Fit to bust shines at Didmarton (From Stroud News and Journal)

Fit to bust shines at Didmarton

A HORSLEY point to pointer won praise from its jockey after securing second spot in the Maiden race held at Didmarton last weekend.

"Fit to Bust", a nine-year-old horse is trained and owned by Mr and Mrs AR Bevan from Wollow Green.

Not only did the horse impress onlookers but also impressed his jockey, Alex Charles-Jones, who is the leading jockey in point-to-point racing.

The horse has a very impressive background and is the full brother to Bobby Joe.

This weekend, Mr and Mrs AR Bevan are taking seven horses to the Old Bark Hunt at Farringdon, which is a team chasing cross-country event.

The National Hunt Festival is looming on the horizon but Simon Claisse was able to take advantage of the lull before the storm and saddle Lead Vocalist for the Mixed Open during Saturdays Duke of Beauforts meeting at Didmarton.

Work commitments prevented partner and co-trainer Lucy Brack from fulfiling the vital task of getting the horse to the racecourse, so Cheltenhams popular clerk of the course was demoted from his normal high profile duties to the more mundane task of transporting Lead Vocalist from their base at Eastleach Martin.

Fred Hutsby, who had literally been engaged at the 11th hour, sent the 13-year-old up to dispute the lead at the 13th and this combination had gone four lengths clear of their rivals on the run to the penultimate.

A difference of opinion between horse and jockey at the last left the window open for their closest pursuers but the winner kept responding to every question that Hutsby asked of him and they were one and a half lengths clear of the favourite Shobrooke Mill at the post.

It is not often that you see the colours of a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner carried to success in a point to point but this unusual occurrence happened after War Paint had stormed to victory in Division III of the eight-year-old and upwards Maiden, wearing the orange and black silks associated with the 1991 winner Garrison Savannah.

A horse of undoubted ability, his earlier career had been hampered by leg problems so Richard Cook was subsequently entrusted with his well being.

This partnership became a familiar sight round the lanes of Gotherington and Stanley Pontlarge prior to joining Nicky Sheppards yard at Eastnor.

After his previous history, War Paint did well to finish third on his seasonal debut at Dunthrop and with the benefit of that run behind him he was able to gallop his rivals into the ground.

Juniper Hill provided Charlotte Hicks with her first training success following the ten-year-olds win in the second of the four Maidens.

Juniper Hill left his previous form well behind him and jumped like an old hand after Robert Biddlecombe sent him into the lead at the third from home.

The Aylworth based trainer was quick to acknowledge the guidance provided by her mother Caroline (who relinquished her training licence last year) and father Robert who rode his first winner at this meeting 25 years ago.