Awards in accordance with p45 of The Planner 2020/21
LEADING LADY RIDER
J G Kellock Memorial Challenge Trophy
Chloe Emsley
Ladies Open winner Board Of Trade ridden by Chloe Emsley (left) in a hard-fought battle with Southfield Theatre ridden by Lily Bradstock
LEADING GENTLEMAN RIDER
Peter Pearn Memorial Challenge Cup
Darren Edwards
Four Burrow Point-To-Point. Conditions race winner Port O’Clock, ridden by Darren Edwards. From Trebudannon on 24th April 2021.
LEADING NOVICE RIDERS:
LADY
Charlotte Summersby
Four Burrow Point-To-Point. RoR & The Jockey Club conditions race winner Eric The Third, ridden by Charlotte Summersby. From Trebudannon on 24th April 2021.
GENTLEMAN
Conor Houlihan
LEADING TRAINER: MORE THAN FIVE HORSES
Dean Summersby
FIVE HORSES OR LESS
H J Widdicombe Memorial Challenge Trophy
John Heard
LEADING OWNER
G K Probert Perpetual Challenge Cup
Not So Innocent Partnership
OWNER / RIDER MOST POINTS ONE HORSE
Silver Ransome Perpetual Challenge Cup
Holly-Anne Drowne – Quinto
Holly Anne-Drowne riding Quinto at the 2021 Eggesford point-to-point
LEADING VETERAN RIDER
Orchard Perpetual Challenge Cup
Darren Edwards
OWNER OF LEADING HORSE
Axminster Carpets Perpetual Challenge Cup
Not So Innocent Partnership – Where’s Wilma
Race 2: Intermediate winner Where’s Wilma, ridden by Matt Hampton, jumping the last
OWNER OF LEADING NOVICE HORSE
Little Vanity Perpetual Challenge Cup
Dean Summersby, Rita Underhill & Ruth Burrow – Party Tunes
Four Burrow Point-To-Point
OWNER OF LEADING MARE
Cornish Princess Perpetual Challenge Cup
Not So Innocent Partnership – Where’s Wilma
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
OWNER OF LEADING VETERAN HORSE (12 YEARS & OVER)
Anjuba Perpetual Challenge Trophy
Emma Summersby, N Banks, T Hughes, Belinda Fuller – Honest Deed
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
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
HUNT (SPONSORS RSM BEARES & BRIAN THORNE & SON), MRS H M WALEY-COHEN CUP
The Mulcair (Finn Muirhead) 13-8 alwys prom, effort three out, led last, stayed on well
Hadmeathello (Chloe Emsley) 1-2 fav witrh ldrs, led four out til headed last, no extra flat
Darsi’s Pass (Mervyn Woodward) 25-1 hdwy 15th, outpaced two out
5 ran; 4l; 18l; 6m 5s
RESTRICTED (MR D WALLACE, ROSETTES DIRECT), GUY JACKSON MEMORIAL TROPHY
Florrie Webb (Conor Houlihan) 4-1 jt fav led / disp 12th til left clear two out, stayed on well
Forty Acres (George Hiscock) 5-1 held up, good late hdwy, kept on flat
Minella Beag (Chloe Emsley) 5-1 held up, some hdwy two out, kept on one pace
11 ran; 5l; neck; 5m 53s
LADIES’ OPEN (BRAY LEINO), C B B SMITH-BINGHAM CUP
Moscow Prices (Lucy Mager) 11-8 well in touch, effort two out, led & soon clear after last
Inch Rock (Chloe Emsley) 6-1 prom, slt lead 13th til headed after last
Mahler Style (Ella Orttewell) 11-2 led / disp til 13th, wknd two out
5 ran; 7l; 2l; 5m 52s
MEN’S OPEN (MOORE SCARROTT) CAPT TIM FORSTER MEMORIAL CUP
Los Alamos (James King) 11-4 in touch, went 2nd tenth, led apprg last, soon clear
River Myth (Darren Andrews) 8-13 fav led 6th til apprg last, eased when beaten flat
Mister Dick (Conor Houlihan) 6-1 led til 5th, lost touch three out
4 ran; 15l; 15l; 6m 2s
CONDITIONS 8 year olds & over, DONNA KINGDON MEMORIAL CUP
DIV 1 (THE KINGDON FAMILY)
1 dh. Bridge of Spies (Conor Houlihan) 6-1 good hdwy 14th, effort last, strong run flat, battled on gamely to dead heat
1 dh. Where’s Wilma (Matt Hampton) 9-4 fav midfield, hdwy 13th, went 4th three out, effort last, slight lead 100 yards out, stayed on gamely to dead heat
3. Crown of Thorns (Martin McIntyre) 3-1 prom, led 12th, disp two out til headed after last, no extra flat
9 ran; dead heat; 5l;
DIV 2 (TOTNES & BRIDGETOWN RACES COMPANY)
Blairs Cove (James King) 2-1 made all, clear two out, ridden out
Rolling Dylan (Isaac Buncle) 7-4 mstk 12th, chased ldrs three out, went 2nd flat
Broughton’s Rhythm (Fionn Summers) 12-1 well in touch, every chance three out, kept on one pace flat
7 ran; 4l; 10l; 5m 49s
OPEN MAIDEN (TOTNES & BRIDGETOWN RACES COMPANY), C C J SIMMONDS CUP
Best to Come (Conor Houlihan) 4-1 held up, hdwy 15th, went 2nd next, led after last, dvn clear flat
Golly It’s Molly (Jake Bament) 20-1 alwys prom, led two out til after last, kept on
Cuzzicombe (Vinny Webster) 7-1 held up, hdwy two out, nearest at finish
There was more of a real point-to-pointing atmosphere at Bratton Down for the Dulverton West meeting on Monday with the crowds returning on a very pleasant evening.
Eight familiar looking Devon & Cornwall bookmakers signalled a hint of normality, but sadly Mike Bolitho was not amongst them. Mike, whose board always showed fair odds, traded under the banner of his late father Roy, but had sadly died a few days ago. He had stood last weekend at the Eggesford’s Upcott Cross meeting with two of his colleagues. Sincere condolences go to Mike’s partner, family and friends from all pointing colleagues.
Edabean (5-4 to evens fav) was a surprisingly short price in the opening Restricted, considering that she had only won a Mares race. Maybe it was due to the in-form connections. To be fair, she didn’t get the best of runs in some scrimmaging up the hill before finishing fourth. The eventual winner Dancing Dave (solid 3’s) was only fifth jumping the last, but stayed on really well on the inside under a good Chloe Emsley ride. The runner up was 20-1 outsider Eole D’un Regard who last won two years ago. He had shown little since, but ran really well here under young Barnaby Treneer. Minella Beag (6’s to 7’s), from the Ed Walker yard, like the winner, came from the back to finish third. He had been running under rules and warrants a look next time.
It was time to get my wallet out in the 12-runner Maiden. Leslie Jefford’s Businessman (13-2) has been on my watch list for some time and looked real each way value. He led everywhere except where it matters as Jimmy Snipe (33-1) stuck his head in front on the line to win by a “nose” (not an official point-to-point distance- should be a short head). The winner, completing for the first time after three runs, is out of the prolific Sea Snipe (won 17 points) and was the first training success for Joe Tickle’s partner Danielle Kenealy. Arctic Milly (9-4 fav) always gets placed and did so again. Nuova Vita was backed from 4’s to 5-2 on the strength of his promising Flete debut, but was never really travelling after an early blunder.
Rolling Dylan (5-2 to 5-4 fav) once had a BHA rating of 143 and now trained by Laura Parker, ran in the colours of the Conditions race sponsor Philip Hobbs, his former trainer. Another useful ex-NH horse Horatio Hornblower (9’s out to 12’s) was making his pointing debut under a stiff penalty and ran well under his novice rider. I missed the 7-2 (returned 5-2) about Minim Mouse and you can guess what happened. Yes, Mini won by a squeak – yet another dreaded “nose” verdict. The runner up Coningsby had no friends in the ring (3’s out to 6’s) but ran up the hill to nearly catch the mouse.
Proven stayer Know the Score (11-10 to 4-5), trained by Leslie Jefford, found the four miles Mixed Open easier than his recent Cheltenham consignment, but was all out under the talented Fly McIntyre to hold Imogen’s Thunder (5’s to 7’s), given a grand ride by Charlie Sprake.
Dr Time (5-4 to 4-6) was all the rage for the 10-runner PPORA race to set up his hat trick under James King, but an early mistake did not help his cause. He was struggling after the ditch allowing the smooth travelling Wotzizname (10’s to 7’s) to hold the running on Skylander (7-2 out to 5’s). The young jockeys on both first and second, Megan Bevan and Otis Morgan, each came out with much credit.
The getting out stakes was a bit more predictable. The Yeats gelding Largy Mountain (5-4 / 6-5 fav), ridden by champion jockey elect James King, completed his English hat trick in good style (he was hopeless in Irish points and has taken time to get his act together), pulling away from French Piece (3’s to 5-2) after the latter had bungled the last. Third place Awesome Tunes (5’s to 4’s) kept jumping to the left but was not disgraced.
Granville Taylor
Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader
“I love your hills and I love your dales, and I love your flocks a-bleating…..”
John Keats, English poet, 1795 – 1821
.AFTER the suspension of point-to-point racing due to COVID, and the need to hold meetings behind closed doors, the Dulverton West fixture welcomed back a crowd of paying enthusiasts, together with a strong line of bookmakers, for their Monday evening fixture at Bratton Down, where the hills and dales are an essential part of the scenery
On an evening when the sun seemed to rise to the occasion by illuminating the Exmoor backcloth, and with a racecourse atmosphere that had been lacking for so long, spectators were treated to some very exciting finishes.
A winner over four miles at Flete Park last month, Know the Score had been dropped in class after his recent Cheltenham hunter chase effort, and started a shade of odds-on when landing the Brends Hotel Mixed Open over an extended four miles.
After racing stride for stride for most of the journey with Imogen’s Thunder, Martin (“Fly”) McIntyre poached a handy lead on Know the Score at the last, but was all out up the stamina sapping final climb to hold the rallying Imogen’s Thunder (Charlie Sprake) by half a length.
“He battled well. We got into a lovely rhythm and I was happy all the way,” reported the jockey, who had walked away from a crunching fall at Edgcote on the previous day.
Leslie Jefford trains the eight-year-old ex-David Pipe inmate for the Angove family and said, “We took him to Cheltenham and it didn’t work out. He is very genuine but not experienced with his fencing yet.”
There was an even closer finish to the 12-runner Mardon Recycling Machinery Maiden which went to Jimmy Snipe by a “nose”. One third of the field were eliminated when a loose horse barged into them on the bottom bend at half way. By this time Businessman was out in front under Darren Edwards, but the seven-year-old could not sustain the gallop and was running on empty at the end only to be caught by 33-1 outsider Jimmy Snipe (Darren Andrews) on the line.
Owned by Lucinda Tylor, the lightly raced winner is from the family of 1988 Grand National hero Rhyme ‘N’ Reason, but came into the race with three non completions from his early season exploits. “We tried a change of tactics today to more front running. He always jumps well but found it challenging and it’s taken a long time with him,” explained Danielle Kenealy, who was saddling her first winner since her partner Joe Tickle took out a full licence.
The judge’s winning verdict of a nose cropped up again in the following Sandhill Racing, PJ Hobbs Conditions race as Minim Mouse (Josh Newman) was adjudged to have held on by that amount as Coningsby charged at her in the dying strides.
Minim Mouse was bred by her owner Gail Dare and is trained by Chloe Newman at Woolminstone near Crewkerne. “We had to treat her for gastric ulcers and it has made a massive difference. She will go on holiday now,” said the trainer. Josh Newman reported, “She really enjoyed it and jumped well but I got there miles too soon.”
Ottery St Mary trainer Ed Walker saddled first and third in the Andrew Maddox Restricted race. The winner Dancing Dave was only fifth jumping the last, but stormed up the hill to give jockey Chloe Emsley her sixth winner of the season in a bunched finish. “I knew he would stay and the hill suited him,” reported the jockey, enjoying her best season. The winner runs in the colours of Stuart Jarrett, whose wife owns third placed Minella Beag.
The gallant Wotzizname stayed on strongly to hold Skylander (Otis Morgan) in the Totnes &Bridgetown PPORA Conditions race for nine-year-olds and over. This was a first winning ride for 17-year-old Megan Bevan who works for the Colin Tizzard yard. The elated young recruit from the pony racing circuit said, “This was my sixth ride and I thought I had a chance when we jumped the open ditch. The pace was very quick and I saved enough energy to get home. He picked up well for me.”
Cranmore based Sarah Gould trains the winner for her family. The 11-year-old gelding was successful under rules in his younger days for Harry Fry’s yard. Wotzizname was nicely backed from 10’s to 7’s but the unplaced odds-on favourite Dr Time, ridden by championship chasing James King, was in trouble after an early mistake.
The King and Francesca Nimmo combination fared better in the concluding James Pryce Tractors Intermediate thanks to the progressive Largy Mountain. Valerie Cockburn’s promising Yeats seven-year-old put six lengths between himself and French Piece (Tommie O’Brien) after the latter had blundered at the last.
Granville Taylor
Devon & Cornwall Point-To-Point Press Officer and PtPRC Race Reader
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