|
|
CAMBRIDGESHIRE HARRIERS HUNT CLUB, MONDAY JANUARY 3
|
Report
Always On The Line staked an early claim to the title 'Best Point-To-Pointer in East Anglia 2005' with a thrilling win as the season got under way with the Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt Club fixture at Cottenham on Monday.
A record crowd of around 6,000 basked in New Year sunshine, some queueing to get in fully an hour after the 11a.m. start. Most of the nation's top jockeys were in action as 105 horses from as far afield as Scotland and the West Country contested nine races that kept the assembled throng regally entertained.
Trained at Newmarket by Tim Bryce and ridden by 20-year-old Bristol University student Alex Merriam, from Eye in Suffolk, Always On The Line was at one stage over 20 lengths behind Soundtrack, who set a furious pace in the Mens Open Race.
He crept into contention on the final circuit and, after a hairy moment approaching the second last when going for a narrow gap up the inside, he hit the front on the run-in and held off the renewed challenge of the gallant Soundtrack to score by half a length.
Always On The Line won at this meeting two years ago, but struggled to handle the bigger fences when tried in hunter chases last term. Hence his move to Bryce's yard, though Merriam did not rule out a return to racing under rules later in the campaign.
The Ladies' Open was a similarly high quality affair and went the way of the Somerset raider Chasing The Bride thanks to an ice cool display of jockeyship by his trainer, Rilly Goschen.
Goschen, who hit the headlines when winning the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham last March aboard Earthmover, was content to bide her time in last place as Titus Bramble, Stromness and Wahiba Sands took turns in front.
There were virtually five in line at the final fence but Chasing The Bride squeezed between them on the flat and quickened up in great style to win a shade cosily. It was a fabulous finish and barely five lengths covered the six finishers at the line.
Another top pilot among the winners was Worcestershire-based Julian Pritchard, who took the first of two divisions of the older-horse Maiden aboard Martin Ossie. This was Pritchard's first Cottenham success but his 327th in all, leaving him just 18 shy of the all-time record held by the late David Turner.The quickest time of the day came in the opening Club Members Race as Rhythm King, ridden by his veteran Wiltshire trainer, Godfrey Maundrell, completed the three-mile trip in a turf-scorching 5m 51s to beat Airoski by three lengths with Merriam's mount, Lord Euro, back in third.
Mark Walford, who is from Yorkshire but now works in Berkshire for flat trainer Mick Channon, notched a stylish double aboard horses trained in his native county - Just Fluster and Cmewin. He adopted Goschen-like waiting tactics to deliver Just Fluster at the last and take the Restricted Race while Cmewin rallied in the last 100 yards to take the second older-horse Maiden by half a length from Noble Deed.
Only seven lined up for the Novice Riders' Race but the crowd was treated to another head-bobbing finish as Times Past edged out Stormy Session by a neck.
The first of a pair of two and a half mile Maiden races went the way of Lord Saar, to give his 17-year-old trainer, Katie Scott, from Galashiels in Scotland, her first winner.
But it was a bitter-sweet moment for Scott as she picked up a minor back injury when falling in an earlier race and was forced to give up the ride to Newmarket's Harry Fowler.
The second division saw a dashing victory for the Oxfordshire visitor, To The Top. But the horse to take out of the race could be It'sallinthestars, trained and ridden by Wymondham's Nibby Bloom, who stayed on stoutly into third.
A record crowd of around 6,000 basked in New Year sunshine, some queueing to get in fully an hour after the 11a.m. start. Most of the nation's top jockeys were in action as 105 horses from as far afield as Scotland and the West Country contested nine races that kept the assembled throng regally entertained.
Trained at Newmarket by Tim Bryce and ridden by 20-year-old Bristol University student Alex Merriam, from Eye in Suffolk, Always On The Line was at one stage over 20 lengths behind Soundtrack, who set a furious pace in the Mens Open Race.
He crept into contention on the final circuit and, after a hairy moment approaching the second last when going for a narrow gap up the inside, he hit the front on the run-in and held off the renewed challenge of the gallant Soundtrack to score by half a length.
Always On The Line won at this meeting two years ago, but struggled to handle the bigger fences when tried in hunter chases last term. Hence his move to Bryce's yard, though Merriam did not rule out a return to racing under rules later in the campaign.
The Ladies' Open was a similarly high quality affair and went the way of the Somerset raider Chasing The Bride thanks to an ice cool display of jockeyship by his trainer, Rilly Goschen.
Goschen, who hit the headlines when winning the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham last March aboard Earthmover, was content to bide her time in last place as Titus Bramble, Stromness and Wahiba Sands took turns in front.
There were virtually five in line at the final fence but Chasing The Bride squeezed between them on the flat and quickened up in great style to win a shade cosily. It was a fabulous finish and barely five lengths covered the six finishers at the line.
Another top pilot among the winners was Worcestershire-based Julian Pritchard, who took the first of two divisions of the older-horse Maiden aboard Martin Ossie. This was Pritchard's first Cottenham success but his 327th in all, leaving him just 18 shy of the all-time record held by the late David Turner.The quickest time of the day came in the opening Club Members Race as Rhythm King, ridden by his veteran Wiltshire trainer, Godfrey Maundrell, completed the three-mile trip in a turf-scorching 5m 51s to beat Airoski by three lengths with Merriam's mount, Lord Euro, back in third.
Mark Walford, who is from Yorkshire but now works in Berkshire for flat trainer Mick Channon, notched a stylish double aboard horses trained in his native county - Just Fluster and Cmewin. He adopted Goschen-like waiting tactics to deliver Just Fluster at the last and take the Restricted Race while Cmewin rallied in the last 100 yards to take the second older-horse Maiden by half a length from Noble Deed.
Only seven lined up for the Novice Riders' Race but the crowd was treated to another head-bobbing finish as Times Past edged out Stormy Session by a neck.
The first of a pair of two and a half mile Maiden races went the way of Lord Saar, to give his 17-year-old trainer, Katie Scott, from Galashiels in Scotland, her first winner.
But it was a bitter-sweet moment for Scott as she picked up a minor back injury when falling in an earlier race and was forced to give up the ride to Newmarket's Harry Fowler.
The second division saw a dashing victory for the Oxfordshire visitor, To The Top. But the horse to take out of the race could be It'sallinthestars, trained and ridden by Wymondham's Nibby Bloom, who stayed on stoutly into third.
Results
Race One (The CHHC Club Members Race):
1 G C Maundrell's Rhythm King (Royal Artillery), (owner).
2 J Beasley's Airoski (Albrighton) (W Hill).
3 Mrs AWK Merriam's Lord Euro (East Sussex and Romney Marsh) (A Merriam). Also Shiny Bay (4th), The Kings Fling (5th), Foxey Dove (F), Ikrewel Royal (PU), King Plato (PU), New Lodge Express (PU), Pot Shot (PU), Rooster (PU), Zabadi (PU).
Three lengths, eight lengths 5:51, W £4.10, DF £20.50, SP 7/2 (Pot Shot 3/1 Fav).
Race Two (Restricted Race):
1 Lady Susan Watson's July Fluster (Sinnington) (M Walford).
2 Mr and Mrs W Brown's Holywell Girl (Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace) (J Owen).
3 N Benstead's Midnight Lord (Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds) (L Hicks). Also Hunca Munca (4th), Farington Lodge (5th), Jolly Jake (6th), Keegan Bearnais (7th), Abitofahike (F), El Lute (PU), I'm Dreaming (UR), Lockington (F), Ski Pass (F), Thyne Express (PU), Weallwayswillbeone (PU). 14 ran.
Two lengths: One length 6:04. W £13.00, DF £4.90 (winner with any other horse), SP 12/1 (Hunca Munca 5/2 Fav).
Race Three (Mens Open Race):
1 Mrs A W K Merriam's Always On The Line (Cambridge University) (A Merriam).
2 G G Powell's Soundtrack (Cheshire) (P Cowley).
3 S P Burke's Honest Yer Honour (Albrighton) (R Burton). Also Galway (4th), Sheila McKenzie (5th), Briar (6th), Motcomb Jam (7th), Splash And Dash (8th), Drom Wood (PU), Dunmanus Bay (PU), Farceur Du Mesnil (UR), Helmsley Flier (PU), Hotters (UR), Well Ted (PU). 14 ran.
Half a length. Two lengths 5:53. W £4.50, DF £6.80, SP 4/1 (Honest Yer Honour 3/1 Fav).
Race Four (Countryside Alliance Club Members Novice Riders Race):
1 Mrs M Latham's Times Past (Tanatside) (J Jarrett).
2 J Benfield's Stormy Session (Heythrop) (owner).
3 The Chequers Club's Borrow Mine (Cambridge University) (Miss L Marriott). Also Wend's Day (4th), Ella Agapi Mou (5th), Tsuki (UR), Winter Gale (UR). 7 Ran,
Neck: Three lengths 6:11. W £8.30, DF £54.70, SP 5/1 (Wend's Day 6/4 Fav).
Race Five (Ladies Open Race):
1 The Florian Racing Friend's Chasing The Bride (Blackmore and Sparkford Vale) (Miss A Goschen).
2 Mrs L Garrett's Titus Bramble (Berkeley), (Miss C Allen).
3 Mrs H Bridges' Wahiba Sands (South and West Wilts) (Miss L Bridges). Also Stromness (4th), Find Me Another (5th), Sailors Folly (6th), Fair Exchange (PU). 7 Ran,
One length: Half a length 5:54. W £3.40, DF £14.00, SP 5/2 Fav.
Race Six (Open Maiden Race 8-y-o and over, Division One):
1 D Smith's Martin Ossie (Berkeley) (J Pritchard).
2 Willoughby Racing Partnership's Northall Lad (Farmers Bloodhounds) (P Cowley).
3 S Clark's Spider Music (York and Ainsty South) (N Kent). Izzuthefox (4th), Lateen (5th), Badgers Glory (PU), Give Us A Chance (PU), Hi Buster VI (F), Primitive Image (PU), Sleeping Music (F). 10 Ran.
Two and a half lengths: A distance 6:04. W £3.50, DF £6.60, SP 5/4 Fav.
Race Seven (Open Maiden Race 8-y-o and over, Division Two):
1 Mrs S Stilgoe's Cmewin (Sinnington), M Walford).
2 Mrs T Hill's Noble Deed (Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and S Berks) (J Tudor).
3 The Jumping Jack Partnership's Jumping Jack (Cottesmore) (R Cope). Also Eurocraft (4th), The Meadow Stream (5th), Berewolf (PU), Commander Clover (PU), Divine Mist (PU), Leicaree (Pu), Supreme Optimist (RO). 10 Ran.
Half a length: One length 6:10. W £11.80, DF £13.80, SP 7/1 (Jumping Jack 9/4 Fav).
Race Eight (Open Maiden Race 5, 6 and 7 year olds, Division One) 2½ miles:
1 Mrs Murray Scott and M Norman's Lord Saar (Bulllevch) (R H Fowler).
2 Mrs R Mackness' Gregory Peckory (Cotswold) (J Pritchard).
3 Mr and Mrs A Martin's Nailed On (Heythrop) (A Martin). Also Waterliner (4th), Squeeze (5th), Ben More (6th), Northern Breeze (7th), Jewel Song (8th), Erris Express (9th), Pernickety King (10th), Bermuda (11th), Little Trethew (PU), Midnight Arrival (PU), Alforiano (12th), Peats Ridge (PU). 15 Ran.
Three lengths: two lengths 4:38. W £4.30, DF £8.20, SP 5/2 Fav.
Race Nine (Open Maiden Race 5,6 and 7 year olds, Division Two) 2½ miles:
1 P Froud's To The Top (Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and S Berks) (J Tudor).
2 Lady Susan Watson's Kismet (Middleton) (M Walford).
3 Mrs S Fryer and Mrs J Howlett's It'sallinthestars (N Bloom). Also Highland Vasco (4th), Lawman (5th), Weiser Bud (6th), Groovejet (7th), Highland Brief (8th), Breezy Warrior (9th), Catchthedream (PU), Chanteuse (F), Fort Glendennon (PU), Mr Mogul (PU), Run Four (F), Slingsby Lady (UR), The Truffle Hunter (F). 16 Ran.
Ten lengths: Two lengths 4:41. W £3.20, DF £35.50, SP 7/2 Fav.
1 G C Maundrell's Rhythm King (Royal Artillery), (owner).
2 J Beasley's Airoski (Albrighton) (W Hill).
3 Mrs AWK Merriam's Lord Euro (East Sussex and Romney Marsh) (A Merriam). Also Shiny Bay (4th), The Kings Fling (5th), Foxey Dove (F), Ikrewel Royal (PU), King Plato (PU), New Lodge Express (PU), Pot Shot (PU), Rooster (PU), Zabadi (PU).
Three lengths, eight lengths 5:51, W £4.10, DF £20.50, SP 7/2 (Pot Shot 3/1 Fav).
Race Two (Restricted Race):
1 Lady Susan Watson's July Fluster (Sinnington) (M Walford).
2 Mr and Mrs W Brown's Holywell Girl (Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace) (J Owen).
3 N Benstead's Midnight Lord (Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds) (L Hicks). Also Hunca Munca (4th), Farington Lodge (5th), Jolly Jake (6th), Keegan Bearnais (7th), Abitofahike (F), El Lute (PU), I'm Dreaming (UR), Lockington (F), Ski Pass (F), Thyne Express (PU), Weallwayswillbeone (PU). 14 ran.
Two lengths: One length 6:04. W £13.00, DF £4.90 (winner with any other horse), SP 12/1 (Hunca Munca 5/2 Fav).
Race Three (Mens Open Race):
1 Mrs A W K Merriam's Always On The Line (Cambridge University) (A Merriam).
2 G G Powell's Soundtrack (Cheshire) (P Cowley).
3 S P Burke's Honest Yer Honour (Albrighton) (R Burton). Also Galway (4th), Sheila McKenzie (5th), Briar (6th), Motcomb Jam (7th), Splash And Dash (8th), Drom Wood (PU), Dunmanus Bay (PU), Farceur Du Mesnil (UR), Helmsley Flier (PU), Hotters (UR), Well Ted (PU). 14 ran.
Half a length. Two lengths 5:53. W £4.50, DF £6.80, SP 4/1 (Honest Yer Honour 3/1 Fav).
Race Four (Countryside Alliance Club Members Novice Riders Race):
1 Mrs M Latham's Times Past (Tanatside) (J Jarrett).
2 J Benfield's Stormy Session (Heythrop) (owner).
3 The Chequers Club's Borrow Mine (Cambridge University) (Miss L Marriott). Also Wend's Day (4th), Ella Agapi Mou (5th), Tsuki (UR), Winter Gale (UR). 7 Ran,
Neck: Three lengths 6:11. W £8.30, DF £54.70, SP 5/1 (Wend's Day 6/4 Fav).
Race Five (Ladies Open Race):
1 The Florian Racing Friend's Chasing The Bride (Blackmore and Sparkford Vale) (Miss A Goschen).
2 Mrs L Garrett's Titus Bramble (Berkeley), (Miss C Allen).
3 Mrs H Bridges' Wahiba Sands (South and West Wilts) (Miss L Bridges). Also Stromness (4th), Find Me Another (5th), Sailors Folly (6th), Fair Exchange (PU). 7 Ran,
One length: Half a length 5:54. W £3.40, DF £14.00, SP 5/2 Fav.
Race Six (Open Maiden Race 8-y-o and over, Division One):
1 D Smith's Martin Ossie (Berkeley) (J Pritchard).
2 Willoughby Racing Partnership's Northall Lad (Farmers Bloodhounds) (P Cowley).
3 S Clark's Spider Music (York and Ainsty South) (N Kent). Izzuthefox (4th), Lateen (5th), Badgers Glory (PU), Give Us A Chance (PU), Hi Buster VI (F), Primitive Image (PU), Sleeping Music (F). 10 Ran.
Two and a half lengths: A distance 6:04. W £3.50, DF £6.60, SP 5/4 Fav.
Race Seven (Open Maiden Race 8-y-o and over, Division Two):
1 Mrs S Stilgoe's Cmewin (Sinnington), M Walford).
2 Mrs T Hill's Noble Deed (Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and S Berks) (J Tudor).
3 The Jumping Jack Partnership's Jumping Jack (Cottesmore) (R Cope). Also Eurocraft (4th), The Meadow Stream (5th), Berewolf (PU), Commander Clover (PU), Divine Mist (PU), Leicaree (Pu), Supreme Optimist (RO). 10 Ran.
Half a length: One length 6:10. W £11.80, DF £13.80, SP 7/1 (Jumping Jack 9/4 Fav).
Race Eight (Open Maiden Race 5, 6 and 7 year olds, Division One) 2½ miles:
1 Mrs Murray Scott and M Norman's Lord Saar (Bulllevch) (R H Fowler).
2 Mrs R Mackness' Gregory Peckory (Cotswold) (J Pritchard).
3 Mr and Mrs A Martin's Nailed On (Heythrop) (A Martin). Also Waterliner (4th), Squeeze (5th), Ben More (6th), Northern Breeze (7th), Jewel Song (8th), Erris Express (9th), Pernickety King (10th), Bermuda (11th), Little Trethew (PU), Midnight Arrival (PU), Alforiano (12th), Peats Ridge (PU). 15 Ran.
Three lengths: two lengths 4:38. W £4.30, DF £8.20, SP 5/2 Fav.
Race Nine (Open Maiden Race 5,6 and 7 year olds, Division Two) 2½ miles:
1 P Froud's To The Top (Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and S Berks) (J Tudor).
2 Lady Susan Watson's Kismet (Middleton) (M Walford).
3 Mrs S Fryer and Mrs J Howlett's It'sallinthestars (N Bloom). Also Highland Vasco (4th), Lawman (5th), Weiser Bud (6th), Groovejet (7th), Highland Brief (8th), Breezy Warrior (9th), Catchthedream (PU), Chanteuse (F), Fort Glendennon (PU), Mr Mogul (PU), Run Four (F), Slingsby Lady (UR), The Truffle Hunter (F). 16 Ran.
Ten lengths: Two lengths 4:41. W £3.20, DF £35.50, SP 7/2 Fav.
