What are the chances of seeing both a horse and its rider enter a point-to-point winner’s enclosure, and they both share the same age?
But at Easter Monday’s Lydstep point to point, hosted by the Creselly Hunt, this was the case in the opener, when 17-year-old jockey Harry Llewellyn rode to victory on Astracad, the 17-year-old Cadoudal gelding who didn’t begin his point-to-point career until 2022.
“It was a fantastic win for us but it was also a fantastic day for everyone, thanks to all the hard work that had been put in by all our volunteers in the weeks leading up the event,” said Harry’s father, David Llewellyn, who also happens to own Astracad.
This was also David’s first year as point-to-point chairman,having taken over from Haydn Mathias who has held the reins for the past 15 years.
“Being chairman meant that the vast majority of my work was done well in advance of the day itself, which meant that I could concentrate on my horses and riders.
“And given that this was Harry’s first ride, he’s given himself a 100% strike rate which means he’s set the bar high for his future endeavours.”
Harry is undoubtedly a chip off the old block, after his father has been involved in point-to-pointing for over forty years, firstly as a rider in the 1980s and ‘90s and more recently as an owner-trainer. He was very involved with the successful racehorse Rosies Peacock and is brother to former National Hunt jockey Carl Llewellyn, who won the Grand National on two separate occasions.
This year marked the 75th year since the Creselly point-to-point has been held at Lydstep. Maybe as a result of its longevity, the event continues to attract some of the country’s top trainers, horses and jockeys.
And this year was no exception with the appearance of top Hertfordshire trainer Bradley Gibbs who left base in the early hours to get to the track with four of his charges.
The first to put in an appearance was Sleek’N’Chic in the maiden mares and fillies, who is the six-year-old daughter of Mahler, who saw off her rivals to score by three lengths from Stopbeatingyourgums and James King. M’Lady May was a further ten lengths back in third.
Another successful horse to run was Voodoo Doll who had amassed some £76,000 in prize money in his career before he turned his attention to point-to-pointing. Monday saw the first of his wins between the flags when taking the Ladies Open at 7/4 favourite by six lengths.
Winner of the Intermediate contest was Anna Lewis with Frankie Faulkner with the even money favourite Honey I’m Good from the Bradley Gibbs yard in second. The Malinos gelding had run well at Howick back in March and was an easy winner on this reappearance. The six-year-old is still lightly raced having had only seven starts between the flags. Howick winner Debacle was unable to mount a challenge to the first two, coming home in third.
James King had a full book of rides at the meeting and would probably have hoped for more than his one winner on the day. The win came in the form of two to one favourite All Thumbs Up for Luke Price and Ynsybwl farmer David Van Poucke. This was the gelding’s first start between the flags having gained experience under Irish rules when trained by Tom Lacey and last seen in a Southwell Handicap Chase. Merry Dreamer and Inca Rose filled the minor positions.
The Men’s Open saw the return to Wales of Highway Jewel who romped home in a time that matched that of the Ladies race to score easily under Bradley Gibbs being fifteen lengths ahead of her nearest rival. Coquin Mans and James King were her nearest challengers with Staple Head back in third. This win gave Bradley a double on the day and made the long journey home more bearable.
RESULTS
Hunt Members: 1, Astracad, Harry Llewellyn (first winner from 3 starts); 2, Candy Burg, Rhian Howells
Maiden Mares & Fillies:1, Sleek “N” Chic Bradley Gibbs;2, Stopbeatingyourgums, James Kin; 3, M’ Lady May, Carys Morris
Ladies Open Race: 1, Voodoo Doll, Eleanor Williams (first point to point win from 7 starts); 2, Sunset Showdown Anna Lewis; 3, Souriyan Abigail Voyce
Maiden Horses & Geldings: 1, All Thumbs Up, James King; 2, Merry Dreamer,Sean Clarke; 3, Inca Rose, Miss L Hawkins
Men’s Open: 1, Highway Jewel, Bradley Gibbs; 2, Coquin Mans, James King; 3, Staple Head, Mark Robinson.
Intermediate Race: 1, Frankie Faulkner, Anna Lewis; 2, Honey I’m Good, Josh Younge;
3, Debacle,Mark Robinson
Pony Race (138cms) Novice Riders: 1, Downhills Master Alfie, Dominic James; 2, Tickle Me Pink, Sophie Llewellyn; 3, Mydroilyn, Chloe Hebblethwaite
Pony Race (148cms) Open: 1, These Dreams, Lown Cruise Mills; 2, Lady Moondancer, Bruce Vaughan; 3, Larks-mere, Dewi John Haddock
