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Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt Club at COTTENHAM
Sunday 7th January 2001
by Dom Bradshaw

Here we go again! Up at 7.00am and by 9.30 we’re half way down the A1, on the way to pay out annual pilgrimage to Cottenham. On arriving at the course, the going isn’t anywhere near as bad as I’d predicted and it’s a pleasant winter’s day without a cloud in the sky. Mind you, it’s still as chilly as usual!

We kicked off the 2001 season with Club Members Race which Paul Taiano took aboard the useful East Anglian performer Fair Exchange, who outbattled Bally Wirral (Godfrey Maundrell) to win by four lengths with Ann’s Ambition (Caroline Fryer) a distant third. The winner looked a useful type in 2000 and showed that he’s lost none of his zest; he should be followed with confidence in the East Anglian area. The same could be said of the consistent Bally Wirral, who is also worth following.
Ann’s Ambition ran above expectations and may have a chance of scoring when his sights are lowered.
The well fancied Sense Of Adventure (Nigel Bloom), looked cooked when exiting on the second circuit and will have to jump a lot better than this if he is to progress in better company this season.
A mention must be given to the gallant Gunner Boon (Jamie Jukes) who was carrying an amazing eighteen pounds worth of penalties, which meant the weight on his back was 13st 4lbs (did Mr Brace read the conditions of the race properly?)! He was still disputing the lead with the winner when he took a nasty looking fall on the final circuit. He looked to be a little lame when led back past the stands by Jamie Jukes and hopefully he’ll be none the worse for this. He’s worth a close look when he reappears.

Scott Joynes went to the top of the rider’s championship at this very early stage with a double. The first leg came in the Men’s Open on the North Cotswold qualified Stormy Session, who was kicked on a long way from home and battled to hold off the late challenge of Maitre De Musique (Dr M Tate). A significant factor here was jockeyship with Scott Joynes riding the stronger finish after looking to be second best jumping the last. This was a much-improved performance by the winner who was trained in Scotland last season and he should be able to find further opportunities. Take nothing away from the runner up who jumped well for his less experienced partner. He too should be capable of scoring.
The prolific Hatcham Boy (Christian Ward Thomas) was back in third. He requires more of a stamina test and ran well on this tight course.
Makin’ Doo (Clive Mulhall) was a fast finishing fourth and like Hatcham Boy, requires a stiffer test.
The odds on favourite Secret Bay (Ben Pollock) was disappointing back in sixth. His performance was probably down to the unsuitable ground and this run should be forgotten.
One for the notebook is the David Brace trained Evan’s Collier Boy (Jamie Jukes), who was leading the field a merry dance when exiting at the first fence in the straight with a circuit to go. He appeared to be going well and should be followed.
I don’t think that the starter, Sir Mark Prescott, will be on James Tate’s Xmas card list this year. Sir Mark was very particular about starting the field and James Tate had a few problems stopping Floruceva after a false start was called. By the time they returned to the start, Floruceva was fairly wound up and Sir Mark again took his time to get them started. Unfortunately for James Tate, his mount then rattled towards the first and duly unseated him! I think James would have been happier if Sir Mark would have let them go a little earlier.

Scott Joynes complete his double in the Second Division of the older horses Maiden on another North Cotswold qualified horse, Quick Response, who made all of the running and came home well clear (in a decent time) from the only other finisher, Early Morning Call (Tabitha Cave). This was the first completion by the son of Roselier, who had failed to get round in his previous seven attempts. The strong handling seemed to suit him well and if the partnership remains intact, then there’s no reason why they can’t take a Restricted.
The runner up stayed on dourly but could never get to the winner. Staying would appear to be his forte and he should be aimed at a Maiden where his stamina can be brought into play.

In the First Division of the older horses Maiden, Godfrey Maundrell took his mount Running On Super to the front and stayed there, coming home ten lengths to the good. This 8yo New Zealand bred is an imposing individual and looked the part in the paddock. He is a real big staying type and should be able to take a Restricted when stamina is at a premium.
The runner up, Celio Bravo (Julian Pritchard) tried hard to get to the winner but had to settle for second. He should be scoring soon, as should third placed Coole Chief (Stewart Morris) who ran a nice race.

The Restricted proved eventful with the first three in the betting (Secret Streams, Zafan and Labula Bay) all exiting at the ninth. The race was taken by Romany Chat (Andy Martin) who drew out all the stops to deny the Caroline Bailey trained Mister Kingston (Ben Pollock). The winner has been knocking at the door for about a year or so and although he will have to improve again, he has the right attitude. The runner up looked as though he was going to reel in the winner approaching the last and should be capable of scoring in this grade.
Richard Tate brought his grandmother’s (Monica Dickinson) Orient Bay home in third. This was a pleasing display by the 6yo son of Commanche Run and like the runner up, he should be winning soon.
It was too early to say how the first three in the betting would have done, but Secret Streams (Simon Sporborg) was going particularly well before his misdemeanour.
One for the notebook is the Mrs Walford trained Clashbridane (Mark Walford), who was up in the van until unseating early on the final circuit.

Larry’s Lord (Jill Wormall) returning from a year off, outjumped and outstayed the only other finisher Gill’mar (Candy Thomas) to take the Ladies Open. This was a great performance by the winner, especially considering the amount of time off course and he should be scoring regularly throughout the season. The runner up, a winner under rules, gave a good account of himself and should have a Ladies race in him.
Of the rest of the runners, Welsh raider Dawn’s Cognac (Pip Jones) ran in snatches and was disappointingly pulled up. This looked like a prep run to me and he should be spot on next time.
Diwali Dancer (Emma Coveney) was left a distant third, but could barely raise a gallop when coming down two out. He clearly didn’t stay on this going and will need better ground if he’s to get the trip.
Upham Lord (Jill Dawson) was well backed but came to grief when going well. He was a chancey jumper under rules and if this can be sorted, then he’ll stand a good chance of scoring in this type of race.

The Intermediate, like the Restricted, was incident packed with the fancied horses Philtre (Julian Pritchard), Irisheyesaresmilin (Ben Pollock) and Shoemaker (Stewart Morris) all coming to grief in the early stages. This left Secret Can’t Say (Lucy Pearce) with a good lead coming to two out, only for the horse to blunder and unseat his rider, leaving the race at the mercy of Nigel Bloom on The Rural Dean with Triple Eaves (Clive Mulhall) back in second and Persian Boy (Andrew Sansome) further back in third. It’s hard to evaluate the value of the form with the major players all failing to complete, but I suspect that this was a modest contest as the time was slow in comparison with the Club Members.

The final two races were the youngster’s two and a half mile Maidens. The First Division went to Gue Au Loup (Richard Burton) who stayed on for a three length victory over Rain Delay (Ben Pollock) with Alpha Romana (Alex Charles-Jones) a further half length away in third. The winner was well regarded when with Henry Daly under rules but failed to fulfil his potential., but this was more his level. If he stays the extra half mile, then he could score again. Both the runner up and the third will be unlucky if they aren’t placed to take a Maiden.

The Second Division looked a match on paper between the Marilyn Scudamore trained favourite, Greenwich (Scott Joynes – looking for a treble), who had shown some form under rules when trained by Nigel Twiston Davies and the David Brace trained First Tenor (Pip Jones). This proved to be the case, but the majority of punters got the two the wrong way around as it was the Welsh trained horse who quickened up and got the better of his better backed rival by three lengths. The winner should have little trouble taking a Restricted and Greenwich must be followed when reappearing in a Maiden.
This Division was ten seconds faster than the previous one and the first two look destined for better things this season. Third placed Yanto (Julian Pritchard) was unlucky to meet two rivals of this calibre and connections should be able to find an easier opportunity than this.

So, not a bad day all round; plenty of races, good sized fields and that little bit of quality. Just one thing, can the course maintenance please stop using that whitewash on the paddock rails, as it keeps making a right mess of my waxed jacket!

Results
Club Members
1.Fair Exchange (Paul Taiano)
2. Bally Wirral
3. Ann's Ambition
4l, dist.
6m34s 9 Ran

Restricted
1. Romany Chat (Andy Martin)
2.Mister Kingston
3. Orient Bay
1l, 4l
6m36s 16 Ran

Men's Open
1. Stormy Session (Scott Joynes)
2. Maitre De Musique
3. Hatcham Boy
(Odds on fav Secret Bay only 6th)
1/2l, 5l
6m35s 16 Ran

Intermediate
1. The Rural Dean (Nigel Bloom)
2. Triple Eaves
3. Persian Boy
3l, 10l
6m46s 11 Ran

Ladies Open
1. Larry's Lord (Jill Wormall)
2. Gill'mar
Only two finished
6m32s 9 Ran

Maiden (8yo+) (Div 1)
1. Running On Super (Godfrey Maundrell)
2. Celio Rufo
3. Coole Chief
10l, 10l
6m58s 10 Ran

Maiden (8yo+) (Div 2)
1. Quick Response (Scott Joynes)
2. Early Morning Call
Only two finished
6m45s 11 Ran

Maiden (5,6 & 7yo) 2.5m (Div 1)
1. Gue Au Loup (Richard Burton)
2. Rain Delay
3. Alpha Romana
Dist: 3l, hd
5m11s 11 Ran

Maiden (5,6 & 7yo) 2.5m (Div 2)
1. First Tenor (Pip Jones)
2. Greenwich
3. Yanto
Dist: 3l, dist
5m01s 6 Ran