Monthly Archives: December 2021

Point-To-Point

WE’RE OFF AND RUNNING!

Palace, Puffins, Falcons, Birdies, Oil Painting, Tent Pegging, Golf, Getaways, Stable Visits, Picnics … you’ll find them all and much more in the Livestream Christmas Auction

BIDDING IS NOW LIVE!

Thanks to our amazingly generous supporters we have 50 fantastic lots that will appeal to racing fans far and wide – we’ve got art work, chances to try something new, getaways, days out, yard and gallop visits, point-to-point picnics, racecourse packages, and more besides.

Now it’s over to the bidders so please head over to our jumblebee auction site https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/detail/auction_id/6299where you can see what’s on offer and place your bids!

What you need to know

• Click on a lot to view the full details

• Click “Contact administrator” if you have any questions

• To place a bid you will need to register with jumblebee – it’s quick and easy

• You can place individual bids or use the proxy bid option to enter the maximum you wish to bid for a lot

• If you use proxy bid the system will automatically place bids on your behalf up to the maximum value you have entered

• If two bidders enter the same amount it is the first bid received that will be registered on the system

• Final bids will be on December 29th. Lot 1 will end at 8pm, final bid times for other lots will be staggered through the evening with the final lot ending at 10.27pmso please make sure to check the end time for the lot(s) you are interested in

• Payment will be by cheque or bank transfer – information on how to pay will be sent to winning bidders by email at the end of the auction

• Covid 19 in the event that Covid related issues affect the availability of any lot, we will work with the winning bidder and the pledge donor to suitably adjust the pledge e.g. change available dates

2021-22 Season, betting, Cornwall Hunt Club, Devon & Cornwall Point to Point Association, Granville Taylor, Point-To-Point, Wadebridge

GRANVILLE’S BETTING GOSSIP – CORNWALL CLUB POINT-TO-POINT –  5TH DECEMBER 2021 

IT was almost back to a normal point-to-point on a blustery day on the showground on Sunday: Big crowd, 54 runners, strong line of nine bookies, divided race, good pre-Christmas atmosphere. The only unusual thing was that it kept fine and I backed a few winners.

Moratorium (5-4 into 4-7) was given a very confident ride off the pace by his novice jockey Nathan Green in the opening Conditions event to repeat his Dunsmore success. He got a good run up the rails round the final bend to win easily in the end. The ex-Gigginstown horse couldn’t spell his name on the race card or reveal his age, sex or colour – but that missing information amazingly applied to every horse on the race card. The Roestone (11-2) gave Charlie O’Shea a good spin to finish second, but caught a tartar in the winner.

Safe Harbour (7-2) looked a bit unsafe and soon got rid of Will Biddick in the first divided Maiden. Evron (2’s to 6-4 fav) had run really well behind a certainty at Dunsmore and was given a sympathetic ride by Josh Newman to pop his head in front near the finish. He can win again when upgraded. Runner up Transition Period (solid 3’s) spoilt his chance with some novicey jumping. His shrewd yard will soon have him winning. Hillbilly Filly (14-1) will do better in time and Ballynaglogh (8-1) showed ability until getting tired.

Escapeandevade (evens to 4-5) became the third successive winning jolly in the second Maiden section. Tom Malone’s Westerner gelding galloped on relentlessly to win as he liked and looks the type to progress under rules. School For Scandal (20-1) defied his odds to finish runner up on only his second run. By a good sire, he will improve. The mare Honest Opinion (5-2 to 9-4) keeps getting placed, and four-year-old Lighthouse Mill (10’s to 9’s) made a pleasing debut.

So three winners and plenty of spending money for the Christmas market across the barn. Easy game isn’t it? The answer is no because Goldbury (5-2 to 13-8 fav) got no further than the 13th fence before pulling up in the Ladies’. The winner Quite By Chance (9-1) got a good ride from Lauren Reed and has evidently retained his zest after a grand rules career. Nikki Steel showed a willing attitude to finish best of the chasing pack. He did well in his class for Dr Newland under rules and Robert Chanin can get another race out of him.

Sykes (9-4 after a snippet of 4’s) battled on well under Darren Edwards to win the Men’s Open, just fending off Sir Mangan (1-2 to 11-10), whose rider dropped his whip half way up the run in. Singapore Saga (7-1) was a close third and the Midnight Legend mare could prove a shrewd buy out of the Hobbs yard for pointing by John Heard.

There was a lot of money flying about the ring for Pyle Restricted winner Post No Bills (evens to 1-2) in the Intermediate. Some lumpy bets looked sure to be landed as he jumped clear three out, but Biddick had other ideas and got a good run on the rails up the hill on Voie Dans Voie (100-9) to take the prize. Getaway Honey (8’s to 6’s) was travelling well just behind the leaders when pulled up sharply when looking amiss four out.

The Restricted was a formality for Truckers Pass (1-2 to 4-7) who became the fourth winning favourite of the day, giving Will Biddick a treble and his seventh winner of the season. The horses to take out of the race however could be Teresa Clark’s pair of Fountains Chief (10-1) and Bennys Miracle (8-1) who filled the minor places.

Cover Photo Credit: Athwenna Irons/WMN

Granville Taylor
Granville Taylor

Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader

Email Granville


2021-22 Season, Cornwall Hunt Club, Devon & Cornwall Point to Point Association, Granville Taylor, Point-To-Point, Results, Wadebridge

RESULTS – CORNWALL CLUB AT WADEBRIDGE 5 DECEMBER 2021

GOING GOOD TO SOFT, GOOD IN PLACES

(TINKERS CATERING)

1 Moratorium (Nathan Green) 4-7 fav held up, strong run two out, drew clear flat

2 The Roestone (Charlie O’Shea) 11-2 led 12th til headed after last, kept on

3 Trainwreck (Harry Arkright) 8-1 handy, third  after four out, one pace

7 ran, 1l;2l;  6m 3s

OPEN MAIDEN (THE ICE CREAM PARLOUR, PORT  ISAAC)

Division 1

1 Evron (Josh Newman) 6-4 fav  held up in touch, effort two out, led near finish

2 Transition Period (Darren Edwards) 3-1 mistakes, close up 15th ,slight lead last, headed near finish

3 Same Opinion (Darren Andrews )10-1 with ldrs, led 15th, joined last, every chance til wknd flat

8 ran; short head, 2l;  6m 7s

Division 2

1 Escapeandevade (Will Biddick) 4-5 fav made most, jumped well, clear three out, stayed on strongly

2 School For Scandle (Martin McIntyre) 20-1 in touch, chased wnr from four out, kept on

3 Honest Opinion (Darren Edwards) 9-4 well in touch til outpaced three out

9 ran; 3l; 4l;  6m 5s

LADIES’ OPEN (MOORES ST WENN LTD)

1 Quite By Chance (Lauren Reed) 9-1 jumped well, led from 14th, stayed on strongly

2 Nikki Steel (Anna Hylands) 7-1 alwys prom, led 11th to 14th, chased wnr from three out

3 Quinto (Holly-Anne Drowne) 10-1 chased ldrs from 15th, kept on flat

8 ran; 6l; head;  6m 8s

MEN’S OPEN (R & J TREVARTHEN LTD)

1 Sykes (Darren Edwards) 9-4 led 15th, stayed on well, gamely

2 Sir Mangan (Ben Sutton) 9-4 fav effort three out, not reach wnr flat

3 Singapore Saga (Darren Andrews) 7-1 led 4th til 15th, kept on well

5 ran; 1/2l; 1/2l;;6m 5s

INTERMEDIATE (EXETER RACECOURSE)

1 Voie Dans Voie (Will Biddick) 11-1 disputed lead til 15th, close up til driven clear flat

2 Post No Bills (Bradley Gibbs) 1-2 fav disputed lead, led 15th til no extra flat

3 Broadclyst (Conor Houlihan) 11-2 chased leaders, outpaced 15th

8 ran; 1l; 4l;  6m 2s

RESTRICTED (LODGE AND THOMAS)

1 Truckers Pass (Will Biddick) 4-7 fav led from 8th, clear four out v easily, impressive

2 Fountains Chief (Darren Andrews)  10-1 keen hold, chased wnr from 15th, promising

3 Bennys Miracle (Josh Newman) 8-1 midfield, late hdwy, kept on

9 ran; 3l; 4l;;6m 8s

Granville Taylor
Granville Taylor

Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader

Email Granville

Cover Photo Credit: Athwenna Irons/WMN

2021-22 Season, Cornwall Hunt Club, Devon & Cornwall Point to Point Association, Granville Taylor, Point-To-Point, Reports, Wadebridge

REPORT – CORNWALL CLUB POINT-TO-POINT AT WADEBRIDGE  5TH DECEMBER 2021

“Rain and blizzard, sea and spray and one against the other hurled, we struggled round the Greenaway, blessed be St Enodoc…..”

From the poem Trebetherick by Sir John Betjeman, CBE, (1906 – 1984), former Poet Laureate, who lived locally, and is buried in St Enodoc churchyard.   

A healthy total of 54 runners contested the seven races on a blustery day with the wind turbines on the surrounding hills waving furiously at the Cornwall Club fixture at the Royal Cornwall Showground.

On going described as near perfect by jockeys, and before one of the biggest crowds I have seen at Wadebridge, seven times National champion Will Biddick took the riding honours with a treble. The Truro born rider however had an early chance to test the ground when dumped by his mount Safe Harbour at the second fence in the Ice Cream Parlour Port Issac Maiden race which had to be divided on the day.

Seven-year-old Evron  earned some ice cream money in the first Maiden section as Josh Newman eased his mount into the lead close home to deny Transition Period (Darren Edwards). Starting 6-4 favourite, the ex-French gelding is jointly owned by his jockey and Kayley Woollacott, who said, “We will keep him pointing now as he really enjoys it. My sister Steph hunts him and does fun rides with him.”

Will Biddick bounced back to win the second Maiden section in good style as the well backed Escapeandevade strode clear of his eight rivals up the finishing climb. A strong Westerner gelding, the winner is owned and trained by Taunton bloodstock agent Tom Malone, who does what his day job requires by showing his five-year-old off to the best effect on the track. “ I bought him at Goffs after he had run second in an Irish point He is for sale and will make a good staying chaser. There are more and more good English pointers going on to win under rules nowadays,” remarked the successful trainer.

Truckers Pass completed a double for the Malone / Biddick combination with a very easy success in the Lodge and Thomas sponsored Restricted. This time the owner/trainer didn’t need to add any superlatives as his seven-year-old was impressive in holding the challenge of Stratford bumper winner Fountains Chief. He said, “He is a lovely horse, gaining confidence, and can go back under rules on a good mark.”  

Will Biddick had to work harder to take the Exeter Racecouse Intermediate as eight-year-old Voie Dans Voie just got the better of a sustained battle up front with heavily backed LlangeinorPentyrch qualified Post No Bills. The winner had won his Maiden at this corresponding fixture two years ago and is now in the care of Alan Hill, who was busy saddling winners at Charing. Joe Hill was on duty after his four hour journey to Wadebridge and reported, “I am delighted for the owners who have supported dad for years. He had cheek pieces for the first time and his jumping won him the game. He could go for another point-to-point before hunter chasing.”

A double for the Hill stable was narrowly denied in the R & J Trevarthen Ltd Men’s Open, as the useful veteran pointer Sir Mangan, ridden by last season’s Novice Rider champion Ben Sutton, was just held by fellow veteran Sykes in the hands of Darren Edwards. Once rated 147, and a six times winner under rules, Sykes had begun his career with a Maiden point to point victory under today’s rider, and in the same colours on the showground as a five-year-old.  He was described by his jockey as, “very honest”.  Sykes is obviously the apple of owner / trainer Nikki Martin’s eyes. Now based at Withypool on Exmoor, she said, “I am delighted as he has come full circle. He loves his job and leads the babies at home.”

Another formerly useful NH performer Quite By Chance gave Lauren Reed her second career winner with a good round of jumping at the expense of Nikki Steel (Anna Hylands) and Quinto (Holly-Anne Drowne) in the Moores and Wenn Ltd  Ladies’ Open.  Working for the winner’s trainer Stuart Sampson at Culmstock, the successful rider explained, “I rode a winner in 2019 but missed a season with a shoulder injury. It was nice today because my partner Darren (Andrews) is here and missed seeing my first winner”. 12-year-old Quite By Chance, described by his trainer as, “One of the nicest horses I have ever had,”  had gained five chase wins in his time and went close to beating Frodon at Cheltenham in his younger days.

Moratorium followed up his recent Dunsmore success under a very confident ride under 23-year-old Nathan Green. The young rider, looking for his second winner on only his third ride, was content to sit behind his six rivals in the Tinkers Catering Conditions race until unleashing his willing mount up the finishing hill to collar The Roestone. 

I am told that the live streaming coverage of Wadebridge, conducted most professionally by Cornelius Lysaght, was a great bonus for enthusiasts who couldn’t make it to the Cornish track.

Cover Photo Credit: Athwenna Irons/WMN

Granville Taylor
Granville Taylor

Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader

Email Granville

GRANVILLE’S BETTING GOSSIP – MODBURY HARRIERS 16 JAN 2022
After almost two years since the last fixture at Buckfastleigh, it was …
Preview: Tiverton Point-to-Point at Chipley Park on Sunday 23rd January 2022
Westcountry Pointing heads to Chipley Park, where the Tiverton Foxhounds host their …
REPORT: MODBURY HARRIERS POINT-TO-POINT AT BUCKFASTLEIGH ON SUNDAY 16th JANUARY 2022
“Ghosts of men that here have riddenGather at the post unbidden,Waiting till …
RESULTS – MODBURY HARRIERS AT BUCKFASTLEIGH- 16th JANUARY 2022
GOING HEAVY, SOFT IN PLACES; 5th, 12th & 19th fence omitted race …
2021-22 Season, Devon & Cornwall Point to Point Association, Features, Live Stream

A sneak preview of our Christmas Holiday Auction

The Devon and Cornwall Area Livestream Team have been hard at work seeking out “pledges” for the Christmas Holiday Auction. Funds raised will be used to support this season’s Livestream Project.

We’ve had a generous response with pledges coming in from the Area and beyond.

Whilst we’re in the firming up final details of many fantastic lots we thought we’d whet your appetite with an early tip off about some that have been finalised so far.

New Year Challenge – learn something new with our quirkiest pledge so far:

Have a go at “tent pegging” – a two hour coaching session for you and your horse with national tent pegging team trainers Michael and Tina Smith

Irish getaway: two nights’ accommodation for two at the legendary Dunraven Arms, County Limerick Ireland and attend a premier Point to Point nearby

Gallop and yard visits with leading trainers including:

  • Nicky Henderson (Berkshire)
  • Colin Tizzard (Dorset)
  • Dan Skelton (Warwickshire)

An oil painting commission by artist Dave Crocker. Take a look at Dave’s work in this video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AVH4Syw_lM – where you’ll see lots of familiar horses

A bespoke Birdie cartoon created for the winning bidder by racing’s favourite cartoonist Darren “Birdie” Bird visit   https://birdieracinggifts.co.uk  to see examples of Birdie’s cartoons

Talking of Birdies … join Luke Harvey and a mystery racing guest for a round of golf at Naunton Downs Golf Club where Ben Pauling’s six-furlong hill gallop runs in a gap between two holes on the golf course.  A morning visit to Ben’s new, purpose built training facility is also included.  Read more about Ben’s new yard here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/fore-flashing-light-is-fair-way-to-warn-golfers-on-ben-paulings-new-gallop/512080

Coaching and jockey training including:

1-2-1 coaching with jumping guru Yogi Breisner for the winning bidder and their horse at Yogi’s Oxfordshire yard

3 jockey coaching sessions with Rodi Greene

Raceday tickets and hospitality packages including:

Tickets and Directors” Box Hospitality for 4 people at Exeter Racecourse on Intermediate Hunters’ Chase Final Day

Morning on the gallops followed by racing at Wincanton or Exeter with Jane Williams

2 tickets for the Aintree Foxhunters’ Day

You’ll soon be able to find out more information on these and other lots on our Facebook page @PointingDC and on our website www.pointingdc.co.uk We’ll be updating these regularly with auction news between now and Auction Go Live on 19 December when the full catalogue will be viewable here

Bidding will close on 29 December

We’re very grateful to everyone who has offered their support, pledges are still coming in, and we’d be grateful for more. If you’d like to support the auction with a pledge please contact Frank Yeo fyeo.aginvest@gmail.com by 15 December

2021-22 Season, Cornwall Hunt Club, Devon & Cornwall Point to Point Association, Donna Harris, Point-To-Point, Previews, Wadebridge

Preview: Cornwall Club Point-to-Point at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge on Sunday 5th December 2021

The Cornwall Hunt Club hosts the first of two meetings which are scheduled to be held at the Royal Cornwall Show Ground this season, attracting 65 good qualities from around the country, for this Sunday’s event on 5th December. An early start time of 11.30 to make the most of daylight hours, for the six races on offer.

The Tinks Catering-sponsored Conditions race for Veteran and Novice riders opens the days event, with Eric The Third for the John Heard team catching the eye having won at Trebudannon in April, followed up by a spin around Cheltenham in a Hunter Chase in April finishing reasonably well in mid division, he could be a competitive ride for young jockey Lauren Reed. Their main rival looks to be Moratorium, a recent winner at Dunsmore for jockey Nathan Green and trainer Myles Osbourne. Ex Wincanton Chase winner Hit The Highway will be flying the flag for trainer Will Biddick, who is now making his name among winning trainers, and The Roestone is another entry who cannot be left out of the equation having run a creditable second at this track in 2019 for team Chanin.

Dean Summersby has an excellent strike rate with his young horses, and his team have two entries in the Ice Cream Parlour – Port Issac Maiden race which follows. Honest Opinion had gone close on three occasions in second place last season, and should be progressive now. Another of the Summersby team entries is Transition period who stayed on well to run second at Cothelstone under  area champion jockey Darren Edwards. The Summersby team offer much fun for their syndicate members for the young horses normally purchased out of Ireland. Bloodstock agent Tom Malone is another with a fantastic strike rate with his purchases, and his entry Escapeandevade could well follow up on his second place at Castletown in Ireland this October, and be a winning ride for jockey Will Biddick.

Moores of St Wenn sponsor the Ladies open race in which the Alan Hill-trained Back Bar looks to be one of the bookies favourites if making the trip down to the track for the Alan Hill team, hoping his entry can follow-up on Back Bars three career wins between the flags to date. The eye is drawn to Goldbury for the Parker family team, this game mare having previously won at this track and has a mares weight allowance, she should be well fit to figure here with both trainer Laura Jones and rider Natalie Parker working for top National Hunt trainers themselves, being the Hobbs and Nicholls teams. Robin Gundry has Inch Rock entered for jockey Pippa Glanville, and they should be competitive having had a recent run finishing second at the Dunsmore meeting last month.

Sir Mangan for trainer Alan Hill is the highest rated entry in the R & J Trevarthen Men’s Open race, and could prove difficult to beat having won five out of his six outings to date. Although Sir Mangan could have a few young horses snapping at his heels here up the gruelling uphill finish, with entry Bridge Of Spies for the George Beilby team, and jockey Conor Houlihan looking to improve on their recent second at Dunsmore, when carrying top weight, and is a previous track winner here.

The Exeter Racecourse–sponsored Intermediate race is the first of the seasons qualifiers for the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate final Hunter Chase Final in April next year. Post No Bills is the highest rated and could steal this for outside raider Bradley Gibbs to follow-up on their Restricted win in October at Pyle, although this race could be more competitive with his opposition looking to be entry Minim Mouse for the Chloe Newman team to follow up on her Bratton win and carrying her mares weight allowance, which could prove the key up the finishing hill. Cloudy Music for team Summersby is another with a mares weight allowance and could be a winning ride for Charlotte Summersby. Broadclyst would need to defy top weight, but with a canny ride from jockey Conor Houlihan should be close at the finish.

Finally up is the Lodge & Thomas-sponsored Restricted race, in which Truckers Pass for Team Malone and jockey Will Biddick combination will be likely favourites after their impressive Dunsmore win. Trainer Teresa Clark has two entered, Bennys Miracle & Fountain Chief both who will be well respected on their winning form at Bratton Down and Stratford. Dock of The Bay for the Les Jefford team cannot be left out of the equation if turning up here, after his head win at Badbury last month under Martin McIntyre.

The Large covered barn holding all warming facilities for a winters day out in the country. Facilities include hot and cold food and refreshments, bar, bookies and a number of trade stands which ideal for Christmas shopping. Entrance to the Wadebridge course is a bargain at £12 per person, cash payments only on the gate. Children under 16 go free and dogs on leads welcome. For those spectators wishing to view on the television at home, this can be accessed via the eventbrite link on pointingdc.co.uk/Live there is a deal on offer for angels ticket for all of the remaining fixtures in the Devon & Cornwall area, these can be accessed via pointingdc.co.uk/live or Weatherbys Point-to-Point website. The course is located at The Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge Postcode PL27 7JE

Register on Eventbrite
Donna Harris
Donna Harris

Best selling Children’s Author Interested in journalism, novel writing. Currently PRO Devon & Cornwall Point to Point.

Books by DONNA
GRANVILLE’S BETTING GOSSIP – MODBURY HARRIERS 16 JAN 2022
After almost two years since the last fixture at Buckfastleigh, it was …
Preview: Tiverton Point-to-Point at Chipley Park on Sunday 23rd January 2022
Westcountry Pointing heads to Chipley Park, where the Tiverton Foxhounds host their …
REPORT: MODBURY HARRIERS POINT-TO-POINT AT BUCKFASTLEIGH ON SUNDAY 16th JANUARY 2022
“Ghosts of men that here have riddenGather at the post unbidden,Waiting till …
RESULTS – MODBURY HARRIERS AT BUCKFASTLEIGH- 16th JANUARY 2022
GOING HEAVY, SOFT IN PLACES; 5th, 12th & 19th fence omitted race …

Cover Photo Credit: Athwenna Irons/WMN