Sunday at Alnwick produced a perfect grass-roots story, showing what pointing is all about, when four-year-old Batsman Jack provided jockey Tom Chatfeild-Roberts and his parents Doone and John with a first homebred winner in the four-and-five-year-old maiden race. A maiden winner that won’t be going to the sales….
Chatfeild-Roberts, a vet based in Leicestershire, runs Belvoir Equine Veterinary and Dental Services alongside partner Meisha Micklewright.
Micklewright, also a point-to-point jockey, is partly responsible for Batsman Jacks existence and explains to me the story: “I was working at Bourton Vale Equine Clinic in the Cotswolds near Stow-on-the-Wold and taking a keen interest in the breeding side of veterinary work. Overbury Stud were clients and I had fallen in love with the stallion Jack Hobbs. Our Milly Acres (dam of Batsman Jack) won three point-to-points for Toms parents, John and Doon. She had some really nice consistent form, she was a small but tough mare and Tom’s Aunt, Helen Conors, who had trained her to win her first two point-to-points had always felt she was worth breeding from. Injury had forced her retirement, so I suggested we put her to Jack Hobbs. I made it my mission to get her in foal, Aled the stud vet at BVEC was instrumental in helping me and we did it! Hobnob as we fondly call Batsman Jack is the result”.
That alone makes this story so special - training, riding and being connected to any winner is wonderful, but to be able to have assisted in breeding one makes it all the more worthwhile.
Doone Chatfeild-Roberts, Toms Mum is understandably thrilled with Sunday’s result “He is our first homebred so to have won as a four-year-old over fences is fantastic, he won’t be for sale. We have a yearling also by Jack Hobbs and a foal by Schiaparelli out of the mare too.”
Trained in Leicestershire by Kelly Morgan, Batsman Jack had one run in January last season in a flat race, also at Alnwick, finishing third on that occasion partnered by Micklewright. Of Sundays performance Morgan reports: “I love him, he can really gallop, however he hasn’t been easy to train - he bucks for fun and pulls hard - the girls at home have done a brilliant job with him. He didn’t need to win on Sunday- he is not a sales horse but he has been well educated and is very cocky so even if he doesn’t yet, he thinks he knows his job! Tom rode him really well.”
THIS WEEK’S GRASS ROOTS STORY
TOM CHATFEILD-ROBERTS
by Claire Hart
Micklewright explained a little more to me about ‘Hobnob’s’ early years: “We tried to educate him properly as a young horse, we had a lot of help from Helen Conors who had him as a foal and then assisted me in long-reining him and his early education as a two-year-old. We sent him to Harriet Walker to break in and then obviously to Kelly to train. They say it takes a village to raise a child - Hobnob is our child and a huge team of help has resulted in his win on Sunday. Tom and I feel incredibly lucky to have always had the full support of John and Doone, they are wonderful parents and we have a lot of fun”.
In talking to connections, it is clear that this is what pointing is all about. The time and e ort, the tears, the sweat, the blood and the never-ending financial commitment is all made worthwhile when your beloved horse runs faster than the others around a field! It sounds completely and utterly mad; and to those not involved in our sport it is! However, the feeling of winning and the joy that it brings is indescribable.
Ironically, the highs and lows of racing were demonstrated within two hours of Batsman Jacks victory when ChatfeildRoberts was unseated in the mixed-open race from Dusart. The horse is a high-class ex-chaser who was bought at the sales in May out of Nicky Hendersons yard by the family, with a dream of qualifying for the Festival Hunters’ Chase at Cheltenham in march.
Chatfeild-Roberts tells me: “That’s racing, Dusart stepped at one, it stopped him and ejected me, we both live to fight another day”. I asked him to elaborate on Batsman Jacks victory “No one wanted to make it so knowing my lad was well educated I was happy too- we crawled the first circuit. I quickened it up going out on the second as I was confident stamina wouldn’t be an issue and he stayed very well up the hill”.
Chatfeild-Roberts is a true amateur and is a vet by trade, when asked how he juggles it all he replies “Life is busy and we work hard, but we do try to hunt with the Belvoir twice a week and I field master every three weeks. All of the hunters are retired racehorses or ones that haven’t made the grade racing, retired pointer Love Manhattan is my field mastering horse. We have a good relationship with another local vet who we can swap on-call duties with. The business is growing and we will get more vets on board”. On his participation in races he added “I am still enjoying it and whilst I am I shall carry on for however long that may be.”
Batsman Jack jumping the last at Alnwick
PREVIEW
HARKAWAY CLUB
SUNDAY 29TH DECEMBER 2024
By ANDREW KING
Fancy working off some of the Festive excesses alongside viewing some cracking horse-racing? Then all roads lead to Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday December 29th for a seven race card that is almost certain to feature some tight finishes and ultra-competitive sport.
Having attracted a very healthy 127 entries from some of the top pointing yards in the country, the first race scheduled off-time is 11.00 on ground that is officially described as “good to soft and soft in places” with further updates over the Christmas period.
The Mens Open just about takes centre stage on a fascinating card with the return to action likely of last season’s Lady Dudley Cup hero Jeux D’Eau, the progressive Lift Me Up and former Cheltenham Festival winner Premier Magic.
Line that trio up along with the likes of Saint Calvados, who boasted top class form under Rules a few seasons ago and the resurgent Rewritetherules, who is unbeaten since joining the Hannah Roach academy in two outings this Winter - and you end up with something of a mouth watering clash.
Jeux D’Eau showed he was definitely going the right way last Spring while Lift Me Up is likely to bring a sparkle of celebrity to proceedings as he runs in the colours of Formula 1 supremo Christian Horner and his ex-Spice Girl wife Geri.
Premier Magic has a few question marks by his name these days but goes well fresh, a remark which can also apply to Saint Calvados and Rewritetherules brings current winning form to the table but this contest represents his hardest task to date since switching to Roach.
And the competitive nature of the card does not end there as the Intermediate race promises to be every bit as exciting as the Mens Open with two of last season’s upwardly mobile horses in the shape of Crocodile Lounge and Glenmount likely to lock horns.
Crocodile Lounge was learning on the job 12 months ago and shaped as if he had future star potential. Glenmount also did nothing but improve with each outing through the Spring.
The pair have met before at Milborne St Andrew last January with Crocodile Lounge coming out on top but it may well be much tighter this time around with Glenmount a couple of pounds better off at the weights.
However, it is definitely not a two horse showdown as Barton Snow made a favourable impression when scoring nicely at Knightwick and Kilfilum Woods is on a winning sequence for Francesca Poste.
There is a distinct possibility that Rewritetherules may take in the Conditions race rather than step up for the Mens Open, if that is the case he may well take all the beating but I’m Spellbound might be the one to spoil the party on his seasonal bow.
Gina Andrews’ charge took a hefty fall when clear at the final fence at Larkhill but he ended the term on a winning note when seeing off a decent yardstick in the shape of Back It Up at Kingston Blount.
Andrews also has a great chance in the Ladies Open where she could be two-handed with Fairly Famous and Master Templar but both may have to take a back view of Willewonga, who went into a few notebooks by staying on well when runner-up around Knightwick last month.
The Conditions Race For Novice Riders is a fairly open affair where quite a few have chances on their best form but the pin has landed on Fan Club Aulmes, who was well backed on his return to action at Knightwick
only to be worried out of it in the closing stages by Killer Clown.
Of the darker types, Llandinabo Lad catches the eye on his first try pointing and for trainer Jo Priest. He was useful under Rules but his stamina has to be taken on trust at three miles.
All eyes will be on the parade ring and the bookies boards for any clues before the Four And Five Year Olds Maiden which opens the card as many of the usual suspects in these types of races have entries and part of the intrigue is trying to spot an equine star of the future.
The three that appeal against the field at the time of writing are Avichi In The Park (Bradley Gibbs), Five Quarters (Josh Newman) and Sweating Bullets (Christopher Walker) but it’s anybody’s guess until the day and which ones actually turn up.
The concluding Six Year Olds And Over Maiden does not appear such a minefield of a race as the chances of Ideal Du Tabert are obvious on some of his previous form.
His jumping sometimes left a bit to be desired but he has joined the very capable Laura Richardson and with a clear round he should be good enough to see off the likes of Mumbo Jumbo.
Getting there - Next to A448 midway between Bromsgrove & Kidderminster (Exit 4 or 5, M5, Exit 1, M42). DY10 4QT - Nearest station Kidderminster.
Crocodile Lounge (Bradley Gibbs) in winning action at Didmarton last season
Photo: Graham Fisher
HORSEHEATH
TUESDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2024
By GRAHAM BISHOP
Apart from the anticipation and expectancy which a new season always brings, this fixture always attracts a bumper holiday attendance and high class racing is again expected for the Thurlow meeting which has attracted 99 entries across a seven race card, first of which is at 11am. The entry includes three horses who were successful at the corresponding fixture last year, namely Imperial Esprit, Ragnar Lodbrok and Trojan du Berlais.
The fixture commences with a Conditions race which has 13 horses entered although several of these also hold entries in the third race. Four of the entries have already had at least one run this year, whilst Paper Mill has run twice. Paper Mill won on the opening weekend of the season at Dunsmore and then finished second
at Larkhill in early December. The Olive Nicholls trained pair All Loved Up and Ballyadam Destiny have had outings at Larkhill and Knightwick respectively whilst Myleno and Imperial Sachin’s both ran at Knightwick. Whilst having had a run may be beneficial Champagne Glory, Mountain Assault and Ocean Drifter all won on their first start, and All Is True and Boss Man Fred both went close on their seasonal reappearances last season.
The first Maiden race on the card has little current form to assess. The Thomas Malone trained Celtic Harmony may have gone close at Larkhill if he had not been brought down by the leader at the third last. Taghadoe ran well to finish third at Larkhill in mid December and the Georgina Andrews trained Always Groovin finished
second in an Irish point in October. Last season several showed signs of ability without breaking their maiden tag either side of the Irish Sea. These include Jullou De Grissay, King Roque, Red Letter Day, Right Lets Go and Wiseman Said.
The PPORA Club Members Conditions race for Novice Riders is the third race on the card and has 16 entries which includes last year winner Imperial Esprit, who added further victories at Mollington and Edgecote before ending the season with a runners-up spot behind Famous Clermont at Stratford. Port of Mars and Young Rich were both successful in novice rider’s races last season, and Drop Him In ran some fine races in defeat behind the likes of Grace A Vous Enki, Oscar Montel, Ragnar Lodbrok and Gaboriot. This season has seen Fan
A possible return to action for Cheltenham winner Fairly Famous (Gina Andrews)
Photo: Neale Blackburn
Club Aulmes finish second at Knightwick on his first run in over two years finishing well ahead of Ballyadam Destiny. All Loved Up has also had an outing and along with Ballyadam Destiny have this option instead of the first race, as do Boss Man Fred and Dragon d’Estruval.
The Ladies Open race could see the return of Fairly Famous for Georgina Andrews who won the 3 ¼ mile hunter ‘chase at Cheltenham in May defeating Premier Magic on his penultimate run of last season before finishing third at Stratford in the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunter Chase. Stable companion Master Templar finished his season at those same two courses with a second place in the four mile hunter ‘chase and a fourth place in the PointtoPoint.co.uk Champion Hunter Chase (John Corbet), one place behind Go Go Geronimo. Myth Buster has had a couple of runs this season, winning the most recent at Larkhill in early December, whilst Oscars Moonshine finished fourth to Grace A Vous Enki at Larkhill in midDecember. Bardenstown Lad is another to have had an outing, finishing third in the mixed open race at Alnwick.
The Men’s Open race could see a rematch between the first two from the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunter Chase with both What A Glance and Lift Me Up holding entries. For What A Glance, this victory followed on from winning the Junior Jumpers Hunter Chase held at Cheltenham whilst Lift Me Up was reversing the form with Fairly Famous from his race at Cheltenham. Ragnar Lodbrok the seriail winner of points is entered along with his new stable companion Allmankind who has transferred from rules having run three times over hurdles this autumn.
The Restricted race has the makings of being one of the best of its grade, run in East Anglia in recent seasons. Allowing winners of a Restricted race to run with a 5lb penalty has helped bolster the numbers, with 5 out of the 12 entries being prepared to run. These five are All Star Boy, Capparattin, Premier Fantasy, Rocky Creed and Trojan du Berlais. Foxylee, Jongleur d’Ainay and L’Aventara won their maiden races last season. Cheytac won an Irish maiden in October, the form of which has been boosted by the runner-up who has gone on to win two races.
The concluding Maiden race for horses that have run in at least two point-to-point races does include nine entrants from the earlier iteration of a Maiden race.Those who are not doubly entered include Call Me Early and My Jetta Plane who were running in Irish maiden points last season, whilst in the UK, Barrington John, Bellshazzar, Call Me Rafa and Kirsch de Cotte were showing similar glimpses of form. The Maiden races are definitely two races to watch with a view to the future.
• FIRST RACE 11am ( gates open 9am )
• ENTRY: ADULTS – £15.00 per person. Children 16 and under FREE! (Cash only. Please note card payments will not be accepted)
• COME ALONG & JOIN US FOR A GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT INCLUDING:
• FAMILY DOG SHOW – A VARIETY OF CLASSES….entries on the day.
• NUMEROUS TRADE STANDS & FOOD OUTLETS
• PUBLIC and GUINNESS BAR –(cash only)
• Horseheath racecourse is situated 4 miles west of Haverhill adjacent to the A1307 or Junctions 9 or10 off the M11 (Sat Nav CB21 4QF).
STORIES FROM THE SADDLE: MARTIN ‘FLY’ MCINTYRE
BY JAKE EXELBY, SOUTH MIDLANDS AREA PRESS OFFICER
Martin McIntyre, known to almost everyone as ‘Fly’, has long been one of the most popular point-topoint riders in the weighing room, as was proved last year when his 100th victory between the flags, on Rocky Creed at Locking on Easter Monday was chosen as the ‘Champagne Moment of the Year’. Jake Exelby talked to Fly, who has just turned 35, recently and – inevitably – his first question was on the origin of his sobriquet!
Where did the nickname ‘Fly’ come from?
I was out with Enda Bolger one summer’s day, jumping banks, and I swallowed a fly. Enda started calling me ‘Flycatcher’, which was shortened to ‘Flyman’, then ‘Fly’. It stuck, because Martin Cooney was also working for him at the time, and he couldn’t have two Martins. Anyway, I’m told that if Enda gives you a nickname, it means he likes you!
Where are you from and where are you based now?
I’m from Ratoath, in County Meath, which is only a couple of miles from Tattersalls and Fairyhouse, and I’m in my fourth season working for David Pipe at Nicholashayne – I moved there after Richard Barber died.
How did you get into point-to-pointing in the first place?
Believe it or not, I didn’t sit on a horse until I was 18. My niece, wanted to be a jockey but wouldn’t have riding lessons unless I went with her, and I got the bug more than her. She’s too clever to be a jockey (!) but did lead up an Irish National winner.
I started riding out – alongside Keith Donoghue and his brother Ian, who trains – for two neighbours of mine, Geoff Power and George Stanley, who had gallops just down the road. They gave me some of my first rides in races, but I was older than most of the other new jockeys, so I needed to learn quickly so, with the help of Peter Carberry, I went to work for Enda Bolger. I owe a lot to Enda – I’d only jumped pallets before I went there, but we jumped banks, walls, anything… and I learnt to survive! He taught me about jumping, schooling and how to sit quietly.
When I had my first ride in a race – on Chanceyourarm, owned by J P McManus, at Dromahane – he sprung it on me and I had no gear so had to borrow from the other lads!
Why did you come to Britain from Ireland?
I was living with fellow jockey James Tyner – my best friend – when he was killed in a point-to-point. It woke me up a bit and I decided I needed a change, so Enda suggested I came over here, as there would be more opportunities for me. When I was 22, I went to Kim Bailey’s. He was a gentleman to work for and gave me a handful of rides, including my first winner – Mrs Peachey in a Bangor-on-Dee bumper in May 2012. I’d always said that if I beat A P McCoy just once I’d be happy, and he was second!
After that, I went to Richard Barber’s, through Martin Cooney and Aine O’Connor, who worked for him. He was the king of the South West.
What were your ambitions when you started riding?
I wanted to aim for the top, so turned professional for a short while, as a conditional for Harry Fry, then Neil Mulholland. I rode seven winners but was quite tall and had turned 26, so decided I wanted to be busier and no longer be a small fish in a big pond! I should have listened to Richard and stayed amateur.
How did your career take off ?
My first ride back was a winner – Wotzizname at Larkhill for Sarah Gould. I got the ride through Will Biddick, who thought his mount was a certainty, but he finished second. I started having success for Jack Barber, and rode Chris Barber’s first winner – we were housemates at the time. The whole family has been good to me.
It’s snowballed from there. I won two Intermediate Finals at Cheltenham for Richard Bandey on Woodfleet and Fortune Bound and now I ride mostly for Myles Osborne, Bea Coward and Les Jefford. Myles is an up-and-coming young lad and he and his father Simon have a good team of horses. Les is my next-door neighbour, who I know through Gerry Supple, and I rode one for Bea, got on well, then she asked me to ride all of hers. They’re well-schooled and fit, which makes my job easier.
What’s been your career highlight?
My double at Lockinge last season, including my 100th pointing winner. I always wanted to hit 100 and it was good to do it for Bea.
Photo: Carl Evans
What does winning the Champagne Moment award mean to you?
I like to think I get on well with everyone in the changing room and help people when I can. It was a great achievement, and I was honoured to get the award. I want to say a big thankyou to everyone who voted for me and it’s nice to be recognised by my peers. Unfortunately, I couldn’t collect the award as I was ‘busy’ on holiday in Portugal.
Who’s been your favourite horse?
(Interestingly, Martin’s 100+ winners in points have come on 83 different horses but he’s never won more than five races on a single horse).
Barney’s Mate, the only horse on whom I’ve had five wins – my old buddy who was my first pointing winner and taught me so much. I was one of four jockeys – including Harry Derham – who had their first winner on him.
Also, a horse of Bea’s called Gran Paradiso. He’s a bit of a dude – that good a jumper I could ride him blindfold, although he’s by Galileo and started on the flat for Aidan O’Brien!
Which horse(s) are you most looking forward to riding this season?
There are quite a few. Douglas Longbottom should turn out to be a nice horse in time.
Which pointer (not one of your mounts) would you most like to ride?
Ninth Wave, trained by Teresa Clark, another for whom I’ve ridden a lot of winners, including the Restricted Final at Stratford. He’s only got one eye but is a winning machine. It would be nice to get the ride on him now Callum Pritchard has turned professional.
What are your plans for the future as a jockey?
To stay injury-free and ride as many winners as possible. I intend to go on as long as I stay fit and keep enjoying it.
What is your favourite course?
It has to be Larkhill. It’s a fair track, with good fences, and good horses win there. I’ve ridden a lot of nice ones there.
Which other jockeys do you admire and why?
Will Biddick – he’s different class. He’s riding the same now as he was five years ago and is very strong and a good horseman.
Among the females, Gina Andrews. I’ve ridden against her a few times and she’s tough, and rarely gets it wrong when she’s on a good ‘un.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d have fewer meetings on the same day, so that the racing is more competitive. Easter is choc a bloc and people can duck and dive (to avoid each other). I like the best horse to win in a big field. It’s better for the viewers and better for the punters.
What do you love most about pointing?
Everyone’s a horseman or woman and knows their horses inside out. It’s a good bunch of people – I’ve been introduced to loads over the years who’ve become friends, and we see each other every week. And it’s great to get close to the action in the fresh air and open fields.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
I’d like to thank my sponsors – the Culm Valley Inn – as well as all the trainers I’ve ridden for who’ve helped me over the years. There are too many to mention here!
Fly initiating a Lockinge double on Douglas Longbottom
Photo: Carl Evans
A scenic view of Larkhill, Fly’s favourite track
Photo: Tim Holt
Fly winning on St Patricks Bridge for Myles Osborne
Photo: Tim Holt
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ON THE CLOCK
The first big showdown of the season went the way of Grace A Vous Enki (104) who outstayed Time Leader to take the Mixed Open at the New Forest. There is little to choose on the book between the two but Grace A Vous Enki is a formidable rival on this right- handed circuit and took his record to eight wins from just nine starts (seven at Larkhill) – powering way on the run in. The time for the race was disappointing – some two seconds slower than the following Restricted – resulting in a figure almost two stone below Grace Vous Enki’s form rating and told us by itself nothing new, although perhaps does highlight the horse’s versatility in being able to win off both a steady and fast early pace.
Grace A Vous Enki’s only loss has come going left-handed at Chaddesley, but, as he was successful at Worcester and Auteuil in his youth, connections should not be put off campaigning him in one of the seasons premier hunter chases –all of which are run anti-clockwise.
The aforementioned Restricted saw a deeply impressive victory for Snap Fish (108) who recorded the day’s fastest figure – one that suggests he should have little trouble in defying a penalty in a similar event. It’s relatively rare for a horse to follow-up his maiden victory at the first time of asking, let alone to do so by a winning margin of thirty lengths, marking out Snap Fish as definitely a horse to follow.
Kelly Morgan has an ongoing love affair with Alnwick and made the long trip from her Leicestershire base again worthwhile, saddling two promising youngsters to victory.
Most interesting of the two on the clock was Bride Rovers Abu (104), who took a fairly deep-looking Restricted in game fashion, rallying on the run-in to get up close home. A winner of one of just two starts in Ireland he has the scope to progress. Runner-up Lou Marvelous (108) ran a fine race in defeat giving the winner 5lbs and indeed, for most of the race, travelled like the most likely winner. He clocked a good time at Charm Park last March and can return to the winner’s enclosure before too long. Fiona Needhams’ runners often benefit from a run and third placed Red Delta (102) will strip fitter next time.
The Ellis team show to the fore in the entries over the festive period with Fairly Famous and I’m Spellbound taking the eye at Chaddesley. Both had slightly disappointing campaigns last year before returning to their best late on, and hopefully can continue to progress. Jet Smart ran well under a stiff penalty on his seasonal reappearance and has an easier chance in the Novice Riders race.
The Ellis’ s All is True heads the figures in the first race at Horseheath but preference is for Paper Mill who has won five out his ten starts and had a stiff task last time out at Larkhill.
Bride Rovers Abu edges ahead of Lou Marvelous (orange cap) in the Restricted
Photo: Grace Beresford
SPEED
FIGURES
CHADDESLEY CORBETT 29/12/2024
11:00 THE FOUR AND FIVE YEARS OLD MAIDEN YOUNG HORSE SERIES RACE: Five Quarters (IRE) (92) Glancing Hill (GB) (88) See You Kauto (GB) (86) King Roque (FR) (83)
11:30 THE INTERMEDIATE RACE: Calidad (IRE) (114) All Star Boy (IRE) (110) Holkham Hall (IRE) (108) Glenmount (IRE) (107)
12:00 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2): I’m Spellbound (IRE) (117) Steady The Ship (IRE) (112) Paper Mill (GB) (108) Rewritetherules (IRE) (105)
12:30 THE LADIES OPEN RACE: Fairly Famous (IRE) (138) Willewonga (GB) (130) Master Templar (IRE) (128) One For Rosie (GB) (126)
1:00 THE MENS OPEN RACE: Lift Me Up (IRE) (124) Premier Magic (IRE) (120) A Jet of Our Own (IRE) (118) Jeux d’Eau (FR) (116)
1:30 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3), FOR NOVICE RIDE RS: Jet Smart (IRE) (109) Blagthebookies (IRE) (108) Ballyadam Destiny (GB) (103) Powerstown Park (IRE) (100)
2:00 THE SIX YEARS OLD AND OVER MAIDEN RACE: Bellshazzar (IRE) (92) What’s Up Harry (GB) (92) You And Me Too (IRE) (86) King Orry (IRE) (80) Barrington John (GB) (70)
HORSEHEATH 31/12/2024
11:00 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3): All Is True (IRE) (112) Paper Mill (GB) (108) Ocean Drifter (IRE) (107) All Loved Up (IRE) (103)
11:35 THE MAIDEN RACE: Taghadoe (IRE) (90) Jullou de Grissay (FR) (87) King Roque (FR) (83) Red Letter Day (IRE) (78)
12:10 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), FOR NOVICE RIDE RS: Steady The Ship (IRE) (112) Imperial Esprit (IRE) (111) Drop Him In (IRE) (106) All Loved Up (IRE) (103)
12:45 THE LADIES OPEN RACE: Fairly Famous (IRE) (138) Go Go Geronimo (GB) (130) Master Templar (IRE) (128) Ocean Drifter (IRE) (124)
1:20 THE MENS OPEN RACE: What A Glance (GB) (128) Lift Me Up (IRE) (124) Jetaway Joey (IRE) (110) Hung Jury (IRE) (108)
1:55 THE RESTRICTED RACE: Chabichou Dupoitou (GB) (109) Rocky Creed (IRE) (107) All Star Boy (IRE) (105) L’Aventara (GB) (96)
2:30 THE MAIDEN CONDITIONS RACE: Bellshazzar (IRE) (92) Taghadoe (IRE) (90) Jullou de Grissay (FR) (87) King Roque (FR) (83)
LATEST RESULTS
ALNWICK 15/12/2024
12:00 1. BATSMAN JACK (GB) T. Chatfeild-Roberts 5-1 2. GREAT NOTIONS (FR) J. Dawson 100-30 3. FIRST TIME CALLER (IRE) T.E.Easterby 7-1 (10 ran).
12:30 1. SLANEY OPERA (IRE) Joe Wright 5-1 2. THE VILLAGE WAY (GB) J. Dawson 11-10F 3. BENEFACT (IRE) T.E.Easterby 4-1 (8 ran).
1:00 1. BRIDE ROVERS ABU (IRE) Joe Wright 2-1J 2. LOU MARVELOUS (FR) T.E.Easterby 3-1 3. RED DELTA (GB) J. Dawson 2-1J (10 ran).
1:30 1. WILD ROMANCE (IRE) Shay Halton 5-1 2. DUNDRUM WOOD (IRE) Miss M. Reeve 2-1 3. BARDENSTOWN LAD (GB) P. J. Cawley Evens (14 ran).
2:00 1. KINGRULLAH (IRE) Miss L. Fenwick 6-1 2. KILLER CLOWN (IRE) Miss D. White 4-1 3. WEST LAWN (GB) Miss C. Tailford 6-4F (12 ran).
11:00 1. PERSEO (GB) Miss A. Johnston 10-1 2. GREEN BONNET (GB) W. Biddick 5-4 3. HE’S A RIPPER (FR) James King 8-11F (6 ran).
11:30 1. FIVE BAR GATE (IRE) W. Biddick 2-5F 2. SOUTH SANDS (IRE) D. Kyne 5-2 3. THE LAST WARRIOR (IRE) Rian Corcoran 5-1 (9 ran).
12:00 1. GOOD BOY ERIC (GB) F. Philipson-Stow 10-1 2. TED THE THIEF (IRE) J. Newman 4-1 3. WAIT AT THE GATE (IRE) Charlie Sprake 7-1 (12 ran).
12:30 1. GRACE A VOUS ENKI (FR) James King 6-4 2. TIME LEADER (IRE) Huw Edwards 8-13F 3. IL PINO (FR) Charlie Sprake 4-1 (8 ran).
1:00 1. SNAP FISH (IRE) R. David 7-4F 2. CALIDAD (IRE) T. McCain-Mitchell 8-1 3. FINDING FREEDOM (IRE) D. H. P. Lewis 20-1 (11 ran).
1:30 1. GIVEGA (FR) James King 7-1 2. DOUGLAS LONGBOTTOM (GB) M. McIntyre 6-1 3. MY DROGO (GB) J. Newman 4-1 (16 ran).
2:00 1. CRAWTER (IRE) J. Newman 5-2 2. FAR OUT WEST (IRE) Charlie Sprake 7-2 3. WHO’S HOUDINI (IRE) P. York 6-1 (8 ran).
2:30 1. SOUTHFIELD SCOPE (GB) F. Philipson-Stow 2-1 2. UP KILLOUGHEY (IRE) Rian Corcoran 8-1 3. TAGHADOE (IRE) S. Mead 10-1 (11 ran).
REPORTS
NEW FOREST HOUNDS REVIEW
SUNDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2024
By BOB BRACHER
History was made at Larkhill when Will Biddick rode his 600th career point to point victory aboard Five Bar Gate in the second division of the Bumper. He was warmly welcomed back into the winner’s enclosure by the large crowd who had hoped to be present to celebrate this fantastic achievement. Will then showed the ups and downs of the sport by unseating from Sienna Earth at the second last fence when leading and after returning in the ambulance he did not ride again due to a badly bruised left arm.
The meeting had begun with two well supported charity races which raised the excellent sum of 10K for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and all participants should be congratulated for their sterling effort to raise this sum.
Other highlights from an excellent day’s racing were riding doubles for champion jockey James King and Fred Philipson-Stow (his first), another victory for the course specialist Grace A Vous Enki, an early birthday present and a winner for veteran owner Angela Yeoman after previously attending the first day at the reopened Windsor National Hunt course. An initiative to provide hospitality to winning owners and trainers in the Queen’s Building was well received and is likely to be repeated at the remaining meetings at Larkhill.
The Mixed Open race provided to be a real spectacle with the three principals Grace A Vous Enki, Time Leader and Il Pino all in contention at the third last. Grace A Vous Enki and Time Leader then duelled from the next fence until James King obtained more effort from his willing mount and drew away to record a six lengths victory. Recording his seventh consecutive win at Larkhill, he clearly relishes the wide-open spaces of the course and is a real credit to
his owner Joan Hitchings who sadly was not in attendance and his trainer Nicky Sheppard. He will be returning to the course in 2025, and the question is who will be able to lower his colours.
The two divisions of the Bumper were both won by horses who had already had an outing last season. Firstly, Perseo ridden by Anna Johnston and trained by Caroline Keevil outstayed his main rival Green Bonnet ridden by Will Biddick. Home bred by her owner Lady Fiamma Sutton the gelding had been working well at home and Caroline was hopeful of a good run. The gelding’s future is over fences and he is reported to have already schooled well.
Five Bar Gate trained by Matt and Fliss Hampton had shown some form in his outing at Garthorpe last season and was backed as if defeat was out of the question for Will. He stayed on well to beat South Sands ridden by Daniel Kyne. Bought as a three year old in Ireland he had been sent
Snap Fish, Robbie David (1st) Restricted Race
Photo: Tim Holt
to Matt for breaking and then left with him to train for the Osbornes. Will reported that this was only his second ever ride for Matt and that had also been a winner. Having ridden against Matt over many years Will reported that ‘I am delighted to have ridden this nice big horse and given Matt a winner as a trainer’.
Sienna Earth still looked to have every chance when unseating Will in the two and a half Maiden race but this left the race between Good Boy Eric, Ted The Thief ridden by Josh Newman and Wait At The Gate ridden by Charlie Sprake, Fred Philipson-Stow riding Good Boy Eric for his boss Will Biddick stayed on well to record a two lengths victory at the post. He is a home bred gelding owned by Steve Bowditch out of a mare named Hallingdal who won four flat races in her career. Fred, 19, is now in his second season at Will’s stable and said that ’I am relishing the opportunities I am being given and am grateful for the knowledge Will is passing on to me’.
The most impressive winner of the day was Snap Fish, successful under Robbie David in the Restricted race. It looked a
competitive race on paper but once Robbie had passed long time leader Calidad after the final ditch the race was over and the winning margin was judged to be a distance. The winner of a weak Maiden at Badbury last month he looks exceptional value for the 15K Harry Ryall spent on him last May for his syndicate of owners. Harry joked in the winner’s enclosure that ‘it is Robbie’s 30th birthday tomorrow and this winner will mean that I do not have to get him a birthday present’. It was a fast run race and the winner looks one to follow for the rest of the season.
The biggest field of the day, 16 runners, took part in the Conditions race which was won by Givega trained by Luca Morgan and provided James King with his second winner of the day. Always prominent the ex-Gary Moore trained gelding held off the challenges of Douglas Longbottom and My Drogo to record a length and half victory. Trained by Luca at his base near Warwick for a group of his father’s friends and other family friends, Luca explained that the gelding was recommended to him by Jamie Moore as a prospective pointer. He had raced over minimum trips under Rules but proved that he stayed three miles under a
good ride by James who was quick to give credit to Luca’s training and identified him as an up-and-coming trainer to follow.
The first division of the Maiden race was won by Crawter ridden by Josh Newman. One of only two horses trained close by to Larkhill by Harriet Waight he stayed on to beat Far Out West ridden by Charlie Sprake. Previously trained by Fran Poste he had been noticed by joint owner Stan Rawlins when he ran at Upcott Cross in May 2023 and through Josh Newman a deal was struck to acquire him from Fran’s yard. A full brother to the fivetime winning mare Only By Night trained by Gavin Cromwell, he should be able to progress this season.
Southfield Scope provided Fred PhilipsonStow with his ever double when winning the final race. Given the opportunity to take over from his sidelined boss he grasped the chance and recorded an easy success for the home bred gelding who is a halfbrother to the prolific Southfield Theatre. Watched by his proud owner, fresh from attending Windsor, she was delighted to see him in the winner’s enclosure and pleased with the ride Fred had given him.
THE RATCHEUGH RACING CLUB REVIEW
SUNDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2024
By PETER BURGON
Waltham-on-the-Wolds trainer Kelly Morgan loves her trips up the A1 to Alnwick and made it 12 winners from 19 runners at the track since December 2020 with a double at the Ratcheugh Racing Club meeting on Sunday.
Batsman Jack set the ball rolling by landing the 2m4f Alncom Four & Five Years Old Maiden Race under a well-judged frontrunning ride from Tom Chatfeild-Roberts. Jumping well all the way, the four-year-old didn’t see another rival and still had plenty left in the tank as he crossed the line two lengths ahead of Great Notions (John Dawson), with First Time Caller (Thomas Easterby) a length away in third.
Morgan said: ‘’We’ve always held him in high regard and I’m excited for his future. It was great to saddle the Chatfeild-Roberts family’s first home-bred winner, and he’ll definitely come on a lot for that first experience over fences.’’
The winner’s dam, Our Milly Acres, was a model of consistency with three wins and eight placings from her 11 pointing starts in the Chatfeild-Roberts colours.
Recent ex-Irish recruit Bride Rovers Abu, bought privately since winning a Borris House Maiden last season and running in the colours of The KM Racing Club, completed Morgan’s double in the 3m PJR Blewitt Ltd Restricted Race. Confidently ridden by Joe
Wright, the five-year-old eased his way into contention inside the final mile before taking it up with Lou Marvelous (Thomas Easterby) after three out. The pair had a prolonged duel down the home straight, with Wright’s mount edging in front near the line to secure a short head verdict.
Half-an-hour earlier, Wright initiated his own double on Slaney Opera, who he also trains, in the 3m Newton Hall Maiden Race. After being produced with a well-timed challenge to hit the front two out, the six-year-old sprinted clear in the closing stages to beat The Village Way (John Dawson) by nine lengths and provide Wright with a 70th career success between the flags.
Now carrying the colours of Wright and first-time owner Johnny Little, the winner had shown promise at Hornby Castle and Corbridge last season for James Cookson’s yard before being sold for £1,000 at the Goffs UK Doncaster Sale in July. Wright was sure a first-time tongue-tie had made a big difference.
Recent Border scorer Wild Romance followed up in a high quality 3m Rix Oil Mixed Open Race under Shay Halton. The nineyear-old had a sustained duel with course specialist Dundrum Wood (Martha Reeve) from four out before staying on best after the last to score by three lengths, with odds-on favourite Bardenstown Lad (Paul Cawley) a never dangerous third. His next target is a Kelso Hunters’ Chase on January 12.
It’s been a long time between drinks for Kingrullah but Laura Fenwick’s mount
showed the fire is still burning with a gutsy success over former 148-rated chaser Killer Clown (Daisy White) in the 2m4f Essential Food Company Conditions Race, overhauling the long-time leader half-way up the run-in after being two lengths down at the last.
Fayrely Fruitfull made the long journey from Rhiannon Lodge’s Welshpool yard worthwhile with a comfortable two lengths victory over debutante Brooklynese (Paddy Barlow) in the concluding 2m Jockey Start Four & Five Years Old Flat Race. Always up with the pace, Henry Crow’s mount found plenty when the chips were down in the home straight and was a first home-bred winner for Lodge’s father Robin Lewis. Rhiannon was at home looking after new son Luis who was born on December 4.
Few horses can match the strike rate of the winner’s dam Fruit Fayre who won 19 of 25 Pointing starts (also placed four times) between April 2012 and May 2017, and also landed a Kelso Novices’ Hunters’ Chase in the colours of Robin Lewis.
This was one of the mildest December days at Alnwick since the inaugural preChristmas meeting in 2009 and near perfect going resulted in 40 finishers from 54 runners in the five races over fences, with the overall tally being 62 runners from the 77 individual horses entered - an impressive ratio of 80.52%.
The next three Northern Area meetings are the West Percy at Alnwick on January 5, the Jedforest at Friars Haugh on January 19 and the Percy at Alnwick on January 26.
Neck and neck in the home straight and jumping the last, winners Wild Romance and Shay Halton, left, try to fend off Dundrum Wood and Martha Reeve in the mixed open Photo: Grace Beresford
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CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024/25
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE YOU CAN FIND SOME EARLY SEASON LEADERBOARDS.
• Goffs Ladies’ Champion Jockey
• Tattersalls Jockey Club Sales Men’s Champion Jockey
• Highflyer Bloodstock Leading Ladies’ Novice Rider
• Highflyer Bloodstock Leading Men’s Novice Rider
• Foran Equine Champion Trainer
• Foran Equine Leading Trainer (6-14 horses)
• Oriental Club Leading Trainer (5 horses or fewer)
• Point-to-Point Racing Company Leading Owner
• Connolly’s Red Mills Champion Horse
In the event of a tie in any category, the winner will be decided by second placings. If it is still tied, third, then fourth placings will decide the winner. Walkovers will again not count towards any National Championship in 2024-25.
FIXTURE LIST 2024/25
AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
WM Harkaway Club Chaddesley Corbett Sunday 29 December 2024
EA Thurlow Horseheath Tuesday 31 December 2024
W Larkhill Racing Club Larkhill Sunday 05 January 2025
N West Percy Alnwick Sunday 05 January 2025
EA Dunston Harriers Ampton Sunday 12 January 2025
D&C North Cornwall Wadebridge Sunday 12 January 2025
Y Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club Sheriff Hutton Sunday 12 January 2025
W Royal Artillery Larkhill
18 January 2025
MID South Wold Revesby Park Saturday 18 January 2025
N Jedforest Friars Haugh Sunday 19 January 2025
EA Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace Horseheath Sunday 26 January 2025
SM Heythrop Cocklebarrow Sunday 26 January 2025
N Percy Alnwick Sunday 26 January 2025
D&C Tiverton Foxhounds Chipley Park Sunday 26 January 2025
MID Melton Club Garthorpe Sunday 02 February 2025
W South Dorset Milborne St Andrew Sunday 02 February 2025
SE South East Club Charing Sunday 02 February 2025
Y York & Ainsty and West of Yore Askham Bryan Sunday 02 February 2025
MID Brocklesby Brocklesby Park Saturday 08 February 2025
N Berwickshire Races Friars Haugh Sunday 09 February 2025
EA Waveney Harriers Higham Sunday 09 February 2025
W Combined Services Larkhill Sunday 16 February 2025
EA Puckeridge & Essex Horseheath Sunday 16 February 2025
Y Sinnington Duncombe Park Sunday 16 February 2025
D&C South Pool Harriers Buckfastleigh Sunday 16 February 2025
SAND Kimblewick (February) Kingston Blount Saturday 22 February 2025
N College Valley & North Northumberland Alnwick Sunday 23 February 2025
MID Cottesmore Garthorpe Sunday 23 February 2025
W Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex) Badbury Rings Sunday 23 February 2025
WALES Curre & Llangibby Howick Sunday 23 February 2025
SE South East Club Charing Sunday 23 February 2025
WM Duke of Beaufort's Didmarton Saturday 01 March 2025
W South & West Wilts Larkhill Sunday 02 March 2025
EA Suffolk Ampton Sunday 02 March 2025
Y Yorkshire Jockeys Club Charm Park Sunday 02 March 2025
N Buccleuch Friars Haugh Saturday 08 March 2025
EA High Easter Racing Club High Easter Saturday 08 March 2025
AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
WALES Llangeinor Pentyrch Ystradowen Saturday 12 April 2025
SE Old Surrey & Burstow and West Kent Penshurst Saturday 12 April 2025
SM Bicester with Whaddon Chase Edgcote Sunday 13 April 2025
N Overton Races Overton Sunday 13 April 2025
D&C Silverton Dunsmore Sunday 13 April 2025
EA Essex & Suffolk Higham Friday 18 April 2025
D&C Flete Park Races –Dartmoor Foxhounds Flete Park Saturday 19 April 2025
SM Kimblewick (Easter) Kimble Saturday 19 April 2025
WM North Staffordshire Sandon Saturday 19 April 2025
MID Pytchley with Woodland Dingley Saturday 19 April 2025
W Seavington Cotley Saturday 19 April 2025
WM Worcestershire Chaddesley Corbett Saturday 19 April 2025
D&C Four Burrow Trebudannon Monday 21 April 2025
WM North Cotswold Paxford Monday 21 April 2025
SM Old Berkshire Lockinge Monday 21 April 2025
WM South Shropshire Eyton on Severn Monday 21 April 2025
W Taunton Vale Foxhounds and Taunton Vale Harriers Cothelstone Monday 21 April 2025
N Tynedale Corbridge Monday 21 April 2025
WM Berkeley Woodford Saturday 26 April 2025
SE Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Parham Saturday 26 April 2025
N Fife Pusk Saturday 26 April 2025
MID Quorn Garthorpe Saturday 26 April 2025
D&C Axe Vale Stafford Cross Sunday 27 April 2025
D&C Flete Park Races –Totnes & Bridgetown Racing Co Ltd Flete Park Saturday 03 May 2025
SE Mid Surrey Farmers Godstone Saturday 03 May 2025
W Devon & Somerset South Hill Sunday 04 May 2025
MID Fernie Dingley Sunday 04 May 2025
WM North Shropshire Eyton on Severn Monday 05 May 2025
D&C Stevenstone Vauterhill Monday 05 May 2025 SM Warwickshire Mollington Monday 05 May 2025 Y Zetland Witton Castle Monday 05 May 2025
W Minehead Harriers and West Somerset Holnicote Saturday 10 May 2025
Derwent –Scarborough Races Charm Park Sunday 11 May 2025
Eggesford Upcott Cross Sunday 11 May 2025
Kimblewick (May) Kingston Blount Sunday 11 May 2025
Weston & Banwell and West Somerset Vale Cothelstone Wednesday 14 May 2025 N Haydon Hexham Saturday 17 May 2025 SE Surrey Union Peper Harow Saturday 17 May 2025 D&C Dulverton West Bratton Down Sunday 18 May 2025 SM Grafton Edgcote Sunday 18 May 2025 WM Knutsford Races Club Tabley Sunday 18 May 2025
MID Fitzwilliam (Milton) Dingley Saturday 24 May 2025 Wales Welsh International Ffynnondruidion Saturday 24 May 2025 SM Berks & Bucks Draghounds Kingston Blount Sunday 25 May 2025
D&C Exmoor Bratton Down Sunday 25 May 2025 WM Albrighton & Woodland Chaddesley Corbett Monday 26 May 2025
D&C South Tetcott Upcott Cross Monday 26 May 2025
D&C Tiverton Staghounds Bratton Down Sunday 01 June 2025
D&C Torrington Farmers Umberleigh Saturday 07 June 2025 AREA
IN THE FRAME
Larkhill Conditions Race (Level 2) runners
Photo Tim Holt
Alnwick - The Jockey Start initiative was well represented with runners Photo: Grace Beresford
IN THE FRAME
Jockeys come out for the Maiden Race at Stafford Cross
Photo: Tim Holt
A rather choppy North Sea provides the backdrop for the days racing at Alnwick
Photo: Grace Beresford
Five Bar Gate with Will Biddick, trainers Matt and Fliss Hampton & owner Simon Osborne, Flat Race (Div 2) 4&5yo Photo: Tim Holt
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