REPORT – HURSLEY HAMBLEDON – SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER

Under a clear blue winter sky at Larkhill the Hursley Hambledon held their point to point which was well attended and racegoers were able to enjoy some high-class racing. There were two short priced favourites who were beaten in the Open races, a training double for Nicky Sheppard, a second riding double for Fred Philipson-Stow and a winner in the mother/daughter training battle that started at Badbury Rings.

The Ladies Open sponsored by Moore Barlow was expected to be at the mercy of IK Brunel ridden by substitute jockey Ellie Holder following the accident to Izzie Hill which will keep her out of action for several months. However, Lily Bradstock and her mount Myth Buster had other ideas and setting off in front this gallant twelve-year-old was able to keep up an even gallop which the three other rivals were never able to overtake and he had seven lengths in hand at the winning post. Speaking after the race Lily’s mother Sara said ‘ he is Mr Vango’s (her stable star who is entered in the Becher Chase next Saturday) work horse and is a real yard favourite and loves leading the string’ She added that’ he has recently taken part in the Cottesmore Hunt scurry and has been team chasing’ Reminding us that he is a half brother to the 2005 Gold Cup winner Kicking King ‘ he did not reach the same heights as his brother due to his back problems but he is still a star to us’

The Mens Open race sponsored by Ward Thomas Removals featured the return of Famous Clermont the winner of six Hunter Chases including the 2023 Aintree Foxhunters and the winner of the last two runnings of the Ladies Hunter Chase at Stratford. Again, starting at odds on he set off in front under James King but was unable to dictate as he was pestered for most of the contest by Duc De Bourbon ridden by Will Higgs (deputising for Charlie Sprake). He was still in front and looked the likely winner until being caught in the final strides and eventually finished fourth. It was reported afterwards that he had struck into himself and it is to be hoped that he will soon make a speedy recovery. The whole complexion of the race changed on the run in with A Jet of Our Own ridden by Fred Philipson-Stow getting up to win ahead of Duc De Bourbon and the fast finishing Douglas Longbottom ridden by Fly McIntyre.

Speaking after the race Fred, 20, said ‘ I was about 5 lengths down and getting a bit twitchy at the last but he found plenty on the run in ‘’ The trip of two and a half miles suited him well and I owe him a great deal for getting me started’ Now the winner of six point to points and a Cheltenham Hunter Chase for Fred and his father Edward Philipson-Stow he is trained by Nicky Sheppard. Fred added ‘ I will be riding freelance this season and will be keen to ride more winners ’ This was his eleventh career victory so although still eligible for novice rider races he will no longer be able to claim 5lbs in any race for the rest of the season.

The most impressive winner of the day in the Botley Commercials/Spraytek Restricted race was Glancing Hill ridden by Zak Baker. A very smart son of Passing Glance he was always prominent and after taking up the lead at the fourteenth fence he held off the challenge of Dorset Diamond. Trained by Fran Poste her husband Charlie reflected on the sad death earlier this year of one of the partners of Walnut Hill Partnership Bridget Gatehouse. He was delighted that her business partner Jack Wallace had decided to keep the gelding in training and more successes look likely based on this performance. Charlie added ‘ we hope to run about 20 horses this season and will be using not only Zak but also Sam Lee and Clara Brewitt’

The Conditions race sponsored by BCM Wilson Hill was the second winner for trainer Nicky Sheppard when Yippee Ki Yay was successful under one of his owners Milo Herbert. He held off

the challenge of Dibble Decker ridden by Charlie Case by a length. Now the winner of five point to points and two Hunter Chases he has ambitious targets ahead with both Cheltenham and Aintree being on the horizon. Milo, who works in commercial property in London comes back to ride hunting on the gelding with the Monmouthshire most weekends and was recording his second winner this season having had two years off from the sport. Explaining the good form of the yard, Matt Sheppard said’ we have been able to do some work on the grass gallops and this has certainly paid off’

After finishing runner up on Dorset Diamond Fred Philipson -Stow went one better and recorded his second double at Larkhill when winning the Equestrian Fencing and Timber Limited sponsored Maiden race on his younger brother Dorset Dazzler. Both are trained by Rachel Bartlett being her two pointers she has in training this season. Two weeks ago, her daughter Lilian known as Bubble trained her first winner at Badbury Rings and competition between mother and daughter is now going to be a feature of the Wessex season. Both of her horses are homebreds by Kayf Tara out of the mare Bobby’s Choice who won a race for Rachel at Badbury Rings in 2013 when ridden by Louis Muspratt. Rachel was thrilled with her win at Larkhill her first since 2006.

An excellent day’s racing despite the voiding of the first race the four and five year old Maiden race when the two declared horses were withdrawn with one citing the ground as faster than ideal and the other declining a walk over