Review of the Berks and Bucks Draghounds meeting at Kingston Blount on Sunday 25th May 2008

The rain came to put a dampner on the final meeting of the South Midland point to point season. Even though the rain did hold off during racing, this put off many people attending. Those that did brave the weather did get some good competitive racing throughout the afternoon with plenty of runners in all but one of the races. In fact the Open Maiden over 2m 5F was split into 2 divisions as we had 16 runners entered on the day and the safety factor for this event was 14.

The Hunt Members race opened the proceedings and with only 2 runners going to post this was a tricky race to workout as Accumulus had not been seen out for a while and was making his pointing debut under Tim Lane and Running Times who has run poorly recently but capable of putting in some reasonable runs. The punters could not even split them as the pair were sent off 4/5 joint favourites and it was a very open race with Running Times generally using some stop start tactics out in front. Running Times and Accumulus looked to be having a good battle until Running Times chucked Lucy Barry out of the saddle at the 5th last fence which left Accumulus to come home alone.

The Open Maiden followed and as mentioned above this race was split into 2 divisions as 16 runners were declared and the safety factor in these races is 14. This left each of the divisions with 8 runners in each event. The first divison was won by Uncle Dan who was given a very enterprising ride by David Mansell. Uncle Dan hit the front down the backstraight on the second circuit and was always holding the challenge of Mirage Prince and the staying on Fortiszamo. Uncle Dan won this event quite comfortably and we should see him be able to score quite easily in Restricted races next season. Fortiszamo finished second and he has a small race in him, Mirage Prince finished 3rd and should also be able to score a first maiden success next season.

The second division was run in a slightly quicker time than the first and saw a very good victory for Berkeley Court under a controlled Alex Charles-Jones ride. Berkeley Court was always in pole position throughout and when push came to shove when headed on the run to the final fence he responded gamely to go on to score in convincing style by 3 lengths, this looks a very nice horse for the future and should be able to climb through the ranks next season. Artist Muse looked as if he was going to take this race after jumping the second last but just ran out of steam at the business end of the race. He should easily be able to pick up a maiden next year when filling out more throughout the summer. Highlight Girl on the other hand does look to be a bit of a non-stayer and should be monitored on her next few outings although she is still young enough to progress and perhaps get the trip better in time.

A great Mens Open race was next on the card and with many of the horses entered looking to have good chances this looked a very competitive race. They sent off To The Top the 2/1 favourite after winning at the previous Kingston meeting and also for his love of the Kingston Blount Circuit where he has won many of his races. Unfortunately, on this ocassion the going was probably against him and although James Tudor did everything he could he couldn't hold off the strong challenge of Left to Himself and Northall Lad. Left to Himself led for the majority of the race with him and To The Top taking it in turns to take the field along. Coming down to the second last Left To Himself held a decent advantage but was hard ridden by Nick Phillips. On the run round the final turn he still held a 2 to 3 length lead and with a good jump at the last looked as if victory was a mere formality. Northall Lad had other ideas and put in a bad jump at the last but sprinted on the run-in to collar the leader on the line by a head margin, many of the racegoers were shocked by this quick excelleration after a gruelling 3 mile trip. Mark Johnston called the result and many of the backers of Left to Himself could not believe the outcome of what they had just seen. Joe Docker the rider of Northall Lad was probably most surprised of all as the horse was under pressure for a while looking as if he had nothing more to give. Left To Himself was unlucky to get mugged on the line and looks a good prospect for further Mens Open races next season. Northall Lad finished his season as he began with a victory and should also continue to run well in similar events like these. Maybe To TheTop can also return to winning ways at Kingston when the ground is a little bit drier and he can make his speed come into play. All in all it was a great race to watch.

If the Mens Open race produced a dramatic finish then the Ladies Race was even more amazing with the enigmatic Free looking to repeat his victory at the previous meeting and being sent off for this race at a very short 8/13 favourite. Free ran in his usual stop start fashion coming on and off the bridle throughout but when they came down to the second last fence it looked as if there was only going to be one winner as Free was motoring and the others were looking tired. Duchamp who had opted for this race rather than taking the easier option in the Hunt Members race hit the front over the second last from the long time leader Lord Seamus and held a narrow advantage jumping the last. Free, like at the previous meeting, was running strongly out wide and as the pair of them put their heads down for the run to the line Free looked to have the stronger momentum and as they past the line Free's jockey Gemma Hutchinson thought she had won the day and gained victory as she waived her whip in the air celebrating passing the judge. This quick celebration was soon to be dampened as Duchamp was called the winner by a half length margin. Obviously the camber of the hill and the winning line caught out Miss Hutchinson on this ocassion but another great race to savour for the public.

The restricted race looked another hard race for punters to solve. Beat the Bandit was strongly supported and he was sent off the 11/10 favourite. Beat The Bandit took the field along at a very steady pace and as they came along the back straight for the second time with four to jump he still held a small advantage. Behind him loomed up checked Shirt and Arvakur who was travelling extremely nicely under Polly Gundry. Arvakur smashed through the 4th last fence and Polly Gundry did well to stay on board and after that mistake Arvakur was pushed along for a few strides but came back on the bridle and looked the winner at the 3rd last. Another bad jump again by Arvakur and these two bad mistakes cost him the race, which was left to be battled out between Beat the Bandit and Checked Shirt. Checked Shirt was travelling the stronger and ran on very well to score by a convincing 12 length victory. This was a vastly improved effort following his maiden victory earlier in the month at the course, and should continue to progress next season. Beat the Bandit just found one to good on this ocassion and needs to improve to take a similar event. Arvakur would of gone close here but for those 2 bad jumping mistakes and should easily be able to take a restricted if able to avoid these errors again.

The final race of the card and season looked a competitive maiden race. This saw the enigmatic Maddie's Dream very well supported from 5/2 into 7/4 favourite. Unfortunately for these supporters Maddie's Dream caused her usual mischief by running out under David Mansell. This horse really cannot be trusted whatsoever and should be avoided at all costs. This race was wide open with three to jump with Sorbiediditmyway out in front from Captain Valiant in second and Present Love. On the run to the second last Captain Valiant took up the running from Sorbiediditmyway who looked as if he had given his all and was weakening. Present Love was still being hard ridden by Chloe Boxhall in 3rd but was not gaining any ground on the front two. Captain Valiant battled on gamely and went on to score well from Present Love who stayed on passed Sorbiediditmyway for 2nd. Captain Valiant has not had many outings this season and should be able to score a restricted success next season, Present Love ran a good race for second and with natural improvement should also be on the scoresheet again very soon.Sorbiediditmyway needs to settle better in front but could score a little race on a better surface.

A good days racing brought the season to a close and although the site did not have any winners on this ocassion we had not fared to badly throughout the season. I hope many of you have enjoyed the site in its first season and please send any suggestions or improvements you would like to see on the site throughout the summer on the email address below.

Tom Ellis extended his lead at the top of the leader board with Checked Shirt and was a worthy winner of the North Oxfordshire Wine's Gentlemen Riders Championship. Chloe Boxhall also recorded a winner on the day with Duchamp to comfortably take the Lady Riders Championship but she unfortunately missed out on taking the Novice Riders Championship finishing second behind David Bass.

Looking forward only 7 months to go until we start these crazy games all over again.

Wishing all our visitors a very enjoyable summer break and don't forget to check out the site for all the latest news and of course the new fixture list for next season.

Please email any comments to info@southmidlandp2p.co.uk