Point-to-Point season kicks off

The South Wales and Monmouthshire point-to-point season got underway last Saturday with the Brecon & Talybont fixture at sunny Llanfrynach and one person who was there to welcome it in was Joanna Morgan-probably the most famous horsewoman in the world.

Morgan, who used to ride in Welsh point-to-points before leaving her native Wales in 1974 to work for Irish trainer Seamus Mc Grath, has ridden and trained winners all over the world and was the first of her sex to ride at Royal Ascot where she saddled Roca Tumu to win the 2013 Brittannia Handicap.

Welsh champion rider John Mathias bagged a hat-trick with Champagne Benefit (members), Rosies Peacock (men's open) and Desertmore View (restricted).

Champagne Benefit, who is by Beneficial, made it three wins in a row when finishing alone after sole rival Kerry Mganga had been pulled-up, the prolific Rosies Peacock held on by a length to beat Tiger Rag, partnered by Richard Patrick, and Rachel Hooton's Desertmore View, who made all to clock the day's fastest time, had 12 lengths to spare over the favourite Minellacelebration.

Desertmore View, who is trained by Marc Barber, could be aimed at the Dunraven Bowl Novices' Hunter Chase at Chepstow on April 24.

Bridgend builder Roger Willcox had plenty to smile about. Patricktom Boru, which he owns in partnership with his friend Bill Corrigan, won the confined under Evan David and his Lauberhorn, a five times winner last season, took the ladies' open with regular pilot Anna Metekohy in the saddle.


Patricktom Boru, given a good ride by his rider, won by two lengths from Medicinal Compound after the odds-on Harpsy Cord (John Mathias) the early leader had taken a dislike to the open ditch on both circuits. A mistake three from home by Chesnut Annie didn't help her chances in the ladies' open race.

And at one time, when leading four fences from the finish, it looked like Highly Unlikely would go on to win. But by the time the last fence was reached Lauberhorn was back in the lead and went on to score by five lengths.


Chesnut Annie's owner/trainer Beth Roberts had some consolation when taking the first division of the open maiden with her seven-year-old bay mare Kims Quest who, ridden by Darragh Skelly, won by ten lengths from the favourite Milaneen.


Ogmore's Nick Williams landed the second division on Chris Williams's Fire Sale who came home four lengths in front of Tunnel Vision. Fire Sale is trained by former rider Dean Coleman at Amroth in Pembrokeshire.

Winners
Members – Champagne Benefit – John Mathias
Confined – Patricktorn Boru – Evan David
Men’s Open – Rosie’s Peacock – John Mathias
Ladies’ Open – Lauberhorn – Anna Metekohy
Restricted – Desertmore View – John Mathias
Maiden 1st Division – Kim’s Quest – Darragh Skelly
Maiden 2nd Division – Fire Sale – Nick Williams

Contact Brian Lee Tel:02920736438

Rhiwbina coaches develop their own

Rhiwbina RFC senior coaches Jared Lougher and Gareth Lintern recently delivered another coach the coach masterclass with mini and junior team coaches and managers.

Rhiwbina's Coaches at Masterclass event

The Squirrels through the two senior coaches have put in place a coach development plan to support and develop all coaches at all age groups throughout the club to reach their potential.

The two senior coaches have followed on from their theory workshop on Long Term Athlete Development(LTAD) that was delivered in October, with a practical session which 17 coaches from across the club attended in February at Cadelyn Park.

This time the session was of a practical nature involving the Rhiwbina Under16's squad . The session reinforced the LTAD and physical literacy principles of development, where all coaches were given a live demonstration of coaching sessions suitable to all age groups.

These masterclasses are part of the long term development plan of Rhiwbina RFC to ensure that we have high and consistent levels of caching and player support, ensuring players reach their potential, enjoy the game and develop through the ranks to senior rugby.

BRECON AND TALYBONT HUNT STEEPLECHASES

With the first of the two Curre & Llangibby point-to-point fixtures abandoned last weekend, this Saturday will see the start of the South Wales and Monmouthshire season with the Brecon & Talybont fixture at picturesque Llanfrynach.

Racing gets under way at 1.p.m. with the members' racewhich should  go to Champagne Benefit. Two prolificpoint-to-pointers expected to face the starter during the afternoon are David Llewellyn's Rosies Peacock and Beth  Roberts's Chesnut Annie.

Rosies Peacock has been entered for the men's open race in which there are ten entries and the winning horse here will qualify for the £7,500  Bonhams Mens Open Point-To-Point Championship Final Hunter Chase to be held at Cheltenham on April 29th.  

The grey Silver Story and Tiger Rag  are two others to consider. The riders of the first three past the post in the ladies' open race will score points for the Aga Lady Riders Total Control Championship and this race could be a duel between Chesnut Annie and Roger Willcox's  Lauberhorn a five times winner last season.

Get It On, a winner under Rules at Chepstow and Ffos Las when trained by Evan Williams, is an interesting entry.

There are 15 entries for the confined and the best of these appear to be Lauberhorn's stable companion Patricktom Boru, The Old Pretender and Golan Way.

The maiden race has been divided  and the ones to watch in division one are Earth Tremor, Kim's Quest and North George while in division two  Millys Delight, Ballet Marbless and Castleorace look the pick.

 

WELSH POINT-TO-POINT MEETINGS 2015

 

Sun 22 February Curre & Llangibby, HOWICK – Abandoned course waterlogged	Sun 26 April Tivyside & Carmarthenshire, LYDSTEP
Sat 7 March Brecon & Talybont, LLANFRYNACH Sir W.W. Wynn’s, BANGOR-ON-DEE	Sat 2 May Tredegar Farmers, LOWER MACHEN
Sun 15 March Curre & Llangibby, HOWICK	Sun 3 May Radnor & West Hereford, COLD HARBOUR
Sun 22 March North Ledbury, HEREFORD RACECOURSE*	Mon 4 May Banwen Miners, LLWYN FARM
Sat 28 March Glamorgan, YSTRADOWEN	Sat 16 May Gelligaer Farmers, LOWER MACHEN
Sun 29 March Flint & Denbigh, BANGOR-ON-DEE	Sun 17 May Golden Valley, BREDWARDINE, Hay-on-Wye* on the Borders and worth going for the course and scenery alone.
Sat 4 April Monmouthshire, LLANVAPLEY	Sun 24 May West Wales Area Club, LYDSTEP
Mon 6 April South Pembrokeshire, LYDSTEP	Sun 31 May North Hereford, HEREFORD RACECOURSE*
Sat 11 April Ystrad Taf Fechan, YSTRADOWEN	Sat 6 June Pembrokeshire, TRECOED
Sat 18 April Llangeinor, DUNRAVEN STUD
*outside Wales