14 May 2010 Report: Weston & Banwell Harriers - Cothelstone
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
OFAREL D'AIRY: kept up Jake Greenall's title challenge
photo: Tim Holt
Championship-chasing jockeys Jake Greenall and Richard Woollacott were both in the winner's enclosure at Cothelstone on Wednesday evening.
Jake reduced Richard's advantage and reached the 27-winner mark on Mens Open winner Ofarel D'Airy, who was unextended on his first-ever Point-to-Point appearance for owners The Hon Charlotte Townshend and Lord Daresbury. "The fences are just right here, he can go straight through them", joked Jake. Richard re-established his four-winner advantage on Maiden winner Johnny's Way, who stormed clear after the last. "He's run out in his last four races, so we sent him to Richard ten days ago", admitted owners John & Greer Norman and Graham Foot. "We had tried everything and were getting desperate, but we always knew he had ability".
Mr Cee, who gave the prolific Chesnut Annie a scare at Llanvapley, gained compensation under Hannah Lewis in the Ladies Open. "Not bad for a £500 horse", smiled trainer Caroline Griffiths, referring to the winner's purchase five years ago. "He loves firm ground, is an awesome jumper, has improved with age and the 11st weight in Ladies races helps".
Darren Edwards reached the 99-winner mark in Points on the Julie Pocock-trained Maiden winner Rockjumper, although some spectators felt runner-up Merry Terry deserved at least a dead-heat. "We bought him at Ascot in August", said Andy Pollard, joint-owner with Sue Knox and Madeleine Reid, who were both celebrating their first-ever winner.
Joan Hart's Nicholas The Spark enjoyed a confidence booster under Rilly Goschen in the Hunt race. "He had a nasty fall at the Berkeley, so a safe clear round was the priority", said Sutton Montis trainer Angela Davis. "He might run at one of the Bratton Down meetings now, but only if the ground is suitable".
East Anglian raider Basic Fact (Ed Turner) got the better of Smoke Trail (Josh Evans) after a duel over the last four fences in the Novice Riders race. "We're chasing the Harley Novice Riders title and are doing the round trip in the day", said Ed's mother, Rose Turner, about to ring her father-in-law, Joe Turner, with the good news before embarking on a 5½-hour journey back to Suffolk.
Trainer-rider George Humfrey, who travelled to Cothelstone after attending morning lectures at Cirencester's Royal Agricultural College, was also on the phone after Wheedle's restricted win. "My father Robert, who is the Tivyside Master, was here to walk the course, but had to leave before the race to catch a ferry to France", explained George.
