REPORT: PPORC AT BARBURY RACECOURSE

SATURDAY 3^rd and SUNDAY 4^th DECEMBER 2011

By Andrew Norman

Will Biddick stole a march on his rivals for the jockey’s championship after riding a treble in the PPORC meeting at Barbury Racecourse on Saturday and Sunday - all trained by Richard Barber.

Having got off the mark at Black Forest Lodge last Sunday, Biddick began the weekend in perfect fashion, taking the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate upon progressive five-year-old Trueflyingcolours. There was a steward’s enquiry after Biddick bizarrely lost his balance when riding a finish as he desperately tried not to touch the ground before crossing the line. “I was just thinking hold on, hold on because I could see the finish and gravity was pulling me down. It was literally a foot past the line where I hit the deck!”

According To John, without a win since completing a six-timer five years ago under rules with Nicky Richards, clearly enjoyed his first outing between the flags when winning the Club Members Conditions race. Making all on the final circuit, the eleven-year-old jumped for fun and secured Biddick two winners from as many rides on day one. He took his season tally to four the following day when partnering the previously unraced Toby Lerone to score impressively in the first division of the maiden race for horses and geldings. Part-owner Graham Regan commented, “He was with Paul [Nicholls] but we decided to send him to Richard [Barber] for an education pointing. He’s very well bred but we didn’t want to throw him in a bumper. Today was very encouraging; he travelled superbly well and didn’t touch a twig.” Clearly delighted with the horse’s debut, Regan joked “if he continues to be successful I’m sure Nestlé willbe interested in him!”

When asked about his chances of winning the men’s title, Biddick was keen to show his feet were firmly on the ground, “The less said about it the better, I’ll just take every weekend as it comes.” However, he admitted he could not be riding for a better trainer, adding, “for a point to point jockey, [working with Richard Barber] is the best job in the country.”

Sunday’s high quality Men’s Open went to Offshore Account, ridden by owner Nick Sutton. Third in the Aintree Foxhunter’s last season, the eleven-year-old fought off a late challenge from the patiently ridden Jayne’s Crusader but was receiving seven pounds from the runner-up. Sutton said, “He travelled great and stood-off a long way – that’s why he’s an Aintree horse.” Trainer Tracey Bailey gave an insight into their plans and said he was working better than ever, “It gives him confidence running in points but he’ll need a prep over bigger fences before going back to Liverpool. He’s a different horse to last season – going round Aintree has been the making of him.”

Kicks For Free continued his imperious record when completing in points by winning the AGA Ladies Open with plenty in hand. Upton Springs, second in the final of this series at Cheltenham in May, battled gamely under the determined Sarah-Jayne Davies but could not close on Angela Rucker’s superstar once it kicked clear. Rucker was delighted with her horse’s return to action, “I’m absolutely chuffed to bits with him – he was brought down at the end of last year and was at the vets for some time so it’s lovely to have him back. We looked at the Foxhunter’s last year but we had a bug in the yard and he wasn’t right that spell. When we got him back he won very easily so we planned to go the AGA Final but then he was brought down. Plans are made to go wrong aren’t they? We’ll cross fingers this time that he stays in one piece. It would be nice to run in the AGA Final this season.” Despite recording the fastest time of the weekend, husband William suggested more was yet to come adding, “He’ll come on for the run. To be honest we thought he was a bit short of work.”

Sam Allwood rode a strong finish to force Master Medic ahead of The Polomoche close home after the two of them drew well clear of the rest of the field in Saturday’s Mixed Open race. Both horses outclassed a strong field and look set to have successful campaigns, with hunter chases a possible route.

Sixteen-year-old Page Fuller had a day to remember after making most aboard Mount Benger in the Novice Rider’s race, the first on Sunday’s seven-race card. Tracked by Conor Smith upon Barney’s Mate from the home turn, Page displayed exceptional promise in what was her first race ride, holding off her rival resolutely up the run in to clock a very fast time.

Kiss Me Twice, trained by Tom Lacey, followed up his maiden success on this course in April by winning the extremely competitive seventeen-runner Restricted and looks a serious rules prospect. Restrained throughout by jockey Sam Drinkwater, the five-year-old found an extra gear three flights from home and cruised well clear of the chasing pack. “We know he’s got an engine, Sam’s ride was spot on. He’ll go to the sales now,” Lacey said.

Sam Painting atoned for his disappointment the previous day in the Mixed Open by guiding Kahula Cove to an eye-catching success in the first division of the mares’ maiden. The win was no surprise to owner/trainer Marcus Foley, “She’s been working with The Polomoche so we had a good guide after yesterday. She could be anything. Hopefully we’ve got something on our hands. If things go right I suppose we’ve got the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate Final at Cheltenham in mind.”

Pretty Penny thwarted short-priced favourite Where’s My Slave in the second division when jockey/trainer Peter Mason forged clear of Mark Wall’s mount on the home straight. The runner-up went four lengths clear two out but the winner, who had a spell hurdling earlier in the year with Martin Keighley, rallied gamely in what was an encouraging start to life with the new yard.

Zac Baker defied the odds aboard 33/1 winner Topthorn. Beaten convincingly in all four starts under rules, he was the outsider of the sixteen runners in the 2m4f Brightwells Maiden for four and five-year-olds but squeezed in front of Macklin when it mattered to secure victory by a head.

Cheshire trainer Gary Hanmer continued his fine start to the new campaign as the ex-Irish What A Laugh took the final race of the weekend, division two of the maiden for horses and geldings. Given a fine ride by the ever-improving young Josh Hamer, he has now trained three winners this season. “I can’t say this was unexpected today. He’s worked well and is a really lovely horse,” Hanmer commented.