03 May 2011 Report: Berkeley - Woodford
by Peter Mansell
DEAD HEAT: Halfway Cut and Trueflyingcolours share the Restricted honours
photo: Jackie Oliver
Course preparation during the dry spell has caused problems at some Point-to-Points in recent weeks, but not so at Woodford which had an excellent turnout for their meeting on Saturday afternoon.
All seven entries for the Members race met their engagements, but several of the riders had little or no experience at race riding, although Sarah Jenkins, riding Flower of Pitcur, does come from an eventing background.
At the other end of the scale was David Mansell, who has been riding for more years than he cares to remember, and in the end experience triumphed over youth.
Favourite backers had their hearts in their mouths as Mansell's mount Rocklandslad stumbled over the first but they soon regained their equilibrium, with Mansell biding his time as the other runners went off at a fast and furious pace.
Flower of Pitcur and Sarah Jenkins took the lead at the eighth and this partnership had a clear advantage as they disappeared round the bend at the far end of the course.
When they came back into view Rocklandslad had made up a significant amount of ground however and was left well clear when Flower of Pitcur fell at the 4th from home.
This proved a popular win because the horse is owned by David and Lynne Cullimore, whose farm forms part of the Woodford course. He is trained locally by Julie Houldey at North Nibley and was ridden by her partner David.
Considering this was a West Midland meeting, the visitors outweighed the locals. The fixture always attracts horses from the other side of the Severn Crossing and three of the prizes went back across the river.
Shy John looked sure to win the 2m4f Maiden when he jumped the last with a one length advantage but Jody Sole got Roseyroo up in the shadows of the post to prevail by a head in the colours of his Maesteg based owner/trainer Simon Jones.
Later in the afternoon Nick Williams and Overlut bounced back to form as the pair fought off the challenge of Mustangsallyrally in the home straight to land the Mixed Open for West Wales trainer Robert Scrine.
The third Welsh success was provided by Florida Hall in the Intermediate. Fassaroe held the lead at the last but was caught in the dying strides by Tom David's mount.
The Restricted produced another close finish, in fact it was so close the judge was unable to split Trueflyingcolours and Halfway Cut at the end of this 3m contest, resulting in a dead heat.
Nightime Gangster was presented with 3m Maiden on a plate when the long time leader Arosio fell at the 15th and brought down Denise's Dip. The winner managed to avoid the carnage and although visibly tiring over the final two fences, had just enough in reserve to hold Huntingfords challenge on the flat.
