Flint and Denbigh Hunt Point-to-point at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, Sunday 12th March 2017
Good evening all,
Sunday 12th March saw the annual Flint and Denbigh Hunt Point-to-point meeting at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse. Now, before I go any further, as a few of you may have gathered, much of the focus was on the Cheltenham Festival that was starting in two days time, and many would have been forgiven for thinking that the focus was obviously going to be elsewhere, as people finalised their bets, outfits, beverage choice and restaurant choices for the upcoming week.
Try telling that to the racegoers who turned up to Bangor. Once again, the meeting attracted a great crowd, which is absolutely fantastic for the time of year. Many thanks for attending!
On with the racing action, and after the Pony racing had been run, at 1pm the main events began, with the 'Whittingham Riddell Open Maiden Race', over 3 miles. Now with every maiden race, there is a large degree of competitiveness, and this rendition was no exception. The race was won by PRESENT IN COURT and Ed Glassonbury, who won by 5 lengths from Stowaway Sooty and G. Crow. Subsequently, we learnt that Present in Court has been sold to a stable in Ireland at the Goffs Aintree Sales on 6th April, selling for £65,000. A very exciting prospect, we look forward to seeing where his exploits will take him in his new adventure.
Race 2 was the 'Rathbones Mixed Open Race', run over 3 miles. The first two past the post would be eligible for the Skinners Ladies Open Final at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on Friday 9th June, and there was to be an added bonus for the winner, as that horse would go on to be eligible for the Timico Mixed Open Final at Cheltenham, on Hunter Chase Evening (Friday 5th May). Second past the post was the pair of Diamond Dolly and Miss L. Brooke, but they were a full 15 lengths behind the impressive NOW BEN, ridden by Alex Edwards for the powerful Philip Rowley stable. The victory should have been impressive, a few might say, as his primitive odds of 1/2F showed strong market confidence, ultimately prevailing. Well done to all connections, hopefully see you at Cheltenham in two weeks time!
Race 3 was the 'Miles Macadam Surfacing Confined Hunts Race', run over 3 miles. Having won at the previous meeting, the eyes were on the 14 year old veteran COTTAGE OAK, and he did not disappoint, at odds of 7/4 for Henry Crow and trainer Joseph O'Shea. As many will know from our previous publication, Cottage Oak was retired the following month, and so this was to be his final victory of his career, winning by 10 lengths from Numbercruncher and David O'Brien in second, with Hellorboston and Abbie McCain a further 8 lengths behind in third.
Race 4 was the 'Roberts, Roberts & Jones - NFU Mutual Ruthin Intermediate Race, run over 3 miles. The first two horses past the post, excluding four-year-olds, would qualify for the £7,000 3m 1.5f Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate P-t-P Championship Final Hunter Chase, to be held on Hunter Chase Evening at Cheltenham on 5th May. The successful duo were Shan't Agree and DESERT STING, who followed up his win a few weeks earlier at the track by scooting up by 10 lengths, with Ed Glassonbury doing the steering to record a double for the day so far. Desert Sting is a horse relishing the trip over fences, perhaps the trainer Oliver Greenall would be tempted to go chasing over NH with him next season?
Race 5 was the 'Camgas Restricted Race', again run over 3 miles, with the winning horse qualifying for the Subaru Restricted Point-to-Point Series Final at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, Friday 9th June. The winner, and therefore eligible for the race, was another recent course winner, GARDE VILLE, who with Stephen Davies aboard, stayed on strongly after jumping the final fence in third place, to record a 5 length win, rallying strongly for Stephen's urges. Congratulations to connections!
The penultimate race of the day was the 'Volvo Four, Five and Sixy-year-olds Open Maiden Race', over 2m 4f. The first three would qualify for the Goffs Spring Sale Point-to-point Bumpers. Those three were Baily Smile, Spoilt Sam and GOFORTHECRAIC, who romped home by 25 lengths under that man again, Ed Glassonbury, at 5/4f. A treble for the day for Ed, and a great win for trainer Sam Allwood; it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the horse.
The final race of the day was the 'Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital Eight-year-olds and over PPORA Club Members Conditions Race', over 3 miles. A field of 16 went to post for an extremely competitive contest, but with competitiveness also came drama, as at the second fence Mattara got far too close and barely took off, giving Abbie McCain no chance of staying on. In the resulting tumble, Abbie received a nasty kick, but thankfully nothing too serious. The race was eventually won by LOTUS POND and P. Bryan for the Willie Bryan stable, at odds of 10-1, winning by 12 lengths from Swift Escape and Rob Jarrett, with Trafficker and David O'Brien a further 7 lengths back in third. Well done to the connections of Lotus Pond.
And that brings all the winners of the races to the fore. We round up this piece with one last image, of a couple of hunters showing that it's not just the thoroughbreds that can jump!
If you like these pictures, and would like to see some more of any horses that we have not yet covered, please feel free to contact ourselves in the usual manner.
Twitter - @JTWEquineImag
E-mail - JTWEquineImages@outlook.com
Next up for review - Bitterley Races, 1st April!
Cheers,
Jack.
