Britain’s 2014/15 point-to-point season is to be celebrated in style at a stunning new venue and with a record-breaking champion to honour.
The Four Pillars Hotel, a lakeside location within Cotswold Water Park in Gloucestershire, is to be the stage for the National Awards Dinner and Dance, which takes place on Saturday, November 14, during Cheltenham’s Open Meeting. The effervescent ‘At The Races’ presenter Luke Harvey, is to host the glittering event.
Heading a star cast of champions and winners from the past season will be Will Biddick, who smashed the British record for victories in one season, taking the previous best of 56 to a new high of 68 wins.
Cornishman Biddick has won the Fuller’s Brewery Leading men’s title for the past four years, while Gina Andrews, will step up to receive the women’s championship for the second time after a four-year gap – her sister, Bridget, now a conditional jockey, was the previous season’s champion.
16 year old, Harry Cobden, now a conditional jockey with champion jumps trainer, Paul Nicholls will receive the Fuller’s Brewery male novice riders’ prize, while Lara Mahon, takes the Fullers Brewery female novices’ award.
Cobden will also receive a share of the Connolly’s RED MILLS champion point-to-pointer award, which goes jointly to his horse Cock of The Rock and to Rosie’s Peacock, owned, trained and bred by David Llewellyn. Both horses won seven times last season. Jack Barber and Rachael Green – who has since become Mrs Anthony Honeyball – will share the Connolly’s-sponsored trainer’s title, while Nick Wright, who is chairman of the Point-to-Point Racing Company, gains the champion owner award.
Other prizes on the night include the Jockey Club Leading Novice Mare award, for which the £500 prize this year goes to Audrey Goodwin the owner of Miss Gotaway. Mickey Bowen, Ciaran Gethings and Claire Hart respectively pick up the Point-to-Point Racing Company-sponsored champion hunter chase trainer and rider honours.
Tickets costing £80 a head are available from the Point-to-Point Authority, so book your seat and be part of a celebration of Britain’s point-to-point champions and a great party.
Further information from the Point-to-Point Authority: 01793 781990
info@p2pa.co.uk
To order tickets:
– Facebook message Katie Squire
– Phone 01805 603129
– or email katiesquire980@btinternet.com
Please ask for Bobbie at the New Continental, Plymouth when you call to book a room. Her direct number is 01752 276797.
Anyone with any trophies from last year’s awards or from previous years please let Katie Squire know, and bring them to Chapleton Barton, Umberleigh She will be VERY happy !!!!!!! thanks !!!
Next weekend will see the final Point-to-Point meeting of the season take place at Chapleton Barton, Umberleigh, where the Torrington Farmers host their meeting as the curtain closer for the season. There are six races on offer with the action starting at 2pm. The Devon & Cornwall area pony racing follows the main races, with the 138cm and under, followed by the 148cm pony race.
With the leading horse title still to be decided, both Cock Of The Rock and Rosies Peacock are entered here in the Davisons Chartered Accountant-sponsored Men’s Open. Each seeking their eighth win of the season, Cock of The Rock for trainer Rachael Green under owner/rider Harry Cobden, was unable to clock up a win at Bratton last weekend. Rosies Peacock’s connections skipped last weekend and could take the title if coming out fresh here for the David Llewellyn team. Harry Cobden has another possible ride with entry Silver Token who is stable mate to Cock Of The Rock. Should Silver Token or any other runner win the race, then the title would be shared between Rosies Peacock and Cock Of The Rock.
The Confined race, sponsored by Devonshire Motors of Barnstaple, heads up the action. This could turn into a dual between Pasternak Jack for the Woollacott team, and the Roy Smith-trained Just Seven. Both horses ran last well last weekend clocking up similar times in their respective races.
Outside raider, Captain Camelot had been well fancied to take the Restricted race at the Trecoed meeting last weekend. He finished second, and could well be the favourite here in the Captain Tim Forester Memorial Restricted race. Trainer Paul Phillips entry Tandori looks a danger having run a good second at Hackwood Park.
Mikey Bowen has entered both Sir Du Bearn and Cygnet in the E.J.Snell & Sons Ltd-sponsored Ladies Open race. Both horses ran last weekend, with Sir Du Bearn winning at Trecoed under Jodie Hughes, and Cygnet running well in the Men’s Open in third. The danger looks to be Awesome George for the Mahon team, who has had time to recover from his second at Garthorpe. Tim Underwood has Carnglave Cat entered and the trainer looks to be chasing Rachael Green for the National Trainer title for yards with seven horses or less. Carnglave Cat is already on a seasons hat-trick, the latest when winning at Peper Harow in Surrey.
Alfie The Great could go well in the Intermediate race, having notched up a quick time at Garthorpe. Green Winter is another to note, having won his Restricted easily at Hereford. The surprise could be Sedgemoor Top Bid for the Tickle team, who could follow-up on his two wins at the Flete Park meetings. This race is sponsored by Claire Howarth of Barum Stud.
Finally those catching the eye in the Smallridge Bros Ltd-sponsored Open Maiden race are Princess Tina, after her second at Lydstep, and Kilcoman Wizard having clocked up seconds at Trebudannon and Cothelstone.
All on course facilities are on offer with bar, hot food, bookies and a host of trade stands, and a super party atmosphere. Entrance to the course is £10 per person, with children under 16 free. Please support the IJF bucket collection at the meeting, which is collecting for young jockey Ed Barrett who was injured at Upcott Cross in April.
The course is located on A377, 5m SE of Barnstaple – EX37 9EB.
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.
The 14 bookmakers produced a strong betting market at Upcott Cross during an afternoon with some bizarre happenings.
The 14 runner Restricted became the race that never was. 50-1 chance Gleannacreim played up at the start, but the starter appeared to flag the field away. It was not until the race was taking shape with half a mile to run that a yellow flag was deployed to stop the race. A false start was cited. It was a pity that this unfortunate turn of events meant a void race because apart from everybody’s wasted efforts, a good finish was in prospect.
Course winner Brave Encounter had made most of the running, having been gambled on from early 20’s to 5-1 at the “off”. Will Biddick’s mount Earthpower had started favourite (5-2 to 2’s) and was making eye catching progress up the back straight. Myladtommy (25’s to 20’s) and the complete outsider Mongress Boy (200-1) also showed prominently when the order to stop the race was given.
The afternoon had started more positively in the eight-runner Confined when Devon General (3’s to 5-2) and Mausefalle (10-1 touched 12’) dead heated. Third placed King’s Bench (6’s into 4’s) kept on well and had run creditably on his three previous outings this season. He is capable of stepping up on this effort.
Posh Totty was the main fancy in the Men’s Open. One punter’s bet of £200 at 4-5 looked a steal, especially since the she hardened to 1-3 at the off. This time the Jack Barber trained mare found Robin Will (7-2 to 3’s) a bit too hot to handle.
Cock of the Rock, seeking his seventh successive win, opened at 1-2 in the Novice Riders’ (a bet of £2,000 to win £1,000 noted). 16-year-old Harry Cobden has impressed all season and once again timed his challenge to perfection to overcome the tough 6-year-old Le Clo de la Londe who had been backed from 6-1 to 9-2.
Ned White (7-4 fav from 2’s) has been a grand servant to his connections for many years. He jumped superbly for Leanda Tickle to win the Ladies’ Open without too much fuss. Despite showing as a 12-year-old on the race card he is actually a year older than that and retirement beckons for him at the end of the season.
I had begun to think that Baldhu High Tide was not much better than his dam North Coast Girl, who managed only one tailed off completion in her 14 races. Baldhu High Tide, sired by Baldhu Jack (who won two points in his day) had struggled with only one distant completion in his six efforts to date. However this was his day. Fitted with a hood for the first time and putting his eventing experience to good use, Baldhu High Tide had the last laugh and won quite easily in the end under Vicky Wade. He was of course easy to back at long odds (33’s to 25’s), but I saw one clairvoyant punter picking up the tidy sum of £2,000.
1 dead heat Devon General (Matt Hampton) 5-2 led three out, blundered last two fences, caught on line
1 dead heat Mausefalle (Darren Edwards) 10-1 prom, went 2nd three out, strong run flat, joined ldr on line
3 Kings Bench (David Noonan) 4-1 stayed on well from three out
8 ran; dead heat; 3l; 6m 26s
Owner: Devon General Mr & Mrs John Burrow ; Trainer; Kayley Woollacott
Owner Mausefalle Mike Bickell; Trainer; Dean Summersby
Men’s Open (T L Rowe, Park Homes)
1 Robin Will (Matt Hampton) 3-1 held up, effort three out, led last, soon clear
2 Posh Totty (Will Biddick) 1-3 fav took lead 14th, headed last, no extra flat
3 Rush N Roll (Michael Legg) 8-1 hdwy 13th, no extra from two out
4 ran; 3l; 8l; 6m 28s
Owner: Mr & Mrs John Symes; Trainer; Kayley Woollacott
1 Ned White (Leanda Tickle) 7-4 fav made all, drew clear two out, comf
2 Florence Mary (Lucy Mager) 9-4 went 2nd 13th, every chance til wknd two out
3 Battle Bridge (Chloe Swaffield) 11-2 some hdwy four out, took 3rd flat, no ch ldrs
5 ran; 7l; 10l; 6m 27s
Owner; Mrs J and Mr N Elliott: Trainer; Robert Chanin
1 Cock Of The Rock (Harry Cobden) 1-3 fav held up, smooth prog to lead two out, soon clear
2 Le Clo De La Londe (Sean Houlihan) 9-2 led 10th til headed two out
3 Mumbles Pier (R Patrick) 11-2 disputed lead / close up til wknd four out
8 ran; 12l; 25l; 6m 24s;
Owner; Harry Cobden; Trainer; Rachael Green
1 High Priority (Josh Newman) 4-1 took lead three out, rdn clr next, easily
2 Onwegoagain (Darren Edwards) 9-1 chased winner from three out, stayed on one pace
3 Forrardon Exmoor (Vicky Wade) 15-8 fav led til four out, well held from next
10 ran; 5l; 25l; 6m 31s
Owner; Mr & Mrs P Clarke & Mrs J Cumings; Trainer; Keith Cumings
1 Baldhu High Tide (Vicky Wade) 25-1 led til 12th & agn from three out, clear when blundered last, easily
2 Cloudy Coma (Sam Ellicott) 12-1 stayed on from three out
3 Meldon Express (Jo Buck) 2-1 jt fav hit 14th, went 2nd three out til flat
7 ran; 6l; head; 6m 42s
Owner; Mrs S Wevill; Trainer; Lizzie Luxton
Pony Racing
Sourced from Point to Point Pony Racing: CONFIRMED RESULTS FOR THE SOUTH TETCOTT AT UPCOTT CROSS ON MONDAY, 25TH MAY 2015
138cm & Under Race
1. CHURCHILL – Tamby Welch
2. THE JOBS NOT STRAIGHT – Tyler Heard
3. GINGER WIZARD – Chad Bament
4. MOCKING BIRD – Alfie Godfrey
5. BECCA WALK O’ THE WILD SIDE – Molly Landau
6. JOBANKER MORNING MIST – Finn Muirhead
7. MASSEREENE PORTORA – Harry Brown (10)
8. MENEDH JUMPING JACK FLASH – Otis Morgan
9. WIDE VALLEY BATMAN – Walter Fisher-Barnett
10.WIDE VALLEY MARCH – Ruby Fisher-Barnett
148cm & under at 12.20pm
1. DONT TELL DAI – Connor Brace
2. CALYPSO – Ben Godfrey
3. IGO ZUMINOV – James Armstrong
4. VADLAWALKOVER – Tamby Welch
5. SHOTGUN MINNIE – Tyler Heard
6. SPRINGS – Thomasina Eyston
7. GOODNIGHT – Bruce Young
8. BARBOZA – Isabel Hunt
To order tickets:
– Facebook message Katie Squire
– Phone 01805 603129
– or email katiesquire980@btinternet.com
Please ask for Bobbie at the New Continental, Plymouth when you call to book a room. Her direct number is 01752 276797.
Anyone with any trophies from last year’s awards or from previous years please let Katie Squire know, and bring them to Upcott Cross, Bratton Down or Chapleton Barton, Umberleigh She will be VERY happy !!!!!!! thanks !!!
The popular Point-to-Point horse racing course at Upcott Cross, Halwill junction is the area venue for this weekend Bank Holiday Monday May 25th. With only a few weeks left until the season finishes in June, this track will again attract the top horses and jockey’s to battle out the finishes with much at stake with the championship tables.
Pony racing will head up the action at 12 noon, before the main six race card commences at 1pm. Over 100 entries have been received. Penbode Vet Group sponsor the opening Confined race, in which area leading trainer Kayley Woollacott holds three of the entries including Cinevator who could follow up on his 15 length win at Holnicote. Stable mate Devon General ran well at Trebudannon, when three lengths second behind I’m All Set.
The Woollacott team also hold strong entries in the Mr T L Rowe, Park Homes sponsored Men’s Open, including Parkham Jack and Jepeck as possibles for Jamie Thomas to ride. Outside raider Boyfromnowhere looks an interesting entry after a 15 length easy win at Llwyn DDU earlier this month, and is a previous winner under Rules when in training with Rebecca Curtis. Posh Totty from the Jack Barber team could be a likely favourite if connections choose to run here.
In the Codes Solicitors-sponsored Restricted race, recent maiden winners HMS Intrepid having stayed on well to win at Holnicote, and Roy’s Gallery after his win in a hotly contested maiden at Didmartin catch the eye, and could be progressive.
Watch The Birdie could go well in the Simpkin Edwards-sponsored Ladies Open race, having won impressively under Hannah Lewis at Lower Machen for trainer Gareth Moore. Way Before Dawn could go well under Leanda Tickle for the Sarah Tickle team, having previous wins at Great Trethew and Black Forest Lodge.
Cock Of The Rock is unbeaten in his last six outings for novice jockey Harry Cobden, they could take the Club Members race for Novice riders here, which is sponsored by PRJ Engineering. Maxi Chop is another to have been in the winners enclosure with rides shared by James King and Stan Sheppard for Burford-based trainer Rose Loxton. Top Chief was on top form last weekend when winning at Bratton Down under Jake Bament, the combination could well be back for more, as could The Mangherally Man if coming out fresh from his win under Lara Mahon at Dingley.
Two divisions of the Open Maiden race follow, with suggestion is the first being Captain Camelot and Follow The Paint. Overland Flyer looks to stand out among the entries in the second division after his three and a half length second at Holnicote. The two Maiden races have been sponsored by FC Cleaning Systems and The Dawn West Devon.
On course facilities include hot refreshments, bar, bookies and a number of trade stands. The course is located 2 miles South of Halwill junction off A3079 – Postcode EX21 5AE.
Entrance is £10 car & driver, £10 per passenger up to a maximum of £30 per car, children under 16 free, pedestrians £10.
WILL BIDDICK is marching on towards his half century for the season in his quest for a fourth consecutive National jockeys’ title, and put three more winners in the bag at the Axe Vale meeting. Considering the recent dry spell, the organisers produced remarkably good ground thanks to extensive watering.
Subtle Sovereign was untroubled under the champion’s guidance in beating his two opponents to in win his first Open, easing clear in the home straight. “This was his eighth win in his last nine runs. We will probably wait another year before going hunter chasing,” said Jeremy Barber, whose son Jack was saddling his 38th winner of the season.
The progressive Whataknight soon made it 39 for the Dorset trainer, drawing right away from his rivals at the second last to win the Intermediate, “He is an out and out galloper and just keeps going,” commented Jack, who trains the six-year-old for owners Terry Hamlin, Martin Dare and John Snook.
The Barber/Biddick treble was completed when five-year-old Royalzaro beat 12 opponents to win the Restricted. “He was a cheap buy in France and is going the right way,” reported the young trainer.
Kostaquarta almost made if four winners for the yard but came off second best after a protracted battle with Fiulin in the Confined. Now with Ed Walker, the winner is owned by the Carstairs Clan which consists of Guy and Alex Carstairs and their young children Zak, Oliver and Euan. “He was losing ground over his fences in a hunter chase at Newton Abbot the other day and we will stick to pointing for a while now,” said the trainer. Fiulin has a remarkable CV. By Galileo, he fetched 280,000 guineas as a four-year-old. AP McCoy couldn’t win on him, but apart from his pointing wins for previous owner Ross Oliver, the sturdy 10-year-old has won on the flat and over hurdles, and competed at the Cheltenham festival and Royal Ascot. Phew !
Fiulin’s successful jockey Robbie Henderson was out of luck in the Hunt race when 1-4 favourite Hameldown Tor tumbled out of the race when caught by the flailing legs of Miss Cupcake at the 13th fence. This event went to former hurdles winner Moyne Nineoseven who was partnered by Vicky Wade for the Nineoseven Partnership. “I bought him at Ascot last October, He has a few quirks and we have waited for better ground,” said trainer Sarah Pidsley who has four pointers in her yard at Payhembury near Honiton.
Silver Token was a warm favourite for the Novice Riders’ race but gave Harry Cobden a nasty fall when crashing through the wing of the 14th fence. Loose Preformer (Hedley Webb) was left clear but failed to withstand the well timed challenge of Maxi Chop (James King) after jumping the last. Despite an expensive price tag, the seven-year-old did not reach the winner’s enclosure for Paul Nicholls, but is proving a good novice ride and was following up his Hackwood Park win on Easter Monday. “James King and Stan Sheppard are sharing the rides and it was the turn of James today. This horse has bled before and could finish distressed, but has got his confidence back now,” reported trainer Rose Loxton.
It is not always plain sailing, even for champions, and after receiving his trainer’s trophy on a euphoric day at Sandown, it was down to earth, literally, the next day in a field at Stafford Cross. Four-year-old San Satiro carried the champion trainer’s colours in the concluding Maiden. The raw youngster, trained by Jack Barber, only got as far as the fourth fence before virtually stopping and depositing Will Biddick on the Devon turf..
Boymann went on to win the event under Leanda Tickle. The seven-year-old was home bred by owner Paul Mann. “He was unlucky not to win last year when he threw away a race at Trebudannon. He needs good ground and is now my third winner with my last three runners,” exclaimed delighted trainer Joe Tickle.
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