REVIEW |
Going - Good to soft Doubles and trebles for leading riders were on the card at
the North Cornwall point to point which took place in bright and breezy
conditions. Ashley Farrant and David Pipe notched up three wins -
Farrant’s most difficult ride being the one which came second - Polly
Gundry rode a double and Julian Pritchard, who last rode at the Wadebridge
course 13 years ago also had two winners. Lucy Gardner won the members race on her aunt, meeting
secretary Roma Cook’s County Bash, but only just held on after William
Biddick threw down a challenge on course specialist Just Bert. Sally
Alford has kindly let William, who is just turned 16, ride Just Bert as a
schoolmaster and the rider, son of Cornish legend Mike Biddick, gave a
terrific account of himself. Another rider having her first taste of the sport was Elise
Newman, younger sister of Tanya and Sophie, who gave Breteche a determined
ride to finish second in the ladies race. Both riders look to have a
bright future. It was down to the old stagers in the winners’ enclosure
though. Ashley Farrant is riding better than ever and stylishly piloted
Peter Deal’s Mirmillion to victory in the men’s open. The horse was
successful in France but has been difficult to train, being rejuvenated by
hunting with the Taunton Vale. David Pipe wasn’t sure how long the horse
would stay in love with pointing but is hoping to make the most of it
while he does. PJ Finn’s Lord Atterbury was an easy winner of the
Restricted for Farrant who also saw off a good performance from Alan
Walter’s Parte Prima (Les Jefford) in the last on Celestial Gold. Farrant’s ride in the first division of the maiden,
five-year-old Great Jubilee, who belongs to leading racehorse owner David
Johnson, was a tricky ride but jumped well once he concentrated and will
surely go one better next time out. David Brace travelled down from Wales
to take the race with Braceys Girl. It was the second leg of Julian
Pritchard’s double - he took the Newton Abbot racecourse Intermediate
qualifier on Grant Cann’s Tale Bridge, trained near Cullompton by
Cann’s partner Ollie Bush. Lucinda Sweeting’s Mr Custard always had the upper hand in
the ladies race for champion rider Polly Gundry who was pleased to see
Richard Kelvin-Hughes’ Dartmoor trained Hobbycyr back in form in the
confined. Members: 1, County Bash, Miss L Gardner; 2, Just Bert, W
Biddick; 3, Lance Feather, D McKenna. Five ran, one length, 20 lengths,
6.46. Men’s open: 1, Mirmillion, A Farrant; 2, Nearly Gold, A
Charles Jones; 3, Whispering Pines, M Miller. 10l, 15l, 6.21 Ladies open: 1, Mr Custard, Polly Gundry; 2, Breteche, Elise
Newman; 3, Lirsleftover, Sue young. Nine ran, 6l, 1/2l, 6.17 Restricted: 1, Lord Atterbury, A Farrant; 2, Monty’s Lass,
Miss C Prouse; 3, Cantenac Brown, M Miller. 10 ran, 25l, 1l, 6.23 Confined Hunts: 1, Hobbycyr, Polly Gundry; 2, Bomba Charger,
R Darke; 3, Dark Challenger, R Woolacott. Eight ran, 1/2l, 6l, 6.26 Newton Abbot Racecourse Intermediate qualifier: 1, Tale
Bridge, J Pritchard; 2, Acting Tough, Mandy Hand; 3, Brown Chieftain, R
Darke. Five ran, 20l, dist, 6.51. Maiden Div One: 1, Braceys Girl, J Pritchard; 2, Great
Jubilee, A Farrant; 3, Lingering Fog, Mary McCarthy. Eight ran, 3l, dist,
6.33. Div Two: 1, Celestial Gold, A Farrant; 2, Parte Prima, L
Jefford; 3, Go Positive, L Heard. Nine ran, 10l, dist, 6.30 |