18 January 2012 Preview: Tiverton - Chipley Park
by Donna Harris
The Tiverton Foxhounds Point-to-Point takes place at Chipley Park, near Wellington, Somerset this Sunday (January 22nd). A total of 145 good quality entries have been received which set the stage for an exciting day's racing.
The action gets under way at 12pm with the Hunt Members race which has been sponsored by Stags. Entered is Tallanstown Boy who ran a good second earlier this month at Wadebrige in a Maiden race won by Carlos Gardel. Lord Samson made a pleasing start to his career last season when three quarters of a length behind a Richard Barber-trained horse at Upcott Cross and Rockwithacaveman could find his old form. A former prolific winner, he was unbeaten in 2008 and had several wins in 2009. If conditions suit he could go well for his trainer Ed Walker.
A hotly contested Mixed Open, sponsored jointly by Matford Landrovers and the family of John Pearcey Memorial, has attracted 24 entries. The Richard Barber-trained According To John pleased his connections when winning the Mens Open at Larkhill ridden by the talented and in form Will Biddick. The 12-year-old gelding had a good chase and hurdle career winning six in total. Never So Blue won a chase at Haydock in 2009 beating According To John into third. Having won the Members at Ideford Arch he will be looking to challenge again.
Bishy Barnaby may be out to start his season's campaign. Owned by Carl Firminger and trained by Gordon Chambers at Buckfastleigh, the eye catching gelding has won six of his eight Point-to-Points. He will be looking for a good cut in the ground and may be in need of the run.
Roll On Rose is a progressive Irish mare who rattled up six wins last season. She should come on for her race at Wadebridge earlier this month.
Exeter Racecourse sponsors the Intermediate and the 17 entries include Gort Na Lea, an ex-Irish Pointer who won two before heading to the UK. He could set a strong pace. Anynearexit has had a busy career in Ireland and substantially improved when beating 15 rivals at Chaddesley when ridden by David Mansell. Hincheslea Moor won a Restricted at Larkhill earlier this month. Only a five-year-old, he would have come on from that tough race.
The Dodson and Horrell PPORA Novice Riders Race looks competitive with 17 entered. The Richard Barber-trained Barneys Mate has won eight and had seven seconds from 23 starts. He started off this season's campaign with a second by half a length at Barbury Castle in December and had won this race last year.
The Welsh raider is Chandlers Cross, a winner of five who went incredibly well when wearing a visor.
The Restricted is sponsored by Masstock Agricultural Chemicals. Carlos Gardel collected his Maiden win at Wadebridge earlier this month when ridden by Micheal Nolan. He beat Tallanstown Boy by five lengths. On Oath has had two wins and been runner-up in two of three Restricteds. Sunset City won his Maiden impressively at Black Forest Lodge in November ridden by Will Biddick beating Googoobarabajagal into fifth. This looks solid form with the latter since going on to score in style this weekend at the return meeting.
Two divisions of the Maiden have 24 entered in each. These are sponsored by Mount Pleasant Inn at Nomansland and Friends of Robin Barwell Memorial.
The course at Chipley Park is located 3 miles NE of Wellington on the B3187. If travelling by motorway take junction 26 off the M5 then proceed to Wellington town centre. Turn right on to B3187 signposted Milverton at traffic lights in town centre. Entry cost 20 per car with 10 for a single occupant.
For going updates and meeting information, call Talking Point on 09068 44 60 61. For a list of entries via fax, call 09068 44 99 88. All calls cost 61p/min plus network extras.
