Go Pointing - 12th November, 2021

12 November 2021

GOPOINTING the weekly guide to your sport

AINTREE KINGS VICTORIOUS AT REVESBY PARK

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER KNIGHTWICK RACES at KNIGHTWICK

SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER DUNSMORE RACING CLUB at DUNSMORE

7m West of Worcester on A44 - WR6 5PJ Provisional Going: Good, Good to Soft in places First Race: 12pm Number of Races: 6 Number of Entries: 66 Admission Prices: £16 for E-Tickets from 7th to 13th November £20 on the gate - Cash or Card Under 16’s free.

Situated near the village of Silverton, eight miles north of Exeter, south west of Cullompton. EX5 4DU Provisional Going: Good to Soft First Race: 12pm Number of Races: 6 Number of Entries: 42 Admission Prices: £15, per person, card or cash on the gate, which includes a free racecard. Under 16’s Free.

IN THE FRAME Who was capturing the action last weekend?

Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net Portman at Badbury Rings

#gopointing

Nico Morgan www.nicomorgan.com South Wold at Revesby Park (front cover image)

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MEETING PREVIEWS Miss Seagreen ( Sam Jukes) Photo: Phil Britt philbrittphotos.zenfolio.com

KNIGHTWICK RACES at KNIGHTWICK

Alcester based Nick and Ella Pearce rely on Azzuri and Workbench.

The former is having his first run between the flags whereas Workbench in an established performer in this type of company.

Sunday, 14 October

by Peter Mansell

Iftiraaq was placed twice last year, but like Knockedoutloaded and Haven’t Time look destined to fight it out for one of the minor placings.

The first meeting of the newly formed West Mercian Area takes place on Sunday afternoon with crowds allowed to return after a two-season sabbatical due to Covid.

The Mixed Open has attracted top class horses including two already mentioned earlier in the preview Miss Seagreen and TheDellercheckout. That appears their easiest options as in this race Ballymoy, Zamparelli and Trio for Rio appear to have stronger claims.

Knightwick is the best supported of the weekend fixtures but entries have still not returned to pre-Covid levels.

Last year’s Champion Rider James King is pencilled in for several rides at the Dunsmore meeting in Devon and this provides an opportunity for Tommie O’Brien (one of his main rivals for the Area Title) to capitalise on his absence.

Ballymoy made hay whilst the sun shone during the summer, winning three races and holding every chance until falling at the last at Stratford, so we know he will be race fit.

O’Brien has a good chance of taking the opener, the PPORA Conditions where he partners Miss Seagreen (pictured above) for Dymock owner Clive Bennett. She proved too good for Southfield Theatre at Larkhill last year and was placed behind some top-class horses later in the season and is sure to give her supporters a run for their money.

Zamparelli has a Ludlow Hunter Chase to his credit, but this could be another winner for Tommie O’Brien as he teams up with Clive Boultbee-Brooks Trio for Rio who never runs a bad race but might be vulnerable of his seasonal debut.

Ridgeway Flyer and Mr Caffrey who was still in front of Hawkhurst when falling at the final obstacle at Pyle last weekend could make amends and provide Fred Philipson-Stow with his first success.

The Caroline Robinson trained Ryans Fancy and The Dellercheckout are among potential opponents. The latter is top rated, but there have to be question marks over both of them, with Ryans Fancy pulling up on three occasions last season, while The Dellercheckout disappointed at Fakenham after a promising run at Barbury.

O’Brien has the chance to record a long-priced treble in the 5-year-old and upwards Maiden with the un-raced Felicie du Marquis. Admittedly, this is a speculative selection, as she has no racecourse experience, but she is in the right stable, is able to claim the mare’s allowance and is up against horses that have already had plenty of opportunities.

Findlay’s Find won the opening race at the initial fixture at this venue back in 2018. He is being lined up for a return and should provide safe passage for Patsy Page who works for trainer Julie Mansell. #gopointing

To read full meeting preview, click here

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MEETING PREVIEWS

MEETING PREVIEWS

DUNSMORE RACING CLUB at DUNSMORE

course two seasons ago, and Broadclyst for the Les Jefford team could be another close at the finish.

Sunday, 14 November

by Donna Harris

The Restricted race looks another exciting race with Clever des Assence having won his maiden race at Cothelstone last season for trainer Laura Jones, and has the booking of regular jockey Natalie Parker to ride. They could have the Treneer family trained Eole D’un Regard tracking them hoping to steal the race at the finish and improve on their decent place form last season.

Being a Cheltenham hunters’ chase final qualifier it has attracted top rated entries, which include Thumb Stone Blues, (pictured above) for last season’s Point-to-Point National winning jockey James King, and Chameron who is equally rated for trainer Sam Loxton, with the booking of jockey Ben Sutton to ride. Southfield Theatre is another who could go well for trainer Sara Bradstock, with the family yard already saddling a winner this season.

The final race of the day is for Maiden horses of six years and over in which the highly rated Truckers Pass, for the Tom Malone/Will Biddick combination, setting the standard with his consistent place form under rules when in training with Philip Hobbs. Kahaleesi looks an interesting entry for the Alan Hill team, with her mares weight allowance and the booking of Izzy Marshall to ride.

This meeting offers quality over quantity of entries and the day starts at 12 noon, with The Goffs UK sponsored Maiden race for four and five year old’s, where the Tom Malone-trained Captain Westie could start his maiden career here with Will Biddick booked to ride.

They could come up against Park This One who looks to be the ride for Josh Newman and will be looking to improve on their third at Cothelstone in May for trainer Neil Mclean.

On course facilities include hot and cold food and refreshments, bar, bookies and trade stands. Live streaming will again take place headed by Cornelious Lysaght. This can be accessed via Live Streaming. Costs are £12 per view (plus a small Eventbrite admin fee) for the full action packed day of horse racing in Devon and Cornwall, and can be seen on your Iphone or computer with the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk. A special offer for 40 tickets to view all the broadcasts throughout the season at a discounted total cost of £75, is being promoted at the beginning of the season from https://pointingdc.eventbrite.... and this offer is expected to be taken up quickly. Off course betting is available via Dave Phillips directly on 07810775119. Entrance to the course is £15, per person, card or cash on the gate, which includes a free racecard. Under 16’s Free. Course is located at Dunsmore, Silverton EX5 4DU.

In the first Conditions race, entry Thumb Stone Blues should go close if connections choose this race over the Mixed Open. He could come up against Ridgeway Flyer, who had some decent form under rules when with Paul Nicholls, and could be freshened up in the Pointing field and is now in training with Chloe Newman.

In the second Conditions race, which is sponsored by Angela Prouse Mortgage advisors, Bridge Of Spies could go well if defying top weight for the George Beilby team to follow up on his Flete Park and Bratton Down wins. The Roestone for team Chanin won at this Broadclyst (Tom Chanin) Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net

#gopointing

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LATEST RESULTS BADBURY RINGS 07/11/2021

12:00 1. SOUTHFIELD LILY (GB) Miss L. Bradstock 6-1 2. MONTY SEARLE (GB) W. Biddick 2-1F 3.

CHINA HILL (GB) Tommie O’Brien 5-2 (5 ran).

12:35 1. TWIG (GB) B. Morgan 6-4F 2. TOM BARTON (GB) Charlie Sprake 4-1 3.

KNOCKADERRY FLYER (IRE) H. Greasby 6-1 (6 ran).

1:10 1. WHERE’S WILMA (GB) M. Hampton 6-4F 2. EXXARO (IRE) C. Houlihan 7-1 3.

SHANOULE WOOD (IRE) Charlie Marshall 6-1 (10 ran).

1:45 1. LE LIGERIEN (FR) Tommie O’Brien 4-1 2. SKY MARSHAL (IRE) Milo Herbert 4-1 3.

LLANCILLO LORD (IRE) Miss Megan Bevan 12-1 (7 ran).

2:20 1. HEY SOUL SISTER (FR) W. Biddick 5-4F 2. SCHIAP HILL (GB) Charlie Marshall 4-1 3.

UN HUIT HUIT (IRE) M. McIntyre 5-1 (5 ran).

2:55 1. DOCK OF THE BAY (GB) M. McIntyre 9-4 2. JIMMY TEW (GB) D. Edwards 4-1 3.

SAFE HARBOUR (IRE) C. Houlihan 6-4F (6 ran).

REVESBY PARK 07/11/2021 12:00 1. MANICMAN (IRE) Joe Wright 2-5F 2. NAME AND SHAME (IRE) Huw Edwards 7-4 (2 ran).

12:35 1. ALFOSKI (IRE) H. Crow 7-2 2. TRES FRANCAIS (GB) Miss I. Marshall 7-2 3.

CALYPSO STORM (IRE) Miss J. I. Bedi 8-1 (6 ran).

1:10 1. COUSIN PASCAL (FR) James King 1-2F 2. SALVATORE (GB) B. W. Bromley 6-4 3.

GAME AS A PHEASANT (GB) Ben Smoult 6-1 (3 ran).

1:45 1. FEUILLE DE LUNE (FR) Miss A. Stevens 4-9F (3 ran).

2:20 1. CAVE QUEEN (IRE) L. Humphrey 7-1 2. BALLYMAC BOY (IRE) Miss G. Andrews 5-2 (4 ran).

2:55 1. EARLSHILL (IRE) Miss L. Burton 5-1 2. EARLY RETIREMENT (IRE) T. McClorey 11-4 3.

COOKING FAT (GB) Miss C. Dun 10-1 (6 ran).

3:30 1. SANTOS BLUE (GB) James King 4-7F 2. FOXCOTE (GB) Jack Andrews 15-8 3.

BOURNE TO DANCE (IRE) J. Robottom 7-2 (3 ran).

WEEKEND SPEED FIGURES DUNSMORE 14/11/2021

12:00 THE FOUR AND FIVE YEARS OLD MAIDEN RACE: Park This One (IRE) (74) 12:35 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2): Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) (108) The Roestone (IRE) (100) Guerrilla Tactics (IRE) (92) Inch Rock (IRE) (90) 1:10 THE DUNSMORE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3), FOR VETERAN AND NOVICE RI DERS: Bridge of Spies (IRE) (112) The Roestone (IRE) (100) Somewhere To Be (IRE) (94) Guerrilla Tactics (IRE) (92) 1:45 THE INEOS GRENADIER MIXED OPEN RACE: Chameron (FR) (133) Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) (125) Static Jack (IRE) (115) Hawkhurst (IRE) (110) 2:20 THE RESTRICTED RACE: Eole d’Un Regard (FR) (102) Mustmeetforapint (IRE) (98) Stevan Steel (IRE) (87) Clever des Assence (FR) (86) 2:55 THE SIX YEARS OLD AND OVER MAIDEN RACE: Aracaras (IRE) (96) Da Vinci Rock (FR) (92) Evron (FR) (78) KNIGHTWICK 14/11/2021 12:00 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS WEST MERCIAN AREA CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2 ): Miss Seagreen (GB) (110) Iftiraaq (IRE) (104) Brown Bear (IRE) (94) Workbench (FR) (93) 12:35 THE RESTRICTED RACE: Spivey Cove (GB) (100) Winter Holiday (GB) (99) Sergeant Brody (GB) (96) 1:10 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3), FOR NOVICE RIDERS: Dr Time (IRE) (110) Emerald Chieftan (IRE) (104) Iftiraaq (IRE) (104) Our Three Sons (IRE) (98) Brown Bear (IRE) (91) 1:45 THE MIXED OPEN RACE: Zamparelli (IRE) (129) Trio For Rio (IRE) (123) Miss Seagreen (GB) (122) The Dellercheckout (IRE) (99) 2:20 THE FIVE YEARS OLD AND OVER MAIDEN RACE, 2M4F: Spivey Cove (GB) (100) Midnight Jitterbug (GB) (66) 2:55 THE OPEN MAIDEN RACE: Evron (FR) (78) Festin d’Un Soir (FR) (78) Park This One (IRE) (74) #gopointing

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MEETING REPORTS

Le Ligerien (Tommie O’Brien) Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net

THE PORTMAN HUNT at Badbury Rings

John near Bath, the six year-old gelding gave Beau his first two career winners last season and on this evidence the progressive Sulamani gelding will be one to follow this season. Beau who is 16 has now left school and is working at the National Hunt yard of Ben Pauling as his stable amateur where his brother Luca is the conditional jockey. This was only his sixth ever ride and Matt was full of praise of Beau and said that ‘this gives him such a buzz to see young riders like Beau start their careers in such a promising way’.

Sunday, 7 November

by Bob Bracher

A bright sunny day with a strong breeze heralded the start of the Wessex Point-to-Point season when the Portman held their meeting at Badbury Rings. A large crowd gathered to enjoy the six competitive races, on going described by many riders as being ‘perfect’, on the popular Dorset course. The experiment of moving from their traditional April date paid off with the weather playing its part to ensure that racegoers could enjoy the spectacle of live racing without many of the restrictions that were faced last season. On the course there was an unusual double for Matt Hampton, a welcome winner for trainer Marie McGuinness and a promising introduction to racing of a 4 year old filly ridden by Will Biddick and trained by Chris Barber.

Matt then resumed his usual role as a jockey when partnering Where’s Wilma to win the Richard Miller Memorial Conditions race. Held up off the pace the mare stayed on strongly to beat Exxaro ridden by Connor Houlihan by a length and a half. Now aged eleven, the mare has improved out of all recognition since being partnered with Matt and this was their fifth victory together. Owned and trained by Michael and Sheila Watson and the Not So Innocent Partnership the mare is only one of two horses trained by them near Tiverton. Formerly living at Henstridge on the Dorset/Somerset border there were many old acquaintances of the Watsons who were delighted to see them record the victory at the course.

The feature race, the Savills sponsored Mixed Open, saw a competitive field of seven horses face the starter. The prolific grey Apple’s Queen was strongly fancied to win another race for trainer Sally Alner and rider Natalie Parker but he faded over the final four fences. Sky Marshal ridden by Milo Herbert boasted good form from Ireland but he proved no match for Le Ligerien (pictured above) ridden by Tommie O’Brien and owned by David Churches. A three time winner over Hurdles when trained by Philip Hobbs he was transferred back to the care of Marie McGuinness where he started his racing career at Badbury Rings in April 2018. Now trained by Marie at her new base at Pontispool near Taunton David advised that the gelding had had a wind operation in the summer which seemed to have helped. Tommie took his time to get into the race but with a following wind down the home straight he drew away from his rivals to record a five lengths victory. There should be more to come from the gelding on the evidence of this performance.

The day began with the two and-a-half mile Maiden race sponsored by Trethowans. The outsider of the field of five was the five year-old mare Southfield Lily ridden by Lily Bradstock and trained by her mother Sara. Despite refusing to race on her last outing under Rules at Newton Abbot this time Lily took her mount to the front at an early stage and despite the effort of Will Biddick aboard the newcomer Monty Searle, the combination of the two Lily’s was not to be beaten. Her enthusiastic owner Angela Yeoman expressed her surprise and delight in welcoming her home bred mare into the winner’s enclosure. Explaining the improvement in her form Sara said that Lily had taken her team chasing with the Heythrop and this had improved her confidence. Lily said that some of her jumping reminded her of the front running Southfield Theatre aboard whom Lily has enjoyed much success.

Matt’s double began when Beau Morgan steered Twig to a one and half-length victory over course specialist Tom Barton ridden by Charlie Sprake in the Domvs Estate Agents sponsored Novice Riders Race. Trained by Matt at his base at Peasedown St #gopointing

To read full meeting report, click here

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MEETING REPORTS

MEETING REPORTS

SOUTH WOLD at Revesby Park

Snail Partnership, a syndicate of local owners which includes previous owner Johnny Weatherby. ” We wanted to get some local people involved because we feel it is good for pointing to have some new owners involved,” Kelly told me. “She was a bit more novicey than I though in the first circuit, but with the ground the way it has been, all of her work has been done on the all-weather track, limited to six furlongs.”

Sunday, 7 November

by Nico Morgan The Revesby meeting may have kicked off the Midlands 20212022 point-to-point season unusually early this weekend, but the public came in droves and enjoyed some excellent racing in the autumn sunshine.

When I’m Ready (Tom McClorey) pulled up and Imperial Imp (Joe Wright) fell at the second last.

Many thanks to Clerk of the Course Adrian Dant who produced an excellent track which provided good racing ground throughout the day’s racing and attracted runners from far and wide.

The Restricted race brought a popular victory for owner/trainer Luke Humphrey and Cave Queen, one of only two horses in training. Second to Black Jasper here last year, the pair went one better this time, despite a close finish with Ballymac Boy (Gina Andrews). Envious Editor had been the hot favourite going into this one, hoping to give jockey Alice Stevens a double and Joe O’Shea a treble on the day, but fell at the second last.

Cool Desire (John Dawson) ran out at the last.

Only two of the four entered runners declared for the opening race, the Intermediate. Annabelle Sowray-trained Manicman (Joe Wright) was the bookies odds-on favourite, but Name and Shame (Huw Edwards), trained in Shropshire by Simon Edwards provided a good challenge, leading for much of the race before ceding the lead in the final stages.

The Veteran Conditions race, the last race of the day over fences, also produced the best finish. Clondaw Westie and Izzie Marshall went off as favourites for the Alan Hill stable but pulled up at the start of the final lap. This left Tom McCLorey and the Gerald Bailey-trained Early Retirement in the lead where they stayed until the run-in. Jumping the last three lengths clear or so, they were chased home by Cooking Fat (C. Dun), coming from some way behind, and Earlshill (Lucy Burton), the latter finding some extra and heading the leader in the final few strides to win by half a length.

The Melvyn Leach Maiden was next, for which six runners came forward, with representatives from the yards of Tom Ellis, Alan Hill, Philip Rowley, Joe O’Shea and Cherry Coward amongst them. Let’s Getaway, the mount of Jack Andrews, started as marginal favourite with the bookmakers, and was up there with the leaders when he fell in the final stages. Alfoski, ridden

by Henry Crow, made all the running, and even had more to give in the run in when challenged hard by Tres Francais (Izzie Marshall), who finished two lengths back. Third was Calypso Storm, two lengths behind these.

All point-to-point areas are using finish line technology this season, in the hope of reducing any human error. This expensive technology has been very kindly donated by Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock, to whom we are incredibly grateful.

The winner was bought from Doncaster by Joe O’Shea, for whom Crow rides out. “He’s a very sweet horse and when I ride him out at home he’s a joy really,” the jockey said.

O’Shea followed up his success in the Maiden with a quickfire double in the Mixed Open. James King rode the Foxhunter’s winner Cousin Pascal, at the start of his next Aintree campaign, to an impressive victory. The Philip Rowley-trained Salvatore, with Ben Bromley in the plate, put up a valiant challenge, keeping the winner honest until a few from home, and finished six lengths back. Ben Smoult rode Game As A Pheasant for Cherry Coward into third.

The last race of the day was a point-to-point flat race over two miles, but only actually raced for the final lap or so. Alan Hilltrained Santos Blue won this for the trainer and Nick Sutton, with Champion Jockey James King in the plate. Foxcote, ridden

by Jack Andrews, finished six lengths behind them, with Bourne To Dance (J. Robottom) a way back in third.

At this point in every report we normally refer the reader to our next meeting, in a couple of weeks time. on this occasion, however, our next meeting will be on the 27th February of next year, when the Cottesmore will welcome us to the first of five meetings at Garthorpe.

The Midlands Area’s Kelly Morgan marked her return to training pointers after a spell under rules with victory in the Maiden Conditions race, next on the card. Alice Stevens piloted Feuille de Lune in an impressive display for the wonderfully named

Manicman (Joe Wright) Nico Morgan nicomorgan.com

#gopointing

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PPRC RATINGS ON THE CLOCK The doom merchants would have us believe that a low number of entries will result in small fields and uncompetitive racing. The facts would seem to differ however as borne out by last weekend’s fayre.

Headline act at the South Wold was COUSIN PASCAL (89) – appearing for the first time since his momentous Aintree Foxhunter’s success in the spring. Bossing the race and the fractions from the front, he had too many guns for prolific winner Salvatore. A tactical race where the overall pace was steady was never going to generate a fast figure, Cousin Pascal nevertheless looks set for a successful season.

Somewhat surprisingly, the race that left the biggest impression on the day was the Maiden Conditions which saw The Kelly Morgan trained FEUILLE DE LUNE (FR) (93) make her British debut. Strongly supported in the ring beforehand and looking outstanding in the paddock, she was a little sticky over the first four obstacles but quickly warmed to her task and moved 15 lengths clear with a circuit to go, ultimately coasting home alone after her nearest ‘challenger’ Imperial Imp had tumbled two from home. On form, the race is difficult to assess but the time suggests she will have no problem in landing a Restricted and could well upgrade further – particularly over shorter trips.

The Portman meeting was graced with a large crowd who witnessed some excellent racing, some promising maidens and a progressive performer in TWIG (114).

The latter has figured in this column before having posted a figure of 112 at Upcott Cross at the backend of last season and showed that rating to be no fluke with a smooth success in the first of the Conditions races. A half – brother to 128 rated hurdler Skidoosh, this was Twig’s third success from just 5 starts, and he looks sure to add to his tally.

WHERE’S WILMA (107) is a strong stayer and needed all the 3 miles trip in the following race before finally gaining the upper hand on the run from the last. The figure posted here is in line with her overall form assessment, but her best performance probably came when a close third to Know the Score over 4 miles at Flete last April, and a close eye should be kept if she re-appears in a race over an extended trip.

Of the younger horses on show, the most noteworthy performance came from DOCK OF THE Where’s Wilma (Matt Hampton) BAY (98) in the concluding Photo: Tim Holt timholt@talktalk.net maiden. Out the back for the majority of the contest, he made smooth headway as the race fell apart in front of him and finished strongly to land the spoils close home. A 110 rated hurdler with previous spells at Paul Nicholls and David Pipe, he has the scope to progress again with the Jefford team who did so well with another previous inmate of the Pipe yard, Purple n’ Gold.

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TRAINER TALK GEORGIE NICHOLLS

Georgie Nicholls has been riding and training in Oxfordshire on and off since the late 1990s, originally under her maiden name of Browne writes Jake Exelby Photo: Caroline Exelby

Based at Kingston Lisle near Lambourn, she trains a string of five, including last year’s Mollington winner Old Guard, who daughter Olive – hoping to follow in the footsteps of famous father and multiple champion rules trainer Paul and older sister Megan in the saddle – expects to be among her first rides between the flags when she turns 16 next month. Jake Exelby spoke to mother and daughter before the start of the new season to interrogate the pair on their plans for the coming campaign.

Alongside Old Guard, Georgie hopes to run two-mile specialist Capitaine, maiden BB Kiddo and promising three-year-old Pat Anita this year and, as I arrive, Olive is tacking-up last year’s Revesby Park bumper third Calling London for jumping and gridwork in their manege. “Olive’s brilliant in the school,” confirms her proud mother. “We’ve got about 20 in the yard in total, including breakers and pre-trainers, and I still ride out five or six a day. In fact, I had this mad notion that I might put my boots on again and go and ride in a race with Olive!” A statement which leads us neatly on to Georgie’s career in the saddle, which lasted from her late teens until her midtwenties and comprised “Only about 40-50 rides,” four wins between the flags and one Hunter Chase success. “I was 19,” confirms Georgie of her start, “And was so keen that I’d ride anything I was asked, even if it wasn’t broken in!”

The first horse I rode was Lake Mission – we were second to the likes of Di Stefano and (dual Cheltenham Foxhunters winner) Earthmover in our first season and won twice in our second, including at Wolverhampton when they had pointing there. It was like a speedway track.”

“There were some serious girls riding at the time,” continues Georgie. “The likes of Alison Dare, Shirley Vickery and the Pollys – Curling and Gundry. It was terrifying going into the changing room – I’d rather take my clothes off in the paddock!”

Georgie’s biggest success came on Game Gunner, a 100/1 winner of the Ladies Hunter Chase on Horse & Hound Cup day at Stratford in 2001. “He was a chance ride,” she laughs. “There was a blank against his name where a jockey should have been and Weatherbys phoned me up about five minutes before the deadline saying, ‘I’ve got the trainer on the line. Do you want the ride?’ I’d never seen the horse before but said yes before I looked up the form – he was a nineyear-old twice raced maiden! When I got to the paddock, he was huge – about 18 hands. The owner told me to just canter him round and that she’d be delighted #gopointing

to finish in the first five but trainer John Allen had got him really fit and there were only two in front of me approaching the last. I thought, ‘I ought to do something now,’ and we got up on the line to win by a head. I couldn’t even celebrate as nobody knew I was riding him!”

“My parents had moved to Kingston Lisle from Somerset,” Georgie adds to the story of how she got into pointing, “And I had eventers – which was always my passion – but it was hard to make it work financially. I started riding out for Charlie Morlock, who was really good to me, I was offered Lake Mission, who I went on to train myself and I ended up with eight or nine pointers. I don’t really know how it grew. I started training when I was 21 and had a lovely bunch of owners – the likes of Maggie Luck and Susie Samworth,

she reflects. “He was always one of my biggest supporters.” Georgie is refreshingly honest about the different between training between the flags and professionally. “It’s difficult for average pointers to take the step up in better company,” she admits. “It takes time, and you need to regroup. After all, when you train pointers, they’re all three-mile chasers. You have to do things differently under rules.”

After a break from training in her own name when she married champion trainer Paul and moved to Ditcheat, Georgie returned to Kingston Lisle and the sport she grew up with when the relationship ended, looking after three horses – including former Grand National favourite Shakalakaboomboom for Camilla Henderson, daughter of another champion trainer in the form of Nicky.

“I’ve known the Hendersons for about 100 years,” jokes Georgie. “And Camilla lives locally.”

This season will see Olive making her debut in the saddle over fences and the mature 15-year-old told me about her hopes, starting with Old Guard.

“He hasn’t really got anything to prove, I don’t think he’ll run too often and he won’t be ready for a while,” she admits.

“But I’m quite excited about him – I’ve done all his flat work and schooling, including at Nicky Henderson’s with the likes of Altior and Champ! We like to do different things with him, so he’s been out hunting and I ride him up to the White Horse at Uffington.”

Olive and Calling London in the menege Photo: Caroline Exelby

for whom I trained Dictum. It didn’t occur to me that I was young, although when I got more experience, I could say things with more conviction.”

Georgie retired as she got sent more horses, explaining, “I loved riding and didn’t want to stop, but I don’t think you can train and ride at the same time. It was fun when I just had a handful of horses, but it became logistically difficult to spread myself in too many different directions.”

As her pointing operation expanded, Georgie took out a licence at the age of 23 and enjoyed her biggest success when Phar Bleu, owned by the late Andy Stewart, won the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow in 2004. “It’s such a shame that Andy passed away recently,”

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Olive turns 16 on December 13th and – while OId Guard won’t be ready to run that early, she has big plans for the Larkhill fixture the following Sunday. “I’m hoping to ride Monsieur Gibraltar for Dad – he’s in training with Will Biddick and I’ve ridden him a lot down there. I’m also hoping to ride Sametegal – who’s now with Sam Loxton – this season as he’s eligible to run in points.” That’s a nice trio of mounts for the young lady!

“I’ll definitely stay pointing for a couple of seasons at least,” confirms Olive of her ambitions. “I’ve also got eventers and I can do eventing in the summer and pointing in the winter. I don’t want to turn professional too soon, split myself and do two jobs badly. In the long term, I’d love to train.”

Georgie agrees with her daughter’s restrained approach, saying, “I think kids are in too much of a hurry to get going under rules and think they should do four or five years pointing first to gain experience – some of them have www.pointtopoint.co.uk

hardly ridden over fences before they turn professional. That’s why I like Novice Riders races – you pair older, more experienced horses with younger jockeys. Indeed,” she smiles, “I think any horse over ten should be ridden by someone under 22!” She turns serious for a moment. “When I was a novice, the horses taught me everything, which is why you don’t become a decent pilot from getting on dodgy maidens.” Olive concurs. “Once you’ve got the experience, you can start riding the younger horses.”

Further down the line, what about ten-year-old Zara, who currently races Shetland ponies. “I know she wants to pony race”, confirmed her older sister, “But not for a couple of years until she’s bigger and stronger. I raced when I was nine and ten and I was tiny. The ones I rode were like mini-racehorses.” Olive, frank as her mother, admits that she never really took to pony racing. “I have much more fun winning when I’m eventing,” she confesses, “Because I’ve done everything with the horse myself.

On the ponies, you’re only really steering them. You learn more about race-riding on the Shetlands – the tracks are much tighter and you have to be tactical.”

With Harriet Tucker – who rode Old Guard to victory last season – now focusing on her career under rules, Georgie tells me that Peter Bryan is likely to get some

opportunities. “He comes and rides every day,” she tells me, “And helps with the breakers. He’s as excited as me about Pat Anita. Harriet’s still very much part of the team though. She’s stark raving mad – she bounces out at quarter to five every morning with her earbuds in. It was great to see her with the ‘McCoy’ for Leading Amateur last month.”

Asked for her views on pointing, Georgie again doesn’t pull any punches. “I think it hit a lull during the time I wasn’t involved,” she opines. “When I returned to the sport, it didn’t seem to be the way it had been. I can’t explain why.

Maybe it’s because a lot of big trainers – like Richard Barber – stopped or went professional. And there are a lot more opportunities under rules now – we never used to have summer jumping, for example. Take 0-90 handicaps – they’re hideously competitive and full of horses that would once have been pointing.”

“I think we’re making progress though,” Georgie continues. “Watching a Maiden used to be like going to the zoo – you’d have a big one, a small one, a fat one, a thin one… We’re getting closer to the Irish model now. Although I’d still like to see more encouragement for British breeders, like bonuses for Maiden winners. People pedal faster when there’s money involved and it would become self-perpetuating. Pointing is a

great education for raw horses – for me, it’s much better to run them in a Maiden over fences than in a bumper under rules. We need more support for owners, so more of them start thinking that way too. Pointing should be the showcase for the beautiful youngsters that are sales horses – I’d love to have a yard full of babies. You’d have 18 months full of lovely moments when you think they’re going to win everything in the world!”

Before I leave, I ask Georgie about a quote she gave – relating to a then fouryear-old Olive – in an interview back in 2010, when she was Ambassador for Ladies Day at Cheltenham. “Olive is very wilful and very brave, not frightened by anything. She’ll take the bull by the horns and do just about anything.” “It’s still pretty much true today!” her daughter replies on her behalf.

My final question is what the pair of them weren’t involved with horses? “I’ve always had a fascination with property,” says Georgie. Olive chips in. “We’ve decided that we’re going to sell the horses and the house and buy a castle in France… But horses are such an awful drug that we’d have to find space in the castle for some more!”

For more on Georgie’s horses, see the pre-season edition of Go Pointing.

Olive Jumping Calling London Photo: Caroline Exelby

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