03 March 2015 GOPOINTING the weekly guide to your sport in association with MAGNIFICENT MR PLUS: WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK • LATEST NEWS • SCENE & HEARD • RECENT LANDMARKS • TRAINER TALK • PONY RACING ENTRIES & RESULTS • TOP TWEETS • TOP PERFORMERS #gopointing IN PROFILE rider/trainer James Ridley & rider Tabitha Worsley 1 GETTING TO KNOW YOU with James Tudor www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING #gopointing 2 www.pointtopoint.co.uk Remarkable Man and Gina Andrews; inset Jack Andrews and Bridget Andrews Photos: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR A FAMILY AFFAIR Andrews was certainly the name on everybody’s lips at Horseheath’s Thurlow fixture on Saturday, as siblings Gina, Bridget and Jack made their respective ways to the winner’s enclosure to complete an historic family treble. Jack, the youngest of the trio at just 16, got the ball rolling in the opening race aboard Heads Or Tails, in turn recording his first career winner. It was a very accomplished ride from a jockey with little racing experience under his belt and this can only be the first of many. The bang in-form Bridget then got in on the act in the very next race, partnering See You Jack to victory to register an astonishing fifth win on the bounce. Gina then completed the feat in the penultimate Restricted race on Remarkable Man; the pair followed up their win at the course a fortnight previously. GOPOINTING is published by The Point-to-Point Racing Company Ltd Editor: Ben Roe t: 01933 440077 e: ben@gopointing.com Advertising: Lucy Wheeler t: 01933 440077 e: lucy@gopointing.com #gopointing In between the Andrews’ domination, Sheila Crow saddled the first of her two Open winners across the weekend as the highly promising Mr Mercurial made a smooth transition to the grade under a perfectly timed ride from Paddy Gerety. Stablemate Fruit Fayre, again ridden by Gerety, capped off an excellent weekend for the Crow team by making a winning seasonal debut at Garnons the following day, extending her sequence of success to seven between the flags. There aren’t many weekends that go by when Will Biddick doesn’t get a mention and last weekend was no different. The defending Gentlemen Riders champion continued his scintillating form with five winners over the weekend. Fresh from a fantastic four-timer, Biddick fired in a treble at Bishops Court’s East Devon meeting on Sign Up To receive GOPOINTING every week throughout the season by email, you can sign up via pointtopoint.co.uk, email ben@gopointing.com or click here Front Cover Photo: Mr Mercurial and Paddy Gerety on their way to winning the Mens Open race at Saturday’s Thurlow meeting at Horseheath by Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk 3 Saturday, before following up with a double at the Quantock Staghounds meeting at Cothelstone twenty-four hours later. Elsewhere, Francesca Nimmo saddled her first training double at the Brocklesby at Brocklesby Park. Nimmo was aboard Magic Sky in the Ladies Open to secure the first leg of the feat, before Harry Bannister steered the well-backed Fortunata Fashions to victory in the Jockey Club Open Mares Maiden. Tom Hamilton also recorded a double on Sunday thanks to wins aboard Wayupinthesky (Mens Open) and The Gotfor Man (Open Maiden 8yo+) at the Tynedale meeting at Corbridge. Ben Roe, Editor Editorial views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Point-to-Point Racing Company Website: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Hashtag: pointtopoint.co.uk go.pointing.1 go.pointing @gopointing #GoPointing www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING BOLLIN ERIC b. 1999 16.2hh Shammit (IRE) - Bollin Zola (GB) NEWS... Kiama, the winner of seven Point-to-Points and one Hunter Chase is due to have her 2nd foal by BOLLIN ERIC Sericina, the winner of 11 Point-to-Points and two Hunter Chases has just arrived to be covered by BOLLIN ERIC BOLLIN ERIC Impressive winner of the St Leger, won or was placed 13 times from 18 starts, 11 of those at group level. Ran the third fastest St Leger to date, just 1.5 seconds off the record. OVER 50% OF HIS LIFETIME RUNNERS WON OR PLACED COLMER STUD Tel: 01297 678 652 • Mobile: 07769 807 220 Email: info@colmerstud.co.uk • www.colmerstud.co.uk #gopointing 4 www.pointtopoint.co.uk PR denotes Pony Racing at the meeting GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK SATURDAY, 07 MARCH BRECON & TALYBONT SATURDAY, 07 MARCH DUKE OF BEAUFORT'S SATURDAY, 07 MARCH KINGSTON BLOUNT RACING CLUB SUNDAY, 08 MARCH BLACKMORE & SPARKFORD VALE at Llanfrynach (Brecon) 3m SE of Brecon off B4558, 2m off A40. LD3 7AX Provisional Going: Good to soft First Race: 1.00pm Number of Races: 7 Number of Entries: 80 Admission Prices: £10 per person, under 16s free PR at Didmarton (Gloucestershire) Nr A433, 6m SW of Tetbury (8m NE of Exit 18, M4). GL9 1EA Provisional Going: Good, good to soft in places First Race: 12.30pm Number of Races: 7 Number of Entries: 121 Admission Prices: £10 per person on the gate, £8 online before the day at Course Name (County) 8m NW of High Wycombe (Exits 5 or 6, M40), off B4009 towards Chinnor. OX39 4SG Provisional Going: Good to soft, good in places First Race: 1.00pm Number of Races: 7 Number of Entries: 132 Admission Prices: £20 Lower Car Park (£10 single occupancy), £30 Upper Car Park (£20 single occupancy) at Charlton Horethorne (Somerset) Off B3145, 3m NE of Sherborne. DT9 4LJ Provisional Going: Good to soft First Race: 12.30pm Number of Races: 6 Number of Entries: 89 Admission Prices: £25 per car, £15 single occupancy SUNDAY, 08 MARCH COLLEGE VALLEY & NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND SUNDAY, 08 MARCH COTTESMORE at Alnwick (Northumberland) 3m NE of Alnwick (signposted from A1). NE66 3AE Provisional Going: Good, soft in places First Race: 12.30pm Number of Races: 6 Number of Entries: 74 Admission Prices: £15 per car, £10 single occupancy #gopointing PR at Garthorpe (Leicestershire) 6m E of Melton Mowbray on B676, 7m from A1. LE14 2RS Provisional Going: Soft First Race: 12.00pm Number of Races: 7 Number of Entries: 118 Admission Prices: £10 per person, under 16s free; Reserved Car Park available at £50 from the secretary in advance, please contact Mrs Ann Warrington on 01780 756541 5 www.pointtopoint.co.uk denotes Pony Racing at the meeting GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 PR WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK SUNDAY, 08 MARCH DERWENT SUNDAY, 08 MARCH EAST CORNWALL at Charm Park (Yorkshire) Nr Wykeham, off A170, 6m SW of Scarborough. YO13 9QU Provisional Going: Good to soft First Race: 12.30pm Number of Races: 7 Number of Entries: 125 Admission Prices: £10 per person, under 16s free SUNDAY, 08 MARCH MID SURREY FARMERS DRAGHOUNDS at Great Trethew (Cornwall) 1m S of A38, 3m SE of Liskeard. PL14 3PZ Provisional Going: Good, soft in places First Race: 12.00pm Number of Races: 6 Number of Entries: 95 Admission Prices: £25 per car with 2 or more passengers, £20 per car with one passenger, £15 car and driver, £6 pedestrians, under 16s free PR at Godstone (Surrey) 1m from Junction 6, M25. RH9 8DB Provisional Going: Soft First Race: 1.00pm Number of Races: 6 Number of Entries: 90 Admission Prices: £10 per person SUNDAY, 08 MARCH SUFFOLK at Ampton (Suffolk) 4m N of Bury St Edmunds, nr A134. IP31 1NS Provisional Going: Good, good to soft in places First Race: 1.30pm Number of Races: 7 Number of Entries: 70 Admission Prices: £10 per person #gopointing SUNDAY, 08 MARCH SIR W. W. WYNN'S at Bangor-on-Dee (Clwyd) At Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, off A525 between Whitchurch and Wrexham. LL13 0DA Provisional Going: Soft First Race: 12.00pm Number of Races: 7 Number of Entries: 112 Admission Prices: £25 per car, £15 single occupancy, £8 pedestrians PR HUNTER CHASES Wednesday, 04 March Catterick - 4:40 John Wade Skip Hire Novices´ Hunters´ Chase, 3m1f110y Firday, 06 March Leicester - 5:00 Thrusters Hunters´ Chase, 2m Sunday, 08 March Warwick - 4:50 Air Wedding Open Hunters´ Chase, 2m4f110y Monday, 09 March Stratford - 4:10 Air Ambulance Volunteering Novices´ Hunters´ Chase, 2m4f 6 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING #gopointing 7 www.pointtopoint.co.uk GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 GETTING TO KNOW YOU JAMES TUDOR A proud Welshman, with a rich family tradition in the sport, James has been involved in Pointing all of his life. His victories at Cheltenham are dear to his heart, but a win over the National fences would complete his riding CV nicely. Date of birth: 27/05/83. Job or profession: NFU Mutual Agent/Group Secretary. Are you from a racing background? If not, how did you get started in Point-to-Pointing? My Family have been involved in Hunting and Point-toPointing for many years now and as early as I can remember it is something that has been part of my life. What was your first ride in public? My first ride in public was on Spot on Millie, a five-year-old filly owned by my uncle. First winner – name of the horse, owner & trainer, the date & the course: My first winner was on Mecca Prince, owned and trained by my Grandfather, John, he ran in the second division of the maiden (Spot on Millie ran in the first) at Erw Lon in February 2000. Apart from the first winner, what has been your most memorable ride? I’ve been very lucky and ridden some nice horses through my career but winning the Kim Muir/Fulke Walwyn at the Cheltenham Festival on High Chimes was very special. Is there a ride you look back on and think “could have done better?” I suspect like so many jockeys there are a huge number of rides that if I really studied I could of done better on, but we’re all human and if you learn from your mistakes that’s the main thing. For which trainers/owners do you mainly ride? I mainly ride for Alan Hill in Oxford and my cousin Jonathen Tudor when at home in Wales. Who has been most influential on your riding career so far? I’ve been very lucky in that a number of people have really helped me throughout my career. I started riding out for Evan Williams from the age of 15 and so his thoughts and ways have influenced me greatly, following on from that when I went to university in Reading I started to ride out for Alan and Lawney Hill and they have been a huge support and influence on the vast majority of my time in the saddle. It would also be wrong of me not to mention my parents Ann and Will who have been #gopointing huge supporters throughout my career and have always been on hand with positive criticism. Which are your favourite courses, and for what reasons? My Favourite courses are Kingston Blount and Cheltenham. Kingston Blount is situated only a few miles from Alan’s yard and as a result he runs a lot of horses there, consequently it’s where I have ridden a lot of my winners. We have had some great days there and it’s a course I feel I have really got to know. It’s not a straight forward course and course knowledge can be decisive which is something I really enjoy as it encourages you to really think and plan your race. I really enjoy Cheltenham partly because of its idiosyncrasies but mainly because its our Wembley. It’s where the best in our sport go to perform on the big stage and to play a small part in that and having been lucky enough to ridden winners around there is something that is very special. What car do you drive? I currently drive a Saab. Name your perfect night in and perfect night out: I’ve recently got married so if I don’t say my perfect night in is with Hannah, in front of the fire with a good film and a bottle of wine, I think it could go down as one of the shortest marriages in history! My perfect night out, I’m getting old I think, but I really enjoy a good evening in a local pub with all our mates. Maybe for some food and a good few drinks to follow! Where do you like to go on holiday? I love a skiing holiday so anywhere we can get onto the slopes and have some fun. The French alps are easy to get to and as good as anywhere for me. Who would be your ideal travelling companions to the races? I’m not the chattiest on the way to the races and tend 8 to drift off into my own world so to spare anyone else my grumpiness I think Maude our whippet is as ideal a companion as any. What music are you currently listening to? I enjoy music, but I’m not hugely into any one band so anything that pops up on the radio is generally pretty ok with me. What are your favourite films and TV programmes? My favourite films are probably Shawshank Redemption and A Time To Kill. I feel I have to watch them when they come on the TV regardless of the time they come on and even though I’ve seen them both hundreds of times. I also really enjoy spy type programmes. I used to love Spooks and Hannah and I are currently working our way through Homeland. What has been either your own funniest incident, or the most amusing thing you have seen or heard at the races? I didn’t find this particularly amusing but plenty of people did. I was supposed to ride a filly for Mike Spuffard at Erw Lon back in 2002. When I got onto the filly in the paddock she was behaving pretty badly and kept planting with me. We did the usual getting off and getting on her move, and me being legged up on the move, but nothing was really working. By this stage we www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING had taken the filly out of the paddock and were trying to get her going on the way to post. Mike legged me up and the filly planted once again. I had begun to lose my temper and gave her a particularly big kick in the ribs, with this she suddenly plunged forward pulling against my hands and to my dismay both reins snapped leaving me with nothing to pull against!! Needless to say I baled out before she could build up a head of steam!! Mike undeterred caught her after a time, got her to the start and borrowed the huntsman’s bridle to use in the race! Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on who you were, she refused to jump off! I would be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly relieved! Who are your biggest heroes in racing? I don’t really have any racing heroes but I do admire professional jockeys. It’s a very tough game in which to make a living and those lads that stick at it and make a success of it deserve the utmost respect. Which particular horse (in any discipline) would you like to ride? I’ve never really hankered after the ride of any horse in a different discipline but I would enjoy a days hunting on a horse that can really operate and who knows his job. Apart from race-riding, in what other sports do you participate? I’ve already mentioned skiing and, being a Welshman, Rugby is pretty close to my heart. I also enjoy a days shooting or hunting. Do you have any regrets in your riding career to date? I have no regrets. I’ve been very lucky so far and had some really enjoyable moments in the saddle. What ambitions do you have in racing? I don’t have any major ambitions left but I suppose if you pined me down riding a winner over the national fences would be something I’d like on my CV. Are there any changes that you think would benefit the sport in the future? I would like to see the prize money situation addressed. I don’t see why there is a ceiling on the amount of prize money on offer. I appreciate that not all hunts can afford to offer more prize money but for those that can or would like to, I think they should be allowed to carry on. Prize money has not really altered in all the time that I have been involved in Point-to-Pointing and I feel that in a time of increasing costs and competition from the national hunt scene, along with falling numbers of horses running in points, an increase in the amount of prize money on offer may just help to bring back some of the owners that we have lost. What are your aspirations for the season? My aspirations are to ride as many winners as possible and to stay in one piece. Can you give us a horse to look out for this season? Brians Well impressed me when winning his maiden and, as is so often the case, we learnt an awful lot about him when we got beaten first time out; I hope he can go on to win more races. Repeat Business is a horse that we have always thought a bit of and again I think there should be races in him once he makes his appearance. Can you give us an up and coming rider to look out for this season? Jack Andrews, who I have ridden against this year, has the pedigree to go a long way, and Peter Bryan is a young rider with all the right credentials. I’m sure his uncle, Peter Bowen, and cousin, Sean Bowen, will pass him on plenty of tips! If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring? A boat, plenty of lager, and a fishing rod! And finally, sum up Point-toPointing in one word: Crazy. James and Brians Well took the Maiden race at this season’s Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt Club meeting Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk #gopointing 9 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 5 MINUTES WITH JAMES RIDLEY #gopointing James aboard Schindler’s Prince at last season’s Tedworth meeting 10Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk Photo: Julie www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING For how long have you been training? This is my first season training. Where are you based? I am based in Redmarley, Gloucestershire. Do you combine training with another job or profession? No, training pointers and pre-trainers is my full time job. Since we moved to Redmarley over two years ago, my mother trained pointers here. I took over the reins this year, although she still has a big input and is on the yard every day if ever I need any help. I also learned a lot when I worked for Richard Barber for three seasons and I spent a summer in Saratoga and Belmont (New York), which was a big eye-opener. What training facilities do you have available? We have a 10 box yard (with room to expand) with a horse walker and use the grass banks on the family farm where it is very sandy soil and luckily drains very well. Which jockeys do you use regularly? I ride most of the horses myself still, and use Joe Drinkwater as a Novice Rider. How many horses do you train? I currently have seven pointers in and two pre-trainers. What kind of music do you like? I like most music but, more specifically, Avicii and One Republic. Do you train for just yourself and family or for other Owners? I have Noble Ben, who my mother owns, and a four-year-old by Overbury that I own with my mother. The majority of my pointers are owned by Alastair and Pippa McLeish, who are big supporters of mine and have really helped me get going – I couldn't ask for better owners. What are your favourite films and TV programmes? I'm a big fan of the Taken films and enjoy watching pro bull riding. Are you from a racing background? My mum and dad trained pointers in the 80s and 90s and my uncle, Robert Chapman, was a professional National Hunt jockey. I have ridden/been around horses all my life. What was the first winner you sent out – name, owner, rider, date, course? I haven't trained a winner yet - I have had two seconds to date (including Schindler’s Prince – see below). Of which horse performance are you most proud? So far, it would have to be Schindler’s Prince finishing second to Say No (by just over a length) in the Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup at Cocklebarrow. Did you race-ride before you started training? Yes, and still do, although I try to be a bit more selective on what I ride nowadays. How did you start training and who has been most influential on your training career? #gopointing What car do you drive? Audi A3. Describe your perfect night in and perfect night out: Night in would be a Chinese with some good television on; night out would be down the local pub with good company. What do you do to take a break from training – any hobbies or favourite holiday destinations? I don’t tend to get too many holidays as we’re usually busy in the summer with breakers and pre-trainers , but when I can get away anywhere hot with a pool and I'm happy! Who would be your ideal travelling companions to the races? Clifford Rawlings comes to most Point-to-Points with me, which is a big help as he knows every short cut, and I’d better say the girlfriend - although I can’t get her to drive as often as I’d like! Who are your biggest heroes – in or out of racing? Julian Pritchard was my hero growing up and has helped me through my career. What has been your funniest incident at the races? There isn't really a stand out moment, but Nick Williams and Sam 11 Drinkwater are good fun to ride against and we have a laugh. Which particular horse would you like to train – in Points and under Rules? I'm very fond of Kings Palace and certainly wouldn’t say no to training him. If you hadn’t taken up training, what would you have done instead? Whatever it would have been, it more than likely would have involved horses! Which horses do you have at the moment that you would say have good potential? Schindler’s Prince still has a lot more to show on the right ground over the right distance, and I also have two nice four-year-olds that are showing a good attitude and ability at home. What ambitions do you have in racing? To ride and train as many winners as possible, and I would love to be able to produce some young horses that would go on to do bigger things under Rules. What are your favourite courses and meetings - and why? Maisemore is my favourite course, mainly because it has always been my local course and also because I've had quite a bit of success there. What do you consider to be the biggest challenges for Point-toPoint trainers? Trying to attract owners to a sport that provides very little - if any - financial return. What are your opinions on the changes in Point-to-Pointing in recent years? There have been some great changes recently, such as rider sponsorship and horse sponsorship; the new DBS Point-to-Point Bumper Final at Aintree is a fantastic idea as well. What developments do you think would benefit the sport in the future? It would make life easier for trainers and owners if all entries could be done through The Point-to-Point Racing Company. Also I think it would help if they could bring in open/novice riders handicap Point-to-Points, giving more horses more chances to win races. www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING COMPETITION TIME WIN ONE OF FOUR UNION JACK TWEED & FLEECE EAR WARMER HEAD BANDS FROM TIMOTHY FOXX Lets get all patriotic with the Timothy Foxx limited edition Union Jack Ladies Tweed & Fleece Ear Warmer Head Band in Belle tweed. Featuring their original tweed plus a NEW and improved even softer fleece, they are designed to keep your ears lovely and warm this season. Ideal for skiing, sailing, walking the dog, down the stables with the horses or any occasion where your ears may be cold in the wind. Featuring an elastic strip at the back to allow a good fit, they are available in the following crown sizes: Small- 54cm - 57cm and Medium - 57cm - 61cm, RRP:£28.00 from www.timothyfoxx.co.uk. QUESTION Competition closes on 10 March What are Timothy Foxx Earwarmers Designed For? A. Keep your feet warm B. Keep your ears warm C. Keep your legs warm #gopointing 12 CLICK HERE TO ENTER www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING Palypso De Creek and Claire Hart (in orange) en route to landing the spoils last Tuesday Photo: Steven Rice davidjonesmedia.co.uk SCENE & HEARD Leicester - 24 February by Carolyn Tanner LEICESTERSHIRE HUNTERS’ CHASE It was the result the Point-to-Point world wanted, and the tears shed by jockey Claire Hart as Palypso De Creek, the apple of Jill Dawson's eye, passed the post in front spoke volumes. It was just six days previously that Jill lost her brave battle against cancer [see Obituary, February 20]. For the last few weeks the 12-year-old's training has been taken over by Jill's husband #gopointing Mike, who has always been an integral part of the operation, and who was present to welcome his charge into the winner's enclosure to heartfelt applause and no little emotion. "I don't ride him - he's too lively for me," he smiled. "I ride all the others, but I leave him to Kerry [Wakefield] and Anna [Stewart]." The French-bred had shown his impatience to get moving by kicking out in the saddling box and pulling faces while being tacked up, both 13 characteristic traits. Jill had always described him as "foul in the stable, and free with his back legs!" Prior to being sold to the Dawsons, Palypso was trained for Alan Halsall by Claire, who has kept the ride since Jill's hope of making a comeback in 2013 failed to come to fruition. It was the eighteenth success for the partnership, although the rider, who admitted "He makes me work hard," found it necessary on this occasion to verbally encourage her mount, who www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING had to be ridden out to withstand the challenge of Foundry Square. "Come on, you lazy git!" obviously did the trick. "Jill always wanted to win a big one, and this was it," Claire added, referring to the £7,000 plus on offer to the winner, making it the fifth most valuable Hunters' Chase in the calendar, behind Cheltenham, Aintree, and the two championship races at Stratford. SQUIRE OSBALDESTON HANDICAP CHASE It was a red letter day for Foundry Square's trainer Steve Flook, who had earlier saddled Brian Mould's Gentle George to win the day's opening contest. It was Steve's first runner with a full licence, and the emotion he showed after the race showed just how much it meant. "Make every post a winning one," Steve had instructed Ben Poste, who carried out the order to the letter. "All he does is stay - he can't quicken but he keeps galloping," commented Steve, who had had a long wait for his licence, which unfortunately had not been granted in time for him to be able to enter the giant 12-year-old in the Grand National, "but I'm hoping he'll get into the Midlands National." Steve has 14 jumpers to run under Rules, the same number as he always trained between the flags - "That's how I like it - I don't want any more," - but he also has four for the flat, who will be coming into work shortly. "Steve was very good to me when I was riding as an amateur, but I've been wanting to ride him [Gentle George] for years," grinned Ben, who described the opportunity as "a real privilege," and whose chance had come through being in the right place at the right time, namely on Richard Lee's gallops. "I was in the car park waiting to school another horse when Steve turned up on Gentle George and said I might as well give him a spin while I was waiting," Ben explained. "I thought nothing of it but a week later he rang up and asked me to ride him if Richard Johnson couldn't." It was a day to remember for Ben, for whom it was a fortieth success, and his claim is thus reduced to 3lbs. COTTESMORE MAIDEN HUNTERS' CHASE As expected, this was an easy victory for the lightly-raced Woodview Prince, having only his ninth outing at the age of ten due to what owner Richard Hewitt described as "lots of niggling injuries," but the favourite's untidy jump at the last persuaded Tom David to give him a couple of cracks on the run-in. "If I hadn't kept him going he'd have stopped because he was very tired," explained Tom, who was given a two day holiday by the stewards for hitting a horse which was clearly winning. "The ground didn't suit him but he's got away with it," continued Tom. "He'll be better on decent going." "We've got nothing that can go with him at home," enthused trainer Joe O'Shea, "so when he's off the bridle he doesn't know what to do." Woodview Prince's main target is Stratford's pointtopoint.co.uk John Corbet Cup, after which it is intended to send him to Richard Ford for summer jumping. Woodview Prince Photo: Jackie Oliver graftonwood.co.uk #gopointing 14 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING for all your print & design needs this point-to-point season we are here to help /15 2014 OINT P O T-T POIN POINT-TO-PO INT 2014/1 OWNER NKEPARSS OAW R PAR CAR PARK P ASS C m 1.30p Race: 0.30am First 1 : n e s Op Gate 0001 First Race: 1. 30pm Gates Open : 10.30am 0001 s, ur vehicle We are not respon motor that may occ sible for any kind to the contents thereo ident of any f, or for any injury losses or damage of any kind to any acc damage motor vehicles, f or for to the occupants ses or thereo thereof or for any any los to horses, riders upants tators accident that may ible for he occ or spectators occur CAR PARK PASSES • ADMISSION TICKETS • OWNERS BADGES • SPONSOR/ADVERTISING BOARDS • PVC BANNERS • FLYERS & POSTERS for great deals and offers... contact ben 01933 440077 (ext. 2692) • broe@weatherbys.co.uk #gopointing 15 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING Tabitha and Rather Curious on their way to winning the Novice Riders race at last season’s Mid Surrey Farmers Draghounds meeting Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk IN PROFILE TABITHA WORSLEY by Carolyn Tanner It would have been a surprise had Tabitha decided against riding in Point-to-Points, although she herself admits that had it not been for Pony Racing she might have stuck with eventing, a discipline she successfully pursues in the summer. out for the season, so he will now rely on Always A Chance – the pair actually ran in the same race in Ireland in May. Hector, who is at Oxford Brookes University, is a very good polo player, and excels in bringing on young horses to sell on. Her mother, Georgina Howell, has always had Pointers, and Tabitha started riding out at the age of ten. She had a very successful Pony Racing career, and in 2008 she and her elder brother Hector both qualified for the final of the Charles Owen series at Aintree, achieving the distinction of finishing first and second. Unfortunately for Tabitha, who had the choice of mount, she picked the wrong one, and it was Hector who passed the post in front. Tabitha’s first ride between the flags, just after her sixteenth birthday, was in 2011 on Alrafid at Horseheath, where she was last of five to complete in the Ladies’ Open, and it was the 12-yearold who provided her initial success at Aldington later in the campaign. “I’d still make the same choice today, though,” she stressed, adding laughingly “I don’t let him get on my horses now!” The siblings are unlikely to clash this year, with Tabitha mainly riding in the South East and Hector in Wales. His intended 2015 ride, Barrafohona, is #gopointing Last season turned out to be her most successful to date, despite breaking her collarbone, which required pinning, at Charing. The injury cost her a few rides, but she returned six weeks later to record her first double, on Shropshirelass and Sitting Back at Whitfield. She has recently been seen to advantage when partnering the latter under Rules, twice finishing second over fences. Tabitha is in her first year at the University of Birmingham reading Sports and Exercise Science. A former 16 junior county hockey player for Sussex, she now plays for UOB, which is the top University team in the country. Her fitness levels are not in doubt, as not only does she train every day, but she also rides out whenever she can for Ian Williams. She is willing to travel anywhere to school, and regularly journeys into Wales – “It’s only a couple of hours” – to ride out for Andrew Quick and Jonathan Tudor, while she goes to David Phelan when she is at home. She has recently had to replace her trusty Yaris, which was written off when someone drove into her, with the same model, which unsurprisingly will be expected to cover at least 35,000 miles in the next two years. Like her brother, she enjoys producing young horses, and running a pretraining yard could be a future option. Her current ambition is to ride at least six winners this season, and “I’d love to win the Ladies’ and Novice titles in the South East.” www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING #gopointing 17 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING LUCKY OWNER SCOOPS PART OF ROA JACKPOT POOL Chosen Milan and Evan David pictured at last season’s Cheltenham Hunter Chase Evening Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk Owner David Morgan almost doubled his prize-money when his Chosen Milan won the Richard Williams Memorial Hunters’ Steeple Chase at Taunton last Thursday. Being a member of the Racehorse Owners Association he qualified for a share of the £10,000 jackpot being offered to #gopointing members who had winners on the day. All but one of the seven winning owners collected £1,667 each to supplement their winning prize pools. There are two further ROA Jackpot fixtures when hunters' chases are scheduled in the next few months. They are on the 19th March at Ludlow 18 when the 2C’s Antiques Fair Open Hunters' Steeple Chase is due to be run and on the 13th May at Perth when we have the Bruce Farms Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase Further details can be found at: www.racehorseowners.net/en/news/ index.cfm/jackpot-entries. www.pointtopoint.co.uk TRAINER TALK PETER & JENNIFER MASON The name Mason is one of the best known and longest standing in South Midlands Point-to-Pointing writes Jake Exelby #gopointing Photo: Caroline Exelby 19 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 My own first memories of the sport are of attending the VWH meeting as a teenager and watching the famous yellow and blue colours being carried to victory in numerous races. GOPOINTING Peter and Jennifer, who train at Manor Farm in the beautiful Cotswold village of Ablington, are the latest to carry the Mason name to success, as owners, trainers and riders. I asked Peter to recall his early days: “My grandfather trained and my father Alex rode, including under Rules, as well as training Point-to-Pointers. My first ride was Perryman for Susie Goess-Saurau at Barbury Castle in January 2003 and my first winner was Master Grass for my late father at Dunthrop later that same month.” Peter then branched out from home to go and work for Richard KelvinHughes and Ben Tulloch, explaining: “The best horse I rode there was Run For Moor, he was so gifted.” He then set up as a trainer himself in 2008, back at Manor Farm. His first runner was the talented but temperamental Beat The Bandits and his first winner was Milesian King at Lockinge on Easter Monday, ridden by younger brother Richard. So, was there any sibling rivalry between the two Mason brothers? “Only in the VWH Members Race at Siddington,” said Peter with a smile. “He won it twice, both times on Alpheus and I’ve only won it once so far, with Port Talbot.” The latter, who went on to win a Hunter Chase at Newton Abbot, holds a special place in the affections of the Masons. “I sold him to Peter,” explains Jennifer. “We’d met before, but that’s how we really got to know each other.” The sale obviously worked out well, as they’ve been married since 2010 and have an 18-month old daughter, Molly. Jennifer’s background is also with horses, but mostly in eventing. She had a few rides in Point-to-Points, being placed on Shannon Springs, but as she says honestly: “I enjoyed it but I found it hard to mix the eventing with Pointing and when I do something, I want to do it properly – my main focus was wanting to train racehorses.” She is now licensed as a National Hunt trainer, in a separate yard from her husband’s at Manor Farm, with a small yard of mostly young horses. #gopointing Her best-known horse is Shy John, a close second at Ludlow recently and formerly trained by Peter to win five Point-to-Points and two Hunter Chases. He explained the secret of his success with a horse who was once regarded as quirky but became good enough to finish close-up in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. “He’s very easy to train, just quite headstrong in a race and we learnt to drop him out so he would switch off.” Shy John has a strong Mason family connection, being the last horse bred by father Alex and a son of Shy Lizzie, on whom Peter won a Maiden in 2004. The current flagship bearer for the yard is Icthec (pronounced “I see the sea”), who won a Maiden at Black Forest Lodge first time out then deadheated in a competitive Restricted with the progressive Jepeck before finishing second to the useful Tiger Rag in an Intermediate. “He tweaked his back in his last race, but is over that now,” confirmed Peter. “We’ve no immediate plans for him but may run him in the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham in May.” Peter also trains Time for Spring for Gavin McEchern, owner of the brilliant former chaser Young Hustler. “He came to us from Charlie Longsdon,” explains his new trainer and ‘took some time to come right.’ But he’s done nothing wrong this year and has already finished second twice, behind the useful Quinz and Double Bank. Also in the yard are 2014 Maiden winner Kilcrea Mill, who will be ridden by novice Jamie Brace, and 2014 Restricted winner You Too Pet, as well as some promising unraced youngsters. “We’ve got 8 or 9 in at the moment,” laughs Peter, “although we could always do with more!” Of course, we mustn’t forget that as well as farming 700 acres of arable and cattle which he took over from father Alex, training and acting as Clerk of the Course at Siddington for the VWH Point-to-Point, Peter also rides most of his own horses! So how does he balance such a busy life? “Race day is almost the easiest part!” he admits. “It’s the daily galloping and schooling that takes up most of the time. As a result, I don’t take many outside rides. Jennifer, Jamie Brace and I manage the horses and Bella Lowes 20 comes in to ride out two lots a day.”Manor Farm has a one-mile grass gallop through the valleys around Ablington, as well as a schooling ground and outdoor arena with showjumps, and they have access to nearby all-weather facilities if needed. Unsurprisingly for a couple steeped in horses, Peter and Jennifer have strong opinions on the sport. I ask their views on the current debate surrounding high-class former National Hunt horses running in Hunter Chasers and Point-to-Points. Jennifer is particularly forthright: “I think it’s good for Point-to-Pointing, as it keeps the level high and if too many high-class horses are running, the fault lies with the rules. What do you do with horses that are still handicapped too high to win National Hunt races? In eventing, there are more restrictions, but it’s tricky to get the guidelines right. It’s great to keep the older horses doing what they love, but we should have some special races for horses who have won a certain amount of prize money. Racegoers like to see familiar horses and extra races” Peter continues in similar vein. “It’s really hard to frame races. For the VWH Hunt Members Race, we wanted to give novice riders an allowance (like they do in professional racing), but were told that we couldn't, although we could give experienced riders a penalty! Surely, for our own race, we should be allowed to set our own rules?” Another type of race he favours would be one for horses that have not run under National Hunt rules. “There are a few non-rules Maiden Races, but what about nonrules Opens, or Hunter Chases?” he asks rhetorically. Having tried (and failed!) to put the world to rights as we look round the yard, an interesting-looking inmate of the corner stable catches my eye. “That’s Molly’s pony,” confirms Peter. “We got Thumper from Charlie Longsdon when his youngest children grew out of him.” So will there be a third generation Mason on the local Point-to-Point courses in 2030? It may be too early to tell, but she certainly has the right genes! www.pointtopoint.co.uk GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 APRAHAMIAN SILENCES THE DOUBTERS Photo: Steven Rice davidjonesmedia.co.uk A horse with a suspect attitude and a first-time rider would not appear to be the ideal cocktail for a competitive Maiden race at a Point-to-Point. But at the recent Midlands Area Club meeting, 25-year-old Billy Aprahamian and Endofdiscusion proved that a true novice, in all senses of the word, could take on more experienced rivals and fulfil a dream. “Billy had played a bit of polo, but had never jumped a Point-to-Point fence before he came to us,” explained Doug Harkin, husband of Endofdiscusion’s trainer Pauline Harkin. “He’s from a farming family, but has no background in racing – in fact, he’d never even been outside the beer tent at a Pointto-Point until he came with us to Brocklesby Park a week before his first ride.” “The horse used to be trained by Paul Webber. I’d had my eye on him for years,” Doug added “and I knew the Aprahamians were looking for a schoolmaster for Billy. Endofdiscusion #gopointing had ‘a bit of a leg’ so Paul sent him to them for rehab before he came here to go pointing.” Pauline and Doug were so concerned about the combination that they engaged the Yogi Breisner to teach Billy and Endofdiscusion to jump. “Yogi came down on the Monday before the race,” continued Doug. “Billy couldn’t even jump a flight of hurdles – he and the horse were schooling appallingly”. But the master tutor obviously managed to cast his magic, as the inexperienced pair were ready to race together for the first time just six days later. Billy was introduced to the etiquette of race riding by Pauline and Doug’s stable jockey Pete Mann. But it didn’t all go to plan. “It was hilarious,” chuckles Doug again. “When he got to the start, he couldn’t pull his goggles down properly. Then he dropped his reins. The other jockeys were in fits.” Until the race got underway, that is. Pre-race instructions were limited to 21 30 seconds in the paddock because, “We assumed he’d fall off by the second fence,” was Doug’s cheeky summary. Pauline kept it simple: “Get a good start, follow Sheila Crow’s horse, and when you jump the ditch for the last time, just go for home.” Billy followed those instructions to a tee. He overcame all the obstacles – including 19 daunting fences in the three mile race – and showed calmness in a close finish to win cosily by a neck from the favourite, the well-bred First Fruit ridden by Paddy Gerety. Doug’s post-race verdict? “Beneath the humour, Billy is a very serious and competitive person. He doesn’t have an ounce of fear.” But let’s let the winning debutant have the last word. While Billy has just been accepted for military training at Sandhurst, he was in no doubt about how this victory compared: “Quite simply, it was the greatest day of my life!” www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR Jack Andrews, Gina Andrews (top right) and Bridget Andrews (bottom right) pictured at Saturday’s Thurlow meeting at Horseheath Photos: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk It is a rarity for three siblings to ride a winner on the same card, but Gina, Bridget and Jack Andrews achieved the feat at Horseheath. Mark Flinton’s See You Jack, from the Fryer yard. Gina completed the treble in the Restricted on Remarkable Man for handler James Owen. Jack kicked off in the Club Members’ on Heads Or Tails, trained by his father Simon for Cliff Myers, and 35 minutes later was followed by Bridget, who took the PPORA Members’ on Two other occasions in recent years in which a trio recorded a comparable achievement involved three of the four Greenall brothers, Thomas, Toby and Jake, who all scored at the #gopointing 22 Middleton fixture in 2009, and repeated the feat at Witton Castle the following year. The latter meeting may well have sealed its place in the sport’s history, because the Greenall three-timer was matched by a treble for the Dawsons, with Chris, John and Anna also riding a winner apiece. www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 Little Chip and Claire Hart Photo: Neale Blackburn chasdog.com GOPOINTING Petite Power, one of five victories last weekend for Will Biddick Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net Emma Watson and Delphi Mountain Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net RECENT LANDMARKS Jockeys firsts, doubles and other career highs by Carolyn Tanner Will Biddick, who rode his 200th Point-to-Point winner in February, reached another landmark at Bishops Court, where he recorded his 250th career success on Earthpower, trained by Jack Barber for Roger Penny, in the young horse Maiden Division Two. His tally was comprised of 207 between the flags, 42 under NH rules, and one on the flat. It was the first of five weekend victories for the reigning champion, who is already 12 clear in this season’s title race. Hannah Lewis recorded her 50th success between the flags when taking the Members’ race at Garnons on Culpable Culprit, trained by Dawn Woolf. Hannah’s initial victory was on Lord Castle at Whitwick in 2004, and she has also ridden six Hunter Chase winners, four of them at Statford’s end-of-season meeting. Last year her #gopointing triumph in the AGA Ladies’ Final on Universal Soldier also clinched that company’s overall championship for 2014. 30 minutes later she set off in pursuit of her next half-century by taking the Ladies’ Open on Catspan. Another former AGA champion, Claire Hart, who took the prize in 2012, also reached 50, in her case a career tally which includes eight successes under Rules. She realised the target in the Ladies’ Open at Cocklebarrow on the Richard Bandeytrained Little Chip. Claire, who trains half a dozen Pointers at her Cotswolds yard, opened her account on Lava at Brafield in 2005. 16-year-old Jack Andrews opened his account at Horseheath on Heads Or Tails for Cliff Myers. 23 It was the 23rd attempt for Jack, who admitted that the previous week he had been in a “deep depression.” “I could have ridden [Higham winner] Banksandditches,” he explained, “but I rode one for Nigel Padfield instead.” Heads Or Tails was formerly with Edward O’Grady, and was picked out from a short list selected for the Andrews’ to try by Louise CooperJoyce. He is now ridden at home by Jack’s mother Joanna, with whom Jack shares the training of the half dozen horses in their yard near Luton, and on this occasion was led up by leading National Hunt jockey Harry Skelton, partner of Jack’s sister Bridget. Emma Watson, 26, scored her initial victory on Delphi Mountain in the Members’ race at Bishops Court. A Hurdles winner for Richard Woollacott, Delphi Mountain is now trained by Emma for her boyfriend Christopher Pike. www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING Emma, who works for Stuart Sampson, was having her fourth ride of the current campaign and her fifth overall, the first having been in 2010 when she worked for Polly Gundry. bought privately from out of Victor Dartnall’s yard year-old, who was bred by Chris Dawson’s Nunstainton Stud. Jennifer, 33, made her debut at Buckfastleigh in 2014 on Chase Gate, on whom she had five rides. Jack’s background is in hunting and team chasing, and he worked for three years for Martin Sweetland. Bishops Court was also the venue for the first success of Jennifer Davenport, a veterinary surgeon at the Modbury premises of South Moor Vets. She won the Novice Riders’ contest on her Mic’s Delight, a five times winner under Rules, who was 26-year-old Cullompton farrier Jack Veysey needed just two rides to make it to the winner’s enclosure, landing the Restricted on his own The Dapper Fox, who for good measure was also adjudged best turned out. Jack paid just £1,300 at Ascot for the seven- Tom Broughton, 17, had the proverbial armchair ride on his father Paul’s Cian Boy when winning a match for the Brocklesby members’ race. Tom, who rides out for Nick Kent, made his debut on this track last year. Jennifer Davenport and Mic’s Delight Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net #gopointing 24 www.pointtopoint.co.uk AN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE EVERY SATURDAY IN RACING PLUS Your weekly Point-to-Point pullout EVERY SATURDAY IN RACING PLUS Your weekly Point-to-Point pullout pointing PLUS pointing PLUS May 3-4, 2014 April 5-6, 2014 Edition 20 Edition 24 $# ' $ ' Picture: MARK FETTES Camilla Scott’s in-form star is expected to feature prominently in the Tedworth Gold Cup, the Sandhurst Area Classic ■ Barbury preview, page 5 Monsieur Jourdain’s out to defend his Grimthorpe Gold Cup title in Whitwell-on-the-Hill’s last staging of the Classic. ■ Middleton preview, pages 10-11 Picture: WWW.RACEHORSEPHOTOS.CO.UK Following his unsuccessful Cheltenham Foxhunter’s bid in March, Lauren Braithwaite’s star Berties Dream could be back in action at Dingley this weekend in an attempt to land the four-mile Fernie Gold Cup ■ Fernie at Dingley preview, with big-race colours, p4 The Crudwell Cup – the Welsh Borders Classic – takes centre stage at Cold Harbour tomorrow, with My Lil Ledge the one to beat at the Radnor & West Hereford ■ Crudwell Cup big-race spotlights and preview, pages 10-11 $" & & # IN RACING PLUS % $ '# EVERY SATURDAY "& # # ! $ #$" ! ! $ $ " " $ $ " ! # Your weekly Point-to-Point pullout pointing PLUS Picture: PHIL BRITT 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING pointing PLUS May 17-18, 2014 26 CARL EVANS 8 ● REPORTS & RESULTS 12-19 Edition ● GINA ANDREWS QUESTION TIME 20 JUST WHAT THE EVERY SATURDAY IN RACING PLUS Your weekly Point-to-Point pullout DOCTOR ORDERED! pointing PLUS Doctor Kingsley was one of the winners on a cracking Point-to-Point Championships evening at Cheltenham on Wednesday. Check out all the winners and losers in our comprehensive results service ■ Cheltenham results in full, page 9 June 7-8, 2014 Picture:JULIE DREWITT Edition CARL EVANS 8 ● REPORTS & RESULTS 14-19 ● 29 MARK WALL IN THE QUESTION TIME CHAIR 20 Can Current Event end the season with a fourth straight win at Bratton Down? ■ Tiverton Staghounds, p2 Picture: SILVENA TONCHEVA Full report, p4-5 Will Croan Rock and Threapwood be fighting out the finish of the Lord Daresbury? Fresh from his stunning Mens Open success at Thorpe Lodge last month, Antonia Bealby’s L’Eldorado could line up in the £1,000 Novice Riders final under Tom Chatfeild-Roberts Gutsy Cottage Oak handed prolific Palypso De Creek only his second defeat in his last 14 Pointing starts Picture: JACKIE OLIVER Picture: DAVID BUCKLEY There’s over £4,000 up for grabs at the Knutsford Races Club this weekend, as Tabley hosts the richest Point-to-Point meeting of the season, with the Lord Daresbury North West Area Classic Final and the Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members Novice Riders Championship Final sharing top billing in Cheshire ■ Knutsford Races Club at Tabley preview, pages 10-11 ■ Wheatland at Chaddesley Corbett review, page 14 CARL EVANS 8-9 ● REPORTS & RESULTS 14-18 ● TOP PERFORMERS 19 ● RICHARD DEFAGO 20 Picture: SWEET PHOTOGRAPHY CARL EVANS 3 ● STRATFORD AGA NIGHT REPORT 4-5 ● TOM HAMILTON QUESTION TIME 8 Everything you need to follow is in your weekly Point-to-Point pullout, including: ■ In-running comments for all runners ■ Previews / reviews ■ Features / news ■ Q&A with pointing personalities EVERY SATURDAY IN RACING PLUS #gopointing 25 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING Thoonavolla and Tom Weston Photo: Neale Blackburn chasdog.com SUBARU RESTRICTED POINT-TO-POINT SERIES 2014/15 South Midlands Area Club at Cocklebarrow THOONAVOLLA CLEANS UP AT COCKLEBARROW Connections of Thoonavolla celebrated a successful day at Cocklebarrow on 1 March, dominating the Subaru Restricted Point to Point Series race on all fronts. The chesnut gelding looked resplendent in the paddock and was awarded ‘Best Turned Out’ and then went onto win the race outright. His jockey and trainer, Tom Weston passed Mark Wall’s DanDan, half a mile out and took a confident victory #gopointing twelve lengths clear. Darach Skelly brought Mickey Bowen’s Weight It Up home in second and DanDan held on for third six lengths behind. Members of The Troubled Partnership syndicate who own Thoonavolla were all smiles as he added a second Cocklebarrow victory to his tally having won a maiden at the Gloucestershire track in January. of John Wilkins Cars, the local Subaru dealership in Cheltenham, Stephen Wilkins, presented the syndicate of owners and winning jockey with their trophies. John Wilkins Cars displayed vehicles from the current Subaru range, including a new model Outback which goes on sale in the UK this spring. The South Midlands Area Hunt Club day was a re-scheduled fixture after the original date had been lost to poor weather a month ago. Dealer Principal Next weekend sees a busy weekend for the twenty-six race series, with three fixtures on the cards at Kingston Blount, Ampton and Ratcheugh Farm. 26 www.pointtopoint.co.uk GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 TOP TWEETS hashtag your tweets #GoPointing to feature! @jesspuffer On route to Brocklesby point to point! #roadtrip #miles #worksdayout #thetalkinghorse #greyjack #empirebuilder @We_are_wolves_9 Great day at Corbridge PTP today, superb commentary by @Darren_Owen, love to see @MCYeeehaaa next year...yeehaaaaa @tombroughton3 First winner today at my home track Brocklesby Park @GlanvilleLee Well done Jen Davenport #firstwinner #gopointing #PointingDC @MelTeenyme Great day at Cothelstone for the Clarke Racing Team, 3rd and a 2nd for Road to Success on his first run! #GoPointing @jacquelinecowar MWE swaps hats with The Lord Yarborough @Brockelsby p2p @GoPointing #suitsyousir @francesca_nimmo Fantastic day-Fortunata Fahsions wins on her debut by 15l and Magic Sky wins Ladies open. #firstdouble @GoPointing @charlyprichard Over the moon with Stony Road winning today, been a long 2 years waiting for some success! #gopointing @justjakeventing The sun came out just in time for The Magherally Man at Garnons to win the @DodsonHorrell novice riders #GoPointing #gopointing 27 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING IN THE FRAME Who was capturing the action last weekend? Seven meetings spanned across the weekend, with two on Saturday and five on Sunday. Photographer Tim Holt and the West Country Videos film crew took in two meetings apiece as they both attended the East Devon at Bishops Court on Saturday, before #gopointing moving on to Cothelstone for the Quantock Staghounds on Sunday. Julie Drewett of Racehorse Photos was the sole snapper at Horseheath’s Thurlow fixture on Saturday, as was Neale Blackburn at the rearranged South Midlands Area Club at Cocklebarrow on Sunday. David Jones Media were alone at Brocklesby Park where they ensured every angle was caught on camera, whilst the northern regulars, Grace Beresford and Nina Edminson, were on hand to take the stills at Corbridge’s Tynedale meeting. Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net East Devon at Bishops Court Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk Thurlow at Horseheath Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net Quantock Staghounds at Cothelstone Neale Blackburn chasdog.com South Midlands Area Club at Cocklebarrow Grace Beresford p2pnorthernphotos.co.uk Tynedale at Corbridge Nina Edminson nephotography.co.uk Tynedale at Corbridge 28 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING PONY RACING sponsored by RESULTS: TYNEDALE at CORBRIDGE Sunday, 01 March 138cms & under race 1. Little Anne Charlie Todd 2. Tigga Marnie Green 3. Clonross Star Nick Barratt-Aitkin 4. Ninefield Millionaires Delight Roy Da Non-runners: Dough Boy (Noah Brazg Carrell), Stretcholt Hermes (Charlie Todd) 148cms & under race (Division I) 1. Pick Pocket Connor Murtagh 2. The Mumbler Ella McCain 3. Lyle Rio Finnley Green 4. How Ya Talkin Harry Charleton 5. J D Delivers Elizabeth Gale 6. Morgan Abby Robertson 7. Bowes Storm Damage Sarah McGee ENTRIES: DUKE OF BEAUFORT’S at DIDMARTON Saturday, 07 March 138cm & under race Becca Walk O’The Wild Side Molly Landau Bronze Lawrence Roisin Leech Fofsway Kingfisher Molly Burton G-Whizz Johnny Marsh Luanshya Ambassador Becky Wilkins Nomoranun Oakley Brown Oscar Morgan Winstone Parkhill Playboy Joshua Brown Spring Daisy White Wee Antony Dan Cox Reserves: Telynau Fabio (Alana Taylor), Molly VIII (Connor Brace) 148cm & under race She’s Agoodun Basford April Rose Heavenly Rose Little Quaker Lynne Otterburn Lady Peateaoh Regimental Bay Scribblin Stambrook Socialite Jack Tudor Nia Kerslake Milo Herbert Rose Curtis Alana Taylor Alfie Martindale Connor Brace Lucy Hammond Ben Sutton Connor Baker ENTRIES: BLACKMORE & SPARKFORD VALE at CHARLTON HORETHORNE Sunday, 08 March 148cm & under race Calypso Ben Godfrey French Flame Luca Morgan Goldswell Gucci Harriet Godfrey Goodnight Bruce Young Green As Grass Arron Butterfield Jasper Thomas Doggrell Mick The Miller William Bevan Tarka Michael Treneer Heavenly Rose Milo Herbert Hawkesfield Flyer Fergus Gillard Reserve: Pickmere Bond Street (Hamish Clarke) 138cm & under race Angelic Broomsdown Heavenly Gif t Helsington Vanetta Mayday Black Mink Minky Mocking Bird Penchwintan Dewi #gopointing Olive Nicholls Kelsie Beilby Lewis McDonald Charlie Sprake Zoe Stanbury Alfie Godfrey Megan Bevan 148cms & under race (Division II) 1. Judge Fox 2. Little Bull 3. Perfect Place 4. Hazelcroft Good Time 5. Tricky Vicky 6. Jambo Non-runner: Miss Tiny (Jessica Swan) Archie George Frank Abbie McCain Bruce Lynn Lucy Pittendrigh Roy Day Lyall Hodgins Rowfantina Fancy Man Freddie Gingell Talponciau Perfect Print Hamish Clarke Veno Star Fergus Gillard Reserves: Riff Raff (Oscar Palmer), Daniel (Ivor Herbert) ENTRIES: MID SURREY FARMERS DRAGHOUNDS at GODSTONE Sunday, 08 March 138cm & under race Baronsdown Obi Kanobi Coveham Generation Footprint Little Chick Mountain Sinbad Penway Merlin Willow Willow The Wisp Owen Lewis Poppy Scott Ben Pearson William Carver Harvey Carrington Alexandra Geldard Ria Evans Boris Ball 148cm & under race Time will Tell Chiumbo Flo Tinaway Goldfinch Jessy Just Unicorn Scribblin She's Agoodun She's A Lady Thereshegoes Worth The Wait Martha Stevens Luke Scott Cosmo Ball Ellie Vaughan Joe Bradham Ben Sutton Jack Tudor Jamie Perrett Izzy Marshall Sophie Liddiard ENTRIES: SUFFOLK at AMPTON Sunday, 08 March 128cm & under race Darcey Glebedale Stopwatch Rockie Three Ruby Tuesday Ryehall on Boradway Shooting Star Silaz Ryan Secombe Brad Kent Alec Voikhansky Freddie de la Sayette Minty Bloss Emma d’Angibau Ted Featherstone 138cm & under race Boolagh Mississippi Denny Royal Lady Dexter Dolly Dough Boy Fair N Square Honky Tonk Girl Longbourne Rose Nook Class Act Stambrook Masterplan Emma Buckle Charlie Woods Eddie Brooks Cal Voikhansky Benoit de la Sayette Sophie Smith Brad Kent Will Featherstone Minty Bloss Laura Pearson 29 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING TOP PERFORMERS 2014/15 Current standings for the sport’s major championships FULLER’S GENTLEMAN POINT-TO-POINT RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP LADY POINT-TO-POINT RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP Will Biddick, pictured aboard Little Cornham - one of his five winners last weekend Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net Gina Andrews, pictured aboard Remarkable Man at the Thurlow meeting at Horseheath Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk Will Biddick 21 wins Darren Edwards 9 wins Pete Mann 7 wins John Mathias 7 wins Nick Orpwood 6 wins Gina Andrews Catherine Walton Page Fuller Leanda Tickle Hannah Watson Jamie Thomas 6 wins Tom Weston 6 wins six riders on five wins 8 wins 7 wins 4 wins 4 wins 4 wins Bridget Andrews 3 wins Claire Hart 3 wins Hannah Lewis 3 wins nine riders on two wins FULLER’S GENTLEMAN NOVICE P-T-P RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP FULLER’S LADY NOVICE P-T-P RIDERS CHAMPIONSHIP James Nixon, pictured at the Vine & Craven meeting at Barbury Racecourse where he rode a double for trainer Katy Price Photo: David Simpson Hannah Welch and Beuvron on their way to winning the Ladies Open race at the Western meeting at Wadebridge Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net Peter Bryan James Nixon Harry Cobden Sam Coltherd Joe Drinkwater Olivia Hutchings Lara Mahon Alice Stevens Hannah Welch Lucy Wheeler 3 wins 3 wins 2 wins 2 wins 2 wins Fred Henderson David Noonan 2 wins 2 wins 2 wins 2 wins 2 wins 2 wins 2 wins DODSON&HORRELLNOVICEAWARDFORTHEWILKINSONSWORD HOWDEN NOVICE AWARD FOR THE PRINCESS ROYAL TROPHY Harry Cobden and Silver Token, pictured en route to landing the Countryside Alliance Club Members race for novice riders’ at Badbury Rings Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net Olivia Hutchings and Lucius Fabeo (nearside) on their way to winning Division I of the Open Maiden race at the Western meeting at Wadebridge Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net Harry Cobden Sam Coltherd Jack Andrews Tom Broughton Olivia Hutchings Alice Stevens Harriet Bryce #gopointing 2 wins 2 wins 1 win 1 win Charlie Buckle Harry Marsh 1 win 1 win 30 2 wins 2 wins 1 win www.pointtopoint.co.uk HARLEY RACING PPORA NOVICE RIDERS SERIES JOCKEY CLUB LEADING NOVICE MARE Lucy Wheeler, pictured after riding Nipper John at the Vine & Craven meeting at Barbury Racecourse Photo: David Simpson Comedinewithme, under Jo Mason, pictured at the Sinnington meeting at Duncombe Park where she won Division II of the Open Maiden race Photo: Peter Barber pointtopointphotography.co.uk Lucy Wheeler Harry Cobden Joe Drinkwater Lara Mahon Peter Bryan Comedinewithme 6pts Ziggerson Hill 5pts Fortunata Fashions 4pts Kayf Collateral 4pts Miss Gotaway 4pts GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 TOP PERFORMERS 14/15 10pts 8pts 8pts 8pts 6pts Albert Chandler 5pts John Smith-Maxwell 5pts Hannah Welch 5pts twelve riders on four points Rose Of Milan Rush House Brids Classic 4pts 4pts 3pts LEADING POINT-TO-POINT OWNER CONNOLLY’S RED MILLS LEADING HORSE Crazy Diamond, pictured at the Ratcheugh Racing Club meeting, one of five wins this season for Mrs V. J. McKie Photo: Grace Beresford p2pnorthernphotos.co.uk Berties Dream and Gina Andrews on their way to landing the Ladies Open race at the Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace meeting at Horseheath Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk Victor Thompson Richard Hewitt Mrs V. J. McKie J. Simpson J. Barber Mrs S. J. Easterby Berties Dream Byerley Bear Crazy Diamond Impact Zone Jepeck 7 wins 5 win 5 wins 5 wins 4 wins 4 wins J. M. Pike N. R. W Wright 4 wins 4 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins Ockey De Neulliac Raffa Stoney Subtle Sovereign That’s Rhythm 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins AGA ALL-COMERS CHAMPIONSHIP AGA LADIES OPEN POINT-TO-POINT CHAMPIONSHIP Owner Sarah Dawson, who leads the AGA All-Comers Championship courtesy of My Flora, Gauvain, Qrackers and Minella For Party Photo: David Simpson Ockey De Neulliac, under Catherine Walton, pictured en route to victory in the Ladies Open race at the Ratcheugh Racing Club meeting at Alnwick Photo: Grace Beresford p2pnorthernphotos.co.uk Miss Sarah A. Dawson Lord Lipsey & Mr Nick Elliott Mr R. J. Hewitt Mr W. Bryan & Mr D. Smith Mr N. R. W Wright four owners on 20pts #gopointing 30pts 26pts 26pts 26pts 24pts Catherine Walton Gina Andrews Bridget Andrews Leanda Tickle Page Fuller Hannah Watson Hannah Lewis Bryony Frost 31 44pts 42pts 34pts 34pts 32pts 32pts 28pts 26pts Claire Hart Hannah Welch Ally Stirling Angela Rucker Joanna Walton 26pts 24pts 22pts 20pts 20pts www.pointtopoint.co.uk CONNOLLY’S RED MILLS TRAINERS CHAMPIONSHIP (8+ HORSES) CONNOLLY’SREDMILLSTRAINERSCHAMP(7ORELESSHORSES) Jack Barber has a lead of eight wins following another successful weekend between the flags Photo: David Simpson The Falklander, pictured at the Ratcheugh Racing Club meeting, one of five winners this season for Jessica McKie Photo: Grace Beresford p2pnorthernphotos.co.uk Jack Barber 17 wins Robert Chanin 9 wins Alan Hill 9 wins Kayley Woollacott 8 wins Victor Thompson 7 wins Tom Weston 7 wins Jessica McKie Charlotte Fuller Harriet Besent Lauren Braithwaite Willie Bryan Tor Collins GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 TOP PERFORMERS 14/15 Sheila Crow 5 wins Stephanie Easterby 5 wins Pauline Harkin 5 wins Nicky Martin 5 wins Joe O’Shea 5 wins 5 wins 4 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins Rose Loxton Neil Mechie RichardMitford-Slade Katy Price Johnathan Tudor 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins 3 wins LEADING HUNTER CHASE RIDER LEADING HUNTER CHASE TRAINER Ciaran Gethings is leading the charge for the Leading Hunter Chase Rider title after victories on Double Dash, Bobs Law and Bermuda Boy Photo: Julie Drewett racehorsephotos.co.uk Rose Loxrton, pictured at the Vine & Craven meeting at Barbury Racecourse, has scored under Rules this season with Current Event Photo: David Simpson Ciaran Gethings 3 wins Claire Hart 2 wins twenty riders on one win All on one win: Simon Andrews, George Baker, Mickey Bowen, Rebecca Curtis, Henry Daly, Jill Dawson, Mike Dawson, Christine Drury, Steve Flook, Tom George, Warren Greatrex, Philip Hobbs, Chris Honour, Gill Jones, Rose Loxton, Rob Luke, Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O’Neill, Joe O’Shea, Emma Oliver, Kevin Parker, Alastair Ralph, Katie Scott, Sarah Stilgoe, Nigel Twiston-Davies PPORA YOUNG HORSE AWARDS Jepeck and Jamie Thomas on their way to landing the Intermediate race at the Tiverton meeting at Chipley Park Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net #gopointing Jepeck (Devon & Cornwall) Carlton Ryan (Yorkshire) Beuvron (Devon & Cornwall) Champagne Benefit (S Wales & Mons) Lotus Pond (North Western) Mr Mercurial (North Western) The Mythologist (Wessex) According To Harry (Wessex) Volcan Surprise (East Anglia) Desert Queen (Wessex) Infamous Grouse (Wessex) Play The Ace (East Anglia) Storm Lantern (South Midlands) Thoonavolla (West Midlands) Whenharrymetsally (Wessex) Darlington County (Yorkshire) Full Trottle (South Midlands) Genermouse (Wessex) Supreme Danehill (Wessex) twelve horses on twelve points 32 28pts 24pts 20pts 20pts 20pts 18pts 18pts 18pts 18pts 16pts 16pts 16pts 16pts 16pts 16pts 16pts 16pts 14pts 14pts www.pointtopoint.co.uk Buckfastleigh, the picturesque setting for the Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers meetings GOPOINTING 03 March 2015 FIXTURES 2014/15 Fixtures in Blue denotes Pony Racing at the meeting Sun 22 March Holcombe, WHITTINGTON - Cancelled Lamerton, KILWORTHY Mendip Farmers, STON EASTON North Ledbury, HEREFORD RACECOURSE Oakley, BRAFIELD-ON-THE-GREEN Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent, PENSHURST Sat 7 March Brecon & Talybont, LLANFRYNACH Duke of Beaufort’s, DIDMARTON Kingston Blount Racing Club, KINGSTON BLOUNT Sun 8 March Blackmore & Sparkford Vale, CHARLTON HORETHORNE College Valley & North Northumberland, ALNWICK Cottesmore, GARTHORPE Derwent, CHARM PARK Dulverton Farmers, TREBOROUGH HILL - Abandoned East Cornwall, GREAT TRETHEW - Rearranged Mid Surrey Farmers Drag, GODSTONE Sir W.W. Wynn’s, BANGOR-ON-DEE Suffolk, AMPTON Sat 28 March Avon Vale, LARKHILL Berwickshire, FRIARS HAUGH Glamorgan, YSTRADOWEN Puckeridge, HORSEHEATH United Pack, BRAMPTON BRYAN Sun 29 March Badsworth & Bramham Moor, ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE Belvoir, GARTHORPE Cotley, COTLEY East Cornwall, GREAT TRETHEW Flint & Denbigh, BANGOR-ON-DEE Ledbury, MAISEMORE PARK Southdown & Eridge, GODSTONE Sat 14 March Crawley & Horsham, PARHAM Duke of Buccleuch’s, FRIARS HAUGH East Essex, MARKS TEY New Forest, LARKHILL Sun 15 March Bicester with Whaddon Chase, WHITFIELD Curre & Llangibby, HOWICK Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers, BUCKFASTLEIGH Hampshire, HACKWOOD PARK Holderness, DALTON PARK Ross Harriers, GARNONS Sat 4 April Ashford Valley Tickham, CHARING Croome & West Warwickshire, UPTON-UPON-SEVERN Essex & Suffolk, HIGHAM Kimblewick, KIMBLE Ludlow, BITTERLEY Middleton, SHERIFF HUTTON Monmouthshire, LLANVAPLEY North Staffordshire, SANDON Portman, BADBURY RINGS Sat 21 March Hurworth, HUTTON RUDBY Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire and Eglinton, OVERTON V.W.H., SIDDINGTON Wilton, MILBORNE ST ANDREW #gopointing 33 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING Fixtures in Blue denotes Pony Racing at the meeting Spooners & West Dartmoor, CHERRYBROOK Vale of Lune, WHITTINGTON Woodland Pytchley, DINGLEY Sun 3 May Devon & Somerset Staghounds, HOLNICOTE Fernie, DINGLEY Radnor & West Hereford, COLD HARBOUR Mon 6 April Cumberland Farmers, DALSTON East Kent with West Street, ALDINGTON Four Burrow, TREBUDANNON North Cotswold, PAXFORD Old Berkshire, LOCKINGE South Notts, THORPE LODGE South Pembrokeshire, LYDSTEP South Shropshire, EYTON-ON-SEVERN Staintondale, CHARM PARK Taunton Vale, KINGSTON ST MARY Vine & Craven, HACKWOOD PARK Mon 4 May Banwen Miners, LLWYN FARM Cattistock, LITTLEWINDSOR East Sussex & Romney Marsh, ALDINGTON Enfield Chace with Cambridgeshire Hunt, NORTHAW North Shropshire, EYTON-ON-SEVERN Stevenstone, VAUTERHILL Warwickshire, MOLLINGTON Zetland, WITTON CASTLE Sat 9 May Cumberland, ASPATRIA Kimblewick, KINGSTON BLOUNT Minehead Harriers and West Somerset, HOLNICOTE Sat 11 April Essex, HIGH EASTER North Warwickshire Hunt Club, MOLLINGTON Teme Valley, BRAMPTON BRYAN Ystrad Taf Fechan, YSTRADOWEN Sun 10 May Bilsdale, EASINGWOLD Four Burrow, TREBUDANNON Melton Hunt Club, GARTHORPE Wheatland, CHADDESLEY CORBETT Sun 12 April Bedale, HORNBY CASTLE Cheshire Forest, TABLEY Cotswold, ANDOVERSFORD Eggesford, UPCOTT CROSS Morpeth, TRANWELL Pytchley, GUILSBOROUGH Tedworth, BARBURY RACECOURSE Wed 13 May Weston & Banwell Harriers, COTHELSTONE Sat 16 May Clifton-on-Teme, UPPER SAPEY Fitzwilliam (Milton), DINGLEY Gelligaer Farmers, LOWER MACHEN South Durham, MORDON Sat 18 April Dartmoor, FLETE PARK Kimblewick, KINGSTON BLOUNT Llangeinor, DUNRAVEN STUD Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent, PENSHURST Worcestershire, CHADDESLEY CORBETT Sun 17 May Dulverton West, BRATTON DOWN Golden Valley, BREDWARDINE Grafton, WHITFIELD Haydon, HEXHAM KnutsfordRacesClub(formerlyNorthWestPoint-to-PointClub),TABLEY Sun 19 April Atherstone, CLIFTON-ON-DUNSMORE Braes of Derwent, CORBRIDGE Cleveland, MORDON Cotswold Vale Farmers, ANDOVERSFORD Seavington, LITTLEWINDSOR West Norfolk, FAKENHAM Sun 24 May Berks&BucksDraghounds&SandhurstDraghounds,KINGSTONBLOUNT West Somerset Vale, COTHELSTONE West Wales Area Club, LYDSTEP Mon 25 May Albrighton & Woodland (South), CHADDESLEY CORBETT South Tetcott, UPCOTT CROSS Sat 25 April Berkeley, WOODFORD Chiddingfold Leconfield & Cowdray, PARHAM Fife, BALCORMO MAINS Quorn, GARTHORPE Sat 30 May Meynell & South Staffordshire, GARTHORPE Sun 31 May Border, HEXHAM Exmoor, BRATTON DOWN North Hereford, HEREFORD RACECOURSE Sun 26 April Axe Vale, STAFFORD CROSS Cheshire, TABLEY Farmers Bloodhounds, WHITFIELD South & West Wilts, LARKHILL Tivyside & Carmarthenshire, LYDSTEP York & Ainsty, EASINGWOLD Sat 6 June Pembrokeshire, TRECOED Sun 7 June Tiverton Staghounds, BRATTON DOWN Sat 2 May Lauderdale, MOSSHOUSES Modbury Harriers, FLETE PARK Pendle Forest & Craven, HESLAKER Surrey Union, PEPER HAROW Tredegar Farmers, LOWER MACHEN #gopointing Sat 13 June Torrington Farmers, UMBERLEIGH 34 www.pointtopoint.co.uk 03 March 2015 GOPOINTING #gopointing 35 www.pointtopoint.co.uk
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