09 June 2009 Preview: Torrington Farmers - Umberleigh
by Granville Taylor
ARCTIC SKY: could give Becky Barnett the Area Novice Championship
photo: Tim Holt
The final Point-to-Point meeting of the season takes place at Umberleigh, North Devon this Saturday (June 13). This fixture always provides an end-of- term party atmosphere and horses and spectators travel from far and wide. There are a total 103 entries for the six races, with the Confined due off at 2pm.
Alice Pearn and Becky Barnett are currently tied for the Devon & Cornwall Area Novice Ladies' title, and they both hold good chances in the opener. Alice will be hoping that King Georges can score for the third time this year, but Becky's mount Arctic Sky won his Hunt race easily at Bratton last Sunday and will be hard to beat.
Although the Mens and Ladies National jockeys' titles have been decided, Tom Greenall could still beat his younger brother Oliver's record breaking total of 56 winners for the season on Saturday. Ironically Oliver set up his record at this meeting last year.
The Greenall family have multiple entries at the meeting, and riding arrangements will not be decided until nearer the day. Intense Suspense could be Tom's best ride of the day if chosen for the Intermediate. The opposition here includes the progressive Slipawayon, Velvet Victory, and Deloughtane, although the Essex qualified Reymysterio, and Welsh challenger One To Note also have recent winning form.
It is difficult to look beyond Cannon Bridge if this prolific pointer turns out for the Mens Open. He went down narrowly to Lady Myfanwy in a Stratford Hunter Chase last month and looks outstanding in this company. The 11-year-old is also amongst the 21 entries for the Ladies Open, where in the likely absence of Whizzaar, Snowtre or either of Reg Hand's pair, Paddy The Piper or Dante's Back could step up.
The Restricted has attracted numerous Maiden winners amongst the 20 entries. Ladies champion Polly Gundry has Monkstown Jackorey entered, but he disappointed at Larkhill and Ernzturn may be a more reliable bet. Red Square Express was an expensive Greenall failure at Kingston Blount last Saturday, and the four-year- old Cheapside may do better for them. He won readily at Hexham on fast ground and this lightly raced youngster looks one for the future.
The final event for 2009 is the Open Maiden with 22 hopefuls seeking to break their ducks. Lizzie Kelly's mount Kalamazoo has been knocking at the door in all his runs and ran very well at Bratton last week. He would not have to improve much to take this, with Granpa's Gone Grey suggested as an each-way possibility.
Whatever happens, this is always a festive occasion and a fitting finale to another excellent season's Pointing. The usual food and bar facilities are available. Admission costs £20 per car with a concession of £10 for single occupants. The course is located off the A377 at Chapelton Barton, 2 miles west of Umberleigh station, and 5 miles SE of Barnstaple.
