18 March 2010 Report: New Forest - Larkhill
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
Philip Prince, 17, from Podimore near Yeovil, enjoyed a winning first Point-to-Point ride on Spanchil Hill in the New Forest Novice Riders' race at Larkhill. Philip was a prolific pony race winner - his father, Richard, sponsors the Wessex Area Pony Races - and has ridden one winner from six rides on the Flat, after initially being denied an amateur licence by the BHA due to a hearing disability.
Philip brought Spanchil Hill steadily from the rear to lead at the last, although favourite Pertinent (Dan Collins) fought back on the run-in. "He jumped his way into the race but I was worried that we might have just been touched off on the line", said Philip. "A dream come true", added Charlton Mackrell owner-trainer Mandy Hodges, who bought Spanchil Hill from James White the previous weekend especially for Philip to ride in Point-to-Points.
Tom Bishop opened his 2010 account on Commander Vic, who led throughout the last mile in the Confined. "He's my only horse so he works on his own, but he's obviously fit enough", said Frances Bishop, whose stables overlook the Wincanton National Hunt course. Tom works as a project manager for a London consulting firm, but also finds the time to stay fit. Frances explained: "Tom and three friends raised £15,000 for bone cancer research by cycling from Rome to London last year. This year he's running in the Paris Marathon for fun and he did 18 miles in training yesterday".
Ryan Bliss also opened his seasonal account - "after 12 seconds and thirds" - on Mixed Open winner Celtic Society. Trained at Alhampton, near Ditcheat, by Ryan's partner Louise Rycroft, and part owned by his Bradford-on-Avon grandmother Enid Wicheard, Celtic Society led three out and sealed victory with an exceptional jump at the last.
Sam Allwood reached the seven-winner mark on the Louise Alner-trained Maiden winner Vintage Class. Described by Beaminster owner Bill Dupont as "a good fun horse", Vintage Class easily justified 4/9 favouritism despite again showing a tendency to idle on the run-in.
Nico de Boinville, 20, who rode his first pointing winner at last year's meeting, doubled up when Divine Intavention turned the 2m4f Maiden into a procession. "He didn't sell at Cheltenham in November so we bought him privately afterwards", explained trainer Sue Wilson, joint-owner with Rosie Fetherston-Dilke.
Nolan Byrne's Ghonny Withthebowe made all and just lasted home by a head in the Restricted under Emily MacMahon.
