REVIEW |
The biggest cheer of the day at the Mid Devon point to point at
Blackforest Lodge, went up for Dartmoor master Michael Weir whose
Ballyknock Rose won the second division of the maiden under Vanessa
Shaw. All Weir's horses are hunted thoroughly by hunt staff and
this mare is no exception.
A good crowd had watched Ashley Farrant and trainer David Pipe
notch up a double with Polar Champ in the men's open and then
Canterbury Jack, owned by PJ Finn, in the Restricted. Bishops
Blade, Edward Retter's Wadebridge Jenny Congdon got off the mark for the season with a well-judged ride on her great old servant O So Bossy, who has lost none of his enthusiasm at 14 years old. The outsider of three, Congdon kept to the inner and made a break from Friar Waddon and Midnight Coup, at the top of the hill. They came back into contention but Congdon, who works for Philip Hobbs, was able to push again and win comfortably.
Ladies' national champion Polly Gundry opted for front running
tactics on Sailor's Folly and led from pillar to post aboard
Richard Kevin-Hughes' grey, trained on the edge of Dartmoor. She
kept Berkeley qualified Sunburnt
Gundry's ride in the first division of the maiden, another for
Kelvin Hughes, Mr Moondancer, will surely progress after
The course is ideal for Morris Piper (Richard Woollacott) who
looked great in the paddock and proved his well being by winning
the Intermediate decisively for trainer Rosemary Partridge, beating
form horse Earls Toy into second place. Men's Open: 1, Polar Champ, A Farrant (fav); 2, Kingston Venture, J Barnes; 3, Ashbury Star, d Alers Hankey. Six ran, 5l, dist, 6.01. Ladies' Open: 1, Sailors Folly, Miss P Gundry (5-4); 2, Sunburnt, Miss J Houldey; 3, Phoenix Phlyer, Miss C Stucley. Six ran, 10l 1/2l, 6.02. Intermediate: 1, Morris Piper, R Woollacott (7-2); 2, Earl's Toy, H Fry; 3, Silver Pot Black, M Barber. Seven ran, 10l, 8l, 6.14. Restricted: 1, Canterbury Jack, A Farrant (fav); 2, Alpine Fugue, Miss S Lewis; 3, Bessie Bunter, D Edwards. 11 ran, 10l, 2l, 6.10. Maiden Div One: 1, Johnsair, G Perkins (9/4); 2, Coralinga, N Wilmington; 3, My Moondancer, Miss P Gundry. 13 ran, 4l, 20l, 6.16. Div Two: 1, Ballyknock Rose,Miss V Shaw(9-1); 2, Gipsy Girl, R Stephens; 3, Smokey Joe, C Heywood. 10 ran, 5l, dist, 6.16. |