REVIEW
NORTH CORNWALL FOXHOUNDS
WADEBRIDGE
SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2003
by Lee Glanville

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