Report on VAGSB Meeting 8th May by Laura Ellis

The Vale of Aylesbury with Garth & South Bucks at Kingston Blount

Saturday 8^th May 2010

By Laura Ellis

Official Ground: Good

Those who braved the unseasonal cold were rewarded with a competitive days racing at Kingston Blount’s third meeting of the season.

A small but competitive field of 5 went to post for the Restricted to open racing. The improving Teeton Coral (Lizzie Harris) followed up on her win at Thorpe to come home a head in front of the odds-on favourite Bynack Mhor (James Tudor). Arguably helped by the departure of Gleeson (Pete Mann) at the penultimate bend the winner went a length up before the last fence and stayed on well. “She’s a nice mare and we’ll put her away for the season now.” Said owner/trainer Joan Tice.

The 2.5 mile maiden went to Madam Molly (Adam Wedge) who appeared to enjoy getting her own way in running. Always in the first two the winner caught long time leader Solana 4 fences from home and stayed on strongly to come home ¾ length in front of the fast finishing Findlay’s Find (Gwyn Marsh). “She can be a bit of a madam, hence the name, but we had a great jockey in Adam,” Explained winning trainer Laura Hurley, who was enjoying her 3^rd win in 2 weeks and is looking to sell the winner.

Another mare took the 3 mile maiden when the aptly named Crooked Smile made amends after her unlucky run at Clifton on Dunsmore last time out. Always handy the winner tracked long time leaders Jolt (Henry Kinchen) and A Slice of Silver (David Turner) and was produced at the 3^rd last under a well-timed ride from Tom Ellis. “She’s a good little jumper,” said winner owner/trainer Jimmy Tarry “We’ve had her in for a couple of seasons but didn’t run her last year because she hadn’t quite got there, but we’ll see how she comes out of that before deciding what to do next.”

In the Ladies Open Lady Myfanwy made the long journey from Wales worthwhile when coming home ¾ length in front of Badger (Caroline Taylor) in the fastest time of the day (6 minutes 14). Confidently ridden the winner went 2^nd 3 fences from home and saw off the ever-present challenge of Badger, Avesomeofthat and Dumadic in a Hunter Chase calibre Open. “She’s just a little professional,” explained winning trainer Myfanwy Miles, “She might run again next weekend, and we’d love to head to the Ladies Hunter Chase at Stratford later in the month after that.”

The Mens equivalent went to Lord Alfred in another tight finish with Northall Lad (Joe Docker) just a neck back in 2^nd and Took My Eye (David Kemp) another 2 lengths back in 3^rd. Left in the lead at the 11^th fence the winner rallied under a strong drive from Adrian Wintle to come home in 6 minutes 25. “It was perfect for him today, he needs ground the fast side of good and loves Kingston- we’ll hopefully return for the next meeting in 3 weeks,” Said the winning owners in The Wye Friends Partnership.

The most impressive win of the day came from Peadar in the Intermediate. Ridden confidently by Nick Pearce the 4/6 Favourite took up the lead at the 14^th and was never in any danger of been caught. Alan Hill’s The Boat (James Tudor) was the closest challenger when falling 3 fences from home but the winner had plenty left and finished an easy 8 lengths in front of The Nuns Legacy (Hannah Watson). “We couldn’t decide between Kingston today or Folkestone on Wednesday for him, but he’s very lightly raced and we thought we would give him a bit more experience,” explained winning trainer Nick Pearce, “He’s got bags of ability at home and we’re excited to see him next season.”

Another easy winner came when James Tudor made amends in the Hunt Members aboard the 1/6 Favourite Bon Accord. Content to follow Mr Nabarro for a circuit and a half the winner took a slight lead at the 13^th and came home an easy 10 lengths in front of Long Courier (Tim Underwood).

A great day’s racing with some exciting prospects � for me one for the notebook would be Peadar who is bound to follow up on his 3 victories this season. Additionally the 4 year old Findlay’s Find who finished like a train in the 2.5 mile maiden and the yard already think a lot of him, I’m sure we will see him winning before the end of the season.

Posted on 30 May 2010

Preview to the VAGSB meeting this wekend

Kingston blount is host to the 3rd Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Bucks meeting this Saturday 8th May.
KB is situated just off the M40 at junction 6 postcode OX49 5FH.

Today (wednesday) Alan Hill states that the ground is Good and watering will take place to maintain this.

With 135 entries there are seven races on the card and the first is at 2pm.

This is the Restricted race, BODDINGTON LAD put in a good performance monday at Ashorne and if he were to reappear quickly it would be no suprise to see him come home in front. The Jimmy Tarry trained, Tom Ellis ridden EASY DANCER could be the one to beat here though, he was a very close second last week at the Atherstone in a race whose time was only just slower than the Ladies Open.

The ladies Open here could be one of the most exciting of the season if all the top ones took their chance, 31 entries have been made. Picking a winner will not be easy as they all have claims, Claire Allen will have the choice of CHRISTY BEAMISH or ROCKLANDSLAD, the latter trained by Alison Dare made the step up to Ladies opens a success when beating BIG MOMENT at Woodford last weekend. BIG MOMENT will be looking to reverse that form here. LADY MYFANWY, PETIT LORD and WINNING COUNSEL have each won there last races in this grade so they too deserve respect, others to note are the Alan Hill trained BALLADEER who won here back in March and The Hannah Lewis trained and ridden AVESOMEATHAT who won two Laides races here in '09 on firm ground.

BON ACCORD will be looking to return to winning form in the Mens Open, he will surely start favourite on this his local track,
worth each way money could be ASHSTORM who was a suprise winner on this track last month under his veteran rider, LORD ALFRED who has consistent form in this grade, NOVI SAD winner of a Mixed Open at Didmarton earlier in the season or THE HOOKIE BOOKIE who if returning to his best could certainly give BON ACCORD a run for his money.

16 entries have been made for the Intermediate race, Stuart Morris who has recently given up race riding has made a brilliant start to his training career and would be no suprise to see his DUKE OF KENTFORD follow up his easy win at Fakenham last weekend, he will be partnered again by Nick Pearce. Opposing him could be the Ed Walker trained NED THE POST who also comes here following a win in the Members at Woodford where Claire Allen patnered him. THE NUNS LEGACY has done nothing but improve this season and it would be no suprise to see him continue to climb the ladder.

With two maidens in the card, a 3 mile and a 2 mile 5 furlong contest there will be oppurtunity to see some exciting prospects for the future.

The concluding Hunt race boasts 7 entries, 3 of these from the local yard of Alan Hill. BYNACH MHOR will be trying to reverse the placings with MR NABORRO who won at Kimble over Easter, THE BOAT or GHONNY WITH THE BOWE look to be the two to beat if taking their chance.

Bring the picnic and lets hope the sun is shining for what promises to be a wonderful day in the countryside.

Posted on 05 May 2010

Report on VAGSB Meeting 17th April by Laura Ellis

The Vale of Aylesbury with Garth & South Berks Hunt at Kingston Blount

Saturday, 17^th April 2010

By Laura Ellis

Official Ground: Good to Firm

A huge crowd turned out in the sunshine to see a great days racing on well-watered ground. The feature race of the day was The Southern Grand National over 4m 2f.

The first leg of the Alan Hill/John Mathis double opened racing in the Confined when Mad Jack Duncan came home an easy 8 lengths in front of Velvet Dove (Pete Mann). Confidently ridden and kicking clear 5 fences from home, favourite backers were never in any doubt. “He had lost his confidence a little with Alan King, but this smaller scene is suiting him and he will probably go Summer racing next.” Advised Alan Hill of the winner.

Hill and Mathias followed up in the 4m 2f Mixed Open with Mysaynoway on her first appearance on the course since December. Ridden patiently, the winner passed long time leaders Presenting Express (Fenton Ramsahoye) and Euro Bleu (Phil York) 5 fences from home and came home on the bridle by an easy 8 lengths. Based with Alan’s mother, Sheila, the winning mare has overcome ongoing niggles at home, “She has suffered with one poisonous foot after another and I was about to give up but she’s done that really well. John has made that look easy, but she’s quite a tricky ride.” Explained Lawney Hill.

The second double of the day came from Johnny Bailey. The first leg in the 2m 5f maiden when deputising for Peter Mason aboard the promising 4 year old Turtlethomas, Mostly mid division, the winner made good headway to track the leaders 4 out to come home a convincing winner in front of Showman (Pete Mann). “Peter Mason has done all the work with him,” Advised winning owner Norman Thomas, “That’s his 4^th run this season so we’ll probably put him away for the year now, or he might head to the sales.”

The largest field of the day went to post in The Restricted where If You Must provided Johnny with the second leg of his double. Suited by the quick ground the winner settled well to make strong headway after the 13^th fence and see off the challenge of Sir Ronan (John Mathias) by 1 and a half-lengths. Owned and trained by John Pritchard and labelled as “my best hunter”, the home bred does all his work on grass strips on the farm as well as Hunting and the occasional Racing Rally at Pony Club with Ben Way, John’s step son, who also rode his first ever winner on the horse last year. “He goes best on the quick ground and we’ll probably head to our Members at Ashorne in a couple of weeks.” Advised the winning Owner/Trainer.

Reward for perseverance came in the Open Maiden race when Boddington Lad came home in front to provide Phil Nichols with his first ever winner. Knocking on the door for a while and particularly unlucky on his previous run at Whitfield when getting caught on the line by the remounted Uknowitmakessense, there was no danger this time on the quicker ground and the winner came home a convincing 10 lengths in front of Mister Cee Jay (Jack Watson) and Jolt (Henry Kinchen). “The soft ground just finished him at Whitfield, he’s much better suited to the quicker ground today. It’s great for the family too because he’s home bred, out of our winning mare Goldtrapper.” Advised the winning jockey, 19, who rides out part time at Alex Hales as well as studying at Morton Morrell College.

After a lengthy delay to allow for the return of the ambulance following the fall of Jessie Lodge who suffered a broken wrist, The Novice Riders Race went to Chicuelo who made it 2 from 2 this season, this time partnered by Ella Mahon who shares the horse with her twin sister, Lara. Mostly mid division the winner put in some fantastic jumps to pass long time leaders Baodai (Nico de Boinville) and Claridge to come home in 6 minutes 18.

On topic in The Club Members Conditions was Ashstorm (Graham Tawell) who came home in the tightest finish of the day to see off the ever-present challenge of Ambrossini (Phil York) by a short head with The King of the Angels a further 2 lengths back in third. The winner travelled well throughout and stayed on strongly from 4 fences from home to jump into the lead at the last, “He’s been in great form at home and ran off with Jimmy (Tarry) yesterday so we knew he was in good form. We originally thought we would run him in the 4 miler, but with the ground a bit quicker we thought we would stick to this race.” Advised the winning jockey.

A great days racing with generous sized field, which pay obvious credit to those who prepared the course particularly in regards to the consistent watering which equated to the equivalent of 1 inch of rain. For me, one for the notebook would be Turtlethomas who came home an impressive winner under a good ride from Johnny Bailey.

Posted on 23 Apr 2010

The Kingston Blount Racing Club

Kingston Blount Racecourse was founded in 1971 and now stages four point to point meetings each season. In order to ensure that the programme of four meetings can be maintained we are launching the Kingston Blount Racing Club.

The Oxford University Hunt Club Point to Point has a long history, but with no supporters club its future is difficult. If you would like to become involved in securing the future of this historic meeting why not consider becoming a founder member of the Kingston Blount Racing Club, which has been formed to run the meeting from 2011.

The cost of membership will be £20 per person and benefits will include a discounted car park label and voucher for a free racecard. One race on the card will be restricted to horses in the ownership of Club Members*. You will also receive a free copy of Kingston Blount’s new annual newsletter telling you all the inside information on the course and prospects for the season.

As the Club develops and grows so will the range of benefits available to its members.

To become a founder member of the Kingston Blount Racing Club or if you would like further information, please complete the tear-off slip and return it today! You will receive your membership card and further details by return.

To: Stewart Nash

14 Elland Road, Walton on Thames, Surrey KT12 3JT

From:

Name(s) ……………………………………………………………………………………

Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………….Post code

I / we would like to become a founder member(s) of the KINGSTON BLOUNT RACING CLUB. A cheque for £ ………(£20 per person), made payable to “The Kingston Blount Racing Club” is enclosed.

I am considering joining please send me further details (please tick)…….

* In 2011 the entry fee to the Club Members Race will include associate membership of the Club.

Posted on 15 Mar 2010