the current Point-to-Point campaign, recording a brace of victories in the autumn which sees her currently sit in second position in the Ladies title.
The Ladies team was chosen on the total number of career Point-to-Point winners as of Monday 15th February 2016, as had been the case previously.
The system of allocating riders is well established. The entries will be numbered on the race card with the top eight declared runners going into a draw and being allocated to the International teams. Any other runners in the race will have to secure their own rider. Owners and Handlers at Fairyhouse and Chaddesley Corbett in previous years have been generous in their support of this concept and the Inch Committee are hoping that the Cork Waterford connections will show the same level of support to these races which are the 6yo+ Geldings Maiden and 6yo + Mares Maiden.
Inch Point-to-Point PRO Louise Kelly added, Now that both teams have been selected and with just 4 weeks to go until our race meeting, the excitement is really starting to build right across the community down here in Inch, Co Cork. We are delighted to have the best amateur jockeys from both Ireland and the UK coming to our race track to compete in this years running of the International Jockey Challenge. We are a small point to point committee from East Cork with a reputation for producing winners that end up doing extremely well on the big stage and the combination of both good horses and the best amateur jockeys around is sure to make for a thrilling day.
