REVIEW |
Ashley Farrant rode two
winners at the Minehead Harriers & West Somerset Hunt point-to-point
meeting at Holnicote, near Minehead, on Saturday to take his season’s
tally to 40 and join Richard Burton at the head of the Men’s Championship
table. The opening Restricted race
went to Hill Trail, who made all the running under Tigger Barnes. Hill Trail
is trained by Clare Parfitt at Rode, near Trowbridge, for owners Jill Haines
from Reading and Bradford-on-Avon’s Enid Wicheard, who was represented on
Saturday by grandson Ryan Bliss, former trainer of the horse. Toon Society and Neil
Harris regained the lead at the last to beat only other finisher Mr Baloo in
Division One of the Open Maiden race. Toon Society is trained by Jeremy
Scott at his stables on the edge of Wimbleball Lake near Dulverton and was
bought privately out of Jonjo O’Neill’s stables last autumn for an
11-strong syndicate of friends headed by Exford fencing contractor John
Atkins. Division Two was won by Gone On who led two out under Alex
Charles-Jones. Gone On is trained at South Barrow by Rose Vickery for
Highbridge owners Brian and Anne Watts who bought the horse from Michael
Oliver – trainer of 1985 Grand National winner West Tip – in February
after their promising Big Brendan was ruled out for the rest of the season. Doublet and Richard
Woollacott overcame a bad blunder three out to win the Mixed Open by a head
from Porlock Hill and Ashley Farrant. Doublet is trained at Parracombe near
Lynmouth by Debbie Cole and was a gift horse to Debbie and owner Robbie
Rawle out of Rod Millman’s stables two years ago. Ironically, Ashley had
ridden the then Martin Pipe-trained Doublet to victory in an Exeter Novice
Hurdle race in May 1999. The Countryside Alliance
Club Members race for Novice Riders went to Opal’Lou who forged well clear
from three out. Opal’Lou is trained at Forde Abbey by Jane Western, who
bought the horse out of Paul Nicholls’ stables last year, and was a fifth
career success for owner rider Richard Pyman, 35, a London merchant banker.
The winning Challenge Cup, in memory of the late Christopher White, was
presented by to Richard and wife Corinna by Chris’ three children Anna,
Lizzie and William. Ashley Farrant got on the
scoresheet when Ellofamonkey led throughout the final circuit of the
Intermediate race. Ellofamonkey is trained at West Buckland by owners Ben
and Mel Dixon, who bought the mare at Ascot Sales last year and were keen to
help Ashley in his Championship bid. |