15 December 2010 Report: Cornwall Hunt Club - Wadebridge
by Granville Taylor
Devon & Cornwall Area PRO Granville Taylor reports on the Cornwall Hunt Club at Wadebridge.
Jess Westwood took the plaudits at the Cornwall Hunt Club fixture, where the going was described as, "on the fast side of good", by champion jockey Richard Woollacott. Jess, 19, from Exford landed her first ever victory in the saddle in the Club Novice Riders event on Monkerty Tunkerty, one of the two horses she also trains. Jess followed up this success later in the afternoon when her other charge Rockon Xmoor took the first Maiden partnered by Neil Harris.
Fully Loaded proved a disappointing favourite in the Novice Riders, being unable to get to grips with the leaders, eventually finishing fourth as Monkerty Tunkerty and Nobody Tells Me fought out the finish.
Jess Westwood works at Camilla and Jeremy Scott's yard and shares ownership in the two winners with her parents Sharon and Andrew. "I get up at 5 o'clock every day and do the horses before my days work", said Jess, who confessed to, "having tea in bed at 8.30. "We bought this horse at Cheltenham sales in May as a replacement for Hurlers Cross who was one of her half a dozen previous rides but sadly died", said her father.
The Westwood's day was complete when their previously unraced six-year-old Rockon Xmoor got the better of Parkam Jack and Ask The Boss in a blanket finish to the first Maiden. Apart from taking the training honours, Jess also broke in Rockon Xmoor. "We bought him out of a field from his breeder Henry Cole nearly two years ago but he is so big he wasn't ready last year", explained connections.
Rockon Xmoor's Rider Neil Harris was narrowly denied a double when Southwestern went down by a neck to Come What Augustus in a classy Mens Open run in a very fast time. "I blew a lot harder than the horse", joked winning Rider/Trainer Richard Woollacott, who may aim Bill Westacott's eight-year-old at a long distance Hunter Chase later on. "He is really tough and stays forever", added Woollacott. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls spent his Sunday at Wadebridge after saddling a four-timer at Cheltenham on the previous day. He was there to see his nephew Harry Derham make his Pointing debut on Takeroc, who fell at the last in the Open.
The top-class action was maintained in the Ladies Open when the smart SericIna, trained and ridden by Chloe Roddick, drew clear of runner up Double Mead to score impressively. Owner Michael Sheppard is rising 70 but still enjoys his role as joint-Master of the Mendip Farmers Hunt. "We may bring the mare back to Wadebridge next month and then go for a Hunter Chase at Wincanton", said the owner.
The well-backed Welsh challenger Red Watch stayed on well to win the Restricted ridden by Jodie Hughes. "I made a 6am start from my home at Tenby and this was my first ride here - it's a lovely place", beamed the Rider, who turns 27 on Thursday and has over 30 winners to her name. Red Watch is one of about a dozen Pointers trained by Luke Price at Ynysybwl in South Wales.
Alpha Native kept the Intermediate prize in the Westcountry with a battling success under Michael Miller. "He is a nice horse and stronger this time", reflected his trainer Keith Cumings, who had taken the six-year-old to work on the Polytrack gallop at Philip Hobbs's yard in the week.
The concluding Maiden went to the Blackmore Vale qualified Dust In Time who strode clear up the hill under Jamie Thomas. Kathy While has charge of this sturdy gelding, bred by her father Bill Turner. Kathy works for her father and has the use of his all weather gallops at his training establishment near Sherborne.
