Black Forest Club DAVID Brace said his trip back to Wales would be accompanied by the sounds of Danny Boy after he promised to sing it following the win of It’s Danny Boy in the opening two and a half mile maiden at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday. Nick Williams was on board the first winner of the point-to-point season in the Devon and Cornwall area, which kicked off the first of 30 which will take place until the middle of next June. The well-backed favourite came away readily on the run-in from Golden Benefit who finished five lengths back in second and Williams said a step up in trip would hold no fears.
Brace and Williams doubled up in the third division of the maiden when Farnogue dead heated with Man Of Leisure , ridden by Merv Woodward. Brace, who saddled Farnogue, said: “That was nice. That’s the second time I’ve dead heated – I’ll definitely be singing now.”
Nerys Dutfield, trainer of the Man of Leisure, said: “He’s a home bred horse and I trained the dam who had a mind of her own but ability. Merv works for me and I’m very lucky that I’m surrounded by very good staff.” The second division saw a battle on the run-in between Tango With A Mango and Colorado Storm with the former getting up by a neck to win. His owner Jim Collett bought the five-year-old at Doncaster Sales in 2007. “I didn’t think he would win but Mark (Wall) said he didn’t want to have him on the ground over the last and give him his dues, this horse is a real battler. “I bought him for about £4,500 because I liked his breeding although after he was third at Larkhill last season he got an injury up the gallops when a piece of wood went into his joint.” Husband and wife team Hannah Lewis and Adrian Wintle had a worthwhile trip from Wales with Lewis saddling two winners and Wintle riding one. Ali Stirling rode the second winner of her career when Absolutely Barking was the wide margin winner of the novice riders’ race. Stirling, who works for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, rides the eight-year-old for her godmother Lecky Thyne. “He’s a perfect novice riders’ horse,” said Wintle. Wintle took the closing open maiden on The Chisholm, another easy winner for the Lewis yard with Premier Flight who finished ten lengths back in second.
The mixed open had a classy look to it with former Arkle, Badger Beer and Coral Cup winners lining up but it was the brilliant Mr Ed, a winner of eight point-to-points last term, who took the honours with Rhys Hughes having an easier ride than Dean Coleman on who lost his stirrups after the last and lost out by a neck on Dancer Life. It was another win for Wales and John Moore, box driver for winning trainer Robert Scrine, joked: “We don’t just play rugby well.” He added: “I would really like to thank Kahil Burke for the use of his gallops – he’s been very kind.”
Hughes, head lad for Tim Vaughan whose wife Abi trained the second placed horse, said: “He went on the ground, but it wouldn’t have been ideal for him so I’m really pleased with him.”
The next meeting is the Cornwall Hunt Club at Wadebridge on Saturday, December 13 qith the first race off at 12pm. RESULTS The DQS 2m4f Open Maiden for 4,5, 6 &7 yr olds: It’s Danny Boy (Mr N Williams) 1; Golden Benefit (Mr I Popham) 2; Red In Bed (Mr G Scott) 3. Trainer Mr D Brace. Distances 5l, 20l; Time 5.33. The Premier Roofing 2m4f Open Maiden for 4,5, 6 &7 yr olds: Tango With A Mango (Mr M Wall) 1; Coloradao Storm (Mr R Woollacott) 2; Shanehill (Mr R Hughes) 3. Mr F O’Brien. Nk, 5l; 5.35. The Farriers Lucky Horseshoe 2m4f Open Maiden for 4,5, 6 &7 yr olds: Farnogue (Mr N Williams) and Man of Liesure (Mr M Woodward) 1; Ridiculousdecision (Ms S Randell) 3. Mr D Brace and Mrs N Dutfield; dead heat, 3l; 5.34. The Heltor Black Forest Club Members Race for Novice Riders: Absolutely barking (Miss A Stirling) 1; Hornbill (Mr D Pritchard) 2; Hornbill (Mr D Pritchard) 2; Moscow Summit (Mr J Park) 3. Miss H Lewis; 10l, 1 1/2l; 6.11. The Acorus Restricted Race: Sykee Savage (Mr D Mansell) 1; Give It Holly (Miss H Lewis) 2; Jafaro Des Bois (Mr W White) 3. Ms J Houldey; nk, 1l; 6.07. The David Pipe Mixed Open Race: Little Ed (Mr R Hughes) 1; Dancer Life (Mr D Coleman) 2; Fool On The Hill (Miss D Hobbs) 3.Mr R Scrine; nk, 5 lengths; 6.09. The Philip Saunders Building Contractors Open Maiden: The Chisholm (Mr A Wintle); Premier Flight (Mr N Harris) 2; On The Mark (Mr J Norman) 3. Miss H Lewis; 10l; 1 1/2l; 6.15.
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