REVIEW |
The Taunton Vale Harriers held their point-to-point at
Fennington Farm, Kingston St Mary, near Taunton, on Wednesday evening.
Championship chasing Ashley Farrant rode a treble, taking his season’s
tally to 48, four ahead of Richard Burton, who won the Restricted on Snowtre.
There were four winners for trainer David Pipe, but the highlight was
Ballysicyos’ win in the Dave Pipe Memorial Men’s Open, a race staged in
memory of David’s late grandfather, who was a keen supporter of
point-to-point racing. Pipe and Farrant were quickly on the scoresheet when
Cimmaroon was a facile winner of the Hunt Members race. This was
Cimmaroon’s third win of the season for owner Brian Kilpatrick whose
familiar emerald green and scarlet colours have been carried by such stars
as Sabin Du Loir and Horus. Pipe and Farrant doubled up when P J Finn’s I Am Said I led
throughout the final circuit of the Confined race. I Am Said I, who
appreciated the firm going, holds an entry in the Doncaster Spring Sales
catalogue for 26th May.
The Pipe-Farrant sequence continued when Ballysicyos made
most of the running to win the Dave Pipe Memorial Men’s Open, sponsored in
his father’s memory by Champion trainer, Martin Pipe. The Challenge Cup
was presented by Martin to wife Carol, who jointly owns Ballysicyos with Pam
Deal. The Pipe family were thrilled to win the race, not least Dave Pipe’s
widow, Betty, who watched the race from her car.
David Pipe completed his four timer when Epicure led
throughout the last circuit to take the Ladies’ Open and give rider Ollie
Jackson a well-deserved first winner of the season. Epicure was making his
point-to-point debut, but could return to Martin Pipe for whom he won three
hurdle races in 2002. Owners John and Belinda Harvey are based in Barbados,
but were quickly brought up-to-date by David, who telephoned them straight
after the race.
Richard Burton reduced the championship deficit to four when
Snowtre led entering the straight to take the Restricted race. Snowtre is
trained at Broome near Kidderminster by Helen Needham for her father, Jim
Callow, both enjoying their first visit to the Fennington Farm course.
Snowtre is normally ridden by Adrian Wintle, who was present on Wednesday
but gave up the ride to aid Richard’s championship challenge.
Ashley Farrant’s hopes of a four timer were dashed when
Aftermeyourfirst pulled up in the closing Open Maiden race. Bradford Bridge
was in contention when slipping up on the bend before three out, leaving
Abitofahike to record an easy success. Abitofahike was ridden by Chipping
Norton farrier Andy Martin for Banbury trainer Rosemary Gasson, who bought
the horse privately in Ireland last autumn.
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