12 April 2011 Report: Cotswold - Andoversford
by Pete Mansell
Sunday's Cotswold Point-to-Point at Andoversford produced some exciting finishes despite the small fields due to the recent dry spell, with two races being decided by a short head.
Naunton trainer Fergal O'Brien must have breathed a sigh of relief after Silver Jaro had completed the second leg of a stable double in the Ladies Open. The winner held an 8-length lead between the final two fences but weakened dramatically during the closing stages and just lasted home under Ali Sterling.
The Intermediate produced a more exciting finish with the lead changing with every stride over the final three fences. Ruperts Vision was the first to come under pressure; he responded gamely and was back on level terms with Harlaxton jumping the last. Both jockeys threw everything they had at their mounts in the last 50 yards with Harlaxton gaining the verdict by a short head.
This victory provided a first success for Staverton Businessman Dene Stallard. He was involved in Power Boat Racing in the past and admitted after the race: "I haven't had such a buzz as this for the last 20 years, it was such a close finish my heart was pounding until the result was announced".
The horse only joined Stallard's stable at Little Witcombe on Friday, having been purchased privately earlier in the week "If he comes out of this race OK we might go to Cheltenham next month".
Fergal O'Brien recently announced his intention to leave his post as Head Lad to Nigel Twiston-Davies' stable at Naunton to branch out on his own. A double at this meeting has enhanced his chances of taking the Trainer's Title for the fourth year in succession.
O'Brien ran two horses in the Members but won with the outsider Mulranny who just got the better of his stablemate Gentle Rivage on the run from the final fence. The latter was ridden by Aintree hero Willy Twiston-Davies, who at 16 years of age was actually a year younger than his mount.
Mulranny carries the colours of his Fiddington based owners Paul and Karen Drinkwater. He was partnered by their son Sam who reckons "He could progress into something useful". That may not be music to his mother's ears as she was hoping he would not be good enough for Pointing so that she could have him as a hunter.
Our reigning Area Champion Mark Wall had a busy afternoon. First he was successful on Isle of Skye in the Members at Barbury Castle before making the journey to Andoversford for two successful rides, and then to Ascot where his mount Sovereign Kind was beaten half a length.
Mark needed all his experience to force Rustic John home in the Confined. They were passed by Rollo Deutsch on Craven on the final bend, but Wall is riding at the top of his game and forced Rustic John back in front on the run in.
Wall doubled up in the Mens Open which went the way of the Hugh Wilson trained Divine Intavention. He collared long time leader Itsalf before the second from home and had little difficulty maintaining his advantage in the home straight.
Diamond Merchant is the only Point-to-Pointer Martin Jones has in his pre-training and breaking yard at Redmarley. The 12 year old has been team chasing in recent years and also has breathing problems which require a tongue-tie.
The winner of the last was left in splendid isolation when Mt Kintyre, who had been jumping erratically throughout, finally fell at the third from home.
