Secretary: Mrs S. Wills.
Tel & Fax: 01404 831744,
mobile: 07870 737209.

The Annex, Sutton Barton, Wilmington, Honiton, Devon EX14 9SH

Cotley Hunt Point to Point

Cotley Hunt Point to Point
Cotley, Chard, Somerset TA20 3EP

P J HOBBS
Sandhill Racing Stables
Set in 500 acres of top quality farmland, there are 100 stables, 1.5mile grass gallop, a 5 furlong 'woodchip' gallop, a 3 furlong 'polytrack' schooling ground, horse walkers and an equine pool. Philip Hobbs trains 100 horses; has sent out over 1000 winners and has finished in the country's top four National Hunt trainers since 1999.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS

Tel 01984 640366
Fax 01984 641124
Mobile 07860 729795
Philip and Sarah Hobbs
email pjhobbs@pjhobbs.com
www.pjhobbs.com

Sandhill Racing Stables, Bilbrook, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6HA

Report, Results and Devon and Cornwall Area Champions and
Torrington Farmers’ Point to Point at Umberleigh, Saturday June 14
POLLY Gundry was crowned the national champion at the last point-to-point of the season held at Umberleigh on Saturday having ridden 39 winners. She just failed to match Polly Curling’s all-time record of 40 winners set in 1995, but she became the country’s most successful-ever champion having now won the title a record seven times.

The Torrington Farmers Hunt gave its usual fine finale to the season and thousands of people turned out to the north Devon venue to join in the celebrations for the new champions.“I’m thrilled and it’s been a wonderful season, but I couldn’t do it without all the support I have,” said Gundry who is also the Devon and Cornwall area champion.Long-time supporter Ross Oliver had taken two horses for Gundry to ride at the Devon track – Wee Fly and Let’s Fly. Let’s Fly, who has now been retired, was unplaced in the ladies’ which went to Fruitful Citizen and Wales-based Lucy Jones was subsequently crowned the national novice champion with nine winners.Cornwall-based Oliver said of his brilliant veteran Let’s Fly: “He’s run in 63 races, won 25 and been placed 23 times. He’s jumped over 2000 fences and he’s never fallen in his life, but he won’t jump at home! Polly has won 13 races on him and he gave Will Biddick his first ever winner. He’s been a wonderful horse to have and I’m please to have helped Polly win the championship again.”Richard Woollacott was crowned the Devon and Cornwall area champion for the fourth consecutive year having ridden 34 winners. “I’ve been very lucky with my owners and I have had a lot of support. Emely (Thompson) and the staff at home are all fantastic and I couldn’t do any of it without them,” said the 31-year-old.Woollacott finished second in the national championship to Oliver Greenall who added two more winners to his score of 54 at Umberleigh and thus beat the all-time record set by Ashley Farrant of 54 set in 2004.North Island landed the odds in the seven-runner men’s open and Special Order was the easy winner of the restricted – both for trainer David Easterby who had made the long trek to Devon from Yorkshire.Merv Woodward’s ride on Ninah in the last race of the season – the open maiden - earned plenty of plaudits not least from Grand National-winning trainer David Pipe who judged him to have given the best ride of the day. The seven-year-old mare is trained by Rodney Grant. The only other local winner on the six-race card was Claire Howarth’s Here Comes Harry who took the confined with Ian Popham on board.Confined: Here Comes Harry (I Popham) 1; Quick (Will Biddick) 2; The Quarry Man (Richard Woollacott) 3.  6mins 16.4s, 12l, 1½l.Restricted: Special Order (Oliver Greenall) 1; Alexander Musical (G Barfoot-Saunt) 2; Quantocks Lastbrat (M Wall) 3. 6mins 10.1s, 12l, 2l.

Men’s Open: North Island (Oliver Greenall) 1; Mvezo (R Hughes) 2; Valjean (R Flint) 3. 6mins 09.1s, 3l, head.Ladies: Fruitful Citizen (Miss L Jones) 1; Gudlage (Miss V Shaw) 2; Uncle Max (Miss C Stewart) 3. 6.01; 15l, 1l.Intermediate: Present Star (R Hughes) 1; Charabang (G Barfoot-Saunt) 2; Assignation (J Kwiatkowski). 6.10; 15l, hd.Open Maiden: Ninah (Merv Woodward) 1; Duggans Forge (Mrs L Jones) 2; The Buddle (Mr D Edwards) 3. 6.09; 15l, 8l. 

Devon and Cornwall Area Point to Point Awards 2008

Leading Lady Rider: Polly Gundry
Leading Gentleman Rider: Richard Woollacott
Leading Novice Riders Male Danny Cook Female Jenny Carr  
Leading Veteran Neil Harris    
Leading Horse: Mr Robin Pike’s Rockwithacaveman
Leading Mare: Miss Jackie Du Plessis’ Kingsmill Lake
Leading Novice horse: Rockwithacaveman
Leading Veteran: Mr Ross Oliver’s Let’s Fly
Leading Owners: Ross Oliver and Jimmy Frost

Point to Point preview Tiverton Staghounds at Bratton Down, June 8
THE penultimate meeting of the 2008 point-to-point season takes place at Bratton Down next Sunday. Nearly 180 entries have been received with seven races making up the card.

The members’ begins the action at 2pm then it’s the intermediate race. Some long distance travellers could head for Bratton Down, including George The Grey a winner of two this season who is qualified in Yorkshire. Ted One was narrowly defeated last week and could go one better while Ross Oliver’s Wee Fly is another with consistent form this season.The reliable Malton is also among the entries in the intermediate. His usual rider is Ollie Greenhall who reached a half century of winners at the weekend and has Ashley Farrant’s 2004 record of 54 winners in a season in his sights. Greenhall has a strong choice of rides in the men’s race which has 40 horses entered. Bow School and Chorizo are other entries for the David Easterby/Greenall combination with the latter needing two more wins to draw level with Iris’s Prince, on nine winners, for the Horse and Hound Cup. Von Origny and The Fairhill Boy, who both run in the colours of Lord Daresbury, are also entered and have done their fair share of winning this season. Of the others, Alice Fox-Pitt won an intermediate with Lord Code at the course with Richard Woollacott on board, and he won well enough to suggest he’s capable of stepping up to open class; Mr Cee has progressed nicely through the season; course winner Arctic Sky was the surprise 33-1 victor of the men’s last week, the John Dufosee-trained Who Else Knew has been consistent.

Ladies’ entries include Fleur De Nikos, the 13-length winner of the Ritchie Ladies’ Hunters’ Chase at Stratford in May, Dr Cerullo, who has won four this season, and Hi Tech Man. The 31 entries in the restricted include the Ollie Bush-trained Big Daves Legend, second at Barbury Castle in April, and last weekend’s two maiden winners Declan’s Choice and Embercombe. Ollie Greeall could ride either Quoquille des Sacart or Special Order. The maiden has been split into two divisions – in the second division Equivocate could go one better than his second at a Chaddesley Corbett last month and Ashwood has been consistent; while in the first divison Quantocks Lastbrat and Karley may go well.

The course is easily accessed off the A399 and entrance is £10 per car and driver, £5 per additional person up to £20.

South Tetcott at Upcott Cross – Bank Holiday Monday
THE South Tetcott attracted a total of 69 runners in the wind and rain at Upcott Cross on Bank Holiday Monday. Richard Woollacott reached a personal landmark of 150 point-to-point winners when successful in the Men’s Open on Range Rover. Owned by Lucy Dickinson and trained by Richard Barber, Range Rover relished the rain softened ground and drew clear of front running Sara Monica on the run in.

Woollacott is in cracking form at present and went on to complete a treble by winning both sections of the Open Maiden. Bethebestyoucanbe headed Ashclyst on the run in to take the first section, and 5 year old mare Steph’s Dream just held on in a close finish to the other division. Slipawayon put in a strong late run under Ryan Bliss and just failed to catch the winner after meeting interference on the run in. The winner and runner up came close together in the last few yards but any interference was deemed accidental at the subsequent stewards’ enquiry. Polly Gundry increased her lead over closest National title rival Rachael Green to six when Long Night just got the better of Rachael’s mount Brown Cockle in the Ladies’ Open. Polly had to give best to Lucy Gardner in the Confined when her mount Ballybrown went under to front running Winter Scene. Lucy was partnering her 10th winner of the season.

Charlotte Tizzard took the Intermediate on easy winner Coombe Hill. The winner is also trained by Charlotte for her father Alan. Coombe Hill drew clear in the home straight to beat Sliema by 20 lengths. On Your Toes just caught front running Dutch Bill to win the 16 runner Restricted. Jimmy Cole had Dutch Bill in front from flagfall, and looked a bit unlucky as his mount hung left under pressure to be headed on the post. The winner is trained by Gordon Chambers for owner Rita Heard, and was the 11th winner of the season for jockey Will White.

DULVERTON FARMERS POINT TO POINT at Treborough Hill, May 24 2008
POLLY Gundry tightened her grip on the National Ladies’ title with a double at the Dulverton Farmers meeting, taking her five clear of closest pursuer Rachael Green.

The new track at Treborough Hill attracted only small fields, but rode well according to the jockeys. “The jumps are well presented,” commented Richard Woollacott, backed up by Men’s Open winner Will White who said: “It’s a lovely track if a bit slippery round the bends.” (which were immediately sanded to help with the grip). Polly Gundry was even more enthusiastic, saying “on good ground this would be top class.” As it happened the ground was firm, exacerbated by the dry, windy conditions of this venue high on the Brendon Hills. From a spectators point of view, the contours of the track and cars parked in the centre of the course affected viewing. This was recognised by Area Chairman and Chief Steward Frank Yeo who said: “The layout of the course definitely needs attention from a viewing point of view, and changes are already being considered with a couple of good options in mind.”

Polly initiated her double with a hard fought win on Dr Cerullo in the Ladies’ Open. Tsar’s Twist (Lucy Gardner) and Dr Cerullo were locked in battle from the second last, with Dr Cerullo getting the verdict by a head to gain his fourth win of this campaign. Polly completed her double on board Ross Oliver’s six year old mare Wee Fly, who survived a blunder two out to win the Restricted at the expense of Hannah Bay and Two Mile Oak.

A treble beckoned for the leading lady rider as her mount Inching West was sent off 2-5 favourite to clinch the Open Maiden, but Lourd Hymn kept pulling out more when Inching West delivered her challenge in the home straight. The winner is owned by David Bryant and trained at Bodmin by his partner Sarah Townrow. “He needs firm ground” said the owner, who bought the rangy 7 year old at Ascot sales last July. Ed Glassonbury, 17, attached to Victor Dartnall’s yard, was riding his third winner of the season. Richard Woollacott was also in double form, taking his total for the season to 30. Richard is enjoying his best ever season, and is now a clear second behind Oliver Greenall for the National Men’s title. He got The King’s Fling home in the Hunt race before taking the Intermadiate on Run Of Kings. The King’s Fling defied a penalty to beat Shobrooke Mill and Newsplayer to follow up his Cotley win, and Run Of Kings repeated his recent Cothelstone victory by comfortably beating his stable companion Onemoredeal, with Riteway Round well held in third.

The Men’s Open went to Barney Blue who gave jockey Will White his tenth winner of the season. Saorsie and City General chased home the winner, who was scoring for the fourth time this year for his group of owners called The Nyland Partnership.

RESULTS:

Hunt race: 1 The King’s Fling (Mr R Woollacott); 2 Shobrooke Mill (Mrs C Farrant); 3 Newsplayer (Mr W Biddick); 3ran; 2 ½ l; 6l; 6 mins 44 secs

Ladies’ Open: 1 Dr Cerullo (Miss P Gundry); 2 Tsar’s Twist (Miss L Gardner); 3 Grey Ciseaux (Miss E Apps); 5 ran; head; 25l; 6m 21s

Men’s Open: 1 Barney Blue (Mr W White); 2 Saorsie (Mr W Biddick); 3 City General (Mr S Allwood); 3 ran; 1 1/2l ; 25l; 6m 47s

Intermediate: 1 Run Of Kings (Mr R Woollacott); 2 Onemoredeal (Miss P Gundry); 3 Riteway Round (Miss A Mills); 3 ran; 6l; 4l; 6m 52s

Restricted: 1 Wee Fly (Miss P Gundry); 2 Hannah Bay (Miss A Mills); 3 Two Mile Oak (Mr R Woollacott); 3 ran; 15l; 1 ½ l; 6m 45s

Open Maiden: 1 Lourd Hymn (Mr E Glassonbury); 2 Inching West (Miss P Gundry); 3 Final Deal (Mr S Allwood); 4 ran; 1 ½ l; dist: 6m 44s

DULVERTON FARMERS AT TREBOROUGH HILL SATURDAY 24TH MAY
Preview by Granville Taylor on behalf of the Devon & Cornwall Point-to-Point Association

THE Dulverton Farmers point-to-point has attracted a well balanced total of 123 entries for the meeting on their new course at Treborough Hill on Saturday (May 24th). The meeting gets under way with the Hunt race at 2pm.

Rachael Green and Polly Gundry are still locked in battle for the National Ladies’ title. Rachael’s win on Novikova Rose at Bratton Down left her just three behind Polly, and there was no change the following day when Polly’s three rides at Clifton-on-Teme were all placed. Rachael has a strong hand in the Ladies’ at Treborough, with her boss Richard Barber able to choose between Oracle des Mottes, Rimpton Boy, Rye Brook and Reviewer. Polly’s best chance looks to rest with Dr Cerullo, but the in-form Kingsmill Lake could spoil the party for the leading Ladies’.Range Rover is the Barber nomination for the Men’s Open, where the 20 entries also include recent winners Barney Blue, Dad Says Heazle, Askers Jack, Diamond Monroe and Here Comes Harry. Richard Woollacott has been in unstoppable form lately and can choose between Concert Pianist and The King’s Fling. Woollacott has Vauterhill winner Two Mile Oak, Primitive Quest and Austin Approved amongst the 25 entries for the Restricted. This race looks particularly competitive with several progressive Maiden winners likely to line up. Rachael Green can ride Cotley winner Master Mark, and Polly Gundry is likely to renew her partnership with Wee Fly. Marias Rock, Jack’s Taxi, Incoady and Fairly Glorious are all recent winners with sound claims.

The Open Maiden looks even trickier and a case can be made for many of the 32 entries. Inching West was well backed and only just denied at Vauterhill and can go one better for up and coming rider Jenny Carr. Ashley Farrant’s yard has hit form recently and the Bampton trainer has King’s Wood, Quick, Visibility and Party Pictures amongst the 14 entries for a strong looking Hunt race. Cookies Bank won his Vauterhill race impressively and would be hard to beat if chosen above Lords Bridge and The King’s Fling by Richard Woollacott. Sarah Faulks has Cento and Tony’s Time in the line up, and Sarah Prouse has both Shobrooke Mill and Ted One entered. Secretary Jenny Hayes is “delighted by the quality and quantity of the entries”, and reports that the new course is ready to provide some exciting racing. The track is located alongside the B3224 between Raleighs Cross and Wheddon Cross. Entry costs £10 per car and driver with £5 for each additional passenger.

TETCOTT POINT TO POINT REPORT – Devon & Cornwall point-to-point Association RICHARD Woollacott was the jockey in form at the Tetcott meeting at Vauterhill. The reigning Devon and Cornwall area champion rode his first ever four timer, taking his total for the season to 24, and elevating him to second position for this year’s National Men’s title. Woollacott was also responsible for training three of his winners, Cookies Bank, Lord’s Bridge and Two Mile Oak. Sue Condry’s Cookies Bank just held off Newsplayer to win the Confined after leading from the 15^th fence. “He stays for ever and jumped better when the pace quickened,” explained the winning rider. Lords Bridge also just prevailed in a driving finish to the Restricted after Polly Gundry and Blackcomb Mountain had thrown down a strong challenge from the second last. Bought at Doncaster last August for owner Den Underhill, Woollacott said the horse “doesn’t settle early”, but he showed plenty of determination to follow up his Great Trethew maiden success.  Two Mile Oak had ten lengths to spare in the first Open Maiden division. The eventual runner up College Time and Jimmy Cole made a bold bid to make all until blundering at the final ditch, allowing Two Mile Oak to stride clear. The winner had shown little form until now, but the combination of first time blinkers and fast ground seemed to do the trick. The Double Trigger six year old, bought out of Sarah Williams’ yard, is owned by Brian and Brenda Heath, together with Dick Westacott. Woollacott’s other winning ride on And All That Jazz in the nine runner Mares Maiden came from the Lydford yard of Pauline and Tony Geering. Jenny Carr’s mount Inching West looked a big danger crossing the last, but the Morpeth mare And All That Jazz stayed on gamely to win by a length. “She needs firm ground and was a bit fitter today”, said Pauline. Winning owners David and Terri Fisher bred the mare from their winning pointer Kindly Lady. And All That Jazz was the first winner of the season for her trainers, but that success was soon doubled when 12 year old Jaunty Janner won a match for the Intermediate Novice Riders’ race. 18 year old Sam Allwood was partnering his 8^th winner of the season on Jaunty Janner, owned and bred by David Congdon. “He is a very safe jumper and has never fallen”, remarked Pauline Geering. There was also a match for the Men’s Open which saw winning jockey Ian Chanin take his pointing total for the season into double figures. Chanin’s mount Vigzol was not hard pressed to beat his sole rival Spinning Silver, who is worth bearing in mind for a future Bratton Down outing. Vigzol was winning for the third time this season for owner/trainer/ breeders Richard and Sheralyn King.  It was good to see Let’s Fly thoroughly enjoying himself in repeating last year’s win in the Ladies’ Open. Polly Gundry soon had the veteran out in front of his three rivals and their winning margin over Matrix (Nicola Rovai) was 7 lengths. “That was the 25^th win of his career, including 4 under rules in his younger days”, said owner/trainer Ross Oliver. Polly’s winning ride took her 5 clear of Rachael Green at the top of the National Ladies’ table. The concluding Open Maiden also attracted four runners and may have revealed a smart performer in the previously unraced Party Pictures. Darren Edwards kept the 5 year old under tight restraint until the final circuit, allowing his mount to head runner up Catch You Later after the final ditch for a comfortable success. Party Pictures is owned by Ashley and Caroline Farrant, and was bought privately in Ireland. “He is a big baby but works as well as anything at home”, said Ashley who had also trained King’s Wood to win at Holnicote on the previous day.    RESULTS: Open Maiden Mares only:1 And All That Jazz (Mr R Woollacott); 2 Inching West (Miss J Carr); 3 Annie’s Assets (Mr R Bliss);  1l; 10l  6mins 43 secs Confined:1 Cookies Bank (Mr R Woollacott); 2 Newsplayer (Mr N Harris); 3 Meneur de Jeu (Mr D Edwards);  1 1/2l; 10l;  6m 26 Men’s Open;1 Vigzol (Mr I Chanin); 2 Spinning Silver (Mr M Woodward);  12l ;  6m 45 Ladies’ Open:1 Let’s Fly (Miss P Gundry); 2 Matrix (Miss N Rovai); 3 Little Lord Lewis Miss V Shaw);  7l; dist ;  6m 25 Intermediate Novice Riders’:1 Jaunty Janner (Mr S Allwood); 2 Run of Kings (Mr P John);  4l;  6m36 Restricted:1 Lords Bridge (Mr R Woollacott); 2 Blackcomb Mountain (Miss P Gundry); 3/4l; only two finished;  6m 25 Open Maiden Div 1:1 Two Mile Oak (Mr R Woollacott); 2 College Time (Mr J Cole); 3 Final Deal (Mr S Allwood);  10l;  2 1/2l;  6m 40 Open Maiden Div 2:

POINT –TO-POINT REPORT MODBURY HARRIERS AT FLETE PARK MARIE McGuiness saddled a double at Flete Park on Saturday where Polly Gundry, who leads the national championship, was also in double form.Over To Charlie had been readied for a run under Rules, but a cough ruled her out and trainer Philip Hobbs suggested she had a summer at home before being tried in point-to-points. She duly won the open maiden in good style under Gundry on her second start.Her owner/breeder, former international showjumper and commentator Stephen Hadley who leases her to Di Milsom and Michael Bates, said: “I sent her to Ginny Turnbull and she showjumped for a while. She is a natural jumper and if she’s no good as a racehorse she’ll go eventing.”It was a late decision to run at Flete, but with the ground in good order, Hadley was delighted with the mare’s performance. “I’m really pleased with the way she has jumped today,” he said.McGuiness also trained restricted winner Winning Connection who out battled Ryeman and Wee Fly on the run-in to win by half a length under Richard Woollacott.Gundry’s second winner came on Benarina who was a first ever success for owner Shirley Wills. The mare is trained by Gundry and Ed Walker and was bought last December at Exeter Market. The Gordon Chambers-trained Sara Monica gave a text book round of jumping under Will White to win the men’s open, her second success at the course this season. The 11 year old will eventually be retired for stud duties but if the ground is right she’ll be out again this season.Emily Nozskay rode a well time race on Kingsmill Lake to win the ladies’ open. Trainer Jackie Du Plessis said a hunter chase at Stratford could be next on the agenda for the ten year old. Noszkay, 19, was awarded  the Totnes and Bridgetown Races Co Ltd Trophy for the leading novice rider at the course, but there was a sad end to the day for the du Plessis family after their home bred Miss Ziggerson collapsed and died having finished third in the confined.The race went to Fort of Gold who is owned by Jimmy Frost and trained by his wife Nikki. Stuart Payne, who was in the saddle, was recording his fifth win in the Devon and Cornwall area. “He’s a grand schoolmaster and he jumps really well. He’s such a genuine horse too,” he said.  RESULTSOpen maiden: Over To Charlie (P Gundry) 1; Fine Enough (S Ellis) 2. Distance: 4l; time: 6.56.Restricted: Winning Connection (R Woollacott) 1; Ryeman (D Cook) 2; Wee Fly (P Gundry). ½ l, ¾ l; 6.40.Ladies’ Open 4 miles: Kingsmill Lake (Miss E Nozskay) 1; Grey Ciseaux (Miss E Apps); 3 Matrix (Miss N Rovai) 3. 6l,1 ½ l, 8.19.Open maiden 4, 5 & 6 yr olds: Benarina (Miss P Gundry) 1; Royal Choice (J Barnes) 2; Bethebestyoucanbe (S Payne). 8l; 3/4 l; 5.32.Men’s Open: Sara Monica (W White) 1; Peter’s Two Fun (J Barnes) 2; The Quarryman (R Woollacott) 3. 25l, runin; 6.49.Confined: Fort of Gold (S Payne) 1; Concert Pianist (R Woollacott) 2; Miss Ziggerson (Miss E Nozskay) 3. 1l, dist; 6.41