01 December 2009 Sandhurst riders go to Cottenham
by Robin Gray
KINGS RHYTHM: pictured winning at Cottenham in March
photo: Jackie Oliver
Sandhurst Area qualified riders and horses will mount a major raid on the Cambridge University United Hunts Club Point-to-Point at Cottenham on Sunday 6th December.
Racing is not due to begin at Tweseldown until 20th February and trainers are looking for opportunities to get a run into their horses as soon as possible.
Leading rider Philip York, who passed the 200 winner mark last season, has three rides, best of which is Kings Rhythm in the Restricted race. ‘Kings Rhythm won his maiden at Cottenham last season, so he should know his way round,' said Philip. ‘I have also been booked to ride Goscar Rock - it will be good to be in action once again!'
Winchester trainer Jenny Gordon hopes to win the Ladies Open with Big Moment. Owner's daughter Claire Douglas won the race on Big Moment twelve months ago and she will be in the saddle once again.
Last season's Sandhurst Area Champion Novice Rider, Fenton Ramsahoye, tackles the Conditions race on his own Presenting Express, bought out of trainer Emma Lavelle's yard by Jenny Gordon after winning six races under NH rules. Fenton, 46, won for the first time at Hackwood Park last season on Heaven Is Above. Switching from Club motor racing where he was Caterham champion in 1999, to horses, Fenton rides out three or four days a week for Jenny Gordon and works out regularly in a local gym.
Clare Wills, 26, has found a replacement for her now retired Larkhill course record holder Watership Down, in Mandingo Chief. The ten-year-old will not be ready to run until the end of January but Clare will get her eye in at Cottenham on Xila Fontenailles, owned by Point-to-Point Authority board member Steven Astaire. Clare has ridden five winners from about 50 rides and as head girl to Lambourn trainer Brendan Powell is riding out three or four horses every morning.
