Teenager Fred Philipson-Stow certainly deserves to ride his first point-to-point winner after ‘sitting’ this final-fence blunder at Chipley Park’s recent meeting.
Riding six-year-old A Jet Of Our Own, who is owned by his father Edward and trained by Nicki Sheppard, Philipson-Stow led the maiden race from flag-fall and was still travelling well enough as the last jump loomed. However, the horse took off a stride too soon, paddled through the air and came down through the fence.
**A Jet Of Our Own approaches the final jump, takes off too soon and comes down through the birch
Slipping his reins to avoid being pulled over his horse’s head, Philipson-Stow, who is in his second season of point-to-pointing, was still in the saddle as A Jet Of Our Own regained composure, but the pursuing Lagan Valley put in a good leap under Will Biddick, grabbed the lead and won by a length.
**Defying gravity, Philipson-Stow slips his reins, sits tight and retains his balance
Reflecting on the Chipley Park incident, Philipson-Stow, who is studying A-levels at Kings Gloucester, said: “Approaching the fence I knew Will was not far behind and decided I had to give him [A Jet Of Our Own] the big send. As he took off I thought oh, oh, this could be interesting, but if you’re in that position you’ve got to give it your all. Next time I would go for the boards a bit more.
“He’s a lovely horse, who just loves to race and always has his ears on.”
**Gathering up his reins Philipson-Stow drives for the line, but Lagan Valley (Will Biddick) has momentum and gets up to win
Of last week’s first-fence fall at Buckfastleigh, he said: “We saw a nice stride and jumped the fence without any problem, but he knuckled over on landing.”
Philipson-Stow, who hopes to get a job in a yard when finishing his studies, is due a change of luck and bids to grab it tomorrow when he and A Jet Of Our Own are set to tackle the maiden race at Cothelstone.