11 May 2009 Report: Minehead Harriers and West Somerset - Holnicote
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
KRAC D' ARGOS: and Richard Woollacott won the Intermediate race
photo: Nick Jay
Bilbrook jockey Matt Griffiths took the outright lead in the National Novices' title race with a double at Holnicote on Saturday. Matt, who works for Philip Hobbs, led off with Quizzling, a first-ever winner for Langport trainer Ali Holland, in the PPORA Novice Riders' race.
Jointly owned by farrier Kevin Legg and builder Kevin Billing, also celebrating his first success, Quizzling finally asserted over sole rival Joyeux Royal (Felicity Weeks) in the straight.
Matt doubled up in the Confined on Zesta Fiesta, who forged clear of Koquelicot (Diana Hobbs) approaching the last. "He won here three years ago, loves fast ground, and I hope we'll be able to help Matt again", said Mary Sanderson, representing her husband Barry, who trains the winner for Cullompton owner Andrew Finch.
West Buckland schoolgirl Lizzie Kelly, 16, rode her first winner, at the fifth attempt, on Redworth Boy in the Maiden. "I've been second, third, fourth, brought down here last week, and finally first. He jumped out of my hands and it was unreal how he quickened up in the straight", beamed Lizzie.
Krac D'Argos' Intermediate win delighted Bude-based John Gardner, who bought the 11yo as a 50th birthday present for his wife, Sonia. Trainer-rider Richard Woollacott sent Krac D'Argos straight into the lead and sole rival Double Pops (Will White) was toiling for much of the contest.
Tom Bishop opened his 2009 account on Mixed Open winner Commander Vic, who made virtually all and fought back after Albuhera and Chloe Roddick had jumped into the lead at the last. "I bought him privately out of David Pipe's yard and picked him up at the Wincanton evening meeting almost exactly 12 months ago", explained Frances Bishop, whose stables overlook the National Hunt course. Tom, a project manager for a London construction consulting firm, has a busy schedule. Frances explained: "Tom and three friends are cycling from Rome to London in the summer to raise money for cancer research and he'll be putting in another 120-mile training stint tomorrow".
Saint Romble led after the last to land his 12th point-to-point win for the Hobbs family in the Hunt race. "That's the first time that Katherine has held him up", said Sarah Hobbs. "He's very precious to us and only runs when the ground is exactly right. [Third-placed] Fool On The Hill will definitely retire at the end of the season, and Saint Romble might be retired as well".
Beat The Bandits, who had refused to race in his two previous outings, put his best foot forward as he and trainer Peter Mason led throughout the Restricted.
