It's On The Line asserted his credentials to be the best hunter chaser in Britain & Ireland in another narrowly won victory in the Event Power Champion Hunters' Chase at the Punchestown Festival on Friday.
The J P McManus owned gelding is, to all intents and purposes, a professionally trained horse, in the care of Emmet Mullins, and ridden by Derek O'Connor, the leading Irish amateur. However, he's a horse that makes life hard for himself, and is aptly named. Re-opposing from Cheltenham in this race were Ferns Hill, Billaway and Samcro, with Famous Clermont the sole British contender. Second only to Sine Nomine in the Cheltenham Foxhunters, It's On The Line had gone one better at Aintree, only asserting over Benny's Hill in the last half furlong, enough to be sent off 6/4 favourite here. In murky conditions and in demanding ground that encouraged 5 of the 14 runners to pull up, Samcro led largely unchallenged for the first two-thirds of the race, before being joined by Famous Clermont, under James King from the 9th fence. It's On The Line remained in touch, some 5l adrift as the two leaders slugged it out in front. Samcro was first to crack, allowing Famous Clermont to take up the running, but as they turned in, Lifetime Ambition hoved into view with the favourite, and two out, any one of the three might have won. Lifetime Ambition got away from the last in front, but Derek O'Connor showed why he is the leading amateur, conjuring up a tremendous burst of finishing speed to assert 100 yards from the post. the winning distance of 1 3/4l was growing with every stride. “I was very happy the whole way around until the third last and there was a bit of a panic when Lifetime Ambition went on. Once he got over the second last I was always fairly confident he was going to get him back." O'Connor added, "He's an amazing horse. He's just doing enough to stay alive all the time but every time you ask him, he brings a little bit more for you. "To be fair, I never really got serious with him until after I jumped the last, I just wanted that company. Susie Doyle rode a brilliant race (on Lifetime Ambition) and she's unlucky in defeat." A damp Friday evening did nothing to dispel the thrill of riding round Cheltenham for riders of the 59 runners during the 7 race Hunters' Evening, one of just two hunter chase only cards in the British calendar nowadays.
David Kemp and Dale Peters make a good partnership to follow at this annual fixture, so punters latched on to Law of Gold in the 4 miler for the United Hunts Challenge Cup. Winner of this race in 2023, he has been campaigned entirely between the flags this season to date, with a brace of victories at High Easter. However, his effort ceased after the fourth last, although he's likely to reappear in the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunter at the end of the month, where a sounder surface will suit better. Meantime, the business end of the race saw Gabiorot, trained by Henry Oliver and Josh Guerriero for a Haydock Park Jockey Club partnership, correct the unseat in last month's Randox Foxhunter at Liverpool, by winning this marathon under Harry Myddleton by 3 1/4l from Master Templar from the Ellis yard. The United Hunts was once a most prestigious race, and whilst it retains popularity among the amateur division, its importance is much diminished nowadays. Jumping ability is crucial at Cheltenham where the fences are less forgiving than your average Point-to-Point, so it comes as no surprise that the same set of winners continue to figure year on year. Where Kemp and Dale had failed in the four miler, they didn't go home empty-handed, when Rebel Dawn Rising stayed on to be just a length too good for Cat Tiger under David Maxwell in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Chase over 2m4f. He may well join Law of Gold at Stratford. The Ellis name is rarely without a winner at this fixture, and they maintained their impressive record in the 3m2f Midlands Air Ambulance Mixed open Hunters Chase, where 2023 Foxhunter winner Premier Magic had to give way to the Ellis-trained Fairly Famous, ridden by Gina Andrews. At 11, Premier Magic's best days may perhaps be behind him, but that hadn't stopped punters sending off Deise Aba, another 11 year old, as 3/1 favourite. Although prominent for a long while, when pressure was applied four out, the ground appeared to find him out. The Ellis team had to give second best to Iskander Pecos in the Intermediate Chase over the same distance. Ridden by Huw Edwards, enjoying an excellent season, and trained by Hannah Roach, Iskander Pecos has done little wrong this Spring, with hunter chase victories at Ludlow, Leicester and a half length second to Spyglass Hill in the Walrus Hunters at Haydock in mid-February. He's most definitely on the upgrade, and hopefully to be seen in open company next winter. It was a day of seconds for Bradley Gibbs, and the tone of the evening was set in the opener, when Fier Jaguen was edged out of it by A Jet Of Our Own, trained by Nicky Sheppard for the Philipson-Stows and ridden by son Frederick. Nicky is another from the West Mercian circuit enjoying a terrific season, and this was a neat staying performance from the seven year old, even over the minimum trip. Nicky was back in the Winner's Enclosure an hour later, albeit a distant 11l second to winner What A Glance, who has bit the bar on three separate occasions this Spring. Second at Didmarton, then second again both at Lockinge and Stratford to Deise Aba, this was an overdue moment to get his head in front. Murray Dodd was in the plate for the 3m1f junior Jumpers Hunters Chase. Winner Will Biddick may disagree, but it's difficult to make the case for the continued inclusion of a mares hunters races on this card after Regatta de Blanc finished a distance clear of her only surviving rival in a 4 runner field. This race has never had more than 7 runners in the past 5 years, and the mares could readily be accommodated within several other races on the card. As competitive racing goes, this left much to be desired. "Quality will out" is a watchword for racing at Aintree nowadays, where the era of long-priced unfancied horses has largely been put to bed by changes to race conditions and the shape of the fences. And perhaps the racing over the National fences is better for that.
That quality was proven yesterday when 3/1 favourite It's On The Line, trained by Emmet Mullins, and ridden by Derek O'Connor, outstayed the other 9 finishers in the 22 runner field that faced the starter in the Randox Foxhunter Chase. Rated 140, It's On The Line was rated 6lb higher than any other horse in the field bar third placed Annamix, a contender from Closutton. Second, Benny's Hill, trained by Dan Skelton, took up the running 5 out, but was run out of it on the elbow and finished 4 1/4l adrift, Annamix a further length behind. Time Leader, prominent throughout, briefly disputed the lead on the lead-in, but couldn't maintain the advantage for Huw Edwards, and was the only amateur-trained runner to finish in the money. Not everyone is pleased to see the sport's biggest owner scooping up a prize designed for the amateur division. Whilst there is much to admire about the contribution J P McManus has made to the sport at every level, the amateur ethos of this type of race, and the Cheltenham Foxhunter last month, is being eroded by horses trained by licensed trainers attracted by the relatively large prize funds. The £50,000 on offer here compares to £5,000 or less for an ordinary hunter chase, £1,000 or less for a point-to-point. It seems manifestly unfair that of the 22 runners, only three truly amateur -ridden horses finished the race, outpointed by better quality animals that could as equally be running in proper Rules races. This is one reason why Sine Nomine's victory at Cheltenham, and Premier Magic's the previous year, were so well received. Fiona Needham's horse represents the true grass roots of the sport. The counter-argument is of course, that the quality of the races has improved overall. that is not in dispute, but the number of horses rated 130+ in hunter chases and point-to-points is modest, and these potential competitors are being crowded out by professionals - trainers and riders too in all but name. Perhaps a rating cap is required to allow more point-to-pointers to take part without feeling over-faced, but this approach is also counter-intuitive. In the much smaller US steeplechasing scene, the programme for point-to-point and mainstream Jump fixtures is now largely combined, but this is not currently the case in the UK or Ireland, although fixtures like the Barbury International tried to achieve it. No easy answers, but surely an issue race planners might seek to address. Time for Roach to bag a Foxhunter4/10/2024 Time Leader and Spyglass offer the best chance of continued home-grown success on the Randox Foxhunter Chase, the second of the three "classics" of the amateur season tomorrow at Aintree.
Twenty-two runners line up for the thrill of a lifetime - a circuit of Aintree's Grand National fences, but rarely nowadays, the ground will be soft or heavy, which always throws up some imponderables. Time Leader has enjoyed a successful season to date for trainer Hannah Roach and his owners from the North Staffordshire. A faacile win at the Portman in mid-November was followed by an uncharacteristic pull up at Chaddesley in the Wheatland 3 weeks later. He prepped neatly for Cheltenham with a bloodless 7l win at Hereford before running an excellent race to finish 6 1/4l behind Sine Nomine, 5l adrift of It's on The Line, who re-opposes. Spyglass, a product of the de Bromhead yard, is now trained by Regan Pallas in Bridgend. His 1/2l beating of Iskander Pecos in the Walrus Hunters Chase at Haydock in February has been paid a compliment by the latter horse's recent Hereford win. Leading rider James King takes the ride. Both, however, will have their work cut out to match the quality of the two leading Irish candidates in It's On The Line from Emmet Mullins, and Annamix, from Willie Mullins Closutton winner machine. It's On The Line was touched off by Sine Nomine in the Cheltenham Foxhunter and is a justifibale favourite to go one better. Barring that Cheltenham second, he is unbeaten in three runs this season at Drumahane, Dromore and Naas. Emmet Mullins is of course no stranger to Aintree success, having farmed the Grand National with Noble Yeats. Annamix was pulled up behind It's On The Line at Naas but has won since at Gowran Park. The younger It's On The Line may have the legs on him though. Emmet Mullins also saddles Romeo Magico, a winner at Limerick and Dromore this term. However, the Limerick race was a maiden; this is an altogether tougher ask. Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero saddles Gaboriot, a winner at Catterick. Formerly owned by Peter Daresbury, who is no stranger to Aintree, that sales may in itself give an answer. I can't see Daresbury giving up an opportunity to win a Foxhunter at the racecourse he chaired for so long. Gaboriot has 18lb to find on the ratings with the top-rated It's on The Line. Paul Nicholls always relishes this race, and the prize money is sufficiently large to keep him interested to sustain his Trainers' Championship claims. French-bred Cap de Methan has had a sparing campaign, with just one winning run at Leicester in March. Daughter Olive Nicholls will be in the plate. Championship rival Dan Skelton fields Bennys King, also a Leicester winner but well beaten behind Sine Nomine at Wetherby in February. He has something to find, unless Aintree's fences bring out something extra. That Leicester win should rule out Gordon Elliott's Hardline, 23l behind that day. A satellite yard of Ditcheat, Sam Loxton has entered Espoir de Guye. A winner at Wincanton when beating Famous Clermont, a previous winner of this race, he was more recently behind Captain Tommy at Ludlow and reopposes. Both have something to find to be in the finish.Also from the Loxton yard is Drop Flight, an Exeter winner. Lieutenant Rocco was behind Espoir de Guye at Wincanton, and there's no reason to suggest he can reverse that form for trainer Syd Hosie. Given a clear run, Time Leader is preferred to keep the race at home Paul Miller will replace Peter Wright as CEO of the Point-to-Point Authority on 3 June. However, he will be at point to points most weekends for the rest of the season.
Born and bred in Scotland, Paul spent almost 20 years in London before moving to the countryside in 2012. For the last 25 years he has been involved in recruitment solutions and resource management through his own company. Working across numerous sectors and with various businesses, his focus has been on the development of people, team structures, processes, marketing and commercial strategy, all of which are directly applicable to point to point today. Although only being introduced to pointing 7 or 8 years ago he has quickly become a huge enthusiast. He has been immersed in the sport through syndicates, shared ownership and racing clubs, whilst he developed an in depth understanding of the trends within the sport when carrying out a study for PPA on how to attract more horses; several strands from which are already successfully in place today. A fascinating renewal of the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at the Festival contains added interest for Yorkshire spectators, when Fiona Needham saddles Sine Nomine to run in the race for the first time, and Hertfordshire-trained Premier Magic tilts at a repeat. 12 have been declared for the biggest trophy of the week, and the chance to take home the winner's prize of £24,445, something rather more than the £400 available for weekend Point-to-Points on the circuit. But winning the Foxhunter is about far more than cash; it's a chance to make a mark on racing history in one of the most treasured races of the Festival, even among all those Grade Is. Friday's race is no easy task however. The Irish have been carrying all before them all week, and field 5 candidates, among them first and second favourites, It's On The Line from Emmet Mullins' yard, and Ferns Lock from David Christie's Ulster powerhouse. Ferns Lock has impeccable credentials, with three runs this season providing wins at Dromahane and Thurles, and a half length second at Down Royal. Christie also fields Ramillies, winner of Open races at Cragmore and Turtulla. Master of Cheltenham, Willie Mullins, also fields a candidate in Billaway, winner of this race in 2022, beaten just a head by It's On The Line at Naas in mid February. He seems to have lost none of his appetite for the game, despite now being 12. The other Irish challenger is Samcro, trained by Gordon Elliott, yet to get a look-in on the coveted winner's slot this week. A former winner of the 2 1/2m Grade I novice hurdle at the Festival, Samcro is a high quality entrant to the hunters' ranks with a sequence of 4 Open wins during the autumn to his record. Gigginstown horses have an excellent record at Cheltenham. But don't rule out the home team. Last year's winner Premier Magic has been prepared with this race in mind, and is unbeaten since pulling up in this race in 2022. He comes here on the back of a schedule that has been re-worked time and again following the wet winter's impact on the fixture list, but there's nothing in his wins at Brocklesby Park and Sheriff Hutton to suggest he is not on top of the task again. Bradley Gibbs has been riding out of his skin these past few months, so there is every reason to believe the pairing can strike lightening a second time. Sine Nomine comes into this race unbeaten, having come to prominence last Spring in a thrilling finish to the Point-to-Point.co.uk Novices Championship, aka the John Corbett Cup, at Stratford. A 3l second to Wagner at Alnwick prefaced a bloodless 15l win in a Wetherby hunter chase last month. He is the new English challenger for the Foxhunter mantle. Fiona herself is no stranger to this race, having won it as a rider in 2002 on Last Option for father-in-law Robin Tate. Hannah Roach saddles Time Leader, whose 28/1 price belies an excellent record. A winner four times for John O'Shea in the 2022-23 season during which he was also fifth in the Aintree Foxhunter, he has warmed up for this with a win at Hereford. He'll be ridden by Toby McCain-Mitchell. Our champion trainer also has a penchant for this race, having won it with Pacha du Polder in 2017 and the following year. Shantou Flyer was third behind Premier Magic last year, yet another placing in a race where he has made the frame on each of three occasions, but at 14, his best may be behind him. The same cannot be said for his young rider, Olive Nicholls, whose star is in the ascendant in the riding ranks. A case can be made for Quentin's Man, third in the Walrus Hunters Chase at Haydock in February, and D'Jango, behind Quentin's Man at Haydock but a winner at Warwick last month. Less so for From The Heart, whose runs at Dunsmore and Cocklebarrow reflect his likelihood of being in the finish. Northaw Racing NewsWelcome to the News page. Here you will find the very latest information about Northaw Races and race course conditions
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April 2024
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