WEST SOMERSET & MINEHEAD HARRIERS
HOLNICOTE
Saturday 24th February 2007

REVIEW
by Brian and Gill Armstrong

Sisters Diana and Katherine Hobbs both rode winners at Holnicote, which survived an early morning inspection, although persistent downpours made conditions testing for horses and spectators alike.

Diana kicked off in the members’ race on Mounsey Castle, who coasted home after main market rival Moscow Whisper had unseated Rosie Booth with a circuit to go when already out of contention. Katherine immediately followed up when Flying Fuselier made all in maiden division I. Owned by Katherine’s mother Sarah and grandmother Mary Hill, Flying Fuselier may have been fortunate, as Members Only fell two out when upsides and travelling strongly. Will Biddick – who remounted Members Only to finish second – and David Brace subsequently gained some compensation when Barneys Reflection finished alone in the men’s open.

Father Mansfield belied his 25/1 SP in the ladies’ open, rewarding those punters who remembered his ability to stay extreme distances. Well back in the early stages, Father Mansfield forged 20 lengths clear in the hands of Caroline Farrant, daughter of winning Crediton owner trainer Sarah Prouse. Favourite, Reviewer (Rachael Green) failed to handle the conditions, while Katherine Hobbs’ hopes of a double were dashed when Christopher attempted run out gave her a nasty fall with a circuit to go.

Spanish Oath completed a belated hat trick – the first two legs were in 2005 – when taking the Intermediate. Given a thoughtful ride by Tom Bishop, Spanish Oath dictated at a slow pace before quickening the tempo in the last half-mile. The win represented a fine training performance by Tom’s mother Frances, who trains the horse at her home opposite Wincanton racecourse.

The Claire Parfitt-trained Mister Mambo took maiden division II under Marnhull rider Tigger Barnes, who crept into contention on the final circuit and forged clear after the last. Mister Mambo – whose dam Elver Season was a prolific point-to-point winner - carries the familiar orange and mauve colours of June Reynolds (from Pedwell near Street) and Beryl Bishop (from Greinton) who bought the horse from Tigger.

Barney Blue followed up his recent Chipley Park success when taking the closing restricted. Trained at Nyland, near Gillingham, by John Dufosee for The Nyland Partnership, Barney Blue was an eighth winner of the season for Jamie Snowden, deputising for injured Ryan Bliss.

Results

HUNT MEMBERS: MOUNSEY CASTLE (Miss D Hobbs, 4-7F), 1; Quantock’s Return (M Wall, 25-1), 2; only two finished. Four ran. Distance. Seven minutes: 35 secs.

OPEN MAIDEN (Div 1) 5yo&up: FLYING FUSELIER (Miss K Hobbs, 3-1), 1; Members Only ( W Biddick, 5-2F), 2; Vics Pride (J Barnes, 6-1), 3. Thirteen ran. Dist, ½ length. 7:27.

OPEN MAIDEN (Div 2) 5yo&up: MISTER MAMBO (J Barnes, 12-1), 1; Albert House (D Mansell, 4-6F), 2; Coombe Hill (Miss C Tizzard, 33-1), 3. Fifteen ran. 2, 2. 7:32.

LADIES' OPEN: FATHER MANSFIELD (Mrs C Farrant, 25-1), 1; Doof (Miss A Mills, 7-1), 2; Polka (Miss C Tizzard, 16-1), 3. Seven ran. 20, 20. 7:31.

MEN'S OPEN: BARNEYS REFLECTION ( W Biddick, 10-1), 1; finished alone. Seven ran. 7:55.

INTERMEDIATE: SPANISH OATH (T Bishop, 7-4), 1; Cookies Bank (R Woollacott, 5-4F), 2; The Only Option (Miss A Mills, 8-1), 3. Five ran. 6, 12. 8:16.

RESTRICTED: BARNEY BLUE (J Snowden, 11-10F), 1; Master Accord (Mrs L Buswell, 33-1), 2; Karantaka ( W Biddick, 4-1), 3. Ten ran. 2, 10. 7:50.