A Preview of the 2009 Wessex Area Point-to-Point Season
compiled by Brian Armstrong and Bob Bracher
THE POINT-TO-POINT SEASON makes its earliest-ever start on Sunday 30th November when meetings take place at Black Forest Lodge near Exeter and Cottenham (Cambridgeshire). Five further meetings are programmed in December before the Wessex Area season gets underway on Saturday 3rd January 2009 with the Army meeting at Larkhill. Twenty-four meetings are scheduled in Wessex, culminating in the Larkhill Racing Club fixture on Sunday 31st May. For a free colour leaflet detailing all the meetings in the Wessex area, send an SAE to Gill Armstrong, Pantiles, Penselwood, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 8NF.
The Wessex Point-to-Point Area is again sponsoring its free, easy-to-enter Six-to-Follow Competition for the 2009 season. Open to all, entrants are simply asked to name six horses to follow at the 24 meetings run in Wessex in 2009, with a first prize of a Car Pass giving free admission to all Wessex meetings in 2009. The runner-up will receive a 2009/10 Annual Membership to their choice of Wincanton or Exeter racecourse, while Weatherbys Chase are kindly donating the third and fourth prizes (www.pointtopoint.co.uk). The cut-off date for entries is 10.00am on Saturday 3rd January (by email to brianandgill@pointingwessex.co.uk) or by first post that day. Full details of the competition can be seen on the Area website - www.pointingwessex.co.uk - or can be obtained by sending an SAE to Gill Armstrong, as above.
The Wessex Area is traditionally among the strongest in the country and this article pinpoints some of the horses to look out for in 2009.
Devon/Somerset Border
Keith and Janet Cumings have their usual mixture of experienced and untried horses qualified with the Devon & Somerset Staghounds at Bishop’s Nympton near South Molton. The Cumings retain Touch Of Flame, who put up a tremendous performance to outpoint Yorkshire raider Sonevafushi at Larkhill in May, Trebudannon winner Swift Wood – likely to have an end-of-season campaign – and Maxou Des Brosses, who may appear before Christmas. Miss Razzmatazz and Keep Him Keen – both placed last season – return, along with Slipawayon, who just failed to get his head in front at Upcott Cross. Newcomers include Peter Clarke’s Alfa Native, and The Disengager, who will carry Geoffrey and Kate Brown’s Maxou Des Brosses colours.
Richard Woollacott has 25 horses at his Rose Ash stables near Bishop’s Nympton. John and Floss Symes’ Whizzar, who will start in point-to-points before hunter chasing, Sue Condry’s consistent Cookies Bank, a likely runner at the season’s opening meeting at Black Forest Lodge on 30th November, and dual winner Come What Augustus all return. Three interesting younger horses are Rush On Sonner, who showed promise in two outings last season, Trebedannon winner Parkham Flyer, and No Signal, who held every chance when falling at the East Devon. Richard will ride the majority of the runners, with Alice Pearn partnering her father John’s King Georges and Deloughtane, purchased at Ascot in June after being twice runner-up last season. Paul John, who enjoyed a successful debut season in 2008, will be the stable’s novice rider, and will be aboard The Quarry Man on 30th November.
Andy Jackson, ably assisted by wife Olivia, will campaign four horses from their home a few miles from Bishop’s Nympton. Vauterhill winner Any Justice, Denis Williams’ Ryeman, who opened his account at Flete Park, and Trebudannon winner Major Matt all return. Longstanding stable supporter Brian Kilpatrick provides the stable newcomer – a homebred unraced 4yo gelding out of winning hurdler Miss Bobby Bennett.
Ashley Farrant has a dozen pointers at his Coldharbour Farm stables near Bampton. Ashley has retained Don Fernando and Laura Claydon’s easy Holnicote winner King’s Wood, while the Robarts’ Mioche D’Estruval returns after missing last season, and is joined by Just Sally’s 3yo daughter, Sweet Willow. Interesting recruits from the David Pipe stable are Tonic Du Charmil – a winner over hurdles and fences – and Fontwell bumper winners Watching Football, who is likely to appear in December, and Master Overseer. Vivid Imagination – Ashley’s record-breaking 44th winner in his 2004 National Champion Rider season – joins the yard and will be partnered by Ashley’s wife Caroline.
Somerset
Camilla Scott, who achieved a 100% winners-horses ratio last season – all seven pointers won – starts the new campaign with 10 horses at Brompton Regis, near Dulverton. Top class hunter chaser Southwestern – fifth in the Christie’s Foxhunter, fourth in the Horse & Hound Cup and a faller two out when well clear at Punchestown – will reappear in January. Dual winner Jacks Taxi returns, along with Rum Cake, who missed 2008, but is one to note if reproducing the form he showed winning three of his four races in 2006/07. An interesting newcomer is King Of The Jungle, a Huntingdon bumper winner for the Carl Llewellyn stable in March 2007, but now owned by the 10-strong Exmoor Partnership. Unraced newcomers include The Donserelli, a half-brother to 2008 winner Marias Rock. Neil Harris will again partner the majority of Camilla’s runners.
Brian Robinson has five horses at his Shurton stables near Stogursey. Gift Of Life and Cothelstone winner Mollycarrs Gambul return, along with Mollycarrsbrekfast, who has been a tremendous servant to the stable over the years. Golden Harmony, unplaced in a Perth bumper in April 2007, is a new addition to the yard.
Julie Pocock will campaign six horses from her Stolford yard near Bridgwater. Julie welcomes back Hope’s Eternal, a game winner at Holnicote in May, Cothelstone winner Just Gladys, who put up several good placed efforts at the end of last season, and dual 2008 winner Dandooley, a strong stayer well-suited by soft ground. Newcomers include unraced Amber Love and Sailing By, in the frame in two of his five 2007 flat races. Stolford neighbour Denis Kenny is qualifying Red Rocks Bourree and this ex-bumper horse could make his point-to-point debut this season.
Marie and Leighton McGuinness have about 20 point-to-pointers at their Spaxton yard near Bridgwater. These include dual 2008 winner Long Night – a Barbury Castle specialist – potential long distance hunter chaser Candlelight Valley, Winning Connection, who should be suited by Ladies races, and 2003 Christie’s Foxhunter hero Kingscliff, who returns to hunt racing this season. Shady Hollow, Supreme Royal, Over To Charlie and Murdol all won last season and can continue their progression through the ranks. David Churches’ pair, Thematis – absent since winning at Wadebridge in December 2006 – and Max’s Choice are two others to note. Ryan Bliss joins the yard as stable jockey this season. The McGuinness yard also houses prolific pair Double Honour and Croix De Guerre, both owned by Philip and Sarah Hobbs and to be ridden by their daughters Katherine and Diana. Other rides for Katherine and Diana are Zabenz and Saint Romble (both stabled with Philip at Bilbrook near Minehead), and 5yo Lord Lescribaa – unplaced in six races under Rules – and dual 2008 winner Fool On The Hill, both with Polly Curling at her Treborough stables, near Minehead.
Suzy Berry has three pointers at North Petherton. Suzy will welcomes back Ha Ho Magregor, twice successful last season, and Bratton Down winner Hold On Harry, who relishes fast ground. An unraced Rudimentary 5yo completes Suzy’s team.
Rosie Booth will campaign just one point-to-pointer from her Dunster stables, near Minehead this season. Terry Evans’ Good Book, winner of two point-to-points in 2005, returns to hunt racing after winning over hurdles and fences for the Aaron Bateman yard, and should be followed when stamina is at a premium. James Young assists wife Laura in her licensed yard but will retain his pointing links by campaigning Maximus from his Broomfield stable in the Quantocks later in the season.
Sue Popham will be racing four horses from her Wellington stables, including Nobile, a popular winner for owner-rider Bryn Wright at the Weston & Banwell fixture, and maiden mare Ataraxia. Ascot purchase Final Adventure will carry the colours of “The Friends of Eddy Hall”, a syndicate of Millfield Prep School teachers and their families and friends, while Lord Of Illusion, who contested the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National, could appear at Tweseldown on 7th December followed by a hunter chase campaign.
Jane Western has six horses at Forde Abbey near Chard. Newcomers include consistent ex-hurdler Pimbury, Percy The Great and Benedictus, who will undertake a 4yo campaign later in the season. Stable star Back Nine – winner of the prestigious Volkswagen Touareg Championship Final at Towcester in May – returns and is joined by The Big Breakfast, who will also compete in hunter chases, although his main target will be the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown.
Ros Newman and daughter Chloe Newman have four and seven horses respectively at Woolminstone near Crewkerne. Ros’ team includes Golden Rule and On Oath, who both had outings under Rules in October. Chloe has retained Stafford Cross winner Tres Bien and Fruit Defendu, an intended mount for Nick Taylor, who will make his race-riding debut this season. Newcomers include hurdle race winners Xila Fontenailles and Greenhill Bramble, and two-time chase winner Running Hot who could all go hunter chasing. Just Muckin Around, winner of four races under Rules for Bob Buckler, also joins the yard as a schoolmaster for Chloe’s 17-year-old nephew, Josh Newman.
Bob Buckler has the 4yo Sean Thornton at Henley near Crewkerne for daughter Carey to ride. Carey will also be aboard Ask Henry and hurdle race winner He’s The Boss, both trained by her mother Nell in Gloucestershire.
Ilminster owner Rose Vickery will again be represented by Kiama, winner of five points and an Exeter hunter chase, and third in Stratford’s John Corbet Cup last season under trainer-rider Polly Gundry. Rose is also qualifying her ex-Venetia Williams-trained hunter Emile Zola and this 6yo former flat-race winner may join Polly for a point-to-point campaign.
With most of his former inmates now racing under Rules, Michael Blake has one point-to-pointer at his Staverton stables near Bath. This is Return The Call, who was placed twice in 2008. Somerton trainer Jane Reed will also campaign one horse - Senor Cid, who returned to win of two of his seven 2008 outings after missing 2007.
Pat Bryant will campaign six point-to-pointers from his Charterhouse yard in the Mendips. Pat welcomes back East Devon Intermediate winner Off Broadway and Ken and Sara Biggins’ Sound Stage, an impressive winner at Larkhill in January. Newcomers are On The Double, Matako and Carapax, who all ran under Rules in 2008, and the unraced Cannington Brook. O’Toole, the winner of eight races under Rules for owner Linda Lovell, will compete in hunter chases from Caroline Keevil’s adjacent yard.
Chloe Roddick has 11 pointers at Wellow near Bath. Perouse and Goblet Of Fire return, along with Sericina, who enjoyed a fine first season winning two of her four races. Wages ran Croix De Guerre close at Black Forest Lodge in January, while New Mill Moll and Artist Muse showed promise last season. The yard houses several newcomers including Derry City and Far From Blond. Sarah Shallard, 17, who works for Chloe, is training and qualifying Albuhera and will make her point-to-point riding debut on the ex-hurdler/chaser this season.
Guy Landau has three point-to-pointers at his Gare Hill stables near Frome. I’m An Optimist, second at Sandon but pulled up at Eyton-on-Severn may benefit from a recent wind operation, while his half-brother The Last Optimist will make his debut in January. Distant Thunder joins the yard after winning four races under Rules and finishing third, beaten two short-heads, in the William Hill Chase at the 2007 Cheltenham Festival. Guy hopes that former National Champion rider Richard Burton will partner the bulk of his runners.
Angela Davis has 10 horses at her new yard at Witham Friary near Frome. Massimo, unbeaten in four outings last season, including the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate Final at Cheltenham in May, will reappear in a January point-to-point before hunter chasing. Six-time winner Heisamodel and maiden mare Sky By Night, who has had eight outings under Rules, will run for a syndicate of owners. The Reverend Simon Beveridge will partner his Orsus – winner of three races in the French provinces in 2006 – in point-to-points before aiming at Sandown’s Grand Military Gold Cup. Dear Deal has retired, but Angela’s daughter Charlotte, 17, will again partner her own Lutteur Bleu. Jody Leaker will make her race-riding debut aboard Lord Code, bought privately out of the Alice Fox-Pitt yard.
Sarah West has two horses based at Ditcheat near Shepton Mallet this season. Ask Again, the winner of three races for Sarah in 2008 and likely to reappear at Chipley Park, is joined by ex-hurdler She’s Beautiful, a new recruit who will run for a syndicate of friends.
Ben White will be racing five new horses from his Hardington Mandeville stables near Yeovil following the retirement of Highway Oak and Milborne winner Whites Touch. Irish hurdle race winner Mr Blacktie, and maidens Above Ground and Got Star – placed on the Flat at Fontainebleau for trainer Francois Doumen in February – are joined by two unnamed horses.
Ditcheat near Shepton Mallet trainers David Staddon and Caroline Parsons enjoyed a 50% strike rate – five wins from 10 runs – in their first season in 2007/08. Strong stayer Lord Of The Road returns and is joined by Blu Teen, a winner over hurdles and fences for the Paul Nicholls stable, and the type to do well in sub 3-mile hunter chases.
Rilly Goschen will again campaign Silver Jewel, who made a promising point-to-point debut at Charing in February, from her home at Henstridge near Templecombe.
Dorset
Richard Barber will again have a strong team of pointers at his yard at Seaborough near Beaminster, including prolific winners Rimpton Boy (likely to have a light campaign), Brown Cockle, Rye Brook, and Spuddler’s Dream. Just Here, Shaver Baines and Royal Rapture can build on last year’s promise, while Trust Fund and Ofarel D’Airy should both make their mark in hunter chases. The stable has its usual intake of younger horses and Ainteen Thirtythree, Fredwal, Pezreuil, Queenly D’Isop, and Shacklesborough may be five to note at this early stage. Rachael Green will again be Richard’s stable jockey, with James Ridley the yard’s novice rider. Richard’s grandson, Jack, 17, will make his point-to-point debut aboard Thisthatandtother.
Marilyn Burrough will race four horses from her Broadwindsor near Beaminster base. Amy’s Future and First Wave return and are joined by Ascot purchase Carroll’s O’Tully, winner of an October 2007 Carlisle handicap chase for trainer Richard Ford. Good Outlook, runner-up to Senor Cid at the Seavington in April, will reappear at Black Forest Lodge in January.
Nicky Atkinson has three horses at home at Cattistock near Dorchester. 2008 winners Coral Cay and Kiwi Rap are joined by Spring Lord, the first progeny of the Atkinson family’s superb racemare Avril Showers.
Grand campaigner Red Brook Lad has retired, but Charlie Fox will race the ex-Paul Nicholls-trained Turthen from his Askerswell yard near Bridport. Winner of a hurdle and a chase at Auteuil before joining the Nicholls yard, Turthen will appear at Tweseldown on 7th December before being aimed at hunter chases. Neighbour Graham Foot will campaign three horses. Graham has purchased Ryders Storm, the winner of seven races under Rules, and My Beauty, winner of a Welsh Restricted in May for the Abbi Vaughan stable, and they join stable stalwart Askers Jack, who may appear later in the season.
Cobreces, trained at Stoke Abbott near Beaminster by owner Lucia Borradaile, will again be in action. Lucia plans to run Cobreces in point-to-points before he attempts a third win in Haydock’s Walrus Hunter Chase.
Charlotte Tizzard enjoyed a successful first season as a trainer in 2007/08 and several of her winners will be back in action. Coombe Hill, who won three of his last four races, including a defeat of subsequent Wincanton bumper winner Express Leader at Ottery St Mary, should be a force in Ladies’ Opens. Cotley winner Lagan Legend and dual 2008 winner Fully Loaded also return. Three interesting recruits to the yard are Midnight Queen, a winner at Cothelstone and placed in her four other outings for owners Robert and June Fear last season, an unraced 4yo owned by former Larkhill Clerk of the Course Peter Wright, and 3yo Karina Lynch, a daughter of Audrey Kley’s prolific racemare Castle Lynch.
Michaela and Tracy Williams have four horses at Milborne Port near Sherborne. Coverdale and Kayleigh return along with Vic’s Pride, who has finished in the frame in all his six completed outings, but missed last season. The newcomer is Fox ‘N’ Goose, a recent purchase who finished second in a 2007 Hereford handicap hurdle.
Nyland Stables near Gillingham welcomes back several of last year’s winners, including Barney Blue, winner of four 2008 races including an open race hat-trick, and Bernard Pike’s Who Else Knew, who added three more wins to his wonderfully consistent record. Silver Monarch (two wins in 2008) and the Snowdens’ Barbury Castle winner Knighton Combe return, along with David Cowie’s dual 2008 winner El Troubadour, and Mr Slipper, who delighted his four owners when successful at Larkhill. Spiers Peace, absent since winning his second Tedworth Gold Cup in 2007, should reappear, while promising Stafford Cross winner Diflock is qualifying with the South Dorset. Jan Kwiatkowski will again partner his Assignation. Newcomers include Hazel Goody’s Ascot purchase Aill Na Serracht, who ran once in an Irish point-to-point last season.
Cathy Hamilton has two horses at home at Kington Magna near Gillingham. Force Ten is joined by Gunship, winner of a Chepstow chase in February 2007, and a hunter chase candidate for later in the season.
Bradford Peverell near Dorchester handler Fiona Shaw, who now holds a permit under Rules, will continue to race Sliema and Bratton Down winner Novikova Rose in point-to-points this season. Husband Peter will campaign Drybrook Bedouin, who won one of his five 2008 races, but may yet fulfil the potential he showed with two stunning successes in 2007.
Mary Tory has half-a-dozen pointers for the new season at Thornicombe, near Blandford. Mary has retained Tory Blue, owned and bred by parents-in-law Jim and Ann Tory, and a good winner at the Cattistock before finishing a close second to Rimpton Boy at the Seavington. Bondi Breeze, Charisworth and Silver Eile return after debuting last season. Newcomers include Hope Street, out of the prolific racemare Hops And Pops, and Jim and Ann Tory’s 4yo by Baryshnikov.
Ali Tory will race Woodford maiden winner Grand Affair and the consistent Force Twelve from her base at Witchampton near Wimborne. Michelle Taylor also uses Ali’s yard and will again campaign the excellent Golden Jack, the winner of four point-to-points and the inaugural Wessex Area Champion Hunter Chase last season.
Louise Alner has about 10 horses at her yard at Droop near Hazelbury Bryan. Stable stalwart Trade Off will reappear in February, while Louise welcomes back Hackwood Park winner Whataclue, Braeroy (three wins in 2008) and Fontwell hunter chase winner Sesame Rambler. Bondsley and Mrs O’Connell return after missing last season, while Bilton’s Nap rejoins the yard after one outing under Rules for trainer Liam Corcoran in March. Family favourite Even More, now owned by Louise, may go hunter chasing. Interesting youngsters are Tim Whitley’s home-bred 5yo Burrator, a half-sister to multiple winners Free Gift and Little Brown Bear, and Arnie Sendell’s unnamed 3yo half-brother to Peasedown Tofana and Mrs Duf. Sam Allwood will be Louise’s stable jockey this season.
Shepherds Hut misses 2009, so Andy Old will rely on homebred Gotta Get On to carry the point-to-point flag from his stables at Ibberton near Blandford this season.
Michael Miller has two horses for the new season in his Woolland yard. Martin Rose’s Midnight Eclipse is joined by The Jolly Miller, who will race for The Kitford Club group of owners. Michael’s father, Richard, known as “The Jolly Miller” when National Champion Rider twice in the 1970s, will run maiden mares Bobbys Choice and Sweet Nap from his home at Came Park near Dorchester.
Richenda Snook has four horses in training at her stables at Okeford Fitzpaine near Blandford. Richenda has retained Tyneham – easy winner of the Portman members’ and narrowly beaten at Stafford Cross – and Sherfield Don, who may reappear at Tweseldown on 7th December. New recruits are Catch You Later, purchased privately after finishing second on two occasions last season, and Somerby, unraced since making two 2005 Flat race appearances.
Devon/Dorset Border
Gordon Herrod will race five horses from his Axminster base. Weycroft Lad, in the frame three times last season, is joined by his unraced half-sister Weycroft Lass and Millbrook Meadow, who ran in five hurdle races from Robert and Sally Alner’s yard. The stable is completed by Ascot purchases Riverweld and Curracloe.
Monique Pike has six horses in training at her stables at Sidbury near Sidmouth. Bally Blue and Castle Cazza have retired, but Monique has retained Sulawacee and Simon’s Seat, both winners last season. Newcomers include the homebred Spot The Tiger and Front Page, who will represent Bally Blue’s owners, Linda and Roger Newton. Monique welcomes back Perfect Gem after a 12-month absence and Brian and Ann Watts’ 7yo may reappear in the PPORC mares’ race in January.
Wiltshire
Clare Parfitt has six horses at her Tellisford yard near Trowbridge. Mister Mambo returns after missing 2008, and Clare welcomes back Little Kimmie – placed twice last season – and Iron Storm. Newcomers are Pedina, the winner of two Irish hurdle races in 2003/04 and placed twice in points last season, a 5yo mare by Baryshnikov, and Ron Treloggen’s 5yo gelding out of winning pointer Second Bite. Tigga Barnes will ride the bulk of Clare’s runners.
Katie Symonds will race Taipan Lad from her home near Warminster. Taipan Lad finished fourth at Pontefract from six outings on the Flat and may make his point-to-point debut at Tweseldown on 7th December.
Sally and Stan Rawlins have two point-to-pointers at their Figheldean stables near Larkhill Racecourse. Corkscrew King returns after missing 2008 to join Gowna’s Hope, who drew well clear to win a 2_-mile Littlewindsor maiden under Alex Charles-Jones in April. Linda Syckelmoore sent out Summer Liric to win a Cothelstone maiden from her Fovant stables near Salisbury last season and plans to bring the 7yo out again in January.
Ebbesborne Wake near Salisbury trainer Lucy Franks has three horses for the new season. Lucy has retained her Ampton winner Sure Future and may aim the 12yo at the Wilton Members’ race. Mrs Undine Gregson’s Identimin and Pastek, who has run three times under Rules in 2008, complete the string. Lindsay Suenson-Taylor has bought the ex-Paul Nicholls-trained Kaldouas and this three-time winner will run in hunter chases from Jamie Snowden’s adjacent yard.
Sharon Brown has an interesting newcomer in training at Pitton near Salisbury. Citrus Chief, a private purchase out of Ron Harris’ yard on the recommendation of John Tate, has been placed three times on the Flat and was in the frame in both of his hurdle race outings in August 2007.
Wiltshire/Hampshire Border
With Kate Buckett now holding a permit under Rules, husband David takes over the point-to-pointers at their stables at Upham near Winchester. Saffron Hill has retired, but David has retained Anna Reed’s consistent Millview and New Entic, who may contest Ladies’ Opens under Claire Cowe. The line-up is completed by Doneraile’s Choice, who returns after missing 2008, and a 5yo Overbury mare.
Victoria Collins will campaign 13 horses from Alresford near Winchester. Rilly Goschen will again be stable jockey, with John Maxse aboard Gielgud and Whereareyounow, who put up a tremendous performance at Tweseldown early last season and may return there on 7th December. Novice rider Chris Dennington will partner Raise A Magregor. Dr Flight (two wins in 2008), Holnicote winner Home Chat and Victor Victorious, who provided Rilly’s 100th career success at Garthorpe, will all be back in action. Fans will be keen to see Future To Future, who completed an impressive hat-trick in 2007, and is likely to reappear at Detling in January after missing last season.
James H Young has six horses in training at his stables at Brockenhurst in the New Forest. James welcomes back Raddichio, and full-brothers Trenley Lawn – runner-up at Parham last season – and Aldridge Hill. Newcomers are Heynewboy, bought privately out of Seamus Mullins’ yard, Ascot purchase Cleric, and a 3yo full-brother to Trenley Lawn and Aldridge Hill.
Grand National, Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Toby Balding returns to pointing as an owner in 2009. Based at Kimpton near Andover, Toby will be represented by Doncaster purchase Chateau Queiras, who was placed in an Irish maiden in March, and bumper winner Historic Place, third in a Bath flat race in September. Unnamed geldings by Shahrastani and Double Trigger complete Toby’s team. George Humfrey will partner Toby’s runners.