EXMOOR
BRATTON DOWN
Saturday 4th June 2005
by Lee Glanville
photos by Graham Fisher

Rimpton Boy, trained near Crewkerne by Richard Barber for the Axe Valley Racing Club, showed what a smooth operator he is by winning his seventh race of the season at the Exmoor point to point at Bratton Down, Exmoor on Saturday.

The grey is always held up in arrears by Rachel Green early doors and swooped up the long finish to nail Claire Allen on the Dick Baimbridge-trained Father Tom by a neck. First season rider Katharine Hobbs, daughter of NH trainer Philip, was third on her mother Sarah's consistent Saint Romble, having won five races earlier on in the season.

The grey Rimpton Boy just leads Preacher Boy and Father Tom with a circuit to go in the Ladies

 Rimpton Boy (Rachel Green) has a neck to spare over Father Tom (Claire Allen) at the line

Top trainer Baimbridge, who made the long jouney down from the Berkeley country, went one better in the men's open when Julian Pritchard got Well Ted home by a length from Friar Waddon, trained near Bishops Nympton by Keith Cumings. Friar Waddon had looked the winner for most of the race, but Well Ted challenged with a late run.

Well Ted and Julian Pritchard return after their win in the Men's Open

There was a blanket finish, and a bit of argy bargy up the run in, in the Intermediate where Hill Trail (Tigger Barnes) got the verdict by a short head over Beachtime, owned and trained by Sarah Faulks, with River Quoile (Polly Gundry) a length third. Hill Trail and River Quoile were locked in battle but Beachtime stayed on well to split the two.

Intermediate winner Hill Trail (Tigger Barnes) just leads Polly Gundry on the favourite River Quoile at the twelfth

Tigger Barnes drives out Hill Trail from Beach Time and River Quoile

Sarah Hawker's Charliebob (Richard Hawker) made a successful trip from the Beaufort to land the first division of the Restricted in style.

Charliebob (Richard Hawker) is clear at the last in the Restricted Div1

The second division went to Will White on the improving Derosa, John Symes' Eric's Way having led most of the way before unshipping his rider in the closing stages.

Derosa and William White return after their win in the Restricted Div2

White later had to settle for runner up spot on Miramar behind leading lady rider Polly Gundry who took the first division of the maiden on Gemster. Nick Williams escaped serious injury when Worthahand fell on him with a circuit to go in this race. He hurt his ankle in the fall but, having been extricated from under the horse, almost walked straight out in front of the finishing field who had been diverted around the dolled off fence.

Open Maiden Div1 winner Gemster (Polly Gundry) tracks Silver Image at halfway

Up and coming rider Tom O'Brien won the second division on the Aaron Bateman trained Wallace's Word ­ the horse's first ever racecourse appearance.

The debutant Wallace's Word and Tom O'Brien impress in the Open Maiden Div2

Area leading rider Richard Woollacott won the opening Countryside Alliance Confined Club members' race on Finewood, having recently become the proud father of twins. His girlfriend, Emeley, who trains the horse, was at the meeting with Archie and Mary. Richard said: "Emeley was running round right up until they were born but she will have her work cut out now! The horses will run until the end of the season as we have two very good girls who ride out for us and they will carry on" Finewood's win gives Richard a 10 point lead over Guy Weatherley in the title race, although both men have 15 area wins.

Finewood and Richard Woollacott - easy winners of the Members

Results

Countyside Alliance Confined Club Members: 1, Finewood, R Woollacott; 2, South West Won, Miss T Hayes. Three ran, only two finished, 25l, 6.52.

Restricted Div One: 1, Charliebob, R Hawker; 2, A Lot To Like, J Snowden; 3, Houlihans Free, N Williams. 11 ran, 12l, 6l, 6.29.

Div Two: 1, Derosa, W White; 2, Tyre Hill Lilly, Miss P Gundry; 3, Wendys Dynamo, M Munrowd. 10 ran, 4l, 8l, 6.32.

Intermediate: 1, Hill Trail, J Barnes; 2, Beachtime, Miss C Tizzard; 3, River Quoile, Miss P Gundry. Eight ran, sh, 1l, 6.36.

Ladies' Open: 1, Rimpton Boy, R Green; 2, Father Tom, Miss C Allen; 3, Saint Romble, Miss K Hobbs. Seven ran, nk, 4l, 6.21.

Men's Open: 1, Well Ted, J Pritchard; 2, Friar Waddon, M Miller; 3, Sea Snipe, T O'Brien. Seven ran, 1l, 5l, 6.28.

Open Maiden Div One: 1, Gemster, Miss P Gundry; 2, Miramar, W White; 3, Silver image, M Dennis;. 11 ran, 4l, 10l, 6.36.

Div Two: 1, Wallace's Word, T O'Brien; 2, Grande Bretagne, J Barnes; 3, Lagan Lady, M Jackson. 11 ran, 12l, 15l, 6.32.