REPORT – EGGESFORD (SUNDAY 10TH MAY)

Upcott Cross held their first of two meetings on Sunday, the 10 th
of May, with their next fixture coming on Bank holiday Monday.
Six races took place, with the first race, the Totnes and
Bridgetown Races Company – Grass Roots Conditions race;
being a match. Irish recruit Earths Furies, who was having his
first run in England and the prolific winner, Woodstock Octo.
Jack Stenhouse sent Earths Furies forward, and Lucas Murphy
was happy to get a lead aboard the 1-3 favourite. The pair
jumped the last together with Earth Furies threatening to
overturn the favourite before Woodstock Octo went ahead
heading to the last, at which Earth Furies took a crunching fall.
This was Josh Newman’s 41 st winner of the season as a trainer.
Lucas was having his second ride for the Newman yard, who
are supporting him in his novice title bid. Lucas, the son of
Grand National winning jockey, Timmy said; “He’s a smart
horse, that’s his sixth win of the season. He stays professional
when he needs to.” Talking about his future plans in the saddle,
he added; “I’m definitely trying to win the novice title this
season. I have another year of A levels, so I will stay asan
amateur for at least one more season and then see where we
are after that.”

Eight went to post for the Ruralis Insurance Services Maiden.
An eventful race was in store. Telexpress fell at the first fence
and hampered Champagne Dude and Marengo Bay, who then
unshipped Shannon Holmes at the next fence. Hannibal Bogan
was the next casualty, falling at fence three. Jo Supple was
keen to make use of Get To The Point and set the pace. The 6-
4 favourite, Crystal de France took the lead after fence 14
under Josh Newman, but it was the Anna Johnson ridden,
Duffry Sea, who took the lead after jumping the third last and
ran out an 11- length winner.

Race three saw another match, this time between Hearts
Corner, who was unbeaten in four runs so far this season and
the Sarah Prouse trained, Captain Tommy. It looked like a formality
for the favourite, and despite jumping right, he appeared as if he
was going to get the job done. However, Ed Vaughan got a rally
out of Captain Tommy from the last fence, and they were helped
by Hearts Corner hanging right and Josh Newman suffering a
saddle slip. Captain Tommy challenged on the far side and
came out on top, although the judge was needed to split them.
Ed Vaughan said; “The odds weren’t in my favour, but there
were only two runners, so we had to ride a tactical race. I rode
the race to play to my horse’s strengths and just got up on the
line. A massive thank you to Caroline, with her family, they put
in a lot of work. So, it’s nice to repay her with a winner.”

Up next was the Ashgrove Kitchens and Rangemore LTD
Intermediate. Three lined up with Make Idaho Great, the 4-6
favourite. Eileen’s Milan made the running under Ed Doggerell
for trainer Chris Barber. Assassins Lullaby tracked the leader,
whilst the favourite dropped out the back. Josh Newman
brought Make Idaho Great through to lead at the fourth last and
was sent for home. Eileen’s Milan produced an effort up the run
in and made the favourite work, but running off a straight line
didn’t help and Make Idaho Great secured a neck victory.
Speaking after the race, Josh Newman, who also trained the
gelding said; “We’ve had a nice season with him, he’s been
unbeaten. That is the best he’s travelled today. He was so keen
on the long strides he put down on me about five times! But
even when he did put down, he was in and out over the fences.”

The penultimate race of the day was The Duke of York
Iddesleigh Conditions Level 3. Three went to post once more.
Ballydesmond cut out the running for the Treneer family but it
was Clonagoose who came through to lead with two to jump and ran out a convincing winner to secure his fifth win of the
season for trainer Emma Summersby. Ed Vaughan has struck
up a brilliant partnership with the five-year-old and after the
race said; “He’s not the biggest, but he gets the job done. He’s a
little monkey, though. It was one of the weaker races he’s run in
today, but he sort of falls asleep on you and never makes it look
that impressive!” Reflecting on his fruitful season Ed Said; “That
was my 18 th winner of the season. It would be nice to push on
and get to 20, that sounds a nice number. It’s been new
relationships and new horses so hopefully that stands me in
good stead for next year.”

The final race provided the biggest field of the day and also one
of only four times that there have been double-figure runners in
a Devon and Cornwall Point To Point this season. Ten runners
lined up for the C & R Construction Restricted Race. Mia
Holmes recently recruited Lough Owel, and the pair took the
lead after jumping the first. The favourite, Dance IfYouCan fell
at the fourth last when still going well. Emma’s Wish was
bidding to provide a winner for the clerk of the course, John
Heard. The mare was in touch before making a mistake two
from home and weakened out of it. Heading to the last, the
bookmakers were smiling with 25-1 Lough Owel in the lead.
10-1 shot Riskamatriark was coming with a run and 14-1
chance, Slide Rule and 33-1 outsider Fortune And Favour in
behind. Fionn Summers eased some more out of Riskamatriark
to win by three lengths. This was Fionn’s third winner of the
season and his second winner for trainer Charlotte Leary. Who
was combining being on horseback as a steward as well as a
trainer. She said; “I’m delighted with him. He’s been a
progressive type. He’s fresh to us and has relished the change
of scenery of being trained on Dartmoor. He’s a lovely horse to train, and he’s gone from strength to strength. It’s been a busy
day, but it’s nice to end it on a winner at a local track.”