LEADING GENTLEMAN RIDER Peter Pearn Memorial Trophy
Darren Edwards 118
Will Biddick 117
LEADING NOVICE LADY RIDER A Perpetual Challenge Cup
Millie Wonnacott 39
Thomasina Eyston 10
LEADING NOVICE GENTLEMAN RIDER A Perpetual Challenge Cup
Liam Harrison 17
Nathan Vergne 16
LEADING TRAINER WITH MORE THAN FIVE HORSES A Perpetual Challenge Cup
Dean Summersby 86 points
Ed Walker 54
LEADING TRAINER WITH FIVE HORSES OR LESS HJ Widdicombe Memorial Trophy
Jill Dennis 25 points
John Heard 23
LEADING OWNER GK Probert Perpetual Challenge Cup
The Little Acres Racing Club, 37 points
LEADING OWNER/RIDER MOST POINTS ON ONE HORSE Silver Ransome Perpetual Challenge Cup
Tom Chanin – Ballyhowne 11 points
LEADING VETERAN RIDER (35 & over) Orchard Perpetual Challenge Cup
Jo Supple 30 points
OWNER OF LEADING HORSE Axminster Carpets Perpetual Challenge Cup
Little Acres Racing Club Soul Kaliber 24 points
OWNER OF LEADING NOVICE HORSE Little Vanity Perpetual Challenge Cup
The Little Acres Racing Club – Soul Kaliber 24 points
Minimalistic 15; Three horses with 14 points= Skinflint, Crown of Thorns Banco De Logos
OWNER OF LEADING MARE Cornish Princess Perpetual Challenge Cup
John & Sonia Gardener Cloudy Music 18 points
River Myth 17 points; In Arrears 14 points
OWNER OF LEADING VETERAN HORSE Anjubi Perpetual Challenge Trophy
Mike Biddick There’s No Panic 9 points
Dicky Bob 8 points Mic’s Delights 6 points
OWNER/BREEDER OF LEADING HORSE Seal Marine Perpetual Challenge Trophy
John Heard – Cottage Rose 5 ch m Arvico – Roll on Rose
RIDER GAINING MOST POINTS AT A SINGLE MEETING Prideaux Horse Perpetual Challenge trophy
Darren Edwards 16 points Four Burrow 12th may
RIDER OF WINNER OF LONGEST OFFICIAL SP Devon & Cornwall Bookmakers Perpetual Challenge Trophy
Tom Chanin Ballyhowne 33-1 South Tetcott
WESTERN MORNING NEWS TROPHY
Will Biddick: A season to remember for Will, not only winning his seventh National jockeys title, but also breaking the British record for number of career winners on attaining win number 415 at Upcott Cross on 27th April
The final Point-to-Point of the current season was held last Saturday where the stage was set for a dual between National Gentleman Champion jockey Will Biddick and reigning Area Gentleman Champion Darren Edwards at the Torrington Farmers meeting at Umberleigh. Will Biddick had three rides booked and at the start of the day and was only one point behind Darren, who only had one ride booked.
The going had been changed after heavy rainfall to Good but Holding in the maize field up the hill. This proved challenging for many of the entries, but a dry day was welcomed by the large crowd who gathered to support the finale.
Soul Kaliber & Darren Edwards (c) Megan Cobley Photography 2019
Darren Edwards surged further ahead and sealed his Area Gentleman’s title with a win when his mount Soul Kaliber won the opening Tattersalls Ireland-sponsored Members race for owners The Little Acres Racing Syndicate. Trainer Dean Summersby gave all credit to the jockey “He travels down from Leicester every weekend to ride for us. I’m pleased his wife alows it. We have also had a lot of help from our physio’s Catherine Davis and Claire Morshead.” Soul Kaliber was a bargain buy for team Summersby out of Gigginstown. Dean added “ Eddie O’Leary, who works for Gigginstown said he thought the horse had an engine, but they had lost they keys.”
Will Biddick was unable to bridge the gap. With his mount Tucks Bergin finding conditions too testing, was pulled up before the last in the following Kivells-sponsored Restricted Race. This went the way of locally based trainer Roy Smith’s Baby Sherlock. Having only travelled a few miles could have been a factor for Baby Sherlock, along with a patient ride from young jockey Paul John, who managed to come home the three-length winner. Based at Chilhampton, Roy Smith quoted “He came out of David Pipe’s yard on a recommendation by Vicky Wade, great ride by the jockey Paul who runs his own livery and breaking yard at Winkleigh.”
Ruppera Tom & Will Biddick (c) Megan Cobley Photography 2019
Ruperra Tom did give Will Biddick a great run in the Barum Stud sponsored Intermediate race, to end his season with a win to compliment his regaining the National title, which he has now won for the seventh time. Trained by Mickey Bowen from Fishguard, the horse had survived a five and a half hour journey to compete on ground which wasn’t ideal for him. Owner of Ruperra Tom, Tim Jones explained “ We love this course, both Mickey and I have won here as jockey’s, mine was back in 1988. The horse is my home bred which makes the win even nicer.” Will added “He is a lovely straight forward horse, travelled and jumped well, he picked up after a good jump at the last.”
The Pilton Auctions-sponsored Ladies Open race went to Devon based trainer Les Jefford with his ten-year-old gelding Purple N’ Gold. An ex NH recruit out of David Pipe’s yard, Purple N’Gold clocked up his impressive fifth straight win of the season under 22 year-old jockey Millie Wonnacott, who has now won the area Ladies and Novice Ladies title. She explained “I have many people to thank and these include Tom Scudamore who used to ride him and Jo Supple, who due to injury had to give up her rides on him.” Purple N’ Gold is leased to Lisa Jefford for the Here Comes The Girls Partnership who have had a tremendous season with him.
The Welsh raiders were out in force, with jockey Byron Moorcroft riding two winners on the day, his first in the Baldwins-sponsored Men’s Open. Byron took up the running over the final ditch, on the long odds on favourite Ramble On for trainer Luke Price, to score by ten lengths ahead of Bay To Go. “They went too slow on the first circuit, I had to go on.” explained Byron to owner Kevin Salter. Trainer Luke Price added “ We may keep him Pointing, or go Hunter Chasing, it’s difficult to keep him right and we have pre race bloods done on him regularly.”
The second part of the Moorcroft double came in the Smallridge Bros-sponsored Open Maiden race, when Bryon partnered the Jason Warner trainer favourite Long Mile Road who came home the winner one and-three-quarter lengths ahead of Devon Redway with only two finishers, pleasing punters who had stolen the day from the bookies. Byron is another young jockey who runs his own yard, where he is based in Cowbridge. “ I have to thank both Luke Price and Jason Warner, both whom have got me where I am.” quoted Byron
Going: Good, Holding in maize field up hill
Club Members (Tattersalls Ireland )
1. Soul Kaliber (D. Edwards) 1/2F
2. Ryves Rockey (Miss M Wonnacott) 9/4
3. Le Clo de La Londe (Miss E Watson) 10/1
Time: 6 mins.43.8s
Distances: 7, 8
Winning Trainer: Dean Summersby
Winning Owner: The Little Acres Racing Club
Restricted (Kivells)
1. Baby Sherlock (P. John) 2/1
2. Sweet Lady Jane (B. Moorcroft) 3/1
3. Beau de Table (Miss T Eyston) 28/1
Time: 6mins 52.4s
Distances: 3, 30
Winning Trainer: Roy Smith
Winning Owner: Roy Smith
Men’s Open (Baldwins)
1. Ramble On (B. Moorcroft) 4/9F
2. Bay To Go (J. Armstrong) 20/1
3. Get Rhythm (G. Barfoot-Saunt) 9/2
Time: 6 mins. 50.3s
Distances: 9, 25
Winning Trainer: Luke Price
Winning Owner: Mr Kevin Salter
Ladies Open (Pilton Auctions)
1. Purple N’ Gold (Miss M Wonnacott) 4/11F
2. Mister Dick (Miss L. Mager) 7/2
3 Tiger Sam (Miss H.M. Stevens) 5/1
Time: 7mins 00.3s
Distances: 1, ½
Winning Trainer: Leslie Jefford
Winning Owner: The Here Come The Girls Partnership
Intermediate (The Barum Stud)
Ruppera Tom (Will Biddick) 5/4F
Come On Joey (P.John) 2/1
Syracuse’s Dream (M. Treneer) 9/1
Time: 6mins 39.9s
Distances: 5,8
Winning Trainer: Michael Bowen
Winning Owner: Mr John Rees & Mr Tim Jones
Open Maiden (Smallridge Bros Ltd)
Long Mile Road (B. Moorcroft) 4/5F
Devon Redway (D.Andrews) 5/2
Time: 6mins 48.8s
Distances: 1 ¾
Winning Trainer: Jason Warner
Winning Owner: Mr J.S.Warner
Update from the clerk of the course after last nights rain and showers this morning the going is now good good to soft in places (updated 12:46 Friday 14th June)
Grass has been cut baled and and they’ve all been removed from the course on Wednesday (updated 18:15 Thursday 13th June)
Good going anticipated following significant rainfall over the weekend, and heavy rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday; course will be aggravated if needed (updated 10.30am Monday 10th June)
Good to Firm, some rain this week currently raining heavily. Forecast for rain all week – heavy on Wednesday. Course will be aggravated (updated 12 midday Friday 7th June)
Preview Extract
The grand finale of the current season takes place this coming Saturday 15th June, where the Torrington Farmers stage their meeting at Umberleigh. Six races are on offer with a start time of 2pm. Followed by pony racing action, then the presentation of the national champion jockey’s.
This course has a fabulous atmosphere, with good track side viewing to get close to the action. Many trade stands will be in attendance offering a country show environment. Together with hot and cold locally sourced food and refreshments and a lively beer tent. Bookies will be in attendance offering value bets on the races. Entrance to the course is £10 per person to a max of £40 per car. Children under 16 free. Dogs only on leads welcome. The course is located on A377, 5m SE of Barnstaple – EX37 9EB.
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 2018/19 form from 2017/18 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2016/17 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.
Will Biddick has already won the gentleman’s title, and is neck and neck with Darren Edwards for the area championship. Darren Edwards is currently one point ahead and is booked to ride here on the Dean Summersby-trained Soul Kaliber in the opening Tattersalls Ireland-sponsored Conditions race. They could well follow up on their impressive 12-length win last weekend at Bratton Down when Soul Kaliber delighted his syndicate owners ‘The Little Acres Racing Club’ with their fourth win with him this season. The Les Jefford-trained Ryves Rockey holds an entry and is sure to go well for regular jockey Millie Wonnacott, who has already secured the Ladies area title along with the Lady novice title this season. The combination ran well when taking the Conditions race at Upcott Cross by a length ahead of Cloudy Music last month.
Local trainer Roy Smith has an interesting entry in the Kivells-sponsored Restricted race which follows with Baby Sherlock. He should be well fancied having run well when winning at the Exmoor meeting at Bratton Down under jockey Paul John. This may be a stiffer ask with recent Bratton winner Basher Brian (Byron Moorcroft) and the Getaway-sired gelding Tucks Bergin (Chris Williams) who ran second at the Exmoor Bratton meeting behind Lure des Pres, under the jockey on fire James King, who scored a treble at the Tiverton Staghounds meeting at Bratton last weekend, among the nine entries.
Neither Will Biddick nor Darren Edwards look yet to have a ride in the Men’s Open race which is sponsored by Baldwins Group. Entries in this include Bay To Go for area trainer Pat Armstrong, this veteran gelding is a previous dual Hunter Chase winner, but has yet to get his head in front this season. It looks a competitive race with two of the outside raiders standing out in Little Windsor and Kingston Blount Open winner Ramble On (Luke Price) ran a length second last weekend at Bratton, and another Luke Price entry Matt’s Legacy, who has progressed quickly this season winning three for Byron Moorcroft, although has be quirky.
Ramble On also holds an entry in the Pilton Auctions-sponsored Ladies race with Jodie Hughes booked to ride, they could improve on their length second at last weekends Bratton meeting. However there could be another party for owners ‘The Here Come The Girls Partnership’ if the Les Jefford-trained Purple N’ Gold makes it five straight wins under jockey Millie Wonnacott. Millie has already won the area Ladies title along with the Novice Ladies title, and is sure to be keen to follow up with another good run.
Ryves Rockey holds an entry in the Barum Stud-sponsored Intermediate race if not running in the earlier Conditions race. Either way it could give the soon to be crowned area Ladies Champion, Millie Wonnacott, a double on the day for the Jefford team. Although it looks to be a potentially hot race, with last weekends Bratton Restricted winner Airpur Debois(Gareth Moore) for James King, Holy Water (Luke Price) a dual season winner, Basher Brian(Byron Moorcroft) another Bratton winner, along with Lower Machen winner Ruperra Tom (Michael Bowen) who is another option ride for James King. James could give up either of his booked mounts to his boss Will Biddick as a possible spare ride which could clinch Will the area tittle if it’s a winner.
Finally up to close the season, is the Smallridge Bros-sponsored Open Maiden race. Entry Long Mile Road (Jason Warner) would be a worthy favourite having finished a close short head second at Lower Machen in May. Local entry Devon Redway for Stewart Reddaway wouldn’t have to travel far and could be in the frame if turning up here for jockey Darren Andrews.
The Devon & Cornwall bookies normally provide a strong betting market and the Tiverton Staghounds fixture was well up to standard. There was some entertaining jousting between the layers and the faces on this six-race card with a total of 42 runners.
Lawsons Thorns (8-11 fav touched 4-5) struck the first blow for the followers of the horses for courses theory. Mike Vanstone’s 10-year-old relishes this track and was scoring his third course win in three weeks (with three different jockeys). The useful young mare Cloudy Music (evens from 5-4) was well held after looking dangerous at the penultimate.
Will Biddick’s mount A Mill From Milan was backed from 4-1 to 6-4 fav in the Open Maiden, having run well on her English debut at Cothelstone. She stayed on late to finish third behind Basher Brian (5-2 out to 4’s) and Spring Break (6’s touched 13-2). The basher had shown a bit of form when runner up at the Dulverton West meeting here.
I met a man from Llanfairpwllgwyngyll just before the third race and he told me to plunge on the Welsh nag Holy Water (2-1) ridden by the capable Byron Moorcroft. I couldn’t get any more than 2’s but my Welsh colleague seemed confident and Holy Water looked the part in the parade ring. I had a feeling however that Soul Kaliber (4-5 to 4-7 fav) was the goods, and this ever improving gelding won easily from Holy Water. Dean Summersby has done what Gordon Elliott failed to do with Soul Kaliber (win a race) and I needed more than holy water after that.
Soul Kaliber & Darren Edwards (c) Megan Cobley Photography 2019
Desert Roe (5-4 fav from 7-4) carried Welsh hopes in the Men’s Open and held every chance when falling at the last giving young Jack Tudor a nasty fall. This left Namako (8’s touched 9’s) with a clear lead as my selection Saffron Wells (7-4 out to 9-4) pulled up lame after jumping the last
The next jolly to hit the buffers was Ramble On (6-4 to 11-10 fav), who went on to finish runner up under Jodie Hughes in a decent eight-runner Ladies’ Open. The veteran Beggar’s Velvet (solid 5’s) has struck form with a vengeance lately with wins at Dingley and Garthorpe. His trip down the M5 paid dividends with Amy Cox again in the saddle. There was little in it all the way up the finishing climb with the pair virtually dancing cheek to cheek close to the rails. In the end Beggar’s Velvet just had the call before surviving a stewards inquiry.
I had the misfortune to bump into my friend from that Llanfair thingy place again just before the last. He offered a tip for Seniergues (is that Welsh?). I knew that this horse had beaten Basher Brian previously and was by Midnight Legend so went along with it. We backed him from 5’s to 7-2. You can guess what happened: Seniergues finished a close second to another Welsh horse with a French name, Airpur Desbois, as the shrewder Welsh guys piled in from 6’s to 7-2. Well done James King who completed his first treble.
Fish and chips again for me instead of steak. A lesson learnt: be wary of a Welshman’s tips, especially if you cannot pronounce where he comes from. Nos da nohs da as they say in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.
Upcoming Fixture
Season Finale: Saturday 15th June 2019 Torrington Farmers Chapelton Barton, Umberleigh EX37 9EB 1st Race 2.00pm
The grand finale of the current season takes place this coming Saturday 15th June, where the Torrington Farmers stage their meeting at Umberleigh. Six races are on offer with a start time of 2pm. Followed by pony racing action, then the presentation of the national champion jockey’s.
Will Biddick has already won the gentleman’s title, and is neck and neck with Darren Edwards for the area championship. Darren Edwards is currently one point ahead and is booked to ride here on the Dean Summersby-trained Soul Kaliber in the opening Tattersalls Ireland-sponsored Conditions race. They could well follow up on their impressive 12-length win last weekend at Bratton Down when Soul Kaliber delighted his syndicate owners ‘The Little Acres Racing Club’ with their fourth win with him this season. The Les Jefford-trained Ryves Rockey holds an entry and is sure to go well for regular jockey Millie Wonnacott, who has already secured the Ladies area title along with the Lady novice title this season. The combination ran well when taking the Conditions race at Upcott Cross by a length ahead of Cloudy Music last month.
Local trainer Roy Smith has an interesting entry in the Kivells-sponsored Restricted race which follows with Baby Sherlock. He should be well fancied having run well when winning at the Exmoor meeting at Bratton Down under jockey Paul John. This may be a stiffer ask with recent Bratton winner Basher Brian (Byron Moorcroft) and the Getaway-sired gelding Tucks Bergin (Chris Williams) who ran second at the Exmoor Bratton meeting behind Lure des Pres, under the jockey on fire James King, who scored a treble at the Tiverton Staghounds meeting at Bratton last weekend, among the nine entries.
Neither Will Biddick nor Darren Edwards look yet to have a ride in the Men’s Open race which is sponsored by Baldwins Group. Entries in this include Bay To Go for area trainer Pat Armstrong, this veteran gelding is a previous dual Hunter Chase winner, but has yet to get his head in front this season. It looks a competitive race with two of the outside raiders standing out in Little Windsor and Kingston Blount Open winner Ramble On (Luke Price) ran a length second last weekend at Bratton, and another Luke Price entry Matt’s Legacy, who has progressed quickly this season winning three for Byron Moorcroft, although has be quirky.
Ramble On also holds an entry in the Pilton Auctions-sponsored Ladies race with Jodie Hughes booked to ride, they could improve on their length second at last weekends Bratton meeting. However there could be another party for owners ‘The Here Come The Girls Partnership’ if the Les Jefford-trained Purple N’ Gold makes it five straight wins under jockey Millie Wonnacott. Millie has already won the area Ladies title along with the Novice Ladies title, and is sure to be keen to follow up with another good run.
Ryves Rockey holds an entry in the Barum Stud-sponsored Intermediate race if not running in the earlier Conditions race. Either way it could give the soon to be crowned area Ladies Champion, Millie Wonnacott, a double on the day for the Jefford team. Although it looks to be a potentially hot race, with last weekends Bratton Restricted winner Airpur Debois(Gareth Moore) for James King, Holy Water (Luke Price) a dual season winner, Basher Brian(Byron Moorcroft) another Bratton winner, along with Lower Machen winner Ruperra Tom (Michael Bowen) who is another option ride for James King. James could give up either of his booked mounts to his boss Will Biddick as a possible spare ride which could clinch Will the area tittle if it’s a winner.
Finally up to close the season, is the Smallridge Bros-sponsored Open Maiden race. Entry Long Mile Road (Jason Warner) would be a worthy favourite having finished a close short head second at Lower Machen in May. Local entry Devon Redway for Stewart Reddaway wouldn’t have to travel far and could be in the frame if turning up here for jockey Darren Andrews.
There follows the Area pony racing finals which have been sponsored by Hatchmoor Vet Practice, R & S Ware and Mrs Tia Gillard.
This course has a fabulous atmosphere, with good track side viewing to get close to the action. Many trade stands will be in attendance offering a country show environment. Together with hot and cold locally sourced food and refreshments and a lively beer tent. Bookies will be in attendance offering value bets on the races. Entrance to the course is £10 per person to a max of £40 per car. Children under 16 free. Dogs only on leads welcome. The course is located on A377, 5m SE of Barnstaple – EX37 9EB.
“You never tire of the moor. You cannot think of the wonderful secrets which it contains. It is so vast, and so barren, and so mysterious.”
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 1859-1930
Wet weather had arrived on Exmoor in time to ease the going for the third and final point-to-point of the season at Bratton Down.
A total of 42 runners for the six races at this picturesque venue included the usual quota of late season long distance travellers on a day which featured a first ever riding treble for 23-year-old James King.
The young jockey started the day with a pillar to post success on Lawsons Thorns in the Hunt race sponsored by Winston Pincombe Land Rovers. This gelding, based at the local Rackenford yard of Mike Vanstone, was completing his own personal treble, having won at the previous two Bratton Down fixtures recently. This time, starting odds-on favourite, he had to cope with the useful mare Cloudy Music, recently crowned as the Jockey Club champion mare. Liam Harrison brought the mare to challenge at the penultimate fence, but King’s mount galloped on relentlessly to score by five lengths.
The rider had to work harder on Namako in the Sid Tarr Memorial Men’s Open. The nine-year-old had been running consistently without winning all season. This time Namako made steady progress and was left clear when the favourite Desert Roe fell at the last. “I think I had the beating of him,” reported the winning rider who was wearing the colours of Hugh Jarvis and trainer Alan Hill. Namako was paying a quick return visit to Bratton Down from his trainer’s Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire yard, having finished second in the Exmoor Men’s Open just a week ago.
Desert Roe’s jockey Jack Tudor has had an up and down season. The highly promising 17-year-old suffered a broken leg early in the season, then rode 22 winners to secure two major National novice riders titles (Harley Racing PPORA and Fuller’s), and looks to have ended his season with a broken collar bone sustained in Desert Roe’s fall.
Nothing was stopping James King however as he went on to complete his treble and his 14th pointing winner of the season, as Welsh invaders Airpur Desbois and Seniergues (with Ben Jones stepping in for Jack Tudor) fought out the finish of the nine runner Best Western Tiverton Hotel Restricted. King produced Airpur Desbois to challenge course winner Seniergues at the penultimate and would not be denied on the stiff climb to the judge. “He needs a patient ride, has improved through the season and will be better next year,” was how the delighted rider summed up his Gareth Moore trained winner .
The Riverside Caravan Park Open Maiden winner, Basher Brian, was another return visitor to the track, having finished runner up to Seniergues at the Dulverton West last month. This time Byron Moorcroft had Basher Brian prominent throughout, and just fended off the challenge of Spring Break up the final hill. Ironically James King’s only losing ride of the day came on the Getaway gelding Spring Break, who is from the yard of his employer Will Biddick.
Byron Moorcroft, who also trains Basher Brian at his Cowbridge yard for owner Jason Warner, is enjoying his best season in the saddle and clocked up his 28th winner on this lightly raced eight-year-old.
Holy Water was well fancied to give Moorcroft another winner in the Intermediate, sponsored by ex-pointing jockey Saul Kidston’s Exmoor Hay & Straw Ltd. He had to give best however to the progressive Soul Kaliber in the hands of Darren Edwards. Despite carrying a 5lbs penalty, the winner drew away effortlessly up the finishing hill to beat Holy Water by 10 lengths . The ex-Gigginstown nine-year-old Soul Kaliber started the season as a maiden and was achieving his fourth success for the Little Acres Racing Club. He is in pole position now for the leading horse award for the Devon & Cornwall area. “ He has had lots of physio and Masterson method equine massage from Catherine Davis and Claire Morshead, and has improved through the season,” remarked trainer Dean Summersby, who also mentioned that Soul Kaliber had spent two and a half hours in a traffic hold up following an accident on the M5 in an abortive attempt to get to the Stratford hunter chase meeting recently.
Northamptonshire rider Amy Cox rode her third career winner when Beggar’s Velvet took the good quality Greenslade Taylor Hunt sponsored Ladies’Open at the expense of the favourite Ramble On (Jodie Hughes), who was conceding 4lbs . The pair dominated the closing stages, coming very close together on the brow of the finishing hill before Beggar’s Velvet, despite hanging towards his opponent as they squeezed up the rails, stayed on dourly to win by a length, subsequently surviving a stewards enquiry. Trained by Fran Nimmo, the veteran Dr Massini gelding is proving a good schoolmaster for his rider having carried her to victory three times in the last 16 days.
The meeting included a short tribute to Richard Barber who had passed away two days before. A legendary trainer, Richard’s final winner as an owner came at Upcott Cross as recently as 27th May. That was home bred So When, saddled by his grandson Christopher Barber, and given a vintage ride by Will Biddick.
The champion jockey also rode the last winner Richard saddled as a trainer when Whataknight won an Open Maiden at Bratton Down in June 2014
Upcoming Fixture
Season Finale: Saturday 15th June 2019 Torrington Farmers Chapelton Barton, Umberleigh EX37 9EB 1st Race 2.00pm
1 Lawsons Thorns (James King) 8-11 fav made all, drew clear flat 2 Cloudy Music (Darren Edwards) evens in touch, hdwy & every chance two out, no extra flat 3 Tiger Sam (Heidi Stevens) 9-1 lost touch four out 3 ran; 5l; distance; 6m 5s
OPEN MAIDEN (RIVERSIDE CARAVAN PARK)
1 Basher Brian (Byron Moorcroft) 4-1 prom, cl 3rd two out, disp last, asserted last 100 yards 2 Spring Break (James King) 6-1 with ldrs, disp two out til no extra last 100 yards 3 A Mill From Milan (Will Biddick) 6-4 fav hdwy three out, outpaced next, ran on well flat 10 ran; 1l; 4l; 6m 9s
INTERMEDIATE (SAUL KIDSTON, EXMOOR HAY & STRAW LTD)
1 Soul Kaliber (Darren Edwards) 4-7 fav with ldrs, led two out, stayed on well, drew clr flat 2 Holy Water (Byron Moorcroft) 2-1 prom, effort two out, no extra apprg last, just held 2nd 3 On Your Max (Tom Chanin) 5-1 with ldrs til outpaced two out, rallied & kept on nr finish 6 ran; 10l; 3/4l; 6m 9s
MEN’S OPEN (SID TARR MEMORIAL CUP)
1 Namako (James King) 8-1 prog to 3rd two out, challd & left in lead last, dvn out 2 Kernel Victor (Will Biddick) 7-1 in touch, outpaced two out, stayed on, not reach wnr 3 Matts Legacy (Byron Moorcroft) 3-1 went clear three out, mstk & headed next, wknd 6 ran; 6l; 15l; 6m 8s
LADIES’ OPEN (GREENSLADE TAYLOR HUNT)
1 Beggar’s Velvet (Amy Cox) 5-1 chall’d two out close 2nd last, led & hung right flat, just held on 2 Ramble On (Jodi Hughes) 11-10 fav made most til joined three out, slight ld last, headed & not much room last 100 yards 3 Peterbrown (Holly Ann Drowne) 14-1 behind til good hdwy to 3rd nr finish 8 ran; 1l; 8l; 5m 54s
RESTRICTED (BEST WESTERN TIVERTON HOTEL)
1 Airpur Desbois (James King) 7-2 hdwy 16th, disp two out, led & kept on well flat 2 Seniergues (Ben Jones) 7-2 led 16th. joined two out, disp til no extra last 75 yards 3 Ann Maries Reject (Jake Bament) 10-1 in touch, outpaced two out, stayed on well flat 9 ran; 1 1/2l; 15l; 6m 3s
Richard Barber, one of the most successful point-to-point and hunter chase trainers in Britain from the 1980’s until he retired in 2014, passed away peacefully at home on 7th June aged 77.
Based atSeaborough, Dorset,apart from being the leading National point-to-point trainer on many occasions,Richardalso saddledRushing Wild,Earthmover andFantus(twice) to win the Cheltenham Foxhunter,aswell asbeing successfulwithTrust Fund in the Aintree Foxhunter.He saddled seven winners in a day at the Mendip Farmers meeting at the now defunct Castle of Comfort track in 1998.
His eye for a horse withpotential wasunsurpassed, and he was responsible for the purchases of See More Business (Gold Cupand King George VI chase twice) and Rock On Ruby (Champion Hurdle).
Richard retired from training in 2014 having saddled his last winner,Whataknight, at Bratton Down that year.His last winner as an owner came just two weeks ago when home bred So When won the Open Maiden atUpcottCross.
Scoring is 4 points win, 2 pts second. 1 pt third for all point-to-point races in Devon & Cornwall Area only for all awards.
Please send any queries to me please
GranvilleTaylor1@aol.com
A REMINDER TO OWNERS & TRAINERS WITH HORSES QUALIFIED IN THE AREA- PLEASE SEE PAGE 47 OF THE PLANNER & SUBMIT CLAIMS FOR AWARDS TO ME SOONEST. DINNER/DANCE IS 22ND JUNE
THANK YOU. GRANVILLE
