Jeff Murphy brought two winners home—one over timber, the other over hurdles—at the Orange County Point-to-Point on Sunday, April 3, at Locust Hill Farm in Middleburg, Virginia.
Murphy’s win on Aero (photo) in the Novice Timber race was a repeat performance of the pair’s previous win at Warrenton this spring. This time, Aero stalked fifth-place finisher Thynnus twice around the course. Five fences from the finish Aero went to the front, was overtaken by third-place finisher I’m A Hokie, regained the lead with two fences remaining, and drew away in the stretch to win by seven lengths. Aero is trained by Doug Fout and owned by Alfred C. Griffin, Jr.
In the next race, Murphy was paired with Forest Bell in the Maiden Hurdles. The pair led for most of the first loop. Third-place finisher Jacob’s Little Bro went to the lead with Forest Bell keeping in close touch. With three furlongs remaining, Forest Bell regained the lead and held off second-place finisher Gustavian to win by a length. Forest Bell is trained by Simon Hobson and owned by William Russell, a top amateur rider in his day.
In the Junior Field Master Chases, Erin Swope won with Jordan in the Large Pony Division, and Isabella Eyles on her father’s horse Lone Arrow timed her release perfectly to take the lead on the inside and win by two lengths over Natalie Harpole’s City Diplomat.
Humdinger narrowly beat Sur La Tete in the Open Hurdle race, repeating his winning ways as well. Two weeks earlier he had warmed up at Warrenton, winning the Novice Rider Flat race with Mary Motion aboard. Matthew McCarron rode Humdinger over the hurdles this day for trainer Neil Morris. Humdinger is owned by Michael Smith.
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Posted April 6, 2011
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Forest Bell was Jeff Murphy’s second winner of the day.
In the Open Hurdle, it’s (l-r) Humdinger, first; Sur La Tete, second; It’s A G Man, third.
In the Open Timber, it was Rosbrian Farm’s More Fascination, ridden by Paddy Young and trained by Tara Elmore.