The Stafford Cross course is looking very good and the going is Good tonight.
Thursday 19th April 2018 at 06:30
The Stafford Cross going is soft heavy in places. With just over a week to go its looking good for the Axe Vale. The course has been slightly altered and now has only 1 down hill jump and now With 19 jumps.
Preview extract:
The Axe Vale meeting on Sunday 29th April will be held at Stafford Cross, Seaton and has attracted 120 entries for their now eight race card with the Open Maiden race already divided. Pony racing which is sponsored by Bruckland Livery heads up the action at 12 noon. Followed by the main card at 1.30pm.
The flat track at Stafford Cross offers good trackside viewing, hot food and refreshments, bar, bookies and many trade stands. Entrance to the course is £10 per person to a max of £30 per car with children under 16 free. Location is off A3052 20mins from M5 junction 30 – EX24 6HZ.
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 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.
The current going at Bratton Down is firm. The aggravator is coming on Saturday and will do more on Sunday if needed.
Hugh Thomas, Clerk of Course
Saturday 29th May 2016
Going is currently good to firm. The fences have all been moved out onto fresh ground.
The aggravator will be used if necessary.
Buy early bird etickets on Bratton Down Ticket Sales for 15% off the individual ticket (£8.50 instead of £10 per person)
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 2015/16 form from 2014/15 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2013/14 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.
Going at Bratton Down is on the Firm side of Good this morning, with a heavy dew. Will be perfect ground for racing
Sunday 8th May 2016
Bratton Down, Dulverton West Point to Point Sunday 15th May, Going update is ‘Good‘
Entries close 12.30pm Monday
– Claire Hitch, Hon. Sec.
Buy early bird etickets on Bratton Down Ticket Sales for 15% off the individual ticket (£8.50 instead of £10 per person)
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 2015/16 form from 2014/15 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2013/14 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.
No rain overnight at the course so the ground is perfect for a good days racing. The going will be GOOD
22nd April 2016
Friday p.m. After a mornings rain the going at Stafford Cross is GOOD TO SOFT
19 April 2016
Going is now GOOD at Stafford Cross and looking hopeful for excellent racing on Sunday
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 2013/14 form from 2012/13 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2011/12 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.
Related articles: [display-posts taxonomy=”category” tax_term=”Axe Vale” taxonomy_2=”category” tax_2_term=”2015-16 Season”]
John Bradley confirms Bishops court going remains Good To Soft, Soft in Places for the East Devon Point-To-Point #gopointing #ottery
Monday 29th February 2016
All the fences are in place and ready at Bishops Court. The ground is improving. But still Good to Soft, Soft in Places.
Rain is expected Tuesday but I don’t think the the conditions will change much as we have had so many good days recently.
The course inspection is on Thursday and I’ll give a further update then.
– John Bradley, Clerk of Course
Thursday 25th February 2016
Correction to the going at Bishops Court, the going is Good to Soft, Soft in Places.
Wednesday 24th February 2016
The course is drying nicely and the fences go out tomorrow (Thursday), it has been left late to save the ground, with all vehicles have been kept off the course.
Bishops Court will be ready for the 5th of March, and all things considered the going will be much the same as normal for this time of year: Good to soft, good in places.
I will give you another update on Monday.
John Bradley, Clerk of Course
Preview extract:
Point-to-Point enthusiasts head to East Devon next weekend, where racing action takes place at Bishops Court, Ottery St Mary on Saturday March 5th. With the weather having been kind and the ground drying up nicely, the organisers have been able to access the course and prepare the track for another exciting day’s racing. This meeting usually heralds the first spring flush of bumper picnic crowds to enjoy a pretty course setting along with the quality seven race card which kicks off at 12 noon. Over 90 entries have been received.
On course facilities include hot food, refreshments, bar, bookies and plenty of trade stands. Superb track side viewing.
Entrance is £10 per car one occupant. £20 car and two occupants. £30 per car with three plus occupants. £5 Pedestrians. Children under 15 free. Dogs on leads welcome.
Course is located at Bishops Court, Ottery St Mary. Postcode EX11 1RJ
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 2015/16 form from 2014/15 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2013/14 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.
Bookmaker David Phillips has kindly supplied this week's notes:-
A glorious sunny afternoon at The Tiverton Staghounds meeting at Bratton Down in the heart of Exmoor. The opening race, the Members, was an exciting contest where Whenharrymetsally prevailed in a tight finish with Le Clo de la Londe. Well ridden by Liam Drowne, she was backed at 2/1 with Le Clo de la Londe around 11/10.
In the first maiden anyone who backs Will Biddick horses were rewarded when the Nikki Frost trained Stop the Press won very easily having been backed at 8/1.
The second division of the maiden was memorable because it was Alice Mills’ last ride in a point to point before she turns professional. She won with a well timed run on Askers Lad at a very generous 3/1.
The intermediate was won very easily by the Alan Hill trained and Joe Hill ridden Broken Eagle at around 5/1. The heavily backed favourite The Flying Doc had it all to do when falling. He had been backed from 6/4 into evens.
In the Men’s open the betting was mainly divided between the prolific winner Cock of the Rock and the Barber / Biddick duo with Queens Bay. The nine year old mare Queens Bay prevailed at 2/1 after a good battle with the veteran Barneys Mate.
There was an upset in the Ladies’ Open when the 13 year old Ned White having his last race won easily at 5/1.The disappointing favourite It was Me was turned over at 2/5.
In the restricted the easy to back Golanzine passed the post first only to be disqualified for going the wrong side of a marker.The race was awarded to Craigbienn ridden by the champion ladies rider Gina Andrews, a well backed 4/1 shot.
The crowds flocked to the Point-to-Point course at Bratton Down, where glorious sunshine with plenty of exciting race action delighted the crowd, at the penultimate race meeting of the season. The Tiverton Staghounds hosted the event on Sunday, with two races divided on the day, giving a total of eight very competitive races.
Five came under the starters orders for the Winston Pincombe Land Rovers-sponsored Members Race, where the Kayley Woollacott’s entry Le Clo De La Londe had been sent off odds-on favourite. Heidi Lewis had set the pace on the Woollacott team’s other runner Pasternak Jack. For a while it looked to be a Woollacott team win, but jockey Lee Drowne had ridden a patient race on the Keith Cumings-trained Whenharrymetsally, getting the better of the three way tussle up the home straight to win by one and a half lengths. “She travelled well, jumps and stays, they set a nice gallop and I didn’t panic. It is the second ride for Keith Cumings in two weeks and two wins.” quoted the delighted jockey.
Trainer Nikki Frost clocked up her first of two wins on the day, in the first division of the Open Maiden race, which had been sponsored by Stags. Stop The Press, under champion jockey Will Biddick, came home the ten length winner, ahead of Peggy’s Hero with Queens Law in third. The Frost’s team second winner came when The Greendale Rocket literally rocketed up the hill in the second division of the Restricted race. He flew over the finishing line and jumped another fence before jockey Byron Moorcroft could pull him up. Go On Henry had tried to head the winner up the home straight, but The Greendale Rocket fought back under a strong drive by Moorcroft, to win by a half a length. ” I have driven down from Scotland this morning just to ride for the Frost team.” quoted the jockey, who used to ride as a conditional for Jimmy.
The second division of the Open Maiden went to Askers Lad, giving jockey Alice Mills a win riding in her last Point to Point before turning professional. The Reuben Chapman-trained Onwegoagain had travelled well having led over the final ditch, with Alice keeping a keen hold of Askers Lad, who had previously run out at the last fence at this course before, rode a thrilling finish to win by a length.
Broken Eagle, from the leading National trainer Alan Hill’s yard took the Saul Kidston, Exmoor Hay & Straw Ltd-sponsored Intermediate race, winning by a distance under jockey Jo Hill. Joint owner Jake Exelby was thrilled with his bargain purchase, which they bought out of Doncaster sales. “We will step him up into open company next season, with the possibility of short distance Hunter Chases in the future.”
The Men’s Open was snatched by champion jockey Will Biddick on Queens Bay for the Jack Barber team, coming home seven lengths ahead of Findlay’s Find. The veteran 15 year old Barney’s Mate ran really well in third, having led over the third last fence. “Queens Bay is a lovely horse, she is game, stays well as she has proved today.” said the delighted trainer, who added “Barney’s Mate gave Chris such a good ride, you wouldn’t believe he was 15.” This race had been sponsored by The Poltimore Inn, North Molton.
It Was Me had been sent off odds-on favourite in the Ladies Open, but had to settle for third. The front running Ned White, under Leanda Tickle, had only been headed for a short stretch after the second last when Fiulin put up a challenge, with the 13 year old Ned White relishing the drying ground. He was determined to make his last race before retiring a winning one. His owner Jacqueline Elliot commented on his win saying “He has done us so well, always being placed. We are looking for a good home for him now, maybe along the lines of racehorse rehab.”
The first division of the Witheridge Garage-sponsored Restricted race resulted in the first horse over the line Golanzine, being disqualified for his trainer/jockey Mark Wildsmith missing a marker on the course. The race was awarded to the Andrews family’s Craigbenn under jockey Gina Andrews, who is soon to be awarded the National Ladies title.
Will Biddick was awarded the leading jockey trophy for the most wins over the three Bratton Down meetings. Owners of Whataknight and Queens Bay were jointly awarded the leading horse title.
Going (Thurs 4th): Good to soft with good in places
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
v
=
void
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 2014/15
form from 2013/14 form. Figures preceded by an oblique (/) represents 2012/13 form or earlier. Horses marked with an asterisk (*) indicates National Hunt
form. The higher the rating the better the form.
No responsibility can be accepted for any errors which may be considered to have occurred.
THE third of three Point-to-Point horse racing fixtures to take place at the stunning Bratton Down track is to be held this Sunday June 7th.
With only two meetings left in the area this season, the opportunity to pack the picnics full of scrumptious delights to party again, whilst watching some excellent thrilling races is a must for all country loving folk. There are six races on offer and over 100 entries received. The first being the Winston Pincombe-sponsored Members race heading up the action at 2pm. Local trainer Kayley Woollacott holds three of the entries with the pick looking to be Le Clo De La Londe, having won a Restricted race earlier in May, then following up with a second at Upcott Cross. The Keith Cumings-trained entry Whenharrymetsally ran well at this course when third last month and could put up another strong challenge.
The Stags Open Maiden race follows, attracting 24 entries all looking to progress before the end of the season. Among those catching the eye are Askers Lad, who had run well when leading until running out at the last fence here at the Dulverton meeting here, could go close. Overland Flyer ran a good two lengths second at Holnicote behind Katie’s Massini, and is from the Jack Barber team, they could add to their current seasons total of an impressive 50 winners so far.
In the Exmoor Hay & Straw Ltd Intermediate race, Fourstar River looks to be the one they all have to catch, having been knocking at the door of an Intermediate win all season including a neck second to Otis Tarda at the earlier May meeting. Broken Eagle is an interesting outside raider for the Alan Hill team, he could follow up on his seconds at Larkhill and Kingston Blount, under jockey Joe Hill. The Flying Doc won here at the last meeting and could progress well, with Credit Crunched who could also come back for more having been unlucky to unseat his rider early on at the last meeting.
Cock Of The Rock is unbeaten in his last seven runs this season, including a Men’s Open at Little Windsor for his jockey Harry Cobden. Harry is currently leading the National Novice male jockey’s title. His main challenger in the Greenslade Taylor Hunt-sponsored Men’s Open race here could be Rosie’s Peacock, another horse on seven wins, with both horses competing for the leading horse title. Queens Bay from the Barber team could be the fly in the ointment with champion jockey Will Biddick aboard and should be feared most.
Outside raiders in the Poltimore Inn, North Molton Ladies Open race come in the way of It Was Me, who under jockey Carey Williamson has won his last five starts, Awesome George is a hurdle and Chase winner who could figure here for jockey Lara Mahon. Ned White for Leanda Tickle and Top Chief under Bryony Frost, could put up a bold show for the area if conditions dry in time.
The Witheridge Garage-sponsored Restricted Race closes the days events, of the 25 entered both Earthpower and The Greendale Rocket were running well in the void race at Upcott Cross, and Just Seven could follow-up on his win at Vauterhill in May.
For those choosing not to pack their own picnics, the on course facilities include tasty hot refreshments, bar, bookies and a number of trade stands, offering a great family day out. Children under 16 get onto the course free, charges for car & driver are £10, with £10 each passenger up to a maximum of £30. Dogs on leads welcome.
Course is located at Bratton Fleming, 9m NE of Barnstaple on A399, 11m South of South Molton. Postcode EX31 4SG.
