17 February 2009 Report: South Dorset Hunt - Milborne St Andrew
TURTHEN: wins the Ladies Open under Charlotte Tizzard to record his third win of the season
Kingscliff achieved the victory required for Christie's Foxhunter qualification when recording the day's fastest time in the Men's Open at spring-like Milborne St Andrew.
Sent straight into the lead by Ian Chanin, Kingscliff had most of his rivals toiling but had not quite shaken off Blu Teen (Nick Williams) when his main rival fell at the fourth last. Kingscliff won the corresponding Milborne race in 2003 before achieving Christie's Foxhunter glory a month later, and now heads straight back to Cheltenham. Blu Teen impressd on his first outing for David Staddon and Caroline Parsons, and should have little difficulty opening his Point-to-Point account.
Charlie Fox's Turthen became the first horse to win three times this season when taking the Ladies' Open in facile style. Polly Gundry set a steady pace on runner-up Nobody Tells Me, but the race was all over when Charlotte Tizzard asked Turthen to make his effort in the far corner. The win qualified Turthen for the Christie's Foxhunter, but he is an unlikely Cheltenham runner. Charlie Fox said: "He'll definitely run in a hunter chase next, and while this has given us the Cheltenham option, we'll think carefully before deciding where he goes".
Richard Barber landed a double with 4yo Benarchat (2m4f Maiden) and Thisthatandtother (Countryside Alliance Novice Riders). The former made an impressive debut as he quickened eight lengths clear of pacesetter Ashclyst under Rachael Green. Ottery St Mary-based Kathy Stuart, joint owner with Julie Derham, was on holiday in Thailand, but her daughter, Chantal, quickly telephoned with the good news. Ashclyst, who was conceding 21lbs to the winner, ran a fine race in defeat and should soon be off the mark for the Leslie Jefford stable. Jack Barber made it two from two on Thisthatandtother, who was always in control after leader Mr Blacktie (Matt Griffiths) fell at the third. Oliver Murphy kept Tribal Venture in contention for most of the race, but was fighting a losing battle after the penultimate.
Robbie Henderson, 19, who works at Nick Mitchell's Piddletrenthide stables, notched his first winner as a trainer when forcing his mother Sophie's Newbay Bob ahead of Shacklesborough (Rachael Green) after a race-long duel in the 3-mile Maiden division 2. "We bought him at Doncaster in November and he'll move to Nick now to run in hunter chases", commented Robbie.
Rupert Tory rode his eighth career winner when Bush Park took the Hunt race after leading down the final hill. A real family horse - he is owned and trained at Winterborne Whitechurch by Rupert's parents, Norman and Monica - Bush Park has now won the race on three occasions and was second in the 2007 renewal.
Devon trainers took the remaining two races, beginning with Richard Woollacott, who rode his first-ever Milborne winner in the Restricted on Josh Be Yourself, an inmate of his Rose Ash stables. Bishops Nympton trainer Keith Cumings opened his seasonal account when Ryan Bliss brought Slipawayon home in the 3-mile Maiden division 1. "This is a lucky course for us, as Maxou Des Brosses won here last season", said owners Geoffrey and Kate Brown, who bought the gelding at Fairyhouse as an unbroken four-year-old.
