The stipulated spectator ticket allocation of 1,500 was sold out so there was much more of a real pointing atmosphere at Bratton Down.
An array of 10 bookies looking hungry for business lay in wait for the punters, who struck first blow as Dr Rhythm (6-4 to evens fav) atoned for his two recent falls in the Hunt race. Fly McIntyre always looked in control on the jolly, who jumped without blemish this time, and had four lengths in hand of a spirited effort from Broughtons Rhythm (7-1). Dual course winner Lawsons Thorns (10-1) was pulled up but the 12-year-old has earned himself retirement.
Despite the early success for the punters it was about a score draw at the end of the day. I had backed Businessman at 8-1 when he was mugged on the line at the first Bratton meeting, but missed the early 4-1 here so left it ( SP 6-4 fav at the off.) That was a good job because he looked ill at ease on the quicker ground and could only finish fifth. The Teresa Clark trained seven-year-old mare Bennys Miracle was friendless from 4’s to 7’s, but that did not stop her as she scuttled up the hill like a runaway train with four lengths to spare over Mad for Action (14-1) and Top Cliche (20-1).
Largy Mountain (4-6 to 1-2 fav) was bidding for his fourth win in a row in the Intermediate under James King. I had a feeling that Awesome Tunes (6’s to 9-2), whose friends call him Elvis, would raise the Cornish flag here, and he certainly relished going left handed on a quick track. Don’t ask me why I didn’t back him. We punters know the feeling as Darren Edwards steered him round to put Largy Mountain in his place.
It is almost inconceivable that Los Alamos (11-10/ evens) is a point-to-pointer. The highly bred Galileo gelding should be performing at Royal Ascot, but instead he has become a Bratton Down specialist and gave weight and a beating to his nine opponents here. River Myth (5-2 out to 4’s) turned in her usual game effort to chase home the winner, and third placed Eric the Third (6’s touched 8’s) was always in the fighting line.
Moscow Prices (evens out to 7-4) also seems to relish this moorland course and readily followed up last week’s Bratton win. Ridden more positively this time, the consistent 11-year-old travelled well for Lucy Mager and drew away up the hill. Runner up Mahler Style (10’s to 7’s) has been running well but find it hard to win in this class, whilst Wotzizname (2’s to 5-4 fav) could not quite match his recent winning effort and probably found the ground too quick for him.
The final race of the season in the area saw a very fit Warwickshire raider Fan Club Aulmes (uneasy 2-1 fav) step up on his Kingston Blount run to catch front running O’Faolains Lad (11-2) in the home straight. A quite expensive store now with Fran Nimmo, he had won a strong Mollington Maiden and it would be no surprise to see the winner returned to racing under rules. Five-year-old mare Daisy Yeats was a springer in the market for this event (20’s to 7’s). She is nicely bred, was not pushed and is worth a notebook entry for the future.
Well that is it for another season. Between October and June with a lengthy half time break, the Devon & Cornwall area managed to complete 11 of the 25 scheduled fixtures in the area as this best forgotten COVID ravaged season came to a bright conclusion. No fireworks, but a fully fledged rainbow made an appearance after the last race. A big well done to all the organisers, particularly the point-to- point secretaries, who worked miracles in ensuring that their meetings went ahead against all odds.
It was farewell last Sunday to this shortened COVID hit season with just 11 fixtures completed out of the 25 scheduled for the area. Well done to all the organisers who managed to put on meetings amidst all the pressures.
A total of 60 runners lined up for the six races as the Tiverton Staghounds brought down the curtain for the Devon & Cornwall area at Bratton Down. With the closed doors now partly open, all 1,500 tickets had been sold, so the vibrant atmosphere of a decent sized crowd had at last begun a return to normality. The best bet of the day was probably to take a chance with the long queue for Mr Styles farmhouse ice cream.
James King will become Tattersalls champion National point- to -point jockey for the first time this year when the season ends in Oxfordshire next weekend. Five of his 32 winners to date have come at the three late-season Bratton Down fixtures.
A double for King on Sunday was initiated when Los Alamos, in the colours of his uncle Jason Warner, followed up his recent course win in the Men’s Open. The new champion completed his double when Fran Nimmo saddled her 20th winner of the campaign in the 10- runner Totnes & Bridgetown Races Company Restricted.
Los Alamos is by Galileo and showed all the resolution of his illustrious sire by fending off the strong challenges of River Myth and Eric the Third up the punishing final climb. Jason Warner is the Tattersalls National leading owner this year with 14 winners to date, with the possibility of adding more at Kingston Blount on the final weekend.
Apart from his riding prowess, James King has also been busy as a trainer, saddling five winners from a handful of runners this year. He was in the limelight again as a rider when the Fran Nimmo trained Fan Club Aulmes landed the Restricted under a very confident ride. This £32,000 store had a couple of runs for Dan Skelton and was following up his Mollington Maiden win for the Nimmo yard.
Darren Edwards has secured his fourth Devon & Cornwall jockeys championship this year and was successful on his only ride of the day when Awesome Tunes beat the James King ridden Largy Mountain (1-2 favourite) in the Exmoor Hay & StrawLtd Intermediate. “He likes to go left handed and hugs the bales on the bends,” remarked the jockey. The winner was acquired from Ross Oliver and is now owned and trained by Ryan Chapman who said, “We call Elvis. He is a family horse and anybody can ride him. I cantered him on the beach at Mawgan Porth yesterday. He must have good to firm ground.”
11-year-old Moscow Prices took his point-to-point tally into double figures with a typically game performance in the competitive Greenslade Taylor Hunt Ladies’ Open. Owned in partnership by his rider Lucy Mager and Kim Tripp, and trained at Weston-Super-Mare by his rider, Moscow Prices, like the Men’s Open winner Los Alamos, had returned from winning at the Exmoor meeting eight days ago. “I didn’t want to hit the front so early but I could barely hold him and he was hard to pull up afterwards,” said the rider.
Martin (“Fly”) McIntyre came in for the winning ride on Dr Rhythm in the Winston Pincombe Land Rovers Hunt race as Josh Newman had not recovered from injuries sustained in a fall from that horse on this course last weekend. This time the eight-year-old was foot perfect and had too much pace for Broughtons Rhythm in the closing stages. “He just needed a bit of help with his jumping and was absolutely cantering,” said the rider, acknowledging a fine training performance by Keith Cumings.
Bennys Miracle had very few friends in the betting ring, drifting out to 7-1, but that did not stop the lightly raced seven-year-old from beating front running Mad for Action (Abigail Lewis) in the Riverside Caravan Park Open Maiden. Trained on the Quantocks by Teresa Clark for owners Mike and Naomi Roe, Bennys Miracle stormed up the final climb in the hands of Rob Hawker. ”He is a better ground horse who could go summer jumping,” said the trainer, with the jockey adding, “He fell apart in the mud last time. I needed a lead because it is a long way up the hill.”
As the dark clouds rolled in after the last race, and a rainbow straddled the moor, The Devon & Cornwall jockeys awards were presented. Darren Edwards took the Men’s title with Chloe Emsley taking the Lady riders’ award. Conor Houlihan strode away with the male novice award and 17-year-old Charlotte Summersby won the female equivalent.
There was a good line of nine bookies at Bratton Down on the Saturday of the Bank Holiday weekend, and it was also nice to see spectators allowed to return, although limited in number. It was also a relief to get a proper race card at Bratton Down instead of the sheets of paper which are virtually impossible to work with- well done to the organisers.
The Hunt race at Bratton looked a simple puzzle so I piled in on Hadmeathello (try saying it) to justify 1-2/ 4-7. He had impressed me when winning at Dingley but Chloe Emsley never seemed really happy on the beast on this occasion , neither was I. He was well held on the run in by The Mulcair (7-4 to 13-8) giving Blumndell’s schoolboy Finn Muirhead his first winner.
They went 4-1 joint favourites Florrie Webb and Thewinnertakeitall in the 11-runner Maiden. Darren Edwards took a crashing fall from the latter, but Florrie did the job well, setting Conor Houlihan off on his weekend five winner spree. I did some each way thieving on Minella Beag (5-1) who had caught the eye at the previous fixture here. She finished third. The Dartmoor Rose (12’s to 8’s) was nearly brought down at the 10th and this run can be ignored.
Weston-Super-Mare rider/ trainer Lucy Mager is a much under rated jockey and gave Moscow Prices (6-4 to 11-8) a perfect waiting ride to win the Ladies’. If you think I am talking through my pocket, no, I did not have a bet.
The Men’s Open featured a re-match of the Trebudannon Open between the useful mare River Myth and the big imposing gelding Los Alamos (who won that day). It was a bit like Little and Large. River Myth proved an uneasy favourite here (1-2 to 8-13) with Los Alamos clipped in from 3’s to 11-4 to atone for his poor Holnicote run last time. I don’t suppose that Coolmore had Bratton Down in mind when they bred this son of Galileo, but he is a classy pointer, now with leading owner Jason Warner, and readily drew clear up the hill.
The first division of the Conditions race produced the finish of the season. Conor Houlihan on Bridge of Spies (6-1) and Matt Hampton on Where’s Wilma (drifted to 9-4) charged up the hill locked together and were still inseparable at the post. Neither deserved to lose and a dead heat was a fitting result. Crown of Thorns (3-1) ran his usual solid race to finish third and fourth placed Beau Sancy (10’s to 8’s) was well there until the final fence.
Blairs Cove (2-1) made all and won the second division easily under James King, who is about to be crowned National champion jockey for the first time. Runner up Rolling Dylan (2’s to 7-4 fav) had a BHA rating of 143 in his prime, but is not the force he was. He is a fine schoolmaster though.
Darren Edwards took another heavy fall in the getting out stakes as Jimmy Tew (2-1) over jumped at the ninth and brought down Spivey Cove (9-1). Best to Come (3’s to 4’s) came from well off the pace under Conor Houlihan to claim the prize. Runner up Golly its Molly (20-1) showed her first worthwhile form and can only improve further, but Evron (7-2 to 3’s) folded quickly after leading from half way.
Granville Taylor
Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader
Please note these are the entries for the Tiverton Staghounds Point-To-Point. The fixture is open to all zones and will have a crowd limit of 1500 people, it will be live streamed and telephone betting is available, see below for details.
Thursday Morning – The going at Bratton Down is good, good to firm. The course has been moved to fresh ground where necessary.
Monday 31st May 9.00am
Monday Morning – The going at Bratton Down is good. The course will be moved to fresh ground where necessary. The forecast looks promising for this to be maintained.
Friday 28th 8.00am
Friday Morning, after a lovely day the going at Bratton Down is now predominately good, with good to soft in places.
Tiverton Staghounds Spectator tickets
Tickets will be available via the www.pointtopoint.co.uk website, there is a fee of £15 which includes a racecard.
Children under 16 go free but must apply for an e-ticket.
Social distancing still must be adhered to at all times.
Spectator ticket sales close at 6PM on Saturday 5th June
With on site bar, bookies and trade stands, it will be great to get this outdoor event back on track in the beautiful picnic location, which has a back drop view of Exmoor to enjoy.
Postcode for the course is EX31 45G
Tiverton Staghounds Preview extract:
The final meeting of the Devon & Cornwall 2020-2021 Point-to-Point season takes place this coming Sunday when the Tiverton Staghounds stage their meeting at the Bratton Down track, which boasts a stunning backdrop view of Exmoor.
Over 110 entries have been received for the six races on offer, and with 27 entered in the open maiden, this race could well be divided on the day.
Hat’s off to all the trainers together with their teams who have produced these horses in tip top condition, also owners who have stood by these stunning animals during strict Covid lockdown conditions to compete at the course. The action starts at 2pm.
There will be on course facilities bar, food stands, bookies and many trade stands, providing a great day out in the country for all the family. e-tickets can be obtained via visiting https://pointingdc.co.uk. Under 16’s go free but must also apply for a ticket.
Course is located at Bratton Down, Bratton Fleming EX31 4SG
Tiverton Staghounds Live Stream
Live streaming of the races with race commentary and all day presentation with interviews of participants led by former BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght is on offer for the eight Point-To-Point races, with a start time of 2.00pm with the first of the races.
There is a fee of £10 plus a small Eventbrite admin fee to view the race meeting, which is the same cost as if you attended as a spectator, and the sport needs the income from live streaming to ensure its future.
Some bookmakers will be offering a betting service by phoning them and opening up an account.
For those spectators wanting to place a bet, the contact numbers to register are 07711 298746 for Richard Pittard and 07810 775119 for Dave Phillips. The deadline to register for bets at this event is one hour before racing commences.
Tiverton Staghounds Green and Amber zone entry tickets
Participants, officials and Owners (Green Zone), and spectators (Amber Zone) will need to apply for tickets and complete a health declaration to be allowed to enter the course.
The tickets and the latest information required for accessing the course on the day can be obtained from https://www.pointtopoint.co.uk
An up to date form guide and synopsis of the horses entries at this meeting. Form figures for up to 6 outings appear. A dash(-) is used to separate 2019/20 form from 2018/19 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2017/18 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.
The Winston Pincombe Land Rovers-sponsored opening Members race could go the way of Alternative for young Otis Morgan to ride and follow up on their second at Cothelstone. Broughton’s Rythm looks to be another who could run well here and improve on his third at the meeting last weekend for trainer Bronwen Hurley.
The maiden race holds 27 entries and could well be divided on the day. Just some of those having shown promise are Businessman, Craven Bay, Eastern Promise, Honest Opinion and What A Bug.
Whilst the Exmoor Hay and Straw-sponsored Intermediate race could see Imogen’s Thunder reproduce his form from the previous meeting here when running a close second under promising young jockey Charlie Sprake. Another catching the eye is Largy Mountain, having won three on the bounce for the Fran Nimmo team and is an option for leading gentleman jockey James King.
Both the Greenslade Taylor Hunt-sponsored Ladies Open and the Men’s Open races have received top entries from around the country. These include Moscow Prices (Lucy Mager), Board Of Trade (Ed Walker), Fox Valley (Tom Ellis) and Summer Sounds for the Fran Nimmo team, all holding claims in the Ladies race. Whilst in the Men’s Open recent winner Thumb Stone Blues another from the Fran Nimmo team could provide another thrilling battle between him under jockey James King and Chameron for either Jack Andrews or Ben Sutton to ride, With the previous two mentioned also holding entries at the Garthorpe meeting on Saturday, this could leave the race open for Bridge of Spies to follow up on his impressive win at last Saturday’s meeting under top Novice jockey Conor Houlihan.
Both the Greenslade Taylor Hunt-sponsored Ladies Open and the Men’s Open races have received top entries from around the country. These include Moscow Prices (Lucy Mager), Board Of Trade (Ed Walker), Fox Valley (Tom Ellis) and Summer Sounds for the Fran Nimmo team, all holding claims in the Ladies race. Whilst in the Men’s Open recent winner Thumb Stone Blues another from the Fran Nimmo team could provide another thrilling battle between him under jockey James King and Chameron for either Jack Andrews or Ben Sutton to ride, With the previous two mentioned also holding entries at the Garthorpe meeting on Saturday, this could leave the race open for Bridge of Spies to follow up on his impressive win at last Saturday’s meeting under top Novice jockey Conor Houlihan.
Those catching the eye in the Totnes & Bridgetown-sponsored Restricted race are Fan Club Aulmer after his win at Mollington, The Kitchen Mechanic (Teresa Clark) and Lucky Lucarno for the Martin Wanless team.
IT is with regret that we have to relate the death of the well liked and much respected Stewart Pike. Stewart was the breeder, owner and trainer of a number of top class WestCountry point- to- pointers and steeplechasers, particularly during the 1990’s.
Based at Sidbury, Devon, he regularly produced from his mare Roman Lilly the likes of Winters Lane, Synderborough Lad (named after his farm), Proud Sun, Sweatshirt and the mare Front Cover who were all prolific winners.
It was Proud Sun who was the best horse he trained and gave him the most success. Unbeaten in his first four points he was narrowly beaten by What a Hand at Larkhill in February 1995 before then notching up four Hunter Chase victories that season culminating in a triumph in the John Corbet Cup at Stratford when beating the Richard Barber trained Cherrynut. In all of these Hunter Chase victories he was ridden by Mike Felton. Jim Culloty was the rider when Proud Sun triumphed the next season at Stratford, this time in the prestigious Horse and Hound Cup. Seamus Durack took over the reins when he returned to action in 1998 and showed all his class in the race of the season with Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Fantus at Larkhill in January, but sadly that was his swansong as he took a fatal fall on his next outing at Wetherby.
I am lucky enough to count myself as a personal friend. I have a strong recollection of a day over 30 years ago when Stewart, Monique and me travelled from Devon to Leicester races together for a Maiden Hunter Chase with their pointer Sidbury Hill in the trailer. With Jim Wilson in the saddle the horse won at odds of 7-2. That same horse was later placed in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and ran in the Grand National. I think that Stewart thought him a good thing at Leicester !
Stewart and his wife Monique continued to be regular attendees at point to points after he retired from training and they were a very popular couple at both Devon and Cornwall and Wessex meetings until ill health intervened. Sincere condolences are sent to Monique and all of Stewart’s friends and family.
GRANVILLE TAYLOR
Granville Taylor
Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader
The final meeting of the Devon & Cornwall 2020-2021 Point-to-Point season takes place this coming Sunday when the Tiverton Staghounds stage their meeting at the Bratton Down track, which boasts a stunning backdrop view of Exmoor.
Over 110 entries have been received for the six races on offer, and with 27 entered in the open maiden, this race could well be divided on the day.
Both the Greenslade Taylor Hunt-sponsored Ladies Open and the Men’s Open races have received top entries from around the country. These include Moscow Prices (Lucy Mager), Board Of Trade (Ed Walker), Fox Valley (Tom Ellis) and Summer Sounds for the Fran Nimmo team, all holding claims in the Ladies race. Whilst in the Men’s Open recent winner Thumb Stone Blues another from the Fran Nimmo team could provide another thrilling battle between him under jockey James King and Chameron for either Jack Andrews or Ben Sutton to ride, With the previous two mentioned also holding entries at the Garthorpe meeting on Saturday, this could leave the race open for Bridge of Spies to follow up on his impressive win at last Saturday’s meeting under top Novice jockey Conor Houlihan.
The Covid Race tgether with DSSH-sponsored opening Members race could go the way of Alternative for young Otis Morgan to ride and follow up on their second at Cothelstone. Broughton’s Rythm looks to be another who could run well here and improve on his third at the meeting last weekend for trainer Bronwen Hurley.
Those catching the eye in the Totnes & Bridgetown-sponsored Restricted race are Fan Club Aulmer after his win at Mollington, The Kitchen Mechanic (Teresa Clark) and Lucky Lucarno for the Martin Wanless team.
Whilst the Exmoor Hay and Straw-sponsored Intermediate race could see Imogen’s Thunder reproduce his form from the previous meeting here when running a close second under promising young jockey Charlie Sprake. Another catching the eye is Largy Mountain, having won three on the bounce for the Fran Nimmo team and is an option for leading gentleman jockey James King.
The maiden race holds 27 entries and could well be divided on the day. Just some of those having shown promise are Businessman, Craven Bay, Eastern Promise, Honest Opinion and What A Bug. Hat’s off to all the trainers together with their teams who have produced these horses in tip top condition, also owners who have stood by these stunning animals during strict Covid lockdown conditions to compete at the course.
The action starts at 2pm. Tickets can only be obtained prior to the event, via SPECTATOR TICKETS or the Point-to-Point Racing Co website. Children under 16 go free but must apply for ticket online. On course facilities are Bar, bookies hot food and refreshments and trade stands.
There will also be a Tiverton Staghounds live-stream, tickets for which can be bought through eventbrite.
Betting can be accessed by phoning either Richard Pittard 07711298746 or Dave Phillips on 07810775119.
Donna Harris
Best selling Children’s Author Interested in journalism, novel writing. Currently PRO Devon & Cornwall Point to Point.
Conor Houlihan added a double to his Bratton Down treble at the South Tetcott Bank Holiday fixture at Upcott Cross to elevate himself to the nine winner mark and into the lead for the National Novice Riders’ Championship.
The Irishman, who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, began with a hard fought success in the opening Race Hill Garage sponsored Conditions event. His mount Definite Dilemma, trained by his boss Will Biddick, runs in the colours of his father Martin, who was able to watch the action in County Waterford via the popular live streaming. He would have seen Conor shake off Darren Edwards on Party Tunes after a sustained battle in the home straight.
Conditions winner Definite Dilemma, ridden by Conor Houlihan. South Tetcott Point-To-Point at Upcott Cross on 31st May 2021.
photo: Athwenna Irons/WMN
A further success for the Irish jockey followed as Gentleman Farmer made all the running to win the Totnes & Bridgetown Races Company Novice Riders’ Mixed Open. Home bred by Richard Hawker, the lightly raced nine-year-old strolled home to win unchallenged.
Mixed Open for Novice Riders winner Gentleman Farmer, ridden by Conor Houlihan. South Tetcott Point-To-Point at Upcott Cross on 31st May 2021.
photo: Athwenna Irons/WMN
It is not all plain sailing at this game and a fall on Safe Harbour in the FC Cleaning Systems Maiden literally brought Houlihan back down to earth. The winner Bon Calvados proved anything but an armchair ride for Darren Edwards, racing keenly, and hanging and jumping erratically, but reaching the judge with eight lengths to spare over Roc the Boat. A half brother to Saint Calvados, who was narrowly beaten by Min in last year’s Ryanair Chase, Bon Calvados had been placed in a Market Rasen bumper for Olly Murphy, and is now in the care of Alan Hill for the Cross Channel Racing Club.
Edwards himself had been in the wars two days previously at Bratton Down when two heavy falls put his participation for this meeting in doubt. The Devon & Cornwall champion jockey bounced back however in typically determined fashion, and two winners and three seconds from five rides was his reward.
His win on the game veteran Honest Deed in the Simpkins Edwards Mixed Open was particularly apt, since it was announced afterwards that the Dean Summersby trained gelding had gone into honourable retirement after taking his career wins into double figures for his quartet of local owners.
Mixed Open winner Honest Deed, ridden by Darren Edwards. South Tetcott Point-To-Point at Upcott Cross on 31st May 2021.
photo: Athwenna Irons/WMN
16-year-old Beau Morgan gave a polished performance to score on the Matt Hampton trained Twig in the Coodes Solicitors Restricted, beating Darren Edwards on 2-1 favourite Russian Invasion into second place. “This is my second point-to-point winner. I have just left school and plan to ride in Jersey in the summer to gain experience,” said the young rider, who lives near Bath and judging by the cheering had brought his fan club with him to Devon.
Restricted winner Twig (far side), ridden by Beau Morgan. South Tetcott Point-To-Point at Upcott Cross on 31st May 2021.
photo: Athwenna Irons/WMN
It was the turn of Darren Andrews as Elusive Intentions just outstayed the Darren Edwards ridden Honest Opinion in the PRJ Engineering Maiden Conditions race. The winner is trained at Mappowder, near Sturminster Newton, by Harriet Brown for owner Shirley Prideaux who bought the well bred seven -year-old at Tattersalls Ascot sales two years ago.. “He is a big horse and has had a lot of niggles,” explained the trainer who was enjoying her first winner of this truncated season.
Granville Taylor
Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader
“MAY is a pious fraud of the almanac. A ghastly parody of the real Spring”
From Under the Willows by James Russell Lovell , 1819-1891, American poet
I couldn’t agree more Mr Lovell. The month of May is not supposed to be cold and wet in England. Even the Exmoor point-to-point had to be postponed for six days, but at least we finally got some action in front of a crowd enjoying ice cream weather for the second of the traditional three late season fixtures at Bratton Down.
A first time treble for jockey Conor Houlihan, and a double for the champion elect James King were the highlights of the Exmoor fixture on a day when motorway hold -ups caused delays, late arrivals, and in the case of some horse boxes no shows.
Restricted winner Florrie Webb (centre), ridden by Conor Houlihan. Exmoor Point-To-Point at Bratton Down on 29th May 2021
Conor Houlihan is set to land his first Devon & Cornwall Novice riders’ title, and the 23-year-old from Dungarvan, County Waterford, who works in Will Biddick’s Somerset yard, kicked off with a five lengths success on the Biddick trained Florrie Webb in the Rosettes Direct Restricted. With his boss and mentor on crutches after breaking an ankle, the tall Irishman proved an able substitute in the saddle, sending seven-year-old Florrie Webb clear after jumping the last.
A dead heat on Bridge of Spies in the Bielby colours in the first division of the Kingdon family sponsored Conditions race saw Houlihan force his mount up to share the spoils with the favourite Where’s Wilma (Matt Hampton). This pair swooped on Crown of Thorns and Beau Sancy at the foot of the hill and battled it out all the way up the climb to the line. “We were both flat out and happy to share a dead heat,” remarked Matt Hampton.
Conditions (Division 1) winners Bridge Of Spies (centre, blue and purple silks) and Where’s Wilma (far side, blue and maroon silks) who couldn’t be split at the line, with the judge declaring a dead-heat verdict
A chance ride on Tattersalls Leading Owner Jason Warner’s eight-year-old Best to Come rounded off Houlihan’s successful day in the Totnes & Bridgetown Open Maiden. James King handed over this ride due to a sore ankle, but had earlier lifted his season’s tally to 28 thanks to Los Alamos and Blairs Cove.
Los Alamos mastered odds-on favourite River Myth jumping the last in the Moore Scarrott Men’s Open to add to his Trebudannon win. “He got stuck in the mud at Holnicote last time and the drier ground helped here,” reported the jockey.
Men’s Open winner Los Alamos (James King) pulls away from River Myth (Darren Andrews). Exmoor Point-To-Point at Bratton Down on 29th May 2021
photo: Athwenna Irons/WMN
Forcing tactics paid off for King as Jason Warner’s Blairs Cove led all the way to take the Wedgewood Buildings Ltd Conditions Race Division Two at the expense of the favourite Rolling Dylan (Isaac Buncle).
It was a memorable day for 17-year-old Finn Muirhead, who partnered his first point-to-point winner on the Camilla Scott trained The Mulcair in the colours of his father Alex in the RSM Beares & Brian Thorne & Son sponsored Hunt Race. The Mulcair pulled clear of Hadmeathello up the finishing climb under his promising teenage rider, who is a pony racing graduate and nephew of Jamie Osborne, who is currently studying for A levels at Blundell’s School, Tiverton.
Hunt Members winner The Mulcair, ridden by Finn Muirhead. Exmoor Point-To-Point at Bratton Down on 29th May 2021
After her successful ride at Stratford upon Avon on the previous evening, Chloe Emsley, who is looking sure to lift her first Devon & Cornwall ladies’ title this year, had to settle for the runner up spot behind The Mulcair on Hadmeathello in the Hunt Race.
She occupied the same spot on Inch Rock in the Bray Leino Ladies’ Open, where Moscow Prices was a stylish seven lengths winner. Lucy Mager, who shares ownership of 11-year-old Moscow Prices with Kim Tripp, trains the gelding at Weston-Super-Mare. “He was my second winner of the season and we might come back to Bratton next week,” remarked Lucy.
Granville Taylor
Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader
