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 2013/14 form from 2012/13 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2011/12 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.
Produced by Jeff Guyett of Westcountry Videos.
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The 18 bookies started off in a happy frame of mind when Overafrica ( friendless from 14’s out to 20’s) produced a shock in the opening Hunt race to set up a double for local jockey Darren Andrews. Regular readers of this column (if there are any) will know that I returned from the previous day’s racing at Trebudannon with a profit – well that didn’t last long as my investment in the first here could only finish fourth.
Darren Andrews went on to partner a longer priced winner when Mountain Cliché (25-1) won the Restricted after his nearest rival Guerrilla Tactics ( 2-1) had fallen at the last when disputing the lead.
Theatre Evening was nibbled at from 12’s to 10’s before giving jockey Tom Bishop his first winner for three years in the Confined. The money for placed horses Little Cornham (7-2 to 3’s) and Will Biddick’s mount Champagne Rosie (6-4 to 5-4) went into the layers satchels.
Favourite backers picked themselves up with Posh Totty (4-6 to evens); Tom Barton (solid 5-4 ) and MinellaFifty (4-5 to 5-4).
Posh Totty is a most consistent mare and made virtually all to hold The Wealerdealer (3’s to 6-4) in the Mixed Open.
The Sally Alner trained Tom Barton caught the eye in the parade ring before bidding for his fourth win of the season in the Intermediate. He only thrust his head in front in the last few strides though in a blanket finish with Doyen Dynamo (3’s to 5-2) and Peterbrown (9-2 to 4’s). The form looks solid.
Minella Fifty had 11 opponents in the Novice Riders’, but at the business end only Top Chief (7’s to 8’s) offered any resistance before going down by a length. Taylor Pook returned from injury to ride the winner, and 18-year-old Christopher Barber shaped well on the runner up. Minella Fifty has done well for Exmoor trainer Claire Hitch, who seems to have found the key to a horse who once changed hands for £150,000 a few years ago after winning an Irish point. The gelding failed to win a race in the famous green and gold colours of his previous owner.
I am not too familiar with Spanish flat form, but Broadway Blueshirt’s fourth in a Mijas all weather event as a three-year-old looks fairly moderate. His first three runs in English points this season were definitely moderate, but two recent placed efforts gave notice of ability. The Spanish bred gelding was backed from 8’s to 5-2 and rewarded his supporters under Liverpool born Saul Woods in the first Maiden.
The concluding Maiden also went to a well backed horse in the shape of Jonimo (5’s to 3’s). After a quiet seasonal debut at Black Forest Lodge Jonimo ran well at Ston Easton, and only had to stand on his feet to win here under Sean Houlihan, as only three of the nine runners finished.
Blue sky all afternoon at Trebudannon for this re-arranged meeting– not exactly warm but very pleasant. Good to soft going with a heavy patch causing the first fence to be omitted.
Reliable Richie
(4-7 – 8-11fav) was no match for Betty’s Boy (7-4 to 5-4) in the opening Hunt race. A bad mistake at the fifth did not help matters for the favourite, and Betty’s Boy had the race won rounding the final bend to initiate a treble for Will Biddick.
Touch Screen
had been chasing Betty’s Boy home at Buckfastleigh last month when falling at the last, and was backed from 10’s to 5’s to upset much vaunted newcomer The Happy Chappy (4-6 to 6-4)- a first runner at Trebudannon for champion trainer Jack Barber in the two and a half miles Maiden. Biddick had little cause for concern on five-year-old The Happy Chappy, who quickened readily approaching the last to beat Touch Screen by five lengths. The winner is a fine prospect for Graham Roach, by Flemensfirth out of a winning dam. He cost 130,000 euros as a three-year-old at Fairyhouse.
Biddick’s other winner,
Rouge Devils (8-13 – 4-7), bore a Manchester United name tag and wore Sir Alex Ferguson’s colours. The Scorpion five-year-old also hails from the Barber yard and was not hard pressed to land the odds.
It was good to see
Master Baker (5-6 to 4-5) jump very well to win the match for the Ladies’ Open after his crashing fall at Great Trethew. He has now won five times this season and remains with ample potential.
Jepeck
also traded at odds-on (1-2 / 4-7) before a convincing success in the grandly titled Cornish National for Kayley Woollacott’s Rose Ash yard. The Westerner gelding improves with each race and was scoring for the fourth successive time this season.
Le Clo De La Londe
(7-2 to 3’s) had initiated a double for Kayley Woollacott and jockey Jamie Thomas in the Confined. Jimmy Cole’s Strong Conviction (10s to 14’s) put up a bold bid to steal the race from the third last, but this former flat winner had no answer to the rallying winner from the final fence.
I kept my powder dry for betting purposes until the last race when
Back In June (solid 3’s) earned the diesel money. It was touch and go however as Tetralogy (8’s to 5’s) matched strides all the way to the line. A strong, lengthy gelding, Back In June is trained by Karyn Heard and cost £7,500 at Ascot sales last summer. The winner was second in the Mandarin chase at Newbury just over a year ago, so he was entitled to win a Cornish Maiden.
‘Good’- watering has commenced today to ensure it will ‘good’ safe jumping ground on the day.
As a precaution Flete Park have replaced all sand crossings and run through’s & All bends have been moved.
– Claire Wonnacott, Hon. sec.
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.
Mondays meeting will round off the weekend nicely when the Stevenstone host their day at Vauterhill, High Bickington with a start time of 2pm and seven race card. Over eighty entries have been received.The feature race of the day looks to be the County Garage-sponsored Mixed Open race where recent Newton Abbot Hunter Chase winner Steeltown could score here again for trainer Kayley Woollacott. Top Chief from the Stuart Sampson team could be his main challenger, having run well in second behind Minella Fifty at last weekends Axe Vale meeting.
In the opening Lomas Helicopters-sponsored Members race the Jill Dennis-trained Indiana Bay has won five of his ten starts to date also a Hunter Chase at Newton Abbot to add to his CV and must be respected on that form, he does hold a ticket to Cheltenham this week and connections may prefer to run him there. Cinevator for trainer/jockey Ella Pickard took the confined at Kilworthy and will hope to defy top weight to challenge here.
Last weekends Trebudannon winner Back In June from the Karyn Heard yard could progress and turn out for a quick double and take the Ro Ro Timber-sponsored Restricted race. High Priority from the Keith Cumings yard had shown some decent form last season and look to need the run at Flete when pulling up before the last fence.
The Kivells-sponsored Confined race could go the way of another Woollacott team runner with Great Trethew Intermediate winner Devon General and previous course winner here Pasternak Jack both holding entries. Commanche Conflict is another who could figure having won at Black Forest Lodge in February and was a close fifth at last weekends Axe Vale meeting for the Alice Plume team.
Jockey Jo Buck looks to have the ride on Follow The Paint who could be one of the favourites in the Wades-sponsored Intermediate race. The outside raider Get Off My Cloud has won two of his six starts this season and looked to have a sure hat-trick at Andoversford before unseating his rider Laura Scott close home.
In the Brewer, Harding and Rowe-sponsored Open Maiden race for four,five and six year old’s the Michael Sweetland entry Crackon Pop struggled to win a race last season, but battled on gamely at Flete finishing a neck second to Trehan Cross. Troubleshot out of the Robert Chanin yard could appreciate the drying ground and improve on his place form at the Wadebridge meetings. The Reuben Chapman-trained The Grey Celt is another to have shown form when three lengths second at Kilworthy and third in a Hunter Chase at Newton Abbot.
Gold Relief could give the Sweetland team a potential double on the day if winning the Jockey Club Open Maiden race for mares and fillies having shown promise when a neck second to Vila Cova at the recent Cherrybrook meeting.
On course facilities are hot food, refreshments, bar, bookies and trade stands. Entrance to the course is £10 per person, up to a maximum of £30 per car, children under 16 free. Course is located at High Bickington signed from A377, A3124 and B3217 Postcode EX37 9BT
Another bumper weekend of Point-to-Point horse racing is on offer in the Devon & Cornwall Area this weekend with the Modbury Harriers meeting at Flete Park on Saturday April 30th followed by the Stevenstone meeting at Vauterhill High Bickington on Monday May 2nd.
The stage is set for another cracking days racing at the popular track of Flete Park near Ermington next Saturday April 30th. Pony racing heads up the action at 1pm with the main seven race card starting at 2pm.
First up is the Savills sponsored Open Maiden race in which the Michael Sweetland-trained Crackon Pop could follow up on his second at the Dartmoor meeting here two weeks ago, along with the Ed Walker-trained L’ane Fou being another suggestion having run well recently clocking up two seconds and runner up in this race last season.
Syracuses Dream will hold the hopes for the Treneer family in the Subaru Restricted race, to follow up on his win at Great Trethew under jockey Barnaby Treneer, the horse tries hard and the shorter distance should suit. Tempestatefloresco is another to consider having shown some decent place form this season for the Tickle team.
The Tropic Breeze-sponsored Ladies Open race could go to one of the outside raider Blazing Buck, a winner six times under rules he could follow up on his win at Howick under jockey Hannah Lewis. The local young ladies will put up a good challenge with Pippa Glanville aboard the Dartmoor meeting winner Trehan Cross, Tomi Eyston on Great Trethew winner Ladyvie and Bryony Frost who could get the leg up on Bellflower Boy a previous Ladies Open winner here.
The Men’s Open looks a competitive affair with prolific winning Blazing Whale entered from the Ed Walker team, Emma Olivers’s Hunter Chase winner Double Bank who also holds a ticket to Cheltenham this week and recent course winner Welstonedruid for the Robert Chanin team among the entries. This race has been sponsored by Totnes & Bridgetown Company.
Mic’s Delight is a suggestion for the Brewin Dolphin-sponsored Countryside Alliance Club Members race for Novice riders race where local Vet Jenny Davenport could score again if the ground stays soft, with The Dapper Fox looking to be in the mix after his win here at the previous meeting when ridden by his owner/trainer jockey Jack Veysey.
The Open Maiden 2 mile 4f race for four, five and six-year old’s then follows in which there are several promising youngsters seeking their first win, suggestions would be the Ed Walker-trained L’ane Fou if not competing in the earlier maiden, and Silver Bear for the Frost team who has a four year old weight allowance. This race has been sponsored by Stanley Carpets.
Finally in the Meadowside & St Francis Care Centre-sponsored Confined race the Scorpion sired Sucker Punch for the Ed Walker team catches the eye having won here impressively at the Dartmoor meeting, when jockey Josh Newman rode a good finish to take the race by a neck ahead of second place Athreeothree. Minella Ranger ran well here at the last meeting before pulling up close home and could go well for the Gordon Chambers team.
To close the day’s event there is a charity Clydesdale race, sponsored by Marchand Pettit, which is in aid of Devon Air Ambulance. The course offers a fabulous day out for all the family set in stunning parkland providing an ideal picnic venue. On course facilities include track side parking, hot food and refreshments, bar, bookies and a host of trade stands.
Entrance is £10 per person up to a maximum of £30 per car. Children under 16 free. Dogs on leads welcome. Course is located at Ermington nr Ivybridge Postcode PL21 9LX
April 26, 2016 – The curtain comes down on Exeter’s season next Tuesday when the winner of the prestigious intermediate point-to-point final will be crowned.
Eight qualifying races took place across the Devon and Cornwall point-to-point area and all 45 horses horses that came under starters’ orders are qualified to participate in Tuesday’s grand finale.
The series started at Black Forest Lodge in November. That day the imposing grey Argentato made all under 17-year-old Jordan Nailor who comes from Moreton In the Marsh and works for jumps trainer Charlie Longsford.
At the Tiverton meeting at Chipley Park David Gibbs saddled the consistent mare My Coranna to win for owner Claire Sheriff with his son Bradley on board.
Robin De Souza was the winner at the Western meeting held at Wadebridge with Darren Edwards in the saddle and the intermediate final has been the season-long target for the Dean Summersby-trained six-year-old.
Jo Buck rode the first of her brace of intermediate winners at Ottery St Mary where the Leslie Jefford-trained Master Baker romped home by 20 lengths.
Jo also scored on Its All or Nothing for owner Rob White and trainer Charlotte Rowe at the Spooners and West Dartmoor meeting at Cherrybrook. Charlotte trains the winner at Tedburn St Mary for owner Rob White, who runs the Blacksmith’s Arms pub at Lamerton.
Josh Newman, who is based at Ali Stronge’s yard near Hungerford, won on Sea Bear at Buckfastleigh and at Great Trethew the Kayley Woollacott-trained Devon General won for owners Ruth and Jonn Burow.
John Mathias rode a patient race on Winter Soldier at Kilworthy sending his mount clear up the final hill. Ces Mitford-Slade trains the home bred gelding for himself and joint owner Lucy Fielding-Johnson at their Pontispool Equine Sports Centre at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton.
Exeter’s General Manager Dan Thompson said: “The racecourse is really pleased to support point-to-pointing which has a terrific following in the Westcountry. The series gives people a chance to get their foot in the door and give hunter chasing a go.” He added: “Our finale is always a really great evening and a lot of point-to-point people come along to cheer on the horses they know and love. Live music after racing will add to the atmosphere.”
Area chairman Gordon Chambers said: “We are so thrilled and pleased to have the continuing support of the racecourse and its fitting that the grand finale takes place at the racecourse’s final meeting of the season.”
The first of six races gets under starters orders at 5.45pm with the intermediate final the fifth race on the card. A free bus to the racecourse leaves Exeter St Davids at 4.05pm and Exeter Bus and Coach Station at 4.20pm and returns 30 minutes after the last race.
Entries for The Wonford Inn, Exeter Intermediate Hunters Chase (Series Final)
Exeter Racecourse is offering point-to-point enthusiasts an exclusive discount to its finale of the season on Tuesday May 3 when the final of the intermediate series will be held.
2 for 1 pre-booked ticket offer on G&P and Premier tickets. Promo code: devonp2p Max 4 tickets per customer
Exeter Racecourse Intermediate Final Roll Call of Winners
Tuesday May 5, 2015 The Wealerdealer (I Chanin) 11/4 Mr I Chanin
Tuesday May 6 2014 Bradley Brook (N Martin) 3/1 D Edwards
Tuesday May 7 2013 King of Alcatraz (RC Smith) 7/4 Miss V Wade
Tuesday May 8, 2012 Kirkleigh (R B CHanin) 6/1 Mr I Chanin
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 Arbour Hill (Mr H Wilson) 11/4 Mr Mark Wall
Tuesday May 4, 2010 Glacial Call (Mrs Nikki Frost) 7/2 Mr R Hawkins
Tuesday May 5, 2009 2009 King’s Wood (Ashley Farrant) 11/4 Darren Edwards
About Exeter Racecourse
Exeter Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2012: £142.1m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2012: 1.8m), total prize money (2012: £35.3m), contribution to prize money (2012: £16.5m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket and Lambourn; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing’s people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
22-YEAR-OLD jockey Darren Andrews achieved the first double of his career at the action packed Axe Vale Harriers meeting on good going at Stafford Cross.
Overafrica drew clear on the long run in to set the ball rolling in the Hunt race. The 10-year-old, whose last winning form was two years ago, was bought at Ascot sales last July and evidently appreciates good ground. “We put blinkers on him today. He is my fifth career winner and is trained by my girl friend Lauren Reed near the course at Seaton.” reported the successful jockey.
Overafrica was returned at 20-1, but Mountain Cliché, the second leg of the jockey’s double, was even bigger at 25-1. The winner was being challenged by Guerrilla Tactics when the latter fell at the last, and eventually got home by a short head from the fast finishing Vila Cova. Owned by Jacqui Dawe and trained by her husband Nick, the nine-year-old is likely to be aimed at the Subaru Restricted Series Final at Stratford next month.
Tom Bishop was another happy jockey, partnering his first winner for three years when his mother’s Theatre Evening scored in a tight finish to the Confined. “We got him from Fergal O’Brien three years ago and he is our monkey,” laughed the 32-year-old jockey. “He usually has a pony companion but we didn’t bring him today. I work away in construction project management and mother (Frances) deserves the praise, along with Poppy Skipper who helps by riding out,” added the rider.
The consistent Midnight Legend mare Posh Totty scored for the fourth time this season when making much of the running to win the Mixed Open. “She is a fun little mare and we keep her sweet,” said trainer Jack Barber who was adding to his Trebudannon double on the previous day. Will Biddick partnered Posh Totty and narrowly missed out on his double when Doyen Dynamo was caught close home by Tom Barton in the Intermediate. The Sally Alner trained winner, ridden by Stan Sheppard, was achieving his seasonal hat trick and looks a fine prospect.
The 12-runner Novice Rider’s race developed into a battle between the favourite Minella Fifty (Taylor Pook), and Top Chief (Christopher Barber), with the former just holding on. Taylor Pook was returning from a rib injury to partner the winner for the Claire Hitch yard.
Saul Woods rode the first winner of his career when Broadway Blueshirt took the first Maiden division – possibly the first Spanish registered horse to win an English point-to-point. The 17-year-old Liverpool born jockey is another progeny of the Philip Hobbs academy. Broadway Blueshirt is trained by Kate Legg at Somerton.
Jonimo had run well at Ston Easton last month, and the seven-year-old Alflora gelding was nicely backed before landing the other Maiden division to give Sean Houlihan his sixth winner of the season.
A treble for four times champion jockey Will Biddick was the highlight of the Four Burrow meeting in bright sunshine at Trebudannon.
The rider is in top form and looks well set for a fifth successive National title. Biddick started the day with an easy win on Betty’s Boy in the Hunt race. The winner’s owner and breeder Ross Oliver recalled that the Cornish born jockey had ridden his first ever winner in his colours virtually 12 years ago to the day on Let’s Fly at the Axe Vale.
Ed Walker had saddled Betty’s Boy, but Jack Barber’s powerful yard supplied both The Happy Chappy and Rouge Devils to complete the rider’s treble.
Five-year-old The Happy Chappy made an impressive winning debut in the two and a half miles Maiden. His owner Graham Roach had chosen to attend his local course in preference to Sandown Park, where Just A Par, who he jointly owns and runs in his familiar colours, had just failed narrowly to win the £150,000 feature race there.“We bought The Happy Chappy at the Derby sales (Fairyhouse) as a three-year-old. He is a promising sort and is likely to run again in points for further experience,” said the owner, whose young horse had just earned £200 and a trophy for his first time efforts.
Rouge Devils completed the Barber training double. Starting odds-on in the Restricted, he was not hard pressed to follow up his Mendip Maiden success. The Scorpion five-year-old carried the colours of one of his four joint owners, Sir Alex Ferguson, and appears to carry the French version of the old Manchester United nick name of red devils. “He travelled nicely, switched off and jumped well,” commented the young trainer, who also had cause for celebration thanks to his engagement to Jade Walters a couple of days earlier.
Jo Buck is in pole position to regain her Devon & Cornwall lady jockeys’ area title and extended her lead when Master Baker defeated his sole opponent Ray Diamond in the Ladies’ Open. After four impressive successes this season, Master Baker had taken a nasty fall at Great Trethew, but jumped impeccably here. “That fall didn’t faze him,” said his Payhembury based trainer Leslie Jefford. “We took our time building up with plenty of ground work over poles and he was never worried at all. The Exeter Intermediate Final is a possibility,” added the trainer.
The Kayley Woollacott yard also achieved a double: John Pike’s progressive Jepeck scored for the fourth time this season when relishing the three and a half miles trip to win the Cornish National under Jamie Thomas. “We will put him away now unless it rains – he is a hunter chase prospect for next season,” said Kayley.
The same jockey had earlier landed the Confined on Le Clo De La Londe. Owned by John and Sonia Gardener, this previous course winner is currently on the market for sale. He jumped well and ran on strongly to head Strong Conviction on the run in. “He is one of the best jumpers we have and keeps finding,” commented the trainer.
The three miles Open Maiden produced the closest finish of the day when Back In June just held Tetralogy after the paid had raced neck and neck from the last fence. Karyn Heard handles the winner for a local syndicate. Bought at Ascot sales last July, the strong, lengthy gelding was partnered by Jake Bament.
Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Secretaries Association – the official area website
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