After what seemed liked weeks spent on a tractor watering the course it finally seemed worth it when a good crowd was able to enjoy a competitive days racing on Saturday. We had 4 runners the first of which was Balladeer in the ladies ridden by Emily Harbour. Balladeer jumped well throughout and won by 4 lengths to Dun Drinan in second and the Hookie Bookie in third. This was the first leg of a double for Emily who rode her own Mister Cee Jay, trained by her mother Sue,  to finally win his maiden!

The next to run was Start Royal in the mens open where he made light work of his only opponent, Jaamid, finishing 20 lengths clear and bringing him up to a total of 62 points in the the young horse competition, 6 points clear of Lucinda Russell's Badger Foot in second.

Bon Accord and Ocean Du Moulin made up the field in the final race of the day, the members, with James Tudor and Gaby (Hill) on board. Both went off at a decent pace and looked like it was going to serve up an exciting finish. Unfortunately Gaby lost an iron 4 out when Ocean Du Moulin made an awful mistake. With James upsides shouting 'sit up, sit up' she did just that and recovered well jumping the next without her iron but couldnt defy gravity and got unseated when Ocean Du Moulin slipped coming round the bend.

Mid  Div and Creep proved to any doubters that her second place in the Cheltenham Foxhunters was no fluke by annihilating her rivals in the 'rewards4racing' hunter chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday evening. Ridden by the ladies point to point championship leader, Gina Andrews, she put up a stand out performance to finish 34 lengths clear of the field. She is extremely slow on the gallops at home but is a very game and wont let anyhting get past her once she is in front. Owners Karen and Tony Exall who had planned their outfits for the day to match their red and white colours were thrilled with the mares performance.

On a scorching Easter Saturday we took 3 runners to Kimble. Gaby rode Ocean Du Moulin in the 4 runner Confined, still buzzing from her win at Kingston on the 10th. Riding a much different race to Kingston, she jumped off in front and rode a positive race to win by 5 lenghts beating Prince of Persia again despite having a 5lb penalty. This was Gaby's first win at Kimble and her name will now be added to the long list of Hill's that have ridden and been victorious at the course. Her grandmother and father, mother and father and auntie have all ridden winners there so it was an extra special day for her.

Balladeer ran next in the Ladies with Emily Harbour on board. Emily gave Balladeer a brilliant ride to win by 12 lengths beating Roaring Water in 3rd to whom Balladeer was runner up to at Deitling in January. Emily won ride of the meeting and we were all thrilled to see her in the winners enclosure after having a nasty fall from Mysaynoway at Whitfield and being forced to take a couple of weeks off.

Start Royal maintained the winning form for the yard by winning the Mens Open by 30 lengths. Using no more effort than he would at an exercise canter he is now leading young horse (7 and under) in the country.

All pictures are by Neale Blackburn and can be viewed and purchased from www.chasdog.com/

It was a brilliant day enjoyed by all although Lawney had to wait a few more hours than most to celebrate. After giving up alcohol for Lent she had to wait till the stroke of midnight to toast the winners with a glass of champagne!

We sent 4 runners to our local track at Kingston Blount on the 10th. First up was Ocean Du Moulin with Gaby (my daughter) on board. This was to be Gaby's second ride of the season after having a long break after her first at Black Forrest Lodge. She gave him a hold up ride to take a narrow victory from Prince of Persia.

Next was Mysaynoway who retained the 4 mile cup. Ridden by James Tudor who reported she jumped very well and had clearly put her fall at Whitfield behind her.

Harbour Court, 5 year old owned by Andrew West, was having his first racecourse experience in the Open Madien for 4 - 7 yr olds. He went off evensF and put up an extremely impressive display, sprinting clear in the final bend to win easily. Harbour Court will now enjoy having the summer off with the view of possibly running under rules next season. A very exciting prospect!

Last to run was Viel Gluck who won the 5 runner Restricted in what was the fastest time of the meeting over 3 miles. Finally this horse seems to have confidence in his jumping and will now have the summer off with a view to go novice chasing next season.

Taken from Horse and Hound December 2010

We took 2 runners to a cold and damp Higham on 20th. Start Royal (who was found to have an abscess in his foot on his last run) ran in the mens open with a fit again James Tudor on board. He was made 4/7 favourite in a field of 6. He travelled well throughout being headed 4 from home. He retook the lead 3 out and after taking 2 sharp back handers from Tudor drew clear to win easily. It was good to see this horse back to his winning ways!

Viel Gluck ran in the 8 runner restricted and finished a well beaten 2nd to Tara Gale. Once James (Tudor) knew his chance of winning had gone he was not hard on him and held on to take 2nd place. There will be more races for him throughout the season and the plan after that is then to go summer jumping. He is for sale.

Dantes Storm ran in the R.E Sassoon Memorial Hunter chase at Folkestown on 15th February over a distance of 3mile 1f. This option was taken over a more valuable Hunter Chase at Leicester the follwoing day as it was seen as a better prep race for a crack at the Cheltenham Foxhunters 4 1/2 weeks later. A field of 7 lined up and Dantes Storm was made favourite in the betting. He travelled well making only a couple of minor mistakes to win easilt by 38 lengths never coming off the bridle. We will now focus on the Foxhunters with 2 nice wins under his belt.

We took King Caractacus to Cottenham for the young horse 2 1/2 mile maiden. This was to be his 1st run and both trainer and owner were hopeful of his chances after schooling and galloping well at home.With 12 declared runners and John Mathias declared to ride (James Tudor was off with a bruised shoulder) it was decided to go safety first on the first  on the first circuit taking him wide to get a good view of his fences then gradually drop him intp the race and ride him for speed which at home he had showed a good amount of.

The race went to plan, Mathias shaking him up 3 out to go on and win by 10 lengths in a hands and heels finish. Everyone was very please with his performance and celebrations were held in the local that evening!

On Sunday 6th we took 2 runners to Whitfield. Balladeer ran in the ladies open with Emily Harbour, fininshing 5th beaten just over 20 lengths in his normal gutsy style. 

Our second runner was the first time out maiden, Edgar Henry owned by Roy Hunt. With 14 runners finding space at his fences was at a premium. I was pleased with the way he jumped and travelled throughout and he was going nicely for the first mile. Unfortunately he got crowded turning into the back straight and being slightly unsighted he made a novice mistake which resulted in him falling. Im glad to say he was none the worse for the experience and hopefully his confidence can be restored and he will run again in the near future. 

On Saturday 5th Februaury we took Mid Div and Creep to her favourite course, Horseheath, where her previous form reads 6 wins form 6 runs! She ran in the highly competitive ladies open alongside Hoo La Baloo who was 2nd in the Bet365 Gold Cup Chase in Sandown in April. Hoo La Baloo was made favourite just over Mid Div and Creep. The race was ran at a good pace with Mid Div and Creep's jumping at a premium. Hoo La Baloo ranged upsides her 5 out as they setsail down the hill to 4 outwhere they both jumped neck and neck. Turning in it looked like a very close affair but on the rising ground 3 out Mid Div and Creep never faltered and drew away by 12 lengths to an easy win. It was a class perfomance by both horse and jockey Georgina Andrews who rode a triple at the meeting. It was agreed afterwards that a huner chase may now be the way forward for this mare.

Mid Div and Creep ridden by Georgina Andrews

Picture by Neale Blackburn

On Sunday 30th January we took 3 runners to Higham on what was good ground. Start Royal ran in a very competitive mens open and was made 6/4 favourite with Cheltenham bumper winner Cork All Star at 9/4. Start Royal ran and jumped in his usual manner but unfortunately Cork All Star was too good and retaining alot of his early career ability ran on to beat us by 15 lengths. The following morning Start Royal was found to have an abscess in his near fore which had burst during the race. 2 days following the race he was sound again and will run again soon.

The Accordion man ran in a 8 runner ladies open with Emily Harbour aboard. He jumped and travelled well throughout and finished a very good 2nd a classy Scotland Yard. On this performance a win or 2 will be found through the season.

James Tudor rode Saddlers Melody in the Restricted in which 11 ran. Last season this horses jumping had not been at its best so with plenty of pre season schooling it was decided by connections that a number not a letter was the main form figure needed! James gave him a superb ride settling him in the first 2 miles with the main priority to concentrate on his jumping and gradually put him in the race to win if he could. 4 fences from home this looked on the cards but a sloppy jump 3 out gave away any winning chance but he stayed on to get 2nd pleasing all connected.

Finally the the snow melted and with thawing tempertures racing was able to ressume in the new year. We took 2 horses to Cottenham on 2nd January, Start Royal ran in the mens open and for the first time had to carry a penalty having now won 2 open point to points. He looked the winner 3 out but was hampered by a loose horse which didnt help his cause and unfortunately wasnt able to hold off Posh Dude over the last 2 fences and was beaten by 6 lengths. This was his first defeat in point to points and hopefully he will be back in winning form soon!

Start Royal ridde by James Tudor

Photo taken by Neale Blackburn (www.chasdog.com/)

Our other runner, Viel Gluck in the 3mile maiden, was running after a fall last time out so the main aim of the race was to restore his confidence in jumping. He came to win his race jumping the last and was 'badly' hampered on the run in which affected his winning chance. The stewards held an enquiry into the interference caused and reversed the placings. This decision was met with  mixed opinions but both the jockey and the owners thought it was the correct decision.

On Saturday 15th we took 2 horses to Detling. Dantes Storm who is new to the yard this season ran in the club race with his regular jockey Philip York. He made easy work of winning in the fastest time of the day with a very pleasing performance and a great round of jumping. A hunter chase beckons for his next outing!

Balladeer ran in a competitive ladies open and as per usual was as game as ever! He was given a very positive ride by Georgina Andrews beaten only by a neck  by Rash Move. 

On Sunday 16th another new recruit, Mid Div And Creep, made her first appearance for the yard at Ampton in the ladies open. She made all and jumped superbly going onto win by 4 lenghts beating the 2008 Cheltenham Fox Hunetrs winner Amicelli. Another run in a ladies open and then a hunter chase looks likely to be the plan with her.    

We have had 3 runners so far this season kicking off with Gaby having a nice ride on her new school master Ocean Du Moulin. They were a fast finishing 6th in the novice riders race at the opening fixture of the season at Black Forest Lodge. It was our first trip to the course which turned out to be a cold but very enjoyable day, hopefully we will be returning there soon.

We took 2 horses to Cottenham on 12th December. Start Royal ran in the mens open against the hot favourite Cedrus Libani who looked to be a real threat to Start Royal. This threat soon diminished when Cedrus Libani dug his toes in at that start and refused to jump off with the rest of the field. When he finally decided to go he was a good fence behind the others which gave Start Royal an easy opportunity of a win which he took winning comfortably by a distance and maintaining his unbeaten record between the flags!

Our other runner Viel Gluck (German for more luck) ran in the 3m maiden. Unfortunately he fell at about 2mile when in the lead and going well. Jockey James Tudor however was pleased with the way the horse was travelling and was positive about his chances next time out .

We are lucky at this time of inclement weather to be able to use the all weather canter track and did alot of schooling last week before the snow hit us. We will have plenty of runners in January when we will be able to put all the hard work to good use!

Merry Christmas and happy new year!

On Monday 3rd May SIR RONAN, owned by David Spearing, ran in the Restricted at Ashorne. Having been a close 2nd at Kingston Blount last time out we were hopefully of his chances under jockey Nick Pearce, having his forst ride for the yard. Nick gave him a positive ride, he travelled and jumped well throughout to finish first of the 8 runner field.

We took 3 runners to our local track at Kingston Blount on Saturday 17th April. First up was MADJACKDUNCAN in the Confined under jockey John Mathias. We were confident that he would put in a big run after winning his two previous starts at Cottenham and he did not disappoint! After pulling clear of the field in the back straight he went onto win by an impressive 10 lengths.

MADJACKDUNCAN is for sale, please contact me if you would like any further information on him.

Our second runner was the diminutive MYSAYNOWAY in the 4m2f. Having been plagued by niggling injuries since her last run at Cottenham in December, it was great to see her back on the track and looking so well. She travelled and jumped well throughout and went onto to take an impressive 10 length victory! A great performance from both horse and jockey.

Our third and last runner of the day was SIR RONAN owned by David Spearing. SIR RONAN last ran at Kimble on Easter Saturday when jockey James Tudor was unfortunately unseated after a circuit when travelling well. With James out due to injury John Mathias  took up the ride in the Restricted. He jumped and travelled well, showing improvement on his first season and was only narrowly beaten into second.

We sent out 5 runners Easter Saturday at our other local track at Kimble, starting with BON ACCORD in the Confined. He was carrying a 3lb penalty after his win at Barbury and went off hot favourite but unfortunatley finished 2nd to BUCKBY LANE. BUCKBY LANE has already been 2nd in 3 Opens this season but it was still a disappointing run from BON ACCORD and was not a true reflection of his usual form, on returning home he was found to be abit off colour and this may go some was to explaining his under par performance.

Bon Accord

Next we had BALLADEER in the ladies under Gina Andrews who ran well in a compatitive race to come 2nd, beaten just over a length by HONEST ENDEAVOUR. A very pleasing run from BALLADEER.

MORE TROUBLE, ridden by James Tudor, came up against CHILLING PLACE in the Mens Open. If it had been in a Handicap we would have been giving him in excess of 4 stone! MORE TROUBLE travelled and jumped well throughout finishing 2nd, 12 lengths behind the winner.

SIR RONAN was next in the Restricted, very unfortunately brought down after a circuit whilst travelling well. Jockey James Tudor, although very disappointed, said that he thought the horse had matured alot since last season so we look forward to his next run.

My daughter Gaby took over the ride on BYNACK MHOR in the members who went off odds on favourite. BYNACK MHOR put in a very disapponting run, never travelling or jumping well and finsihed a well beaten 2nd.

Bynack Mhor

On Monday we ran the promising START ROYAL in a Novice Hunter Chase at Fakenham. He went off odds on favourite and was travelling and juming well, unfortunately just as the race was hotting up he fell 6 out whilst upsides the eventual winner LISADELL KING. A very disappointing outing and too early in the race to try and predict what the outcome may have been.

After finishing 4th last time out and showing no signs of tiredness, it was decided to find another race for AFEWBOBBACK and make the most of the suitable ground conditions. On Sunday 28th March we headed to Penshurst in Kent for the Ladies Open, partnering AFEWBOBBACK was owner rider Camilla Ewart. AFEWBOBBACK was joint outsider in the 4 runner race with prolific winner CARRYONHARRY the hot favourite. The team tactics were to take on CARRYONHARRY, who likes to front run but doesnt like to be challenged! Camilla did just that to win in style by 4 lengths, out galloping and out staying her rivals. It was a well deserved win and great to see AFEWBOBBACK back on form after suffering from a few niggling injuries. Hopefully if the ground stays soft more success can be found this season.  

Alan

On Sunday 21st March I headed off to Whitfield in Northamptonshire with a FEWBOBBACK who finished 4th in the Ladies under owner rider Camilla Ewart. Meanwhile, Lawney had headed off to Howick in South Wales. THE BOAT, owned by Lynda Lovell, was running in the Restricted  with Jockey James Tudor. James settled him out the back on the first circuit and from there he continued to jump very well beating a good field of 14. 

A good day was had by all! 

Alan

The weekend kicked off with the first meeting at our local track at Kingston Blount. Rodney Mann's MORE TROUBLE was the first of 3 entered giving us a flying start by winning the the Confined under an 8lb penalty. Next was my own BALLADEER in the ladies, having been off the course for 2 years it was great to see him back on the track.  Given a great ride by Georgina Andrews BALLADEER won by 3 lenghts to Lyn Redman's HOMEBYMIDNIGHT. Our third runner BYNACK MHOR ridden by James Tudor and owned by David Chown ran well in the Restricted to be placed 3rd.

On Sunday we headed to Cottenham for the last meeting of the season at the Cambridgeshire course. START ROYAL owned by Hilda and Stewart Nash, The Jap and myself won the Mens Open by an impressive 8 lengths. On returning to the paddock with a large grin on his face, Jockey James Tudor described his run as a 'demolition job'! Our next runner was BELL ROCK ridden by my daughter Gaby Hill. With ideal ground for BELL ROCK, who holds the course record at Cottenham, we were hopeful that he was in with a good chance and he did not disappoint! Having led from the start he went onto win the Ladies Open and give Gaby her second point to point win. Our last runner was my own MADJACKDUNCAN, bought from trainer Alan King. We were quietly confident that MADJACKDUNCAN would put in a big run after winning the Maiden at Cottenham earlier in the seaon. The jockey that day, Richard Burton, had been very positive about the horse saying he thought he was 'quite special'. He went onto prove that by winning the Restricted with jockey James Tudor and giving the yard a point to point treble! I think that this would be a good time to mention that MADJACKDUNCAN is for sale!  

Well, my maths isnt great but i think 2 days, 5 winners = a very successful weekend!

Alan

The 2009/2010 point to point season campaign started on Sunday 6^th December at Cottenham with LEADER BLUE winning the Young Horse Maiden in good enough style and BYNACK MHOR finishing a well beaten 2^nd in the Older Horse Maiden, proving he will be better suited to going left handed next time.