Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt
Club at Cottenham
Sunday 31st December 2006
by Simon McInnes
The course has a reputation for
attracting vast crowds, but being fairly well spread out, is able
to cope with them. It did not seem today that the numbers were at
their peak, but an 11.00am start did mean that the point hungry
racegoers were still streaming in after the second race. It helped
that it was obvious in advance that there would be nine races due
to the numbers in the youngsters maiden, so a healthy day's
entertainment would still be received.
The racing surface had proved remarkably
resilient to the recent weather, as was the car park, but most of
all the banks which are the prime viewing spots aside from the
small stand were no more than inconveniently slippery, when it
might have been their job to provide plenty of comedy falling
over.
Robert & Joan
Clinton Members Conditions [3m]
1: Krac D'Argos 2: Selassie 3: Bright Present
Winner owned: David Parker, trained: Katie Baimbridge, ridden:
Julian Pritchard
The riders of Krac D'Argos and Royal Jake were clearly not a’
feared of the going in any way as they ensured a very decent early
pace for this, with the pack tailing them at a respectful distance.
Krac D'Argos (who was the first of several horses on the day to get
a bit sweaty in the mild temperatures - on New Year's Eve!) was the
one able to sustain it to the end, with Selassie being the only
horse able to get within sniffing distance. Having been held up a
long way off of the pace, and only be beaten a few lengths in the
end, some were probably questioning the tactics on Selassie, but he
was hard ridden in the straight whilst the winner had plenty in
hand, and second was as good as he would have been even if laying
up closer to the leaders. Although well beaten, Bright Present
hinted at a return to his best Irish form in outlasting Mr Naborro
for third.
The Ancient Shepherd
Restricted [3m]
1: Gillie's Nephew 2: Guthrie 3: Coppingers Court
Winner owned: Colin Gee, trained: Joan Johnston, ridden: James
Tudor
Due to a serious injury to Adrian Gibbons, whose mount Qualicom
rolled on him when they fell at the first and then was knocked onto
him again when bumped trying to get to its feet, the last fence was
omitted twice, leading to a very long run-in. This enabled another
sweaty beast, Gillie's Nephew to just cling on to defy a long
absence by a head. As the motoring Guthrie had out jumped him at
the last two fences that they crossed it does hint that the
bypassed obstacle may have affected the outcome. The injured rider
was still down a long time after the race finished, appearing
unconscious, but I did not hear the ambulance roar off sirens
blaring, so hopefully the damage was not too serious in the end.
Coppingers Court, an Irish maiden winner made a so-so British
debut, as he might have a little bit of improvement to come. Box On
was in contention when he fell four out, and Lightningconducter
went at the same obstacle when similarly poised, but at the angle
it was not clear if he was brought down, distracted or just went in
sympathy.
Volkswagen Touareg
Men's Open [3m]
1: Ballylusky 2: Bob Ar Aghaidh 3: Houlihans Free
Winner owned: Mr & Mrs William Rucker, trained: Sheila Crow,
ridden: Richard Burton
The market said that this was at the mercy of Ballylusky or Rhythm
King, so when the latter departed at the third (an uncharacteristic
but not unique blip), it should have been a stroll, but Bob Ar
Aghaidh proved disturbingly persistent for a horse that failed to
complete in his last four races under Rules. If the change of
scenery has sweetened him up he could turn out to be a decent
pointer. In fact, had Ballylusky not summoned the better jump at
the last, it could even have been a winning start. Houlihans Free
was up with the first pair until three from the finish, but he
tired quickly and did well to get going again for second after a
mistake two out brought him to a complete standstill. After his
good effort at Tweseldown, Halexy ran a very lacklustre race today
and others who did well at the Hampshire track before Christmas
disappointed today. Too many pies, presumably.
Johns Of Cambridge
Countryside Alliance Club Members, Novice Riders [3m]
1: Homme De Fer 2: Sure Future 3: Sudden Arrival
Winner owned: Countess Cathcart, trained: Nigel Bloom, ridden:
George Greenock
Unusually for this type of race, thirteen started and they all
finished, but it was inevitably not without a little controversy.
There was a bit of chaos at the tapes, and the commentator spotted
a signal for a false start. He tried to get the riders' attention,
but failed and the white flag operator stood his ground until he
realised that moving was the optimal survival technique. However,
it was announced whilst the race was in progress that the stewards
were happy with the start, but presumably this was not true of the
riders of Hot Plunge (whose rider, Kelly Smith did not seem wildly
enthused about getting on board, and Hot Plunge did his best to
encourage the opinion) and Jovian Pond, who were tailed off by the
first. The last 2m 7f were fairly uneventful, with Homme De Fer,
almost as old as some of the riders, securing win number six on the
eve of his fifteenth birthday. Sure Future ran rather well to the
last but faded on the run-in and nearly lost second to newcomer
Sudden Arrival, who lived up to his name with a late charge from
well off of the pace. Amazingly, Hot Plunge managed to pinch
fourth, a sign of what he can do when in the mood - it seems
keeping him in a good mood for a mere seven minutes of racing is no
easy job. Useful handicap chaser Jakari made his pointing debut,
but he was never a prolific winner despite running well at the top
meetings, and is probably a hard ride for a novice jockey.
Baileys Horse Feeds
Ladies' Open [3m]
1: Interdit 2: Another Client 3: Ivanoph
Winner owned & trained: Mrs BK Thomson, ridden: Jill
Wormall
My recollection was that Interdit could be a little less than
ideally genuine under Rules, but he was honest enough today,
justifying the long trip down from Scotland, although helped by
some potential threats looking as if they would come on for the
exercise and a great recovery from Jill Wormall at the first when
Interdit did not seem to notice the fence at all until he walked
through it. Another Client ran his best race for some time in being
a close second, and the same goes for Ivanoph whose 2006 season
proper was eminently forgettable. Sea Ferry was fourth, being held
up off of the pace, but not being fluent enough at the fences to
make up the ground when asked to close. He might do better when up
with the leaders. Uneasy in the betting, Placid Man was not
boasting much spare flesh, but the muscle definition suggested that
he had not been on the weights machines, and after setting off in
front as per usual, he gradually faded out of it. He might be past
his peak, but can do better than this next time. Last year's winner
Physical Force also looked like the run would do him good.
Cheffins Open Maiden,
8 y.o and up [3m]
1: Chanticlier 2: Albert House 3: Golders Green
Winner owned & ridden: Lucy Franks, trained: Wilf
Tolhurst
Paddock perusal suggested that of those with proven ability only
Chanticlier and Amplifi were fit enough to do themselves justice.
Coming off of a long absence, Amplifi weakened quickly and was
pulled up around the thirteenth fence, but Chanticlier lived up to
his appearance rather more successfully, helped by a good round of
jumping. Albert House made a promising pointing debut as he looked
as if the run would bring him on. He was a bit of a plodder under
Rules, but should be able to win a maiden. Hard pulling Golders
Green has one the odd decent race and does not ruin the look of the
form. The only other finisher was Fusion Of Tunes, whose previous
runs of a pulled up and a fall are less encouraging.
Weatherbys Chase Open
Maiden 4-7 yo, Div I [2m 4f]
1: Rash Move 2: Why Connie 3: Lane Marshal
Winner owned: Mr K Hutsby, trained & ridden: Fred
Hutsby
A winning debut in quite impressive style from Rash Move, whose
thoroughly unrash attack on the far side coupled with a sound round
of jumping enabled him to secure this with a certain amount of
comfort. Why Connie was outpaced when the winner went for home, but
kept on dourly as if 3 miles would be more his cup of tea. He did
actually win a maiden in Ireland, only to disqualified, so has some
merits to quantify Rash Move's performance. Lane Marshal was in
second crossing the final obstacle but tied up quite badly on the
run-in. It was not a disastrous start in points for a four year
old, but he did similar over hurdles and never was able to build
upon it. Breeze To The Top stayed on when it was all too late, a
never dangerous fourth, but it was at least progress on his earlier
form of PFP. Fourth in his only run in Ireland, Dark Surprise has
not run since February 2004, and needed the run today. Not much was
shown, but there is more in the locker sometime in the future.
Hardcastle Burton
Accountants Open Maiden 4-7 yo, Div II [2m 4f]
1: Bon Accord 2: History Master 3: Si Anthony
Winner owned: Mr IR Mann, trained: Alan Hill, ridden: James
Tudor
When I saw him in the line up, I had a recollection of seeing Bon
Accord run in the past and doing poorly despite looking very fit
and well. So I resolved not to get fooled again, D'Oh! Post match
research revealed that it actually came in a novice hurdle at
Plumpton, which has only borderline relevance to today. Eight races
is a long old haul! He won very easily today, despite wandering
around a bit when clear after the second last. This was only his
fourth ever run, so Bon Accord should be able to go on a bit from
this. History Master was another Rules refugee who had not shown
much in that sphere, and whilst the completion and place cannot be
cribbed, he was fairly readily seen off. In third, Si Anthony is
the sort of nice big horse that everyone wants to do well, because
this should see him in his element, and although he has not done
much since coming from France, it is too soon to give up on him.
Phriapatius, officially declared unpronounceable by the
commentator, ran well until the third last and then unseated
through fatigue at the next. There was some promise in this,
although if he was as fit as he looked, stamina might be a
hindrance.
Open Maiden 4-7 yo,
Div III [2m 4f]
1: Top Boots 2: High Rank 3: China Case
Winner owned: Mrs JK Marriage, trained: Simon Marriage, ridden:
Alex Merriam
With the flexibility of sponsors as noted above, it was not clear
if this division was sponsored at all. This was probably the
weakest division, not helped by the leaders going off too fast and
being reeled in over the last half mile. In addition, Top Boots
(last five runs R7PPP) was a slightly fortunate winner as Tank Top
had got a good run on the stands rail to lead at the last, only to
fall. He had run well until hitting the deck at Tweseldown, and
must have the physical ability, just not the skill - yet. High Rank
was something of a dodge pot under Rules, but having been hampered
by Tank Top's fall, he ran on again to grab second. It might not be
wise to assume that he will go one better next time. Devoid of any
inspiring form at all, China Chase might well have been gifted the
race by events at the last, had he not chosen to make a real hash
of the last himself. Heirtoitall, who had a run under his belt,
looked in line for very little on this evidence, and disqualified
Tweseldown winner The Brogue Rogue ran an absolute stinker.
Newcomer No More Tom seemed a reasonable sort in the paddock,
although not fit, but he unseated as early as fence five. Early
leader Shotgun Annie has yet to do anything of note, but her
inclination to jump and run to her left suggests that right-handed
Cottenham is not for her.