During the off season in 2021 it was announced that no race meetings would be held at Cottenham Racecourse for the foreseeable future. With the current Pont-2-point season underway I thought we would publish the reports I wrote for the local media from the last three meetings held at Cottenham from the 2019/20 season. This is from the first, the Cambridge University United Hunts Club meeting on 17-11-19. 

The National point-to-point racing season got underway with the first meeting at Cottenham Racecourse, the Cambridge University United Hunts Club meeting. Dry and mild weather for the time of year saw a good crowd turnout to enjoy the six-race card, which included two feature races, the Men’s and Ladies Open.

The race action got underway with the PPORA Club Members Conditions Race over 2miles4furlongs and saw the biggest field if the day with fifteen runners. From the off it was Undisputed with Alex Edwards who set the pace with Baby Jake and Alex Bell keeping close company, the pair exchanging the lead over the first circuit. Onto the second circuit and Pearls Legend with Jack Andrews joined the front running duo, at the cattle yard for the second time it was Undisputed who had the lead as Baby Jake’s challenge faltered. With two to go Undisputed held a two-length lead but finishing fast it was now Workbench with Murray Dodd coming through to challenge. As they jumped the last there was nothing in it and it was a run to the post, briefly Workbench edged ahead but Edwards found more from Undisputed and they fought back to take the win at the post by half a length. Four lengths back it was Numbercruncher with Will Thurlby who came through to take third. Next up was first feature race, the Cottenham Racecourse Men’s Open Race with seven runners. This race was being sponsored by the Cottenham Racecourse Club in memory of Henry Hill who had been a long serving member of the Cottenham racecourse team. Setting the pace again it was Alex Edwards on board pre-race favorite Now Ben, joined at the front by Cloudy Joker with James King. Onto the second circuit and the duo were still setting the pace, at the cattle yard Now Ben had opened a small lead and with two to go it looked like it could be a quick double for Edwards. Coming up fast and now in second was Vivaldi Collonges with Ben Bromley and as they jumped the last, again there was nothing in it. Landing with a brief lead Now Ben tried to hold off Vivaldi Collonges but the French bred horse had too much and just took the win by half a length to deny Edwards his quick-fire double. The Skinner’s Ladies Open, the second feature race of the day followed up with five runners. It was pre-race favorite Arthur’s Secret with Abigale Banks who set the early running with Ravished and Imogen Robinson keeping close company. Ending the first circuit together at the open ditch for the second time Ravished made its move taking the lead. Immediately opening up a four-length lead Ravished had plenty in the tank leaving the field over the remaining distance to come home a clear winner. Behind it was Mercers Court with Kate Gowing who came home second twelve lengths clear of third placed Arthur’s Secret.

The NFU Mutual Restricted race saw just three runners and provided the opportunity for current Skinner’s Ladies Champion Gina Andrews to open her account. Having held off early pressure from Maximus Maridius with James King Andrews went on to take an easy win on board Fox Valley. The penultimate race and the last of the day over three miles was the Bailey’s Horse Feeds Open Maiden with seven runners. With Morning Smiles a faller at the cattle yard on the opening circuit the remaining six runners, headed by Taboo and Kai Lenihan, were covered by just six lengths. With two to go Taboo still had the lead as pre-race favourite Ringa Ding Ding and James moved into second. At the last it could be any one of five as they jumped, on landing it was Frank and Honest with Will Thirlby who took up the lead with the fast finishing Phoenix Park with James Jaevons challenging as Taboo stayed in the fight. Running for the line there was nothing in it and as they passed the post it was down to the judges to declare the finishing order. After a short wait it was Frank and Honest declared the winner by half a length from Phoenix Park and Taboo third half a length back. The action concluded with the ADC Drainage four, five and six-year olds Open Maiden race over 2 miles 4 furlongs. It was Fumet D’Oudairies with Jack Andrews who made the running going on to win by twenty lengths from Voie Dans Voie with Will Thirlby in second and Allonok with James King fifteen lengths back in third.

The next point-to-point meeting at Cottenham with be the traditional Christmas / New Year Cambridge Harriers Hunt Club meeting on Sunday 29th December. Further information available by visiting www.cottenham-racecourse.co.uk.

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Gary Malkin