REVIEW

POINT-TO-POINT OWNERS & RIDERS CLUB
BARBURY CASTLE
Sunday 15th January 2006

by Liam Hale
photos by Graham Fisher

Smyly doubles up with the novices

Kim Smyly kept up the good start to the season on day two of the PPORC meeting at Barbury Castle with a quick fire double in the two divisions of the novice riders race. David Maxwell and his new purchase Dunston Bill quickly got back to his form of 2005, winning the first division by an easy four lengths after never being headed. Father Jim again finished second under Felix De Giles and should win a novice event under his promising jockey. Better things look to come for the partnership and Alex Puddy, Dunston Bill’s owner and rider in 2005, may be regretting his sale.

Dunston Bill and David Maxwell take Novice Riders Div1 from Father Jim

The second division was won by Ed Cookson on his mother’s Billywill who took up the running two out to out battle the favourite, and first time over fences, Dusty Bandit under Robert Lee. The front two pulled well clear and finished and finished tired having a prolonged duel up the home straight. Workaway (Henry Kinchin) could be one to take form the race as he made up masses of ground on the final circuit only to tire and finish third.

Ed Cookson drives out Billywill to land the Novice Riders Div2

The Smyly team are in form for 2006 and runners in future meetings will be worth noting.

The mares maiden was split into two divisions with the first going to Dantaly and Jamie Snowden who were prominent throughout and battled on well to see off the promising Polly Flinders and Rowan Cope. Meldrum Meg again spoilt her chances through jumping and ran on late to take third; a maiden should be within her compass this term. The winner may not be progressive at eleven but is very lightly raced and should be watched in the mares only series.

Dantaly and Jamie Snowden are clear of Polly Flinders in the Mares Maiden Div1

The second division saw a wide margin win for Gerard Tumelty and Scuttlebrook who was always travelling and jumping well before pulling right away in the dip before two out. This success came twenty four hours after the young Irishman, nine wins under rules this season, won a £12,000 hurdle race at Wetherby on Ferdy Murphys Haut De Gamme. The third season maiden mare Scuttlebrook won well and could follow up if in the same heart. The runner up, Kimmeridge Bay, again indicated that she has ability and a maiden could await.

Scuttlebrook and Gerry Tumelty return after their win the Mares Maiden Div2

The ever consistent Rimpton Boy and Rachel Green, successful yesterday aboard Spuddler’s Dream, started 2006 as they had finished 2005, on a winning note. The popular grey quickened right away from a competitive looking ladies event and won cosily at the line. Another successful season beckons for the Axe Valley racing club star. Lady Misprint was always h andy under Sarah Gaisford and plugged on gamely for second. This ex- Jimmy Frost winning hurdler could be worth noting if appearing at Black Forest Lodge in two weeks time and could be worth noting throughout the West Country area when reappearing. Rimpton Boy looks set for another highly successful 2006 and could go one better and be the season’s most winning horse.

Rachel Green and Rimpton Boy (right) return after their victory in the Ladies Open

Caroline Keevil is another lady trainer in form in 2006 as she sent out her 2005 improver Deep Pockets to win the Men’s Open by ten lengths from the good hunter chase yardstick Gatsby. The winner was always h andy and kicked on four out under Jamie Snowden to win cosily. The winner seems to have transferred his progressive 2005 form to the new season and will no doubt be able to build upon three wins in 2005. Hunter chasing could soon beckon for the winner who looks an above average open performer.

Mens Open winner Deep Pockets (Jamie Snowden) leads Kingston Banker at half way

The admirable Gatsby plugged on in second and recompense awaits whereas Family Business, infamous for his Southwell win, should be able to pick up a small open in 2006.

Reasonably Sure made the four and a half hour drive from Yorkshire worthwhile when landing the first division of the maiden. The formerly useful rules performer when with Oliver Sherwood was always travelling well and took up the running after the last on the bridle only to swerve and attempt to run out, a trait shown in the past, and he had to battle back to beat the battling Liamos. Look out for this classy performer in a higher grade.

Tom Greenall persuades Reasonably Sure to land the Horses & Geldings Maiden Div1 from Liamos

Division two of the maiden race went to the Susie Old trained Shepherds Hut who came from a long way back to catch the Caroline Bailey newcomer Donald Will Do on the line. The winner had shown nothing in two points, with two pulled ups, in 2005 but this admirable performance could spark future improvement. Donald Will Do is the horse to take from the race as this previously un-raced well-built gelding was running green and probably hit the front a little too early.

Shepherds Hut and Tigger Barnes return after winning the Horses & Geldings Maiden Div2

Classy Performers
Deep Pockets, Resonably Sure, Scuttlebrook

Sure-fire maiden winner
Donald Will Do