Local Stories
Hazel Hill heads Yorkshire’s opening point-to-point meet By Will Milburn
N
umerous horses emerged from around the country for Yorkshire’s opening
meeting on 12th January at Sheriff Hutton, with one contender in particular getting his season underway in Hazel Hill, looking well on his way back to Cheltenham in March.
Hazel Hill took part in the men’s open with Alex Edwards. The horse is a previous winner at the track and has worked his way through the point-to-point ranks before winning the Cheltenham Foxhunters. Spectators were delighted to see the Cheltenham hero get his season underway in emphatic style. The Philip Rowley trained 12 year old travelled strongly in behind the leaders, with Dale Peters’ trained and ridden Rocklander throwing down the main challenge on his point-to-point debut. However Hazel Hill pulled away easily near the line to win by 15 lengths and justify his odds of 4-11, Path To Freedom was a further 15 lengths back in third under John Dawson and did the best of the Yorkshire contingent.
The maidens produced some exciting prospects, the open maiden saw Classic Lady bounce back to form under Tommie O’Brien for trainer Ollie Pimlott, putting her disappointing effort from Alnwick behind her where she struck into herself. Dragonfruit was well fancied on his racecourse debut under Ed Glassonbury and certainly ran with great credit in second, whilst the experienced Ballygown Bay was back in third for the Tom Ellis stable.
that sealed it for the Sarah Dent trained runner. John Dawson and One Conemara were second.
Hazel Hill’s opening point-to-point meet
The final two miles and four furlongs maiden saw an exciting prospect in Ripper Roo under James King from the Francessca Nimo yard. The pair settled well and scampered clear in good style. Another team well known for their juveniles is Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews who saddled the runner up Commanding Presence, whilst the Pimlott team were a well held third with their English debutant Tout Paris.
The restricted race saw Omar Merreti return to the track he crashed out at last season. Trained and ridden by Dale Peters, the pair led three out and were always holding the only challenger Scarlett Peak until the last where the winner quickened clear. Joe Wright partnered the runner-up Scarlett Peak for Ian Mason whilst the Jack Teal ridden Robbins Legend was back in third. Connections seemed confident about the winner and better things could be on the agenda. “He’s a proper
horse” said winning connections and could be one to follow in the future.
The opening race was divided on entries and division two saw the most exciting finish of the day as Cup Final battled it out with One Conemara up the run in. Cup Final and Ross Wilson were joined after the last and it was a bob of the heads at the line
The first division of the club members’ race went to the Smoke Man for the Chatfield Roberts family. He beat George Fernback and his jockey Ben Love, who was having his first ride in point to points. The winners appreciated a stiff test of stamina after winning his restricted at the Holderness, partnered by Tom Chatfield Roberts, and the seven year old looks like he’s on the up and could have plenty more to give in the future.
The ladies open saw a tidy performance from The Dellercheckout and Immy Robinson. The pair won in December at Barbury Castle and this former Paul Nichols inmate looks like he could be a useful recruit to the pointing field after quickening away from last year’s winner and favourite Haymount under Gina Andrews. Pace setter Irish Anthem was third.
‘What are you going to do
when you leave school?’ Words supplied by Stubbing Court Training
I
t’s a question young people are asked all the time. Often the answer is, “I don’t know.” That’s
how it was for Imogen Brame, 17, from Gainsborough, Lincs.
She saw an advert on event rider Emily Prangnell’s Facebook page and Imogen is now doing her Advanced Apprenticeship through Stubbing Court Training Ltd (SCT), Britain’s leading provider of equine apprentices, She’s been working at Kettlethorpe Sport Horses with Emily for a year.
“Practical learning is backed up by correct theory, and as we work through modules, I know I am getting broad-based training,” says Imogen. “Flexible online learning means I can fit it around my day.”
The Dellercheckout
Imogen enjoys grooming for Emily – who has competed up to CCI5* level – and wants to be
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a competition yard manager. Recently she rode at SCT’s masterclass with Chris Bartle: “It was very inspiring,” said Imogen.
Emily says: “Imogen is my first apprentice, and I am so impressed with SCT. They are so helpful and provide great back-up to employers as well as apprentices. There are so many regulations around employment and they help ensure we are up to date with best practices.”
© Tom Milburn Photography
© Tom Milburn Photography
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