The second running of the Barbury International Point-to-Point took place on a grey day with persistent drizzle which nevertheless failed to dampen the spirits of participants and spectators, and the crowd was rewarded with 113 runners in the nine completed races even despite the abandonment of the final division of the Bumper, writes Jake Exelby.
Highlight of the meeting was the Weatherbys Hamilton Mixed Open, which saw 15 runners, including the reappearance of Barel of Laughs, winner of the Lady Dudley Cup and Timico Final and a gallant third in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. Punters saw this as a two horse race between him and Welsh raider Colorado Doc and looked to be proved right as the two went clear six out. However, Saddlers Encore, a useful hurdler for Philip Hobbs making his pointing debut, crept closer round the final bend as Barel of Laughs tried to assert his authority then joined the leader at the last to win by a length. Golden Doyen passed the tiring Colorado Doc on the run-in to take third, 8l back.
Owner Janet Gibbs, who has had useful types such as Aintree Foxhunters winner Bells Life and One Knight in her 20 years as an owner, said afterwards, "He won a graded hurdle at Sandown when he was with Philip, but broke down, so I asked Chloe to see what she could do with him, but I didn't think he'd do it today!" Chloe is Chloe Newman, Saddlers Encore's trainer, who trains 8 at her base in Crewkerne, notching up her third winner of the season. and providing her with the Dubarry Outstanding Performance Award of the day. "He's been with us since February of last year," she confided, "He's had lots of box rest and rehab from Polly White (nee Curling). He may go Hunter Chasing but let's see how he is in the morning."
Colorado Doc's owner-trainer had better luck in the following Highflyer Bloodstock Novice Riders Race which saw 13 go to post. Favourite William Money, ridden by David's grandson Connor, made a quick reappearance after an Ampton second last weekend to score comfortably by 6l from Ardkilly Witness. Always prominent, he passed Ardkilly Witness three out and was always going best thereafter. Skylander made late headway but was always chasing the leading pair in vain, and finished 8l in third.
"When they're right, they're right," was David's pithy explanation for William Money's short gap between races. "He's that sort of horse and doesn't carry too much flesh." It was a fifth winner of the season for David, who has 10-12 to run and ambitions to be leading owner, and for Connor to be leading Novice Rider.
There was a second Welsh success in the Greatwood Veterans Chase for 10yo+ over 3m 6f. 13 ran and Lotus Pond took the spoils for winning owners William and Mandy Bryan, son Peter who rode the winner, and trainer Mickey Bowen. Mid-division early, the 10 year old made steady headway five out, led two out and held on easily by 6l from Templebraden. Favourite The Dapper Fox stayed on late for a 4l third.
"Didn't he jump extravagantly?"exclaimed a delighted Mandy afterwards, before explaining that the horse has moved from her and William's yard near Shrewsbury to Pembrokeshire, as their son Peter - Mickey's cousin - works for his uncle Peter Bowen, who trains under Rules from the adjacent yard. "He won 5 races in 2015," continued Mandy, "But then he broke down badly. He had no tendon, and we thought that was that, but we used a Legsaver to scan his legs, gave him 18 months off and brought him back last season. He didn't run well last year, knocking himself again, and we weren't expecting this today; we didn't know if he'd stay."Where Lotus Pond goes next is down to the trainer, but he'd already disappeared to the shelter of the horsebox in the miserable weather before I could ask.
The rest of the card comprising four Maidens and two Bumpers was dedicated to young horses and appropriately following efforts to win Irish runners, Bailarico, one of four runners trained by Eugene O'Sullivan, won the opening 11 runner Tattersalls Ireland Young Horse Maiden. The biggest shock about his 20/1 victory under Eugene's daughter, top female amateur Maxine O'Sullivan, was that he was allowed to start at such a generous price. Second early before dropping back, he rallied to lead at the second last and kept on to beat favourite Danseur du Large 1 3/4l with long time leader Dissertation 3/4l back in third.
"It's lovely compared to Ireland!" was the winning jockey's first reaction. "He's been running on heavy and enjoyed the good ground here. We'll have to wait till April for this back at home. Maxine obviously enjoyed her first visit to Barbury and expressed hope that more Irish trainers would take part in the future. "It's a beautiful track," she added, "We need to be more organized about coming next year. Bailarico's been running in good 4YO Maidens and there are a lot of pointers in Ireland that don't win first time out to be sold on."
The following Goffs UK & Jockey Club Mares Maiden also saw 11 runners, although in contrast to the opener, this went the way of the hot favourite in the shape of odds-on shot Definitelyanoscar, a first runner for 20 year old Chris Barber, cousin of trainer Jack and grandson of Pointing doyen Richard. ALways prominent, she took the lead five out and won unchallenged by 15l from Whistling Dolly, with Burrows Spring 8l third.
Chris was quick to pay credit to fellow handler Chris Sampson for pre-training his mare, bought last May from Sean Doyle at Doncaster. "I made sure that grandfather aproved," he laughed, "She's been pleasing us at home, she'll go on to better things, and she's for sale again, maybe even at Doncaster this week."Chris co-owns Definitelyanoscar with winning jockey and housemate Martin Fly McIntyre. "We both work for Harry Fry and do this in our spare time. Fly and I do everything! We've got three in at the moment and are looking to buy and sell youngsters."
Another trainer breaking his duck was 23 year old Jake Slatter, based at Winchcombe. Bally River Boy, joint favourite when successful in the 11 runner Albert Bartlett Open Maiden Div I, on his second start, following a second at Chaddesley's Harkaway meeting after Christmas. This time, he made most in a slow-run contest and stayed on well to beat Skyhill Allstar 7l, with the fast-finishing Ericas Lad 10l third.
"We bought him at Doncaster," confirmed the winning trainer. "He was placed n two Points in Ireland and has a good attitude, although it's been hard work getting him fit. He's run well today although he idled in front. It wasn't the plan to make it, but there was no pace. He wants a stayers track and slow ground." Jake, who also works for Fergal O'Brien, and whose mother Angie owns Bally River Boy, has just two in training, the other an unraced Maiden.
Ten went to post in Division II, but the winning trainer this time around has more successes under his belt than Messrs Slatter or Barber. Inmyday's success for 2015 Champion Trainer Alan Hill moved him to 5 victories for the season and the lead in the Trainers' Championship. Always towards the front and looking in control for most of the final circuit, the ex-Irish seven year old idled in front when left clear four out and finished tired, holding on by 4l from Snow Puma, who made late progress. Early leader Light Flicker was 30l back in third.
Inmyday was bought at Ascot for longstanding owner Rodney Mann, who explained why they chose the horse. "Alan had a short list and we wanted something that had been placed and had breeding in it.He's by Milan, like Sharp Suit, so we knew he'd stay." There are no immediate plans, with the owner suspecting that,"He won't take quick racing so we'll give him time. He's a long horse - you could sit three jockeys on him!"
Winning jockey Joe Hill was also stepping up to 5 for the season and was quick to praise Sam Burton, who is the Hills' Novice jockey this season. "Sam's been fantastic with the horse, he's ridden him since Day 1 and all the work is down to him. We've got a good team at home and all the horses are flying."
The Hills were quickly joined on five winners by trainer Philip Rowley and jockey Alex Edwards after Nobby won the second division of the JRL Group Bumper for which all 16 stood their ground. Midfield early, the flat-bred four year old moved up half a mile out and took the lead with a furlong to go to win comfortably from Shometheway, who had led most of the last quarter mile. Enormous, also with the leaders throughout, was 8l third.
"I bred him myself," smiled winning owner Ray Bailey. "He's out of a super mare, who won four and has got lots of winners, including Magic Cat, who won the Harry Roseberry Trophy at Ayr for me. Phil has been ecstatic about how he's been going on the gallops," continued Ray. "And he's staying here today! He's now going to Alan King (who eschewed Ascot for home turf) for a, flat campaign. He'd want better ground than this, and I don't even want him schooled over obstacles. He was always going to Alan's but Phil said this Bumper would be right for him and he was right. What a great day!"
The mist descended before the first division of the Bumper so it was hard, nay impossible to see what was going on over the far side of the course. However, as the 13 starters emerged from the gloom, Strike Hollow was in front and she held on by 1 1/2l for Ben Jones from long tme leader Schiap Hill, with Billygwyn Too finishing fast for third, 1 1/4l in third.
Strike Hollow was a third Welsh success of the day, being trained by Helen Lewis at Pandy near Abergavenny. "I couldn't see a lot," admitted Helen, who also confessed to being "Hopeful beforehand. She's well-bred; her dam Tazzerine is a full sister to Whisper and her older sibling is in training with Kerry Lee. She's a big baby but she has ability." Helen was reluctant to confirm plans for the five year old with owner Ralph Bailey absenting himself for his wife's birthday, but she imagined, as with so many other horses on this showcase day, that the mare might be for sale.
The nine races concluded with awards to Phil Rowley for the Equine Products Leading Trainer Award for the day, and to Chloe Newman for the Dubarry Outstanding Performance Award.
The second running of the Barbury International Point-to-Point took place on a grey day with persistent drizzle which nevertheless failed to dampen the spirits of participants and spectators, and the crowd was rewarded with 113 runners in the nine completed races even despite the abandonment of the final division of the Bumper, writes Jake Exelby.
Highlight of the meeting was the Weatherbys Hamilton Mixed Open, which saw 15 runners, including the reappearance of Barel of Laughs, winner of the Lady Dudley Cup and Timico Final and a gallant third in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. Punters saw this as a two horse race between him and Welsh raider Colorado Doc and looked to be proved right as the two went clear six out. However, Saddlers Encore, a useful hurdler for Philip Hobbs making his pointing debut, crept closer round the final bend as Barel of Laughs tried to assert his authority then joined the leader at the last to win by a length. Golden Doyen passed the tiring Colorado Doc on the run-in to take third, 8l back.
Owner Janet Gibbs, who has had useful types such as Aintree Foxhunters winner Bells Life and One Knight in her 20 years as an owner, said afterwards, "He won a graded hurdle at Sandown when he was with Philip, but broke down, so I asked Chloe to see what she could do with him, but I didn't think he'd do it today!" Chloe is Chloe Newman, Saddlers Encore's trainer, who trains 8 at her base in Crewkerne, notching up her third winner of the season. and providing her with the Dubarry Outstanding Performance Award of the day. "He's been with us since February of last year," she confided, "He's had lots of box rest and rehab from Polly White (nee Curling). He may go Hunter Chasing but let's see how he is in the morning."
Colorado Doc's owner-trainer had better luck in the following Highflyer Bloodstock Novice Riders Race which saw 13 go to post. Favourite William Money, ridden by David's grandson Connor, made a quick reappearance after an Ampton second last weekend to score comfortably by 6l from Ardkilly Witness. Always prominent, he passed Ardkilly Witness three out and was always going best thereafter. Skylander made late headway but was always chasing the leading pair in vain, and finished 8l in third.
"When they're right, they're right," was David's pithy explanation for William Money's short gap between races. "He's that sort of horse and doesn't carry too much flesh." It was a fifth winner of the season for David, who has 10-12 to run and ambitions to be leading owner, and for Connor to be leading Novice Rider.
There was a second Welsh success in the Greatwood Veterans Chase for 10yo+ over 3m 6f. 13 ran and Lotus Pond took the spoils for winning owners William and Mandy Bryan, son Peter who rode the winner, and trainer Mickey Bowen. Mid-division early, the 10 year old made steady headway five out, led two out and held on easily by 6l from Templebraden. Favourite The Dapper Fox stayed on late for a 4l third.
"Didn't he jump extravagantly?"exclaimed a delighted Mandy afterwards, before explaining that the horse has moved from her and William's yard near Shrewsbury to Pembrokeshire, as their son Peter - Mickey's cousin - works for his uncle Peter Bowen, who trains under Rules from the adjacent yard. "He won 5 races in 2015," continued Mandy, "But then he broke down badly. He had no tendon, and we thought that was that, but we used a Legsaver to scan his legs, gave him 18 months off and brought him back last season. He didn't run well last year, knocking himself again, and we weren't expecting this today; we didn't know if he'd stay."Where Lotus Pond goes next is down to the trainer, but he'd already disappeared to the shelter of the horsebox in the miserable weather before I could ask.
The rest of the card comprising four Maidens and two Bumpers was dedicated to young horses and appropriately following efforts to win Irish runners, Bailarico, one of four runners trained by Eugene O'Sullivan, won the opening 11 runner Tattersalls Ireland Young Horse Maiden. The biggest shock about his 20/1 victory under Eugene's daughter, top female amateur Maxine O'Sullivan, was that he was allowed to start at such a generous price. Second early before dropping back, he rallied to lead at the second last and kept on to beat favourite Danseur du Large 1 3/4l with long time leader Dissertation 3/4l back in third.
"It's lovely compared to Ireland!" was the winning jockey's first reaction. "He's been running on heavy and enjoyed the good ground here. We'll have to wait till April for this back at home. Maxine obviously enjoyed her first visit to Barbury and expressed hope that more Irish trainers would take part in the future. "It's a beautiful track," she added, "We need to be more organized about coming next year. Bailarico's been running in good 4YO Maidens and there are a lot of pointers in Ireland that don't win first time out to be sold on."
The following Goffs UK & Jockey Club Mares Maiden also saw 11 runners, although in contrast to the opener, this went the way of the hot favourite in the shape of odds-on shot Definitelyanoscar, a first runner for 20 year old Chris Barber, cousin of trainer Jack and grandson of Pointing doyen Richard. ALways prominent, she took the lead five out and won unchallenged by 15l from Whistling Dolly, with Burrows Spring 8l third.
Chris was quick to pay credit to fellow handler Chris Sampson for pre-training his mare, bought last May from Sean Doyle at Doncaster. "I made sure that grandfather aproved," he laughed, "She's been pleasing us at home, she'll go on to better things, and she's for sale again, maybe even at Doncaster this week."Chris co-owns Definitelyanoscar with winning jockey and housemate Martin Fly McIntyre. "We both work for Harry Fry and do this in our spare time. Fly and I do everything! We've got three in at the moment and are looking to buy and sell youngsters."
Another trainer breaking his duck was 23 year old Jake Slatter, based at Winchcombe. Bally River Boy, joint favourite when successful in the 11 runner Albert Bartlett Open Maiden Div I, on his second start, following a second at Chaddesley's Harkaway meeting after Christmas. This time, he made most in a slow-run contest and stayed on well to beat Skyhill Allstar 7l, with the fast-finishing Ericas Lad 10l third.
"We bought him at Doncaster," confirmed the winning trainer. "He was placed n two Points in Ireland and has a good attitude, although it's been hard work getting him fit. He's run well today although he idled in front. It wasn't the plan to make it, but there was no pace. He wants a stayers track and slow ground." Jake, who also works for Fergal O'Brien, and whose mother Angie owns Bally River Boy, has just two in training, the other an unraced Maiden.
Ten went to post in Division II, but the winning trainer this time around has more successes under his belt than Messrs Slatter or Barber. Inmyday's success for 2015 Champion Trainer Alan Hill moved him to 5 victories for the season and the lead in the Trainers' Championship. Always towards the front and looking in control for most of the final circuit, the ex-Irish seven year old idled in front when left clear four out and finished tired, holding on by 4l from Snow Puma, who made late progress. Early leader Light Flicker was 30l back in third.
Inmyday was bought at Ascot for longstanding owner Rodney Mann, who explained why they chose the horse. "Alan had a short list and we wanted something that had been placed and had breeding in it.He's by Milan, like Sharp Suit, so we knew he'd stay." There are no immediate plans, with the owner suspecting that,"He won't take quick racing so we'll give him time. He's a long horse - you could sit three jockeys on him!"
Winning jockey Joe Hill was also stepping up to 5 for the season and was quick to praise Sam Burton, who is the Hills' Novice jockey this season. "Sam's been fantastic with the horse, he's ridden him since Day 1 and all the work is down to him. We've got a good team at home and all the horses are flying."
The Hills were quickly joined on five winners by trainer Philip Rowley and jockey Alex Edwards after Nobby won the second division of the JRL Group Bumper for which all 16 stood their ground. Midfield early, the flat-bred four year old moved up half a mile out and took the lead with a furlong to go to win comfortably from Shometheway, who had led most of the last quarter mile. Enormous, also with the leaders throughout, was 8l third.
"I bred him myself," smiled winning owner Ray Bailey. "He's out of a super mare, who won four and has got lots of winners, including Magic Cat, who won the Harry Roseberry Trophy at Ayr for me. Phil has been ecstatic about how he's been going on the gallops," continued Ray. "And he's staying here today! He's now going to Alan King (who eschewed Ascot for home turf) for a, flat campaign. He'd want better ground than this, and I don't even want him schooled over obstacles. He was always going to Alan's but Phil said this Bumper would be right for him and he was right. What a great day!"
The mist descended before the first division of the Bumper so it was hard, nay impossible to see what was going on over the far side of the course. However, as the 13 starters emerged from the gloom, Strike Hollow was in front and she held on by 1 1/2l for Ben Jones from long tme leader Schiap Hill, with Billygwyn Too finishing fast for third, 1 1/4l in third.
Strike Hollow was a third Welsh success of the day, being trained by Helen Lewis at Pandy near Abergavenny. "I couldn't see a lot," admitted Helen, who also confessed to being "Hopeful beforehand. She's well-bred; her dam Tazzerine is a full sister to Whisper and her older sibling is in training with Kerry Lee. She's a big baby but she has ability." Helen was reluctant to confirm plans for the five year old with owner Ralph Bailey absenting himself for his wife's birthday, but she imagined, as with so many other horses on this showcase day, that the mare might be for sale.
The nine races concluded with awards to Phil Rowley for the Equine Products Leading Trainer Award for the day, and to Chloe Newman for the Dubarry Outstanding Performance Award.
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