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Category Archives: 2019-20 Season
GRANVILLE’S BETTING GOSSIP: DART VALE & HALDON HARRIERS AT BUCKFASTLEIGH ON SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2020
Oh dear, so that’s it for the season with three months of pointing in our area still to go. No more point-to-points, no more betting gossip, racing suspended, the industry jeopardised, bookies redundant and they are trying to handcuff me to the chair.
Whether it was the dodgy weather (it rained all morning on Sunday) or coronavirus worries, it was a shame that the normal bustling atmosphere of Buckfastleigh was lacking. The track conformation was a bit different because the normal last fence was not jumped, meaning a very long run-in from the jump coming off the top bend. There was plenty of quality racing though for the faithful to enjoy.
The opening five runner Hunt race was a bit of a puzzle. I couldn’t work it out so no bet. 10-year-old Moonaro is still a maiden but was sent off 2-1 fav having been chalked up at 3’s. Beuvron settled at 5-2 from 3’s but he is not very reliable nowadays. Tarrytown (9-2) had shown a glimmer of form, and the experienced Skylander (11-4) is capable on his day. It was another maiden however, Ragged Dream (7-1), who prevailed in a close finish to give 17-year-old Tamby Welch a deserved first point-to-point winner.
Stevan Steel (5-2 to 9-4 fav) is no rock star but came good under a typically positive Darren Edwards ride to win the Open Maiden easily from 11 opponents. The rider had the luxury of a peep round with his toiling rivals stone cold off the last bend. West Somerset trainer Janet Ackner does well with this type of horse who was placed in an Irish Maiden as long as four years ago, but had been knocking at the door recently. He must get his grey coat from his dam Silver Proverb who was moderate but had to lump a young claimer called Tom Malone round over hurdles a few years ago.
Gunner Vic (10-1) came from well off the pace to claim the runner up spot (he would have been put into the note book for a Bratton Down meeting). Natalie Parker’s mount Clever des Assence (drifted from 2’s to 3’s) was a head away in third after pressing the leaders for a long way.
The Men’s Open was the Devon & Cornwall Area Classic race limited to previous winners. Navanman (6-4 fav having touched 11-4) needs little introduction and duly took his pointing wins to 11, this time with Darren Edwards in the saddle. John Heard’s charge relished the heavy ground and went 20 lengths clear round the top bend before cantering home ahead of Big Georgie (7-1). Below form Fishy Story, who had touched evens before settling at 2’s, finished a well beaten third. Navanman had a good reason for his defeat at the showground last month when sustaining an injury, and connections have done well to squeeze another win out of this top pointer.
Nickelsonthedime (5-4 to 4-5) had created a very favourable impression with a couple of Wadebridge wins, but had to give best in a good Intermediate to The Galloping Bear (5-2) who had won his Restricted on the showground after opening his account in the mud at Ffos Las in December. The Galloping Bear (Darren Andrews) led from the top of the hill and stayed on well in conditions much to his liking. Both these promising types are by the St Leger winner Shantou who has developed into a leading NH stallion. It is unfortunate that the Exeter final to this event is lost.
The two market leaders also dominated the Skinner’s Ladies’ Open. The game veteran Dicky Bob (solid 3’s) jumped well and tried to make all the running under Millie Wonnacott, but was overhauled off the last bend by a confidently ridden Master Baker partnered by Jo Supple (evens fav). Jo is nearing her century of winners and has been on board Master Baker for all of his 15 wins, including three hunter chases. Wind Tor (3’s) was a distant third. Goldbury (8’s to 7’s) looked fit but had an off day and was pulled up before half way.
The form worked out in the Novice Riders race when Millanisi Boy (4-5 to 4-6) just made his experience pay with a two lengths success over the penalised Raddon Top (3-1). The winner always seemed to be holding the upper hand but was hard pressed by his main rival from the top of the hill and was driven right out by Fergus Gillard.
The Point-to-Point flat race was scheduled as the last race but had to be divided after attracting 15 declarations, exceeding the safety limit by one. Six of the eight runners in the first section were unraced which made for a cagey betting market. The faces went for Alan Hill’s once raced five-year-old Vain Girl (2-1 fav), but there was support for Any Alibis (7’s to 3’s) and the subsequent Fran Nimmo trained winner Sun Rising Hill (3-1). The Warwickshire trainer specialises in this type of event and this Mahler four-year-old certainly knew her job, coming clear under Alice Stevens to beat Nicky Martin’s Fevertre (4-1).
The other division, shall we call it the last waltz, went to Gerry Supple’s Sandaroc (3’s to 5-2), a strong bodied four-year-old filly by Shirocco who looked fit and ready to go in the preliminaries. Sandaroc landed a double for promising young jockey Fergus Gillard, fending off the jolly, Charlottes Way (2’s from 4’s) inside the last couple of furlongs. In another tight betting heat there were bits and pieces for third placed Red Cap (4’s to 3’s), Midnight Billy (7-2) and The Ramp Sleeper (5’s).
Before you ask, yes, I backed Sandaroc ( on the basis of paddock inspection). I would like to think that I was just coming into form on the betting front when the curtain came down dramatically, but that is what all of us punters would say……
REPORT: DART VALE & HALDON HARRIERS AT BUCKFASTLEIGH ON SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2020
WRITTEN BY GRANVILLE TAYLOR
“And whether we shall meet again I know not. If we do meet again, why, we shall smile”
From Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare
Nobody knew as they enjoyed eight competitive races at Buckfastleigh on Sunday (15th March) that the Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers would be staging the final point-to-point meeting of the 2020 season.
Executive decisions taken just the day after sounded the death knell for the sport, joining the many other events similarly affected by coronavirus.
This time the meeting managed to beat the wet weather, but heavy going put a premium on stamina at this most picturesque, historic track. The final fence had to be omitted leaving a very long run in from the top of the hill. The reigning Devon & Cornwall champion jockey Darren Edwards, together with up and coming Fergus Gillard each rode doubles.
Darren Edwards teamed up with prolific pointer Navanman to win the featured Westcountry Men’s Open Champion Chase for which the Totnes & Bridgetown Races Co Ltd had put up £1,000 in prize money. A quality field of six faced the starter, but Navanman had sauntered 20 lengths clear by the end of the back straight, and coasted home by a distance ahead of Gloucestershire raider Big Georgie, with the well fancied mare Fishy Story well held in third. “That was very straight forward,” was the succinct remark of the jockey who was partnering his ninth winner of the season. Navanman’s preparation had not been easy though after he had lost his unbeaten record for the season at the Western meeting last month. . “He cut himself and opened up an old wound at Wadebridge. He was lame and had to have it poulticed,” explained his relieved trainer John Heard, who has done so well with this ex-hurdler for his eight strong syndicate of owners.
Stevan Steel had initiated the double for Darren Edwards, justifying favouritism when making all the running to beat his 11 opponents in the Luscombe Mayo Open Maiden. “He ran well at the Beaufort recently and likes the mud,” said trainer Janet Ackner who shares ownership with John Spall, having acquired the nine-year-old by King’s Theatre at Ascot sales after he had been placed in an Irish point-to-point
35 years old Darren Edwards, with 270 pointing career winners in the bag, is one of the senior riders on the circuit, but his Sunday double was matched by the promising Fergus Gillard, who is based with David Pipe, for whom he had ridden a winner at Uttoxeter on the previous day. The young jockey had to work quite hard to score on Millanisi Boy in the Winston Pincombe Novice Riders’ Race, driving the his mount home to fend off Raddon Top. Trainer Neil McLean, who handles the winner for a 15 strong syndicate put together by Kayley Woollacott, described the 11-year-old as, “a lovely old chaser who was fed up with National Hunt and needed to be sweetened up.”
The Point-to Point Flat race, sponsored by M I Plant Engineering, had to be divided on the day. Fergus Gillard completed his double on Gerry Supple’s four-year-old filly Sandaroc, who strode on down the hill to score convincingly from the favourite Charlottes Way. The winner’s dam won a bumper on her debut from David Pipe’s yard and Sandaroc looks a genuine prospect for further success. “A great ride,” was the reaction from the owner/trainer.
The other section of the flat race went to another newcomer, Sun Rising Hill, who had travelled from Francesca Nimmo’s Ettington, Warwickshire yard. Sun Rising Hill took the lead round the top bend under Alice Stevens and ran on strongly in the final half mile to deny Darren Edwards a treble on runner up Fevertre. The winner, a four-year-old, by Mahler, is owned by the Walnut Hill Partnership headed by Henley-In Arden vet Bridget Gatehouse, who said “I am so proud of him. I bought him privately as a two-year-old and he was broken in by Fran and Charlie (Poste).
Master Baker followed up his recent Badbury Rings win as he overhauled front running Dicky Bob in the home straight to take the Skinner’s Ladies’ Open. Regular jockey Jo Supple, nearing her century of career wins over jumps, gets on well with the Lisa Jefford trained gelding and made good use of his turn of foot. Owner Jackie McCullough’s plan for the 11-year-old to follow up last year’s Newbury hunter chase victory at the end of the month has obviously been scuppered. Bred by Stewart Pike, she described Master Baker as, “the horse of a lifetime.”
The Galloping Bear stamped himself as one of the most promising pointers in the area in recording his seasonal hat trick at the main expense of Nickelsonthedime in the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate. It is unfortunate that his bid for the Exeter final (hunter chase) in April is likely to be denied by the suspension of racing. Ben Clarke trains the winner for owner Adrian Paterson and reported, “He was bought as a store at Doncaster. He hadn’t run for eight weeks after carrying a few niggles.” Jockey Darren Andrews, enjoying his best season, said, “It was a good training performance. He jumped well but does need better ground.”
The Welch family had good reason to celebrate Ragged Dream’s win in the Members’ race sponsored by Ashburton Motor Works. The seven-year-old family gelding is trained by Hannah Welch and was a first pointing winner for her brother Tamby, another graduate from pony racing. In a good finish, Ragged Dream just outstayed Skylander (Anna Hylands) with Tarrytown (Tom Dixon) close up in third. The successful 17-year-old jockey is an A level student in Taunton and hopes to pursue a career in the RAF.
BRITISH POINT-TO-POINTING SHUT DOWN FOR 2019/20 SEASON
Posted: Tuesday, 17th March 2020 Author: The PPA
This is a formal announcement to confirm that the British point-to-point season is closed for this season.
This was a very difficult decision to make recognising that many people’s livelihoods are involved. However, the Prime Minister’s words last night made clear that everyone should minimise social contact and non-essential travel. Furthermore, our sport creates some medical burden, both on the course and potentially at the hospitals, where it would be unwelcome under the current circumstances.
The PPA would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked so hard to keep this season going so successfully until now, often under very trying circumstances. We will now be working on preparations to ensure that we start next autumn in the same successful manner as last, and will soon be in touch with many of you for your thoughts and ideas.
For more information, contact the PPA office:
01793 781990
RESULTS: DART VALE & HALDON HARRIERS AT BUCKFASTLEIGH ON SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2020
Going Heavy (Fences 5, 12 & 19 omitted)
Hunt Race (Sponsor Ashburton Motor Works)
1 Ragged Dream (Tamby Welch) 7-1 handy, pressed leaders last, fin well to lead last 100 yards
2 Skylander (Anna Hylands) 11-4 led by passing 11th til near finish
3 Tarrytown (Tom Dixon) 9-2 chased leaders, every chance last, kept on well nr finish
5 ran; 3/4l 1/2l 7m 23s
Open Maiden (Luscombe Mayo)
1 Stevan Steel (Darren Edwards) 9-4 fav made all, drew well clear three out, unchallenged
2 Gunner Vic (Jake Bament) 10-1 held up, hdwy three out, stayed on well without troubling winner
3 Clever Des Assence (Natalie Parker) 3-1 with leaders, outpaced two out, 2nd til near finish
12 ran; 10l; head; 7m 11s
Men’s Open – Champion Chase (Totnes & Bridgetown Races Co Ltd)
1 Navanman (Darren Edwards) 6-4 fav led three out, soon well clear, unchallenged
2 Big Georgie (James Ridley) 7-1 led til 10th, bhd from 14th, took moderate 2nd after last
3 Fishy Story (Darren Andrews) 2-1 held up, some hdwy 14th, wknd last, tailed off
6 ran; Distance; 25l; 7m 3s
Intermediate (Exeter Racecourse)
1 The Galloping Bear (Darren Andrews) 5-2 smooth hdwy 14th, led after two out, drew clear after last, comf
2 Nickelsonthedime (Josh Newman) 4-5 fav held up, hdwy to 2nd two out, every chance til wknd after last
3 Norman Conquest (Tom Chanin) 20-1 led til 7th, lost place 13th, kept on again closing stages
10 ran; 10l; 3/4l; 7m 6s
Ladies’ Open (Skinner’s Pet Foods)
1 Master Baker ( Jo Supple) evens fav held up going well, prog 13th, went 2nd two out, led last 200 yards
2 Dicky Bob (Millie Wonnacott) 3-1 led & jumped well til headed last 200 yards
3 Wind Tor (Chloe Emsley) 3-1 3rd from 13th, rdn & wknd after two out
6 ran 3 1/2l; distance; 7m 14s
Novice Riders Conditions (Winston Pincombe, Chulmleigh)
1 Millanisi Boy (Fergus Gillard) 4-6 fav led or disputed throughout, rdn & stayed on well after last
2 Raddon Top (Conor Houlihan) 2-1 held up in touch, effort two out, no extra under pressure nr finish
3 Athreeothree (Thomasina Eyston) 8-1 chased leaders, took 3rd after last, well held
5 ran; 2l; 10l; 7m 21s
Point to Point Flat race – 4 & 5 year olds – about 2 miles (M I Plant Engineering Ltd)
Division 1:
1 Sun Rising Hill (Alice Stevens) 3-1 hdwy 6 furlongs out, led 4 furlongs out, ran on strongly
2 Fevertre (Darren Edwards) 4-1 in touch, stayed on well last 2 furlongs without reaching winner
3 Salvino (Darren Andrews) 10-1 with leaders, effort 3 furlongs out, no extra last furlong
8 ran; 10l; 4l; 4m 27s
Division 2:
1 Sandaroc (Fergus Gillard) 5-2 tracked leaders, effort 2 furlongs out, led 1 furlong out, comf
2 Charlottes Way (David Mansell) 2-1 fav imprvd 6 furlongs out, led 4 furlongs out til headed 1 furlong out
3 Red Cap (Tom Chanin) 3-1 chased leaders, good hdwy 4 furlongs out, kept on steadily
7 ran; 4l; 4l; 4m 43s
Related Articles:
[display-posts taxonomy=”category” tax_term=”Buckfastleigh” taxonomy_2=”category” tax_2_term=”2019-20 Season”]
Entries: Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers Point-To-Point at Buckfastleigh on Sunday 15th March 2020
| Race | Start time | Link to entries and form for race |
| PR | 11:00 | Pony Racing |
| 1st | 12:00 | Members Race |
| 2nd | 12:35 | Open Maiden Race |
| 3rd | 13:10 | Westcountry Champion Chase Mens Open Race |
| 4th | 13:45 | Intermediate Race |
| 5th | 14:20 | Ladies Open Race |
| 6th | 14:55 | Novice Riders Race |
| 7th | 15:30 | 4&5 Year Olds Flat Race Race |
Course Updates:
Thursday, 12 Mar, 17:25
The course is soft and drying nicely
Wednesday, 11 Mar, 11:15
Buckfastleigh, the going is still soft with a few heavy places, it is improving daily and hopefully with the weather forecast should improve further.
Friday, 6 Mar, 14:19
Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers Sunday March 15th, The course is drying nicely, the going is now officially soft heavy in places we hope for further improvement.
Tues, 3 Mar, 18:37
The Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers Point-To-Point at Buckfastleigh on Sunday March 15, the going is currently heavy, soft in places.
The fences have been moved after our January meeting and we have good grass cover.
The Feature race is £1000 mens Champion Chase and Exeter Racecourse are sponsoring the Intermediate which is a qualifier for their final.
Preview extract:
A great way to end Cheltenham Festival week is to go along to the Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers meeting at Lower Dean, Buckfastleigh, where they host their meeting on Sunday 15th March.
Pony racing sponsored by Barton Sawmills heads up the action at 11am. With the main seven race card commencing at 12 noon.
This track is steeped in history, it offers fantastic viewing, beer tent, hot and cold food and refreshments, on course bookies and a host of interesting trade stands. Easy access along the A38 Post code TQ11 0LT. Entrance to the course is £10 per person, children under 16 free. Dogs on leads welcome.
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 |
| © | = | 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 2017/18 form from 2016/17 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2015/16 form or earlier. Horses marked with an asterisk (*) indicates National Hunt form. The higher the rating the better the form. No responsibility can be accepted for any errors which may be considered to have occurred.
Produced by Jeff Guyett of Westcountry Videos.
Pony Racing
Race 1 138cm (m 6f ) OPEN, DIVISION 1
| 138cm (m 6f ) MAIDEN | ||
| 1 | Artemis Morgan | Menedh Jumping Jack Flash |
| 2 | Katie Vernon | Southcroft Pimms |
| 3 | Archie Pearse | Zellions Frolic |
| 4 | Hannah Smith | Mayphillic Sea Pearl |
| 5 | Lauren Callister | Newoak Dream Catcher |
| 6 | William White | Strasburg Boy |
| 7 | Lowan Cruise Mills | Chico |
| 8 | Harrison Day | Jessie Jazz It Up |
| 9 | Harry Robinson | Antsar Peeptoe |
Race 2 138cm (m 6f ) OPEN, DIVISION 2
| 138cm (m 6f ) OPEN | ||
| 1 | Freddie Fletcher |
Temmas Diamonds Forever
|
| 2 | Billy Broomfield |
Anton Bubble Of Spring
|
| 3 | Margot Scudamore | Churchill |
| 4 | Rian Corcoran | Willow The Wisp |
| 5 | James Dawkins |
Luanshya Ambassador
|
| 6 | Billy Loughnane | Clear The Track |
| 7 | Megan Ridsdale | Veno Star |
| 8 | Bruce Vaughan |
The Gentle Touch
|
| 9 | Taylor Fisher | Oh My Days |
Race 3 148cm (m 8f ) OPEN
| 148cm (m 8f ) OPEN | ||
| 1 | Otis Morgan | Tarka |
| 2 | Daniel Ellis | O’flynn’s Daughter |
| 3 | Molly Landau | Roy Boy Green |
| 4 | Alfie Godfrey | Calypso |
| 5 | Daisy White | Aries |
| 6 | Henry Pugh | Heavenly Rose |
| 7 | Walter Fisher-barnett | Miss Dolly |
| 8 | Ruby Fisher-barnett | She’sagoodun |
| 9 | Taylor Fisher | Annie R U Ok |
Related articles:
[display-posts taxonomy=”category” tax_term=”Buckfasteigh” taxonomy_2=”category” tax_2_term=”2019-20 Season”]
| List of Races | Next Race |
Race 1 – Members Race
| Form | Name | Rating | TRAINERS |
| 242p-p5p | BEUVRON (FR) | 37? | Sam Holdsworth |
| /42f2/36- | MOONARO (IRE) | 32? | Susan Darke |
| 3/p344-p | RAGGED DREAM (FR) | 24 | Hannah Welch |
| 37f63-54 | SKYLANDER (IRE) | 36 | Robert Chanin |
| 2pfp-32p | SOMEWHERE TO BE (IRE) | 38 | Rebecca Welch |
| *0/pp36-5 | TARRYTOWN (FR) | 29 | Melanie Dixon |
| /p/6p3-1 | THE METERS RUNNING(IRE) | 34+ | Gordon Chambers |
Preview extract
The opening Members race is sponsored by Ashburton Motors. This looks to be a battle among the locals, with The Meters Running for the Gordon Chambers yard looking to follow up on his Great Trethew win last weekend. They could come up against Rebecca Welch’s Somewhere To Be who ran second at Wadebridge, but found the conditions tough when pulling up at Great Trethew last weekend, and Moonaro another local entry who has clocked up some decent previous place form for the Kingsbridge based Darke family.
| List of Races | Next Race |
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
Race 2 – Open Maiden Race
| Form | Name | Rating | TRAINERS |
| ppuf3p/- | ASKRUMOR (IRE) | 27? | Chris Cox |
| *84/57p-p | BLACKFYRE (IRE) | NR | Dean Jones |
| 26//- | BOOMTOWN KNAT (IRE) | 30? | Zoe Lewis |
| *2246-u5 | BRANDY JAMES (GER) | 5 |
Timothy Vaughan
|
| 6/f5/5-23 | CLEVER DES ASSENCE (FR) | 30 | Laura Parker |
| -p | CLOSE FRIEND (IRE) | 0 |
Gearoid Costelloe
|
| *80/-4f | FAT SAM | 31+ | Alan Walter |
| 2-up | FEU DES MALBERAUX (FR) | 32 | Joe Tickle |
| FLICK THE SWITCH | NR | Victoria Collins | |
| u3/pp2-4 | GUNNER VIC | 24 | Hugh Thomas |
| 62*3-f | HENRY’S REGIME | 18? |
Mervyn Woodward
|
| pp3-ppp | MILITARY MISCHIEF (IRE) | 27? | Jane Western |
| /42f2/36- | MOONARO (IRE) | 32? | Susan Darke |
| RESTLESS BRIAN | NR | Robert Hawker | |
| /5-u | ROLL ON ROSCO | 19 | John Heard |
| 55p-p342 | STEVAN STEEL (IRE) | 30 | Janet Ackner |
| /p5p-7 | TAKEABID (IRE) | 16 | Stuart Sampson |
| /48-up | THE DEVON DUMPLING | 23 | Sam Holdsworth |
| p3p4p/- | THE RIGHT PROIFILE (IRE) | NR | Carly Mather |
| TIP TOP MOUNTAIN (IRE) | NR | Ian Chanin | |
| -p | TOP CLICHE | NR | Jill Dennis |
| *80-p4 | TOWER VIEW (IRE) | 0 | Victoria Collins |
| WONDER FLOW | NR | Helen Bament |
Preview extract
Clever Des Assence (Laura Parker) ran third here at the January meeting, and Steven Steel ( Janet Ackner) with a second at the Didmarton meeting, are just two catching the eye in the Luscombe Maye-sponsored Open Maiden race.
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
Race 3 – Westcountry Champion Chase, Mens Open Race
| Form | Name | Rating | TRAINERS |
| 5231-3p1 | BALLYHOWNE (IRE) | 42 | Robert Chanin |
| /2134-1 | BIG GEORGIE (IRE) | 41 | James Ridley |
| /21u13-4 | DICKY BOB | 44 | Verity Nicholls |
| 1/up11/-1 | FISHY STORY | 44+ | Stuart Sampson |
| 115/2212- | HERBERT PARK (IRE) | 43 | Ray Alford |
| p5/1111- | HIGHWAY JEWEL (IRE) | 40 | David Gibbs |
| 222-p616 | IMOGENS THUNDER (IRE) | 40 | Mary Tory |
| 457p-733 | KERISPER (FR) | 26 |
Alexander Gibbons
|
| p5/pp-22 | MILLANSIE BOY | 42 | Neil McLean |
| 112-1113 | NAVANMAN (IRE) | 46 | John Heard |
| *5/61p/p- | POTTERS APPROACH (IRE) | NR | Patricia Shaw |
| 30/214-1 | SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE) | 47 | Alexandra Dunn |
| *14/8p7-4 | TANIT RIVER (IRE) | 39 | Abbi Vaughan |
| *ffp/p-312 | THREE FACES WEST (IRE) | 44 | Bethen Childs |
| /61121-p1 | WIND TOR | 43 | Edward Walker |
Preview extract
The feature race of the day is the £1000 West Country Men’s Open Champion Chase which is sponsored by Totnes & Bridgetown Races Co Ltd. Entries include previous National Hunt winner Sausalito Sunrise for the Alexandra Dunn team, he won a Hunter Chase at Hexham last season, and started this season with an impressive ten length win at Cocklebarrow in January. Fishy Story for trainer Stuart Sampson, could figure and was impressive when she bounced back from a year’s break when she battled on for a short head win ahead of Sixteen Letters at Milborne St Andrew last month. Three Faces West (Bethan Childs) has strong claims after his win at this track in January under jockey Nathan Vergne, although holds an entry at the Cothelstone meeting on Saturday. Local entry Dicky Bob (Verity Nicholls), now a veteran, knows this track well and could figure here.
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
Race 4 – Intermediate Race
| Form | Name | Rating | TRAINERS |
| 4p1-4050 | BALLYBRUFF (IRE) | 34? | Leslie Jefford |
| /44/123p- | BALLYVODOCK (IRE) | 39 |
Gordon Chambers
|
| 432113-2 | BANCO DE LOGOS (FR) | 38 |
Dean Summersby
|
| 4524-252 | DAN’S WEE MAN | 35 | Peter Mason |
| f2-u21 | HARD GROUND | 37+ |
Gearoid Costelloe
|
| /u2pu2-2 | JABBEA (IRE) | 40 | Mary Sanderson |
| 4p261-28 | JOURNEY JUICE | 38 | Ed Walker |
| 1p/52-0s | MICKY STARK | 34? | Zoe Hawkins |
| r/2421-up | MISSYLADIE (FR) | 37 | Sam Holdsworth |
| p3p/12p- | MY KING (FR) | 35 | Anna Johnston |
| *22/-311 | NICKELSONTHEDIME (IRE) | 39+ | Neil McLean |
| p/24p3-p | NORMAN CONQUEST | 36? | Robert Chanin |
| p2p334-f | PRINCE OF POETS | 36? | Lucy Mager |
| 252-11 | THE GALLOPING BEAR | 38+ | Ben Clarke |
Preview extract
In the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate, team Summersby’s Banco de Logos ran a decent three length second at Chipley Park and should be among the favourites with jockey Darren Edwards on a winning roll. Outside raider Hard Ground (Gearoid Costello) won his restricted at Higham last month and is the highest rated, but looks to prefer a sound surface which he may not find here unless the ground dries. The Galloping Bear for the Ben Clarke team looks progressive with wins at Ffoss Las and Wadebridge, with the ground not seeming an issue for him could score again for jockey Darren Andrews.
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
Race 5 – Ladies Open Race
| Form | Name | Rating | TRAINERS |
| /21u13-4 | DICKY BOB | 44 | Verity Nicholls |
| 44/12p1-1 | GOLDBURY (IRE) | 41+ | Laura Parker |
| 12/21321- | HEANEY (IRE) | 44 |
Claire Wonnacott
|
| 2431/-f43 | INCH ROCK (IRE) | 40 | Ed Walker |
| u8/58531- | IT’S A STEAL (IRE) | 40 | Lee Glanville |
| u632d2-3 | ITS ALL OR NOTHING | 41 | Charlotte Rowe |
| 1112p-81 | MASTER BAKER | 45 | Lisa Jefford |
| *1/5617p- | MENDIP EXPRESS (IRE) | 44 | Bethen Childs |
| *5/61p/p- | POTTERS APPROACH (IRE) | NR | Patricia Shaw |
| *05u40/-1 | SILSOL (GER) | 43+ | Will Biddick |
| /61121-p1 | WIND TOR | 43 | Edward Walker |
Preview extract
The popular grey Dicky Bob also holds an entry in the Skinners Ladies Open race, which may be a preferred option for the gelding, with the booking of local jockey Millie Wonnacott to ride. Millie also looks to have the option of riding her mother’s owned and trained Heaney who was impressive when winning a Hunter Chase at Exeter last April. This race looks very competitive with recent Chipley Park winner Silsol for jockey Ella Orttewell, Badbury Rings winner Master Baker for Jo Supple, and promising young mare Goldbury having the benefit of a mare’s weight allowance and won nicely at the Wadebridge December meeting under Natalie Parker, also among the entries.
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
| Previous Race | List of Races | Next Race |
Race 6 – Novice Riders Race
| Form | Name | Rating | TRAINERS |
| p/73422- | ATHREEOTHREE(IRE) | 42 | Louise Hendy |
| */05p65- | BALKINSTOWN (IRE) | NR | Michael Bowen |
| 1/606-p53 | CHICORIA (IRE) | 30? | Chloe Boxall |
| *26/925/- | FIRE IN HIS EYES (IRE) | NR | Bobby Thomas |
| *1/5617p- | MENDIP EXPRESS (IRE) | 44 | Bethen Childs |
| p5/pp-22 | MILLANSIE BOY | 42 | Neil McLean |
| /114-3p41 | RADDON TOP (IRE) | 40 | Leslie Jefford |
| 1331p/13- | SUPREME DANEHILL (IRE) | 43 | Alan Hill |
| */50pp-u4 | THE IBBSTER (IRE) | 32 |
Alexandra Goodman
|
Preview extract
TheWinston Pincombe-sponsored Novice Riders race could go the way of recent Wadebridge winner Raddon Top (Les Jefford) for promising young jockey Conor Houlihan, who will try and fend off multiple Point winner Supreme Danehill (Alan Hill) who is also among the nine entered.
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Race 7 – 4 & 5 Year Olds Flat Race
| Form | Name | Rating | TRAINERS |
| ALLABOUTTHEMEMORIES | NR | Lee Glanville | |
| ANY ALIBIS | NR | Gearoid Costelloe | |
| BEAUTIFUL PROSPECT | NR | Alan Hill | |
| CHARLOTTES WAY (IRE) | NR | Julie Mansell | |
| CILLABROOKE | NR | Zoe Hawkins | |
| -3 | DROMORE MOUNTAIN | 26 | Gareth Moore |
| -4 | FAIRLEY EQUAL | 12 | Zoe Hawkins |
| FEVERTRE (IRE) | NR | Nicola Martin | |
| 0 | GET ON RON | 0 | Victoria Sleep |
| MIDNIGHT BILLY | NR | Jill Dennis | |
| QUEEN KALAMBA (IRE) | NR | Jazmin Hosgood | |
| RED CAP (IRE) | NR | Robert Chanin | |
| SALVINO (IRE) | NR | Ben Clarke | |
| SANDAROC | NR | Gerard Supple | |
| SATURDAY SONG | NR | Gearoid Costelloe | |
| SUN RISING HILL (IRE) | NR | Francesca Nimmo | |
| THE RAMP SLEEPER | NR | Teresa Clark | |
| TIP TOP MOUNTAIN (IRE) | NR | Ian Chanin | |
| -3 | VAIN GIRL | 32 | Alan Hill |
Preview extract
To end the day is a four & five year old Flat race which is sponsored by M1 Plant Engineering, with debutants to note as suggestions being Fevertre (Nicky Martin) The Ramp Sleeper(Teresa Clark) and local entry Allaboutthememories (Lee Glanville).
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Granville’s Betting Gossip: East Cornwall Point-To-Point, Great Trethew, 8th March 2020
Punters should have sensed they were going to be up against it during the afternoon when the favourite in the opener (two miles flat race) got no more than 100 yards before pulling up . This was Le Slithy Tove, eased from 4-5 to 5-4 having touched 6-4 in a light betting race. Unfortunately the mare appeared to go lame behind and was quickly dismounted. In a good finish Tom Chanin just got his fit looking four-year-old Bravo Buddy ( 15-8 touched 2’s) home. Front runner Grumpy Freya (4’s to 7-2) looked the winner until headed by the winner entering the final furlong. The Grumpy one was coming back in the final strides. Both first and second were making their racecourse debuts.
13 lined up for the young horses Maiden over two and a half miles with Party Tunes (11-10 fav touched 5-4) all the rage after his promising Buckfastleigh run. Darren Edwards soon had him in front and he looked the winner coming down the hill. Don’t Rightly Know (4-1) emerged as the only real challenger going to two out and stayed on strongly after the last to win going away as the favourite hung towards the inside rails. The winner, given a good ride by Chloe Emsley, was making her racecourse debut and this Malinas mare looks a promising chasing type. Say About It (100-8) was unfancied but finished a creditable third. Ahead of the Game (5’s to 4’s) again carried Welsh cash. He must have shown something at home but has left the money behind three times in a row now. The other eye catcher in the ring was Henry’s Regime (6’s to 3’s) who crashed out at half way.
The next jolly to boost the bookies satchels was Roc The Boat (2’s to 6-4) in the Maiden for older horses which saw the longest price winner of the day in The Meters Running (8-1). This gelding was making his seasonal debut but had shown promise last year from the yard of Gordon Chambers. Jake Bament sent the winner clear down the hill to win as he liked. The favourite was never sighted.
Only three turned out for the Mixed Open. Chosen Lucky (5-4) is one of the most consistent pointers in the area and won the battle with his main rival Spencer Moon (evens fav) who was eventually pulled up at the top of the hill when palpably tired. Talk of the South (9-4) chased home Chosen Lucky and can win a race before the ground dries up.
Somewhere To Be was a surprisingly short priced favourite (13-8) for the Novice Riders. He never looked like winning and was eventually pulled up four out. The main gamble here was course winner Syracuse’s Dream (8’s to 4’s) but he faded after showing early pace. At the business end of the race the mare Cloudy Music (4’s touched 9-2) stayed on strongly to give Charlotte Summersby her first winner, coming with a strong run to beat Awesome Tunes (drifted from 5’s to 10’s).
With the rain and hail lashing down, only the needy and the greedy remained for the last race where the four bookies left narrowly outnumbered the punters. Makeapoint (evens) was preferred to Port O’Clock (5-4) in a very weak market. Once again the Welsh lads left their money behind as Port O’Clock repeated his Milborne success as his three rivals all threw the towel in – and who can blame them.
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Preview: Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers Point to Point at Buckfastleigh on Sunday 15 March 2020
Written by: Donna Harris
A great way to end Cheltenham Festival week is to go along to the Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers meeting at Lower Dean, Buckfastleigh, where they host their meeting on Sunday 15th March.
Pony racing sponsored by Barton Sawmills heads up the action at 11am. With the main seven race card commencing at 12 noon. The feature race of the day is the £1000 West Country Men’s Open Champion Chase which is sponsored by Totnes & Bridgetown Races Co Ltd. Entries include previous National Hunt winner Sausalito Sunrise for the Alexandra Dunn team, he won a Hunter Chase at Hexham last season, and started this season with an impressive ten length win at Cocklebarrow in January. Fishy Story for trainer Stuart Sampson, could figure and was impressive when she bounced back from a year’s break when she battled on for a short head win ahead of Sixteen Letters at Milborne St Andrew last month. Three Faces West (Bethan Childs) has strong claims after his win at this track in January under jockey Nathan Vergne, although holds an entry at the Cothelstone meeting on Saturday. Local entry Dicky Bob (Verity Nicholls), now a veteran, knows this track well and could figure here.
The popular grey Dicky Bob also holds an entry in the Skinners Ladies Open race, which may be a preferred option for the gelding, with the booking of local jockey Millie Wonnacott to ride. Millie also looks to have the option of riding her mother’s owned and trained Heaney who was impressive when winning a Hunter Chase at Exeter last April. This race looks very competitive with recent Chipley Park winner Silsol for jockey Ella Orttewell, Badbury Rings winner Master Baker for Jo Supple, and promising young mare Goldbury having the benefit of a mare’s weight allowance and won nicely at the Wadebridge December meeting under Natalie Parker, also among the entries.
The opening Members race is sponsored by Ashburton Motors. This looks to be a battle among the locals, with The Meters Running for the Gordon Chambers yard looking to follow up on his Great Trethew win last weekend. They could come up against Rebecca Welch’s Somewhere To Be who ran second at Wadebridge, but found the conditions tough when pulling up at Great Trethew last weekend, and Moonaro another local entry who has clocked up some decent previous place form for the Kingsbridge based Darke family.
Clever Des Assence (Laura Parker) ran third here at the January meeting, and Steven Steel ( Janet Ackner) with a second at the Didmarton meeting, are just two catching the eye in the Luscombe Maye-sponsored Open Maiden race.
In the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate, team Summersby’s Banco de Logos ran a decent three length second at Chipley Park and should be among the favourites with jockey Darren Edwards on a winning roll. Outside raider Hard Ground (Gearoid Costello) won his restricted at Higham last month and is the highest rated, but looks to prefer a sound surface which he may not find here unless the ground dries. The Galloping Bear for the Ben Clarke team looks progressive with wins at Ffoss Las and Wadebridge, with the ground not seeming an issue for him could score again for jockey Darren Andrews.
TheWinston Pincombe-sponsored Novice Riders race could go the way of recent Wadebridge winner Raddon Top (Les Jefford) for promising young jockey Conor Houlihan, who will try and fend off multiple Point winner Supreme Danehill (Alan Hill) who is also among the nine entered.
To end the day is a four & five year old Flat race which is sponsored by M1 Plant Engineering, with debutants to note as suggestions being Fevertre (Nicky Martin) The Ramp Sleeper(Teresa Clark) and local entry Allaboutthememories (Lee Glanville).
This track is steeped in history, it offers fantastic viewing, beer tent, hot and cold food and refreshments, on course bookies and a host of interesting trade stands. Easy access along the A38 Post code TQ11 0LT. Entrance to the course is £10 per person, children under 16 free. Dogs on leads welcome.
Useful Information
Met Office 5 day forecast: Buckfastleigh, 1 mile from TQ11 OLT
BBC Travel News: Devon; Cornwall; Somerset;
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Report: East Cornwall Point-To-Point, Great Trethew, 8th March 2020
WRITTEN BY GRANVILLE TAYLOR
“Mud, mud, glorious mud. Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood…”
Flanders & Swann
It was a real Cornish mud bath at this lovely course. I have been going to Great Trethew since it opened in 1986 and have experienced a lot of wet and windy race days, but the ground around the paddock and bookies had the deepest mud I have ever seen, resembling a gooey chocolate cake. Full marks to the organisers whose determination ensured that the meeting went ahead and that entry and exit for all vehicles was as smooth as possible. The going on the track was inevitably heavy with a premium on stamina.
The meeting had been postponed for two weeks due to waterlogging, and it was touch and go again after heavy overnight rain.
Racing was put back for one hour as organisers worked hard to enable medical and veterinary vehicles to get safely round the very soggy track.
Dean Summersby’s yard has been in great form this season, and the Lifton based trainer added three more winners to his tally on this very testing ground. The winner to give the stable most pleasure came in the PPORA Novice Riders’ race as Dean and Emma Summersby’s 16-year-old daughter Charlotte rode her first point-to-point winner on Cloudy Music. This seven-year-old grey mare runs in the colours of John and Sonia Gardener, and was given an exemplary waiting ride as the young jockey, contesting her fourth point-to-point, swooped on runner up Awesome Tunes (Holly-Anne Drowne) approaching the final fence.
“She made a few little mistakes jumping. I waited until the bottom of the hill, gave her a slap and she took off,” reported the delighted jockey, who rode her first pony race winner here three years ago on her first pony ride. Charlotte is a pupil at Launceston College and rides out as much as possible at home.
Chosen Lucky has been a real flag bearer for the Summersby yard and their Little Acres Racing Club in recent seasons. He won his 14th point-to-point in the club’s colours in the Mixed Open, shrugging off the sustained challenge of the Welsh trained favourite Spencer Moon before coasting to an eight lengths success. Talk of the South took the runner up spot as Byron Moorcroft eased the tiring Spencer Moon to a halt at the top of the hill. “Chosen Lucky is genuine. I wanted some cover from Spencer Moon and was pleased when Byron came to me. I poached a bit of ground round the top bend which gave me the advantage from the top of the hill,” remarked winning rider Darren Edwards.
A double for reigning Devon & Cornwall Men’s title holder Edwards, and a treble for the Dean Summersby stable was sealed when Port O’Clock slogged through the mud to take the Restricted. Little could be seen of the first part of this race as one of the frequent squally rain and hail showers swept across the track. In the end the relentless gallop set by Port O’Clock had forced his three rivals into submission, and the gelding, owned by John Gardener and Torben Hughes passed the post solo. Bought as a store in Ireland, the sturdy five-year-old was following up his South Dorset Open Maiden success last month, but an injury last year almost ended his career. “He split his chest when he fell at the Cotley last March,” said the trainer who is in a good position to defend his Area leading trainer championship.
Party Tunes almost made it four on the day for the yard in the Open Maiden for four to six-year-olds, but edged towards the far rails and was overhauled up the finishing climb by newcomer Don’t Rightly Know. Home bred by owner Julian Selby from winning hurdler Thebelloftheball, the winner is trained at Ottery St Mary by Ed Walker. This strong bodied mare stormed up the hill under the talented Chloe Emsley. “She has scope and jumped for fun. She will be even better over three miles,” reported the rider, who was taking her career total into double figures.
The Open Maiden for older horses went to The Meters Running for owner -trainer Gordon Chambers. The Milan gelding’s stamina came into play as he drew right away from his rivals from the top of the hill. Jockey Jake Bament reported that, “He got a bit lonely out in front but just kept galloping.”
Jake Bament was narrowly denied a double in a close finish for the two miles flat race for four and five-year-olds. His mount Grumpy Freya made much of the running, but she was collared close home and was beaten a short head by the well backed Bravo Buddy under Tom Chanin. “He is a bit green but is a super little horse,” remarked the winning jockey who had bought the four-year-old at Tattersalls Fairyhouse sales last year. “He was only broken last August and is a likely hurdler,” said trainer Robert Chanin.
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RESULTS: EAST CORNWALL AT GREAT TRETHEW 8TH MARCH2020
Going Heavy
Point-to-point flat race 2 miles (Sponsor Philip Warren Butchers)
1 Bravo Buddy (Tom Chanin) 15-8 effort 3 furlongs out, led 1 furlong out, hung left nr finish
2 Grumpy Freya (Jake Bament) 7-2 led til joined 3 furlongs out, headed inside last furlong, kept on
3 Dancin Davey (Nathan Vergne) 5-1 in touch til outpaced 4 furlongs out
6 ran; short head – 2l; 4m 19s
Open Maiden 4 to 6 year olds 2m 4f (Dawe, Hawken & Dodd, Callington)
1 Don’t Rightly Know (Chloe Emsley) 4-1 held up, hdwy 3 out, strong run to lead flat
2 Party Tunes (Darren Edwards) 11-10 fav led til headed flat, hung left closing stages
3 Say About It (Fionn Summers) 12-1 in touch til wknd 3 out
13 ran; 2l; 5l; 5m 54s
Open Maiden 7- year-olds & upwards 2m 4f (The King’s Head, Altarnun)
1 The Meters Running (Jake Bament) 8-1 led 12th, went clear 3 out, unchallenged
2 Best To Come (Byron Moorcroft) 3-1 led 10th til 12th wknd rapidly 3 out
3 Shadow Blue (Tom Chanin) 12-1 went remote 3rd 3 out
10 ran; 8l; 20l; 5m 54s
Mixed Open (Porsche Centre Exeter)
1 Chosen Lucky (Darren Edwards) 5-4 alwys prom, led 3 out, soon clear, comf
2 Talk of the South (Jake Bament) 9-4 3rd til went 2nd three out, no chance with winner
3 ran; only two finished ; 8l; 7m 16s
PPORA Novice Riders Conditions (Group Travel, Bodmin)
1 Cloudy Music (Charlotte Summersby) 4-1 held up, good hdwy four out, strong run to lead apprg last, comf
2 Awesome Tunes (Holly-Anne Drowne) 10-1 always ldrs, disputed lead by passing three out, no extra apprg last
3 Mister Dick (Scott Malson) 4-1 led 14th til after by passing three out, wknd
9 ran; 6l; 2l; 7m 17s
Restricted (Jefferys)
1 Port O’Clock (Darren Edwards) evens fav made all, left alone by passing three out
4 ran; winner finished alone 7m 13s
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