Winning Post

Behind the scenes at Buckfastleigh

I think the term 'always the bridesmaid" was coined especially for the Glanville family and our point to pointer Lisheen Storm! We got him last year and he has now been second SIX times, three of those times by half a length or less! He ran a blinder at Buckfastleigh on Sunday but lost out by a diminishing two lengths to the impressive Dantes Back - winner of the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate hunter chase final last year and second in the Hiscox Intermediate final at Cheltenham last May. 'Stormy' did wreak revenge on the Musical Mayhem Club's Concert Pianist so I can now talk to Stafford Sampson, Jeff Guyett et al once more and 'Stormy' felt very pleased with himself when I rode him out at first light this morning. Polly Gundry's horses are in fine fettle and the Ottery St Mary trained Rockwithacaveman - a David Johnson reject under rules - was hugely impressive in the Intermediate race. Sericina was also a stunning winner for trainer Chloe Roddick. Before the mare went to the sales she had stayed en route from France at Gordon Chambers' yard just a stone's throw from the course. "I wish we had kept her there!,” he joked. Our good friend Alan Walter had a right result in a division of the mare's maiden with Emergence. An agent bought it in France for Alan for first time ownership duo of David Lockwood and Mike Blackmore. Alan trained her having had an eye on this race since the schedule was published! Having had experience on the flat it was the mare's first run in Britain and her first run over fences, so a pretty impressive training performance all round! I wonder if David and Mike realise how lucky they are! NH jockey Liam Heard was on hand to witness Innocent Rebel, trained by Liam's dad Colin, win a fierce ladies' contest (ridden by Claire Allen) against Goblet of Fire (Chloe Roddick) and Let's Fly (Polly Gundry). Colin reckons the horse revels in the ladies' lighter weight, having partnered the horse himself before his retirement from racing. Next Sunday there is racing at Great Trethew near Liskeard (first race 11.30am)