01 December 2008 Report: Black Forest Club - Black Forest Lodge
THE CHISHOLM: impressive winner of the closing open maiden
David Brace said his trip back to Wales would be accompanied by the sounds of Danny Boy following the win of It's Danny Boy in the opening two-and-a-half mile Maiden at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday.
Nick Williams was on board the first winner of the Point-to-Point season in the Devon and Cornwall area, which kicked-off the first of thirty fixtures that are due to take place this season. The well-backed favourite came away readily on the run-in from Golden Benefit, who finished five lengths back in second. Williams reported after the race that a step up in trip would hold no fears.
Brace and Williams doubled up in the third division of the Maiden, when Farnogue dead-heated with Man Of Leisure, ridden by Merv Woodward. Brace, who saddled Farnogue, said: "That was nice and it's the second time I've dead heated - I'll definitely be singing all the way home now."
Nerys Dutfield, trainer of the Man of Leisure, said: "He's a home bred horse and I trained the dam who had a mind of her own but also had ability. Merv works for me and I'm very lucky that I'm supported by very good staff."
The second division saw a battle on the run-in between Tango With A Mango and Colorado Storm with the former getting up by a neck to win. His owner Jim Collett bought the five-year-old at Doncaster Sales in 2007. "I didn't think he'd win but Mark (Wall) said he didn't want to have him on the ground over the last and give him his dues, this horse is a real battler".
He added, "I bought him for about £4,500 because I liked his breeding although after he was third at Larkhill last season he got an injury up the gallops when a piece of wood went into his joint."
Husband and wife team Hannah Lewis and Adrian Wintle had a worthwhile trip from Wales with Lewis saddling two winners and Wintle riding one.
Ali Stirling rode the second winner of her career when Absolutely Barking was the wide margin winner of the novice riders' race. Stirling, who works for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, rides the eight-year-old for her godmother Lecky Thyne. "He's a perfect novice riders' horse," said Wintle.
Wintle took the closing Open Maiden on The Chisholm, another easy winner for the Lewis yard with Premier Flight who finished ten lengths back in second.
The Mixed Open had a classy look to it with former Arkle, Badger Beer and Coral Cup winners in the line-up. It was the brilliant Mr Ed, a winner of eight Point-to-Points last term, who took the honours, ridden by Rhys Hughes. Dean Coleman lost his stirrups after the last on Dancer Life and was only beaten a neck. John Moore, box driver for winning trainer Robert Scrine, joked "We don't just play rugby well".
Hughes (head lad to Tim Vaughan), whose wife Abi trained the second placed horse, said: "He went on the ground, but it wouldn't have been ideal for him so I'm really pleased with him."
The next meeting is the Cornwall Hunt Club at Wadebridge on Saturday, December 13th with the first race off at 12pm.
