Thetford Point-to-Point trainer/rider David Kemp optimistic following success aboard Cheyanwe at Dunston Harriers fixture at Ampton

by Vanessa Britton Thursday, January 19, 2012
11:28 AM

David Kemp, one of East Anglia’s top Point-to-Point trainer/riders of the last few years, has good reason to be optimistic about the coming season following his success aboard Cheyanwe at the Dunston Harriers fixture at Ampton, near Bury St Edmunds, on Sunday.

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Kemp, from Kilverstone near Thetford, had a disappointing 2010-11 campaign, partnering just two winners, but he got off the mark for 2012 when Cheyanwe overtook her main market rival, Medic, at the halfway stage in the Intermediate Race and then stuck on gamely to score by five lengths.

“We had some problems with our facilities at home last year,” Kemp admitted afterwards, “but we’ve just gained access to a new gallop on the farm of John Goucher at Croxton, just across the A11 from our yard. We’ve also acquired some new schooling fences and I’m much happier with the set-up.”

The other East Anglian victory on a seven-race card – which only got the go-ahead after a 30-minute delay to allow the overnight frost to thaw –was a second Irish import in the shape of the Veteran’s Race winner, Kells Castle. Now trained at Chediston, Suffolk, by John Ibbott, Kells Castle has been in this country for just six weeks having previously been housed with top National Hunt handler, Gordon Elliott.

The closest finish of the afternoon came in the Ladies’ Open as the Warwickshire raider, Sir Harry Cool, held off Bearneen Boy, trained at Wymondham by Caroline Fryer, by a head.

The closing Novice Riders Race went to a visitor from Kent, the recent Cottenham scorer Flowersoftherarest.