NEW FOREST

Despite being only the fourth windiest day of the week, it was still very bitter, with the gale whipping across Salisbury Plain. One grizzled old cynic observed that it was 'a very lazy wind. It goes through you, not round.' The upside for UK-Jumping readers is that I had no spare hand with which to take photos. And can anyone explain why, for a crow, jumping in the air and being blown backwards is so much fun? Do they want to evolve into kites?

Another reminder also occurred of the splendid diversity and individuality of the British point-to-point venue. I doubt that there is any other location in the country where you could hear the commentator say, 'As they go into the bushes, it looks a bit boggy down by the tank crossing.'

Going: Soft (Good to Soft places)

Race 1: John Wood Confined

1: Braeroy     2: Desailly     3: Pedina

Winner owned: CWW Dupont, trained: Louise Alner, ridden: Ian Chanin

The first two were also 1-2 in the betting, and were well clear of the remainder with six to go. Braeroy had kicked on at halfway, with Desailly more patiently ridden. Although Braeroy was under pressure after the third last, Desailly has never been keen on hitting the front, and at the age of fourteen, he is unlikely to suddenly change his tune. Lady Edison was on course for third, but ran out of puff before the second last and was pulled up. This left Pedina and Dun Locha Castle fighting out a very distant minor honour. These four were the only finishers, which was despite having a strong tail wind to help them up the steep climb from the dip.

Race 2: Oakridge Timber Open Maiden (8yo and up)

1: Northern Pitcher     2: Heathfield Flyer     3: Brooking

Winner owned: W Hooper/Mrs P Tozer, trained: Louise Alner, ridden: Ian Chanin

After Naders Quest set a brisk early pace, the field overhauled him approaching the dip. Slightly surprisingly, there were still six in the leading group as they exited the dip. Favourite See Me There had seen enough at the fourth last, and a mistake one fence later put paid to Alpha Image's chance. As this was unfolding, Ian Chanin seized his chance and put daylight between Northern Pitcher and the rest. The tactic worked as 'the rest' had no response, and he won by a good fifteen lengths. Heathfield Flyer, who is now 0/10, came out best of the battle for second.

Race 3: Upton Oil Mixed Open

1: Spuddler's Dream     2: Trade Off    3: Big Brendan

Winner owned: Axe Valley Racing, trained: Richard Barber, ridden: Rachel Green

As they approached the second from home, three were still in contention, but the out of form Machrihanish was first to crack, eventually finishing out of the frame. Of the two remaining, Spuddler's Dream ran on stronger than Trade Off, the winner showing benefit of his comeback run, after only taking the field once last season. Trade Off at dropped off of the pace half a mile out, but stayed on strongly to nab second, on ground that is not ideal, whereas Big Brendan ought to have been more at home with it.

Race 4: KMA Construction Open Maiden (4-7yo, 2m 4f)

1: Duke Of Miskin     2: Dr Flight     3: Oriental Gentleman

Winner owned: G Derren, trained: Mrs R Newman, ridden: Nathan Wilmington

Newcomer Duke Of Miskin caught the eye in the paddock, like many a Kayf Tara, and also had some betting support (although with a small, weather beaten crowd, how much money did it take to go from 8s to 6s?), but he was a lucky winner, as Fenny Lane was four lengths clear and going best of all when he fell at the last. Up to then, it was a much improved run by Fenny Lane, but will he care to do it again? Oriental Gentleman was left in with a squeak by the events at the last, but he tied up rapidly and was run out of second.

Race 5: Environmental Drain Services PPORA Club Members Novice Riders

1: Winsley     2: Dear Deal     3: Harbridge

Winner owned & ridden: Nolan Byrne, trained: Mr G Deacon

Only five went to post and the in-form Winsley was long odds-on. The race uneventfully unfurled more or less as the market predicted. Winsley was well in command from a long way out, and although he was a bit tired coming up the straight, so were all of his rivals. The aged Dear Deal opted to let his rider have the runner-up slot.

Race 6: Green Pastures Farm Restricted

1: El Troubadour     2:Marble Leader     3: Bakers Folly

Winner owned: D Cowie, trained: John Dufosee, ridden: Ryan Bliss

Another quintet, and the winner was an uneasy third favourite. The racecard summed up how difficult it was to measure his ability by observing that he had been unregistered when winning a members at this track on his only run. Declaring him error prone on that single effort seemed a bit harsh though! The race turned into a bit of a ding-dong, and a couple of times El Troubadour looked like the others might have taken him beyond his limits, but he fought back bravely (and jumped soundly) to get the better of favourite Marble Leader after the last. Ironically, the runner-up suffered a little from less than fluent jumping. Bakers Folly reappeared earlier this year after missing three seasons, and the way he weakened from two out suggests that the run was still needed.

Plus Points

Spuddler's Dream (race 3): Took his total to 7 from 17, and there is more to come, even in hunter chases.

Machrihanish (race 3): Has not been firing this season, but showed signs here that when the going gets a bit faster, he may be ready to put that behind him.

Duke Of Miskin (race 4): Jumped left and at times seemed to hang that way, so although there are holes in the winning form, he could have lots of improvement in him.

Rush On Sonner (race 4): Started off ambling round at the back, joined issue mid-race, and then faded out of it again. A racing debut that suggested there is better to come.

Bakers Folly (race 6): Still can improve fitness-wise for the race.

Down Arrows

Desailly (race 1): A late convert to pointing after an under achieving Rules career, he has a record in his current sphere of ran 3, runner-up 3.

Heathfield Flyer (race 2): Does sometimes pull up, but usually makes the frame when he completes. A win, however, is a different kettle of fish.

Fenny Lane (race 4): Will be declared an unlucky loser, but needs to put aside the fall and some modest runs to justify any confidence.