REVIEW |
The national point to point
season ended in a heatwave with an enormous crowd basking in
sunshine and enjoying as good a racing as the Torrington Farmers
have put on in several years.
The area's leading lady rider, Lucy Gardner 71 points (13 wins) finished on a high with a win on Krystal Tip in the Restricted, stealing the race with a brave effort at the last fence, having stalked the field for the best part of three miles. The area's
leading gentleman rider, Les Jefford (74 points, 9 wins) had to
settle for two seconds, one on Happy Team in the opening Confined
hunts race and another on Darcy Jones in the first division of the
maiden. The area Andrew
Glassonbury won the Intermediate on Mark Treneer's Itworked,
beating Mary McCarthy (Nimbus Stratus) in to second place by a
neck. It was an expensive neck at that as the points earned from a
win would have won the The men's novice title went to Liam Heard who was in no danger of losing it on the last day but picked up a point to end on 42 points (4 wins). Derek
McKenna took the incident-packed men's open on Defendtherealm,
favourite Pretoria Dancer having to retrace after being hampered
early on by riderless Kingsbridge. Despite a gallant effort from
Pretoria Dancer's The ladies open proved an easy victory for another firm ground lover Badger Beer (Rilly Goschen). Mandy Hand on Guru Rinpoche threw down the gauntlett on the final circuit but Badger Beer was able to draw away from the top of the hill for a 12 length victory. Only two
finished in the final maiden, which was sponsored by Aileen and Ron
Wosley to mark the forthcoming wedding between westcountry video
man Jeff Guyett and his girlfriend Sarah Wosley. There was quite a
battle Long time
commentator Peter Wakeham, who is also a course inspector, steward
and chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Point to Point Secretaries
Association, was scheduled to receive a painting, commissioned from
racing Restricted: 1, Krystal Tip, Miss L Gardner; 2, Minster Belle, P Sheldrake; 3, Tabernacle, A Glassonbury. Eight ran, 5l, 3l, 6.21. Men's Open: 1, Defendtherealm, D McKenna; 2, Mr Maggett, R Hawker; 3, Calleva Star, R Woollacott. Eight ran, 4l, 3l, 6.15. Ladies' Open: 1, Badger Beer, Miss R Goschen; 2, Guru Rinpoche, Mrs M Hand; 3, Sea Spirit, Miss T Cave. Six ran 12l, 4l, 6.06. Intermediate: 1, Itworked, A Glassonbury; 2, Nimbus Stratus, Miss M McCarthy; 3, Touching Down, W Biddick. Three ran, nk, 1/2l, 6.21. Open Maiden Div One: 1, Snowtre, A Wintle; 2, Darcy Jones, L Jefford; 3, Harnage, Miss C Prouse. Nine ran, 1l, 8l, 6.18. Div Two: 1, Iron Buck, G Barfoot-Saunt; 2, Drom Island, Mrs L Rowsell.. Seven ran, only two finished. 1/2l, 6.22. |