Winning Post

Back on pony club duty

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:24:00 GMT

The pony racing and point to point season is over – what are we all supposed to do with our weekends now? Both Ted and Storm are now out in the field and Ted needs to swop his six pack for a bit of belly fat ready to do a bit of showing at the local agricultural shows during the summer. We are still on cloud nine after him winning the pony racing finals at Umberleigh but by Tuesday night he was back on duty at a pony club rally. Strange to see a pony that can gallop so fast, stood in a field with a group of others, resting a leg as he waits his turn to go jumping, but I supposed he is used to multi tasking!

Pippa is definately looking big on him now she is riding with normal length stirrups again and sadly we will sell him and look for a 148 pony for next season. And when I say sadly, I mean it as he has been just a fantastic pony to have.

It will be nice to catch up with all out other friends now though – all the ones who say 'can you come up and stay – oh your pointing tomorrow? We’ll do it another time!' First job though was to go to Oliver Carter’s thanksgiving service last Thursday. Love him or hate him, he has played a huge part in many people’s lives and I for one would never have got involved in the sport if it weren’t for him – or rather for Polly Curling and Sonia Geering who drank in the pub I worked in when on holiday from college and persuaded me to go and ride out.
Riding out and expressing wonder that anyone should want to launch themselves over a fence at speed, turned into wanting to do it myself. I had no racing connections, or even any horsey members of my family, but OJC did give me my first few rides before I got my own horses and there aren’t many people who would put up a complete novice like that.

I rode out when home from college, worked for him for two seasons – the first of which he was top trainer in the D and C area with 22 wins – and carried on riding out for many years, even after I had started work at the Herald. In fact I once had to give up a ladies' race ride on Roodle Doodle when a Stibb Cross point to point, fogged off at the weekend was rearranged for midweek, and I wasn’t brave enough to throw a sickie. I wonder if I would have got away with it? It was doubly annoying as the horse won. Anyway, I hope Oliver's grandchildren Paul, Anne and Andrew continue the family tradition.

Into the breach

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:16:00 GMT

Well Monday's pony racing at South Tetcott point to point was flying by the seat of your pants stuff. As we legged the riders up on their ponies for the first race, the secretary came bearing news that the commentator was at least 30 minutes away from the course! Fortunately George Welch volunteered to have a go and, with someone helping him operate the equipment, he was raised up on the commentary box as the riders were half way to post! Luckily his knowledge of the riders, and enthusiasm for the sport, shone through and added a lot to the race which was really exciting with four of the ponies locked together a furlong from home. To my amazement our pony Ravara Super Ted won, following up on his victory at Bratton 10 days earlier, which was the icing on the cake.
As those ponies unsaddled, Mary Jane Rayner found me to say that they couldn't saddle Flareon as she was playing up and they wanted to withdraw her. Well, we had had four overnight withdrawals and didn't want another, so all the parents put their heads together and eventually Ross and Amanda Darke managed to saddle the pony as it was led around. Chloe Grove had been gutted not to ride and was spurred on by the fact that she had actually managed to get to post - and duly went on to win after another four pony battle.
Supporters have been asking if George Welch could have another go so he is busy mugging up on his pony racing knowledge ready for the finals at Umberleigh.

Ted wins at wild Bratton

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:09:00 GMT

At last Ravara Superted won his first 138cm pony race at Bratton Down. The children managed to beat the worst of the weather and two really good races kept the crowd on their toes. The only downside of this meeting is the early start. With the point to point off at 1pm, the first pony race was at 11.45am and it really means an early start for some.
We left at 8am - with Lawrence left behind as the mare, who was due to foal any day, suddenly started to run some milk - so Pippa and I were on our own. We managed to get hold of Caroline Furze en route who, thank goodness, was able to help and, together with Jill Gratton, we managed to juggle a pony race runner and point to point runner with only one race in between.
Anyway, after a great battle with Hannah Welch and Bronze Lawrance, Pippa got Ted's head in front to win by half a length - and not only was dad not there to see it but Alan Walter who part owns the pony also wasn't there due to the Cheltenham bloodstock sale. Luckily Jane Walter was there and thank goodness for Jeff Guyett and his DVDs!! Thanks also to 'surrogate granny' Ann Watts who acted as general horse and rug holder in the paddock!
Storm ran his heart out in a good open race, unfortunately the ground went against us as not only were their some pretty stiff showers early on, during the time the horses were in the paddock it chucked it down and during the race it turned to hail. We didn't have the worst of it but he would have preferred the fast side of good!! He was second to Tonic du Charmil thanks to a great ride from Richard Woollacott, and back to his best, while Caroline and I were soaked to the skin and didn't really look back to our best! We celebrated the results with champagne, stood outside the trailer in the hail! Lovely.
Rosie had her foal on Sunday night - I fed her at 11pm and assured Lawrence that, as she was happily tucking in, she wasn't likely to foal - an hour later she had a filly foal that was already up and about. She is by Weld and very pretty. There is quite a large Weld crop in Devon this year so point to pointing in five year's time should be fun!

website

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:59:00 GMT

I haven't had much time to update this blog recently but you can find out lots about PTP pony racing on www/devon24.co.uk/ponyracing

Pony racing steps up a gear

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:51:00 GMT

I am so proud of my pony racers! They are all developing into great race riders and their enjoyment and determination is starting to pack the crowds in early at the point to points to watch them.
There was a full up 10 for the 138 race at Axe Vale - headed by G Whizz, this time ridden by Megan Nicholls but previously having enjoyed easy wins at Axe Vale under Harry Derham. It showed how much the Devon and Cornwall area riders have come on by how close a race it was.
Barnaby Treneer didn't have the best of starts - his pony, and, incidently G Whizz, was facing the wrong way when the starter let them go. But they were all soon into their stride and Ravara super Ted, Bronze Lawrance, Bejowan's Bouquet and G Whizz as well as Barnaby's Talponciau Perfect Print were all soon battling their way up the straight, The lead was changing all the time but close home G Whizz won with Heidi Lewis thoroughly deserving her second place on Bejowan's Bouquet.

The 148s had a mile and a half to run, for the first time this season. It meant they had to negotiate both corners of the course and not cutting each other up will be something we have to work on!! But this group of ponies are very well matched this year and it was difficult to call the winner. Hannah Welch was in the leading bunch when her pony decided not to take the bend - then changed his mind with her flying out the side door. Luckily she was unhurt and the paramedics were quickly on the scene. Josie Gordon had lost her stirrup at the start but soon got back into her comfort zone and won the 'ride of the day' award. She was a fast finishing third behind a much improved Tarka (Bryony Frost) and Bryony's old pony Jack Sparrow won for his tiny new rider Hugo Hunt.
we are now looking forward to Saturday's racing at Flete Park (may 2, noon).

Storm's great day

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:37:00 GMT

Crickey - days don't get much better than Sunday's point to point at Stafford Cross. My home trained horse Lisheen Storm won the open at the Axe Vale Hunt meeting- ridden by Richard Woollacott. I was secretary at the meeting for nine years before we moved, having hunted with them since being a child. There was such a cheer when we went back into the winners' enclosure and everywhere I looked there were friends celebrating with us. All the family was there, Zoe led up, Lawrence does the scales at AV, Pippa had been pony racing earlier and both lots of parents were also watching. We had a great party in the lorry park which went on for quite a while and don't think that I will forget it for a long time.I can't imagine winning at a better meeting. It was great and makes all those horrible dark wet windy mornings when I have to crawl out of bed to ride out before setting off for work in Exeter worth while. As well as all those testing times on the gallops - it is pretty difficult training a horse on its own, especially when the gallops are a long thin 40 acre field with lots of things to spook at! And the grim bit when we were so disappointed after a poor third at Great Trethew, had the horse blood tested a couple of times and established that he had a low level virus which meant he missed both Buckfastleigh meetings.It was great for Richard W too as he was so disappointed at Great Trethew and utterly convinced that something was wrong with Storm - at home he had not shown any signs of being ill but with hindsight had probably been a bit too well behaved! Our great mate Tim Dennis had previously won on him, Richard deputising when Tim was injured and having a couple of close seconds so he deserved the win too.
Anyway Storm has had a day out in the field with his pony friend and some cows and hopefully will be able to run a few more times this season.

Looking good for Axe Vale

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:20:00 GMT

The weather looks to be fine again for the Axe Vale point to point on Sunday, Apirl 26 - clerk of the course Chris Holmes has been watering the course since Monday and he and his team always do a good job. It doesn't seem to matter what the season does otherwise, they nearly always need to water at Stafford Cross!
There is a full up entry for the pony races and the riders are really getting competitive now. There don't seem to be any riders based in East Devon, but lots in South Devon, north Devon and Dorset/Somerset. It would be good if some of the pony clubs could get their local trainers involved and hold a racing rally on their gallops. There is a pony club leaflet available for organisers on how to run a racing rally. I reckon the Modbury Harriers 138 race in 10 days time will be full up with local riders.
Fingers crossed we will be running Ted on Sunday - he had a very busy Easter Holidays. He raced on Easter Saturday and Monday, had a day off on Tuesday and then played polocrosse on the Wednesday, had pony club rally on the Thursday, showjumping training on Friday night and raced again on Saturday at Flete.
He will be glad that Pippa went back to school on Monday, but that just means he gets ridden out when she gets home! When the PTP season ends he will have a crack at some Working Hunter classes at the local agricultural shows before going to camp and then being sold as Pippa is getting too tall for him.
Storm is entered at Axe Vale and I hope we can run there. He went well last time out, 2nd at Cherrybrook, but there hasn't been anywhere I could run him since due to pony racing commitments and a glut of open four mile races in the D and C area.
I have hardly had chance to think about Rosie (Madam Rose) who is due to foal soon - on the day of the second Flete point to point. Her three year old was born on the morning of Axe Vale point to point so it would be funny if this one arrived on time. She is getting fatter each day.
Axe Vale pony club have their big show coming up on May 25. You can download the schedule from www.devon24.co.uk/ponyracing

Trials and frustrations

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:21:00 GMT

The trials and frustrations of training a pointer are hitting home! We have been very lucky as Storm has always been very easy to train but he has not been his usual self this season. Although he was third at Great Trethew last time out it was a poor third and jockey Richard Woollacott was very disappointed. We have since had him blood tested and had his back looked at and it would seem that there has been a bit of a problem in his wither area, which in turn affected his white blood cells. Anyway hopefully it is all sorted now and he seems in fine fettle - we won't know more til he runs again and hopefully he will appreciate better ground - I am now dithering over where that will be. I just wish Storm could talk, it would be much easier.
Anyway Pippa and I made the most of the good weather to clear a track up through the woods which we used last season to canter up and it was great going up there again on Monday before having a spin up the gallop.
Ponies are no less complicated! Ted was off his feed after racing at Buckfastleigh so we have been tempting him to eat by adding bruised oats to his food - amazingly he can pick them out and leave the cubes! He had a few days off out in the field afterwards and we picked up his work again this weekend with Upcott Cross on the horizon. It is a shame there isn't a D and C pony race fixture this weekend, as it is a long time for the children to keep riding every day when the next race seems so far away.
Champagne Charlie has been sold and is now schoolmastering a nine year old boy called Daniel in all things Pony Club and we hope they have a very successful time together. The bad news for Ted is that, apart from missing Charlie out in the field, he will now have to have a bash at polocrosse! Should be fun to watch.

Axe Vale Hunt Supporters Club forthcoming events

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:19:00 GMT

Saturday, April 4
End of Season Supper with 'The Generation Game' Entertainment
7.30 for 8.00 pm at Colyton Town Hall
Please book in with Eric Pomeroy or Ross Wilmington

Sunday, April 5
Pleasure Ride starting from Whitegate, Colyton Hill (just past the Point to Point Course towards Colyton).
Contact Carolyn Selley 01404 871543

Sunday, April 26
Point to Point and pony racing at Stafford Cross, Seaton.

Sunday, May 3
Open Horse & Dog Show, Elverway Farm, Branscombe
Contact Becky Dormor 07967 374948

East Devon pony club hunter trial results

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:20:00 GMT

HT results Bicton March 8th 2009 HT results Bicton March 8th 2009 Registered Charities No: 1050146 Page 1 of 3 09/03/2009 © 2009 East Devon Hunt Pony Club Class 1 1st 57 Harry Harding/Toya Inspiration 2nd 138 Abi Sparks/Brenin 3rd 112 Alice Crocker/Just Jack 4th 81 Nicola Mornson/Sapphire & Diamonds 5th 143 Jessica Hoare/Spring 6th 11 Jenny Williams/Lucca 7th 16 Rachel De Bradeny/Riversdale Springtime. 8th 97 Kathryn Parish/Lulu 8th 15 Katie Lobb/Rosie 9th 90 Elise Littlewood/Hanna Class 2 1st 5 Charlotte Ball/Toffee 2nd 169 Taggy Forester-Bennett/Showtime 2 3rd 196 Sam Nicholls/Dogo 4th 98 Katie Parish/Just Paradise 5th 187 Abigail Crabbe/Diamond Geejen 6th 178 Clare Harvey/Star 7th 44 Lauren Allanson-Bailey/Honey Pie 8th 100 Sally Turner/Anna 9th 115 Sam Knott/Spirit 10th 159 Alastair Littlewood/Stroller Class 3 1st 145/155 Andrea Riggs/Charlie 2nd 135 Laura Summers 3rd 126 Lizzie Potts/Straight Air 4th 148 Sylvia Littlejohns/Muli 5th 160 Billie-Ann Warren/Rally 6th 137 Anthony Rainwater/Magpie 7th 134 Vicky Pincombe/Pikey 8th 110 Sophie Allen/Lowman 9th 206 Heidi Cruickshank/Kublai Khan 10th 19 Carol Thompson/Titus Class 4 1st 155/157 Andria Riggs/Leigh Riggs 2nd 196/198 Sam Nicholas/? 3rd 148/149 Sylvia Littlejohns/Stacy Littlejohns 4th 93/94 Kate Stevens/George Alsop 5th 66/67 Shelley Griffiths/Louise Gulliford 6th 239/240 Anna East/Tasha Puddy 7th 187/123 Abigail Crabbe/Adi Greenwood 8th 245/37 Leigh Gething/Flora Fraser HT results Bicton March 8th 2009 HT results Bicton March 8th 2009 Registered Charities No: 1050146 Page 2 of 3 09/03/2009 © 2009 East Devon Hunt Pony Club Class 5 1st 66 Shelley Griffiths/Honey Row Lady 2nd 240 Tasha Puddy/Tough Queen U.S.A 3rd 248 Philippa Kerry/Ingles 4th 36 Michaela While/Shalimar 5th 30 Laura Shillam/Connor 6th 217 Katie Garner/Narramore Atlanta 7th 262 Hettie Bayley/Harmony 8th 176 Lauren Reed/Honeybee 9th 207 Rhianna Parke-Yates/Hughie Class 6 1st 167 Gemma Down/Sirsalvador 2nd 46 Suzanne Allanson-Bailey/ 3rd 222 Angela Browne/Inching West 4th 241 Jeremy Brown/Walker 5th 250 Will Greenslade/Baldrick 6th 263 Pippa Perry/Irish Auk 7th 82 Nicola Morrison/Tiger Lily 8th 259 Emily Monger/Game on 9th 247 Emma Custance-Baker/Heron 10th 215 Mandy Salmon/Roan Boy Class 7 1st 253 Emily Burns/Camdratrs Figalr 2nd 241 Jeremy Brown/Walker 3rd 250 Will Greenslade/Baldrick 4th 248 Phillipa Kerry/Jingles 5th 249 Kathryn Little/Ideal 6th 221 Henry Richards/Brit Ceuars Brand 7th 154 Julie Luxton/Stormhill Antelope 8th 252 George Lethbridge 9th 118 James Lothard 10th 260 Cristelle Durrant Class 8 1st 185 Josie Bryford/Lightning 1st 195 George Selley/George 2nd 38 Marha Keats/Carlie 3rd 121 Tara Bashford/Polo 4th 188 Elle Slade/Penny 5th 53 Anna Johannson/Shadow 6th 78 Imogen Griffith/Rossi 7th 183 Sophie Mae Weston/Maisy HT results Bicton March 8th 2009 HT results Bicton March 8th 2009 Registered Charities No: 1050146 Page 3 of 3 09/03/2009 © 2009 East Devon Hunt Pony Club Class 9 1st 124 James McLachlan/Showman 2nd 195 Georgia Selley/George 3rd 130 Indra Ecle/Tango 4th 83 Bryony Sanders/Master Mitch 5th 95 Alice Derryman/Woody 6th 73/72 Emma Nantzas/Bailey 7th 6 Rhiannon Tewson/Paddington Bear 8th 193 George Perrington/Glory 9th 185 Jane Brinford/Lightening Class 10 1st 99 Katie Turner/Sorbay 2nd 101 Alex Funnel/Monkey Class 11 1st 183 Sophie Mae Weston/Maisy 2nd 225 Rosie Hattersley/Abbie 3rd 96 Katherine Perchard-Richards/Woody 4th 6 Rhiannon Tewson/Paddington Bear 5th 79 Sophie Griffin/Bonnie 6th 198 Harriet McGoverin/Charile Class 12 1st 83/84 Bryony Saunders/Master Nitch Eleanor Saunders/Thunder Class 13 1st 161/4? Charlie Hart/Arnie 2nd 198 Harriett McGovern/Charlie 3rd 23 Carron Saunders/Belle

Barnaby wins at Buckfastleigh

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:10:00 GMT

We endured monsoon like downpours in the hour before the first pony race was due off at the DVHH point to point at Buckfastleigh and the tack check in the paddock was certainly an experience! Fortunately the rain stopped in time for the 138 race. All eyes were on Hannah Welch who won the Mid devon race and she got a cracking start. Hot on her heels was her cousin Barnaby Treneer on Talponciau Perfect Print and Pippa Glanville on Ravara Super Ted. These three made a break for it along the back straight and were soon clear. Rounding the home turned Hannah pushed Bronze Lawrence for home but was just beaten by Barnaby who was registering his first pony race win. Pippa finished third and there was harsh luck for the fast finishing Victoria Sleep whose pony was spooked by an onrushing supporter in the crowd and unseated her close home. It was great to see Imogen Darke, 9, having her first ride on her lovely pony Grantley April Showers and it wont be long before we see her again. Her dad Ross trained the winner of the members' race for 18 year old Ian Hargreaves to have his first ride and first win just 40 minutes later so they had a busy day. Rachel Leyshon strolled home in the 148 race, her pony Total Eclipse having already won at the Carmarthenshire this season. It won't be long before Bronwyn Buttery and Ginger Biscuit are flying the flag for the Modbury Harriers though and it was good to see Josie Gordon have a great ride on Whinney Widget to finish third. Unfortunately there is a break in the season now until the Eggesford on April 11 and it is a shame that one of the meetings in between don't hold pony races. Well done to everyone who took part as we know you all ended up freezing cold and soaking wet - I hope noone was off school with a cold on Monday!

Buckfastleigh pony races

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:02:00 GMT

All is set for Buckfastleigh pony races at noon tomorrow - Sunday March 8. non runners are Robert Hawker and Isobel Hunt but there is almost a full house and competitive racing is assured.

New fences unveiled

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:58:00 GMT

The new hunter trial fences at Bicton Arena are unveiled this Sunday when the East Devon Hunt branch of the Pony club hold their annual event. Always a busy day, it is bound to be even more popular this time.
Also on Sunday is the second of the Devon and Cornwall Area PTP pony races at Buckfastleigh (first race off at noon).

Socialising at Ottery

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:38:00 GMT

There were many great things about this year's Ottery St Mary point to point which always gives a chance to catchup with old friends. The course was changed and featured a new look open ditch and there were three fences in the railway straight and only two in the home run which had a dramatic effect on the day. Racing was much more fluent and there were no last fence fallers. The fences were impressive and up to height and a fitting tribute to retiring clerk of the course Bill Trump and course builder Andy Ross. The weather was springlike and the standard of horses taking part led to competitive racing throughout.
Ben and Mark Moore had their first year as Clerks of the Scales and did really well, coping with all the stresses of weighing in and out the jockeys before and after each race. One absentee was course owner and racing character Oliver Carter,who is currently in hospital, but his family played a message from him over the loudspeaker. As he boomed "Hello, it's Oliver Carter here' all the regular racegoers looked at each other and said in unison "pick up all your litter!"
Local winners included Bill and Sue Trump's horse McSolo in the members' race, Kathy Stuart's Kenickie, and the Gundry/Walkter trained pair Restlesss Harry and Labarynth - not bad to see four of the 10 prizes stay close to home.
It was also a treat to see Southwestern back to his best in the men's open and the horse is now qualified to take his chance in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. If you haven't been to a point to point before why not give it a try. It is a great day out. Pack a picnic, take more warm clothes than you imagine you might need and you will have a whole heap of fun.

Polly's in great form

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:49:00 GMT

Polly Gundry, who trains racehorses on East Hill, near Ottery St Mary, with her partner Ed Walker, has hit a great vein of form in the saddle. She partnered Dr Cerullo and Ballybrown to victory at Wadebridge in Cornwall on Saturday and won on Bathwick Shannon at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday. Dr Cerullo and Bathwick Shannon, the couple train at Ottery and the string are obviously in great shape but Polly reports that the bad weather has made life difficult on their grass gallops. The next Devon and Cornwall Area point to point is on Saturday, Feb 7, at Ideford Arch near Newton Abbot, weather permitting of course! Wadebridge and Black Forest Lodge reports by Granville Taylor an Lucy Johnson POLLY Gundry was in fine form at the North Cornwall at Wadebridge. The National and Devon & Cornwall Area Ladies’ title holder was in the winner’s enclosure with Dr Cerullo and Ballybrown, and her other two mounts were each placed. Dr Cerullo followed up his December course win in the Ladies’ Open, drawing clear of Dante’s Back up the final hill. “He was a bit keen but stayed on nicely”, remarked Polly, who trains the eight-year-old with her partner Ed Walker at Ottery St Mary. “Ed has gone off to Robert Wakley’s stag weekend, but keeps phoning me every half an hour to find out what is happening”, smiled Polly. Dr Cerullo is owned by a small local syndicate called The Otters Club consisting of Sheamus Machin, Will Furnival, *** Webb and Mike Raynor. The champion lady completed her double with an easy win on Ballybrown in the Confined. Owned by Charlie Rush and trained by Becky Kennen, this gelding has now won four times at Wadebridge. Polly sent her mount clear in the closing stages, finishing ten lengths ahead of The Boss Roche. Becky Kennen trains high up on Bodmin Moor and said, “It has been a nightmare on the moor recently with either frost or a bog making life difficult for us. Ballybrown tends to be a bit lively and has still got a bit to learn,” she added. The Men’s Open ended in a dead heat between Holly Walk and Mioche D’Estruval. The latter just led over the last but was caught by his rival on the line. Running Hot finished a creditable third under 16 year old Josh Newman, just ahead of Doof and Lisheen Storm. Tavistock-based Jimmy Cole, who rode his own mare Holly Walk, has the Christie’s Foxhunter at Cheltenham in March as a tentative objective, via a hunter chase at Fontwell Park. Ben Robarts partnered his own Mioche D’ Estruval, who is trained by Ashley Farrant at Bampton. This former NH and pointing winner missed the whole of last season with a strained tendon, and had his first run for 18 months at Barbury Castle last month. Ashley Farrant also saddled Master Overseer to win the Red Mills Intermediate. Danny Cook, who is currently leading the NH amateur riders’ title race, got his mount up inside the last 75 yards to beat Ha Ho Magregor. The winner came to Ashley after being bought at Doncaster sales last May, and is owned by Dubliner Paddy Griffin. “The ground was in his favour today because he need soft ground”, said the trainer. Another happy Irishman was 84 year old Nick Power, not an owner, but the breeder of Hunt race winner Gemgaballou. This six-year-old mare is now owned and trained by Roma Cook, and was ridden by her niece Lucy Gardner. Lucy’s mum had given a phone commentary to Ireland and was delighted to relate the first ever breeding success to the octogenarian breeder who lives at Oldcastle near Dublin. All eight entries ran in the Restricted, won in good style by the imposing Ellies Horse. Sam Allwood had his mount with the leaders throughout, and the grey stayed on strongly to beat his main market rival Busy Buzzard. Karyn Heard trains this seven-year-old for a syndicate headed by vet Phil Browne and he was following up his maiden win on this track in December. “He needs better ground and will be put away for a few weeks now”, remarked the trainer. Stillhertoes shaped like a promising stayer when taking the maiden under Will White. Bred by her trainer Gordon Chambers, the mare is owned by Tim Winzer and his family, wife Sue and son David. “She has strengthened up well this year” said the trainer. The Mick Moore Hunt Race: 1: Gemgaballou (Miss L Gardner): finished alone; 6 mins 43 secs The Stephens & Scown Men’s Open: dead heat between Holly Walk (J Cole) and Mioche D’Estruval (B Robarts); 3: Running Hot (J Newman); dead heat, 3l; 6 m 30 The Greens Café Padstow Ladies’ Open: 1; Dr Cerullo (Miss P Gundry); 2; Dante’s Back (Mrs M Hand) 3; Winning Connection (Miss S Berry); 3l, 7l; 6m 41 The J F Foster & J F Consulting Restricted: 1; Ellies Horse (S Allwood); 2; Busy Buzzard (R Woollacott); 3; Tres Bien (W White); 3l, 6l 6m 42 The St Mabyn Inn Confined: 1; Ballybrown (Miss P Gundry); 2; The Boss Roche (R Woollacott); 3; Garston Star (J Cole); 10l, dist; 6m 40 The Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate: 1; Master Overseer (D Cook); 2; Ha Ho Magregor (Miss S Berry); 3; Wee Fly (Miss P Gundry); 2l, 5l; 6m 34 The North Cornwall Hunt Committee Open Maiden: 1: Stillhertoes (W White); 2; Mulligan’s Pet (Miss P Gundry); 3; Dee Valley Boy (R Bliss); dist, Ω l 6m 42 JOCKEY Neil Harris and trainer Camilla Scott teamed up to score a treble at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday and narrowly missed out on a four timer at the South Devon track when Master Flight just failed by a length and a half in the concluding maiden to finish third. Harris, currently the reigning champion veteran rider in the Devon and Cornwall area, initiated the three-timer on Yes My Lord in the men’s open. It was a thrilling finish with the gelding fighting out the lead with Gunship from three out. The latter, ridden by Sam Allwood, held a slight advantage over the final fence but Yes My Lord rallied well under pressure to score by half a length. Scott said: “We only came here to give him the run and he’ll come on for that.” Next up in the winners’ enclosure was King of the Jungle, an eight year old owned by the Exmoor Partnership who took the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate Race by two lengths. It was Neil Harris who initiated the purchase of the gelding for the partnership, 80 per cent of whom own the prolific Southwestern - set to make his seasonal reappearance in a couple of weeks time. Scott said: “If the ground is right we will go for the final at Exeter with King of the Jungle.” Last of the trio to win was Roger and Jenny Perry’s Jack’s Taxi who pulled away from the rest of the field two fences from home and won very easily. Scott said the eight-year-old was finally beginning to show the talent they know he has. “Last year he would dodge around markers but he’s growing up and he’s a lovely horse. Of the three winners, this is the one I hoped would win today,” she said. Lady Myfanwy and Jenny Carr scored their second success at the course when they won the ladies’ open and the Devon and Cornwall area could see much more of the prolific eight-year-old who could be campaigned for the season in the Westcountry, although a hunter chase may also be on the agenda. Last Warrior won the faster of the two maiden races under Richard Woollacott who had the six-year-old jumping beautifully to win convincingly by eight lengths. The gelding is owned by Victoria Shervington and trained in Wales by Maggie Kidner. In the second maiden Polly Gundry got a clear run on the far side on Bathwick Shannon to land the race leaving Colorado Storm and Master Flight to fight it out for the minor places on the inner. Dutch Bill, under Jimmy Cole who was in winning form at Wadebridge the day before, led the way down the back straight in the confined to win by one and three quarter lengths. It was the second success of the season for Robert White’s seven year old who is trained by Kathryn Northcott. RESULTS The Dave and Terri Fisher Confined: Dutch Bill (Jimmy Cole) 1; Cookies Bank (Richard Woollacott) 2; Mister Moonax (R Hawkins) 3. Trainer: Miss K Northcott; distances 1 ˘ l; 12l; Time 6.42. The Fingle Bridge Inn Men’s Open: Yes My Lord (Neil Harris) 1; Gunship (Sam Allwood) 2; Little Ed (Rhys Hughes) 3.Mrs Camilla Scott; 1/2l, 20l; 6.38. The West Devon Meat Ladies Open: Lady Myfanwy (Jenny Carr) 1; Winter Scene (Lucy Gardner) 2; Croix De Guerre (Diana Hobbs) 3. Myfanwy Miles; 1 Ω l, 10l; 6.31. Exeter Racecourwse Intermediate: King of the Jungle (Neil Harris) 1; Dracaena (D Aldridge) 2; Bob Bites Back (Rhys Hghes) 3.Camilla Scott; 2l, 10l; 6.41. The Ring O’Bells Bovey Tracey Restricted: Jack’s Tazi (Neil Harris) 1; Jean’s Joy (Polly Gundry) 2; Up The Boreen (Will White) 3. Roly Stuert-Jervis, Manhole Covers Ltd Open Maiden Div 1: Last Warrior (Richard Woollacott) 1; Super Lady (Ian Popham) 2; Kavegirl (Polly Gundry) 3. Maggie Kidner; 8l, 7l; 6.34. Ride World Wide Open Maiden Div 2: Bathwick Shannon (Polly Gundry) 1; Colorado Storm (Richard Woollacott) 2; Master Flight (Neil Harris) 3. Polly Gundry, 1l, 3/4l; 6.39.