22/04/2025
Taunton Vale Hunts Point to Point review Easter Monday
The recent welcome rain coupled with a hard working team behind the scenes, ensured that the ground at Cothelstone for their annual Easter Monday fixture run by the Taunton Vales was in great shape and they were rewarded with 31 runners in the Spring sunshine. A riding treble for comeback kid, Ed Doggrell who teamed up with trainer Chris Barber bringing him a training treble, plus a riding double for Will Biddick were the highlights for a massive crowd who also enjoyed a family dog show which kicked off the proceedings.
Jockey Ed Doggrell had been absent from the saddle since May 2018 but has resumed riding this season for Chris Barber. Their first winner came in the Conditions race when Move With the Beat made a quick reappearance after his win at Chilfrome to beat the wonderful Southfield Theatre who ran with his usual zest and enthusiasm only giving in to a younger set of legs. As Move With the Beat passed the post to go out onto the final circuit, it was clear that Ed was struggling to contain his mount. Rejuvenated by his return to the point to point sphere, Ed admitted “He was running away with me the whole way and I just had to wait and suffer.” Trainer Chris Barber said, “The horse’s confidence has just grown and grown this season with every win and he’s a proper horse.” Owner James Drummond was undecided where he would go next but was happy to enjoy a third victory for the season.
Ed and Chris’ second winner came in the following race when classy Famous Clermont repeated his win here earlier in the season taking the Mixed Open from a fast finishing Another Furlough and Dr Rhythm. Chris had been disappointed with the horse’s lacklustre display at Aintree when he was trying to regain his Foxhunters title there but was relieved to be back in the winner’s enclosure with him. He said afterwards, “He’s possibly not as good as he was but at least he has won here. We had toyed with the idea of the Ladies Final at Stratford but we will see how he is after this race.”
Their third winner of the afternoon was an emotional one when Top of Off took the finale, a Maiden race and he looks a very nice individual. Always in the front rank, the good looking son of Jack Hobbs jumped well and easily saw off Ballinoulart and Electric City. Chris explained, “I’m not ashamed to say that this has made me really emotional. We bred the horse and he’s out of Definitelyanoscar who was the first winner I ever trained and bought on the advice of my grandfather. He’s her first foal too so this is a very special moment for us.” Chris went on to say, “I was stupid to run him first time out at Buckfastleigh as the ground was too much for him that day and he’s only a baby. But he loved the ground here and although we’d love to keep him, he will go to the sales as he has the potential to make up into a serious horse.”
Teresa Clark loves training winners at her local track and she duly took the opener, the Members race with Ask Lileen who was too good for her two rivals and despite looking around in front, finished off her race in isolation with the others pulling up. A neat mare by Soldier of Fortune, she had previously been trained by Teresa’s brother Anthony Honeyball before being purchased by the Lets Ask Lileen partnership, a group made up of existing owners in Teresa’s yard. Teresa said “She’s had lots of little niggly issues so today was just really a confidence boost and I am delighted how she has done it. We haven’t got any plans for her at the moment other than I guess we will look for a 3 mile Restricted for her now.”
Will Biddick proved an able deputy when taking the ride in the short Maiden on Gig in the Park for owner Daniel Adams who had originally purchased the gelding to race ride on himself. After becoming a father and feeling rearing children was too time consuming, he decided to put that idea on the back burner and Laura Hurley took over the training. A couple of good seconds at Milborne St Andrew and Chilfrome proved the horse had enough ability and although second favourite Hazy Winter tried to steal a march on him three fences out, Will just filled his lungs up before getting back up in front on the line under a typically masterful ride. Daniel, who is based on Exmoor, has a breeding operation under the banner of Windwhistle Stud where he breeds both Flat and NH to sell on. A big framed horse, he thought he would probably be turned away for the season having now won his maiden.
The second winner for the former Champion jockey came in the Restricted on Far Out West, a mare he also trains for the Hot Toddie Partnership headed by a jubilant Andy Pollard. She had some decent form this season including a good second here to Rocheston before winning a maiden at Ston Easton. Making all the running, she jumped well and despite favourite Ultimate Survivor trying to mount a challenge, she was still half a length too good at the line. Andy explained, “We gave Will the task of buying us a horse at Doncaster Sales to go to Cheltenham and Punchestown with and he bought us Far Out West. That’s still the plan so there’s no pressure!”
A big thank you to sponsors, the TV Hunts committee, helpers, and anyone that supported us to put on the days racing
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