Pre-race confidence proves to be well founded as Emily MacMahon wins a thrilling AGA Ladies Open on Master Medic at Larkhill

"Where's Larkhill" asked Mrs S last week, "Near Salisbury Plain and Stonehenge" was my response, "Sounds like the middle of nowhere and miles away" she replied! While it's not in the middle of nowhere, it would certainly mean an early start for us - and I chose to break that news to her gently at some point during Saturday afternoon. The first message arrived at 4.40am on Sunday, courtesy of AGA Total Control Champion Claire Hart, who was reminding me that another AGA race was on the horizon. There was also a subtle reminder that she would be feeding and mucking out eleven horses before I had even thought about getting up!

Nothing remarkable about the photos above you may think, other than the fog! It was foggy all the way there, and foggy when we arrived - very foggy! We couldn't see the course and racing was delayed by one hour in order to give the fog a chance to lift - the Met Office reports suggested it would, although it was touch and go for a while and racing was in doubt.

The car park continued to fill up and the fog slowly lifted to reveal a previously hidden racecourse ... and some horses! Great news for everyone, especially Jackie Oliver who had been amusing herself taking photos of me ... taking photos of her, and the then amusing her friends by showing them the snaps!

All good fun but the eagle eyed among you will have spotted the AGA Home Business booklet being handed to Mrs Hope by Mrs Hart in the background, I certainly did. Mrs Hope liked the idea so watch this space!

Horses were in the paddock, jockeys were about to mount and there was a real sense of anticipation among the large crowd. Meanwhile Mrs S had adopted her 'leaning nonchalantly against an AGA sign pose' while waiting for the start of the first race.

Carolyn Tanner was on hand to record the finer details of the days action and she was in the paddock with us before the AGA Ladies Open for what looked a very hot race indeed. Eleven of the seventeen entered had declared to run and the bookies chalked Description up as a short priced favourite, with Master Medic solid at second favourite (he was also carrying the Simpson cash).

Sally Alner can be seen issuing last minute instructions to Emily MacMahon in the photo above, however, if you would like to know what she's saying you will need to watch Emily's hilarious post race interview with John Beasley (towards the end of this post).

Jane attempted a 'flying mount' on Billyvoddan - as you can see in the photo it worked, and Master Medic looked an absolute picture (above) in the paddock. The instructions were followed to the letter and a shake of the reins from Emily saw Master Medic storm up the home straight to pip Description, Billyvoddan (who ran a stormer), and Little Legend. A brilliant ride from Emily, a very competitive race, and a thrilling finish!

Gina Andrews was runner up in an AGA Ladies race for the second week running, however, she does have the consolation of being the early leader in the AGA iTotal Control Lady Riders' Championship, with a total of 22 points, 12 clear of her nearest rivals.

Emily was understandably delighted and her pre-race confidence proved to be well founded - although she did give me some good natured grief for not having a shamrock shaped 10 point sign! I was joined for the presentation by six times National Women's Champion Alison Dare, before Emily dashed off to change for her ride on Alskamatic in Division 2 of the Maiden.

The kind people at Larkhill had provided a table for us to have lunch in The Queen's Building, and very nice it was too - especially considering that they were taking declarations by candle light due to a power failure! We were soon back in the AGA Home Business tent, just in time to see our AGA heroine in action again.

She only went and did it again! Yes, a double on the day ensured that Emily was sporting the biggest smile on the course, and after a crowded presentation (there wasn't enough room for the winning jockey), she was finally able to find Beazo for her post race interview.

The Mens Open produced another exciting finish with a win for our good friend Phil Rowley, courtesy of Sybarite and Alex Edwards, the pair getting the better of Aintree Fox Hunters runner up Roulez Cool - piloted by Sam Waley-Cohen. Connections were delighted, especially his lass Michaela Tallett, and this win - plus good runs from Billyvoddan and Charlie Wingnut, more than made up for the 5am start.

Sybarite is very nervous and he runs in ear plugs to help take away the sound of the crowd, unlike Derek (the 'AGA man with the van'), who is not nervous, and who takes great delight when his strategically placed AGA signs appear in photographs.

Well, we're still on a real high after our day at Larkhill, what a superb advert for Point-to-Point racing! Everyone involved deserves a huge thank you for putting on such a fabulous days sport - there were some superb performances both on and off the course, and once the fog lifted we were treated to some spectacular racing. Our AGA Ladies Open just shades it for me as the race of the day (not biased at all), Emily MacMahon riding a tremendous race on Master Medic, timing her run to perfection. Credit must also go to all eleven lady riders for serving up such a competitive race!

There was just time for a chat with Tracey Bailey (trainer and model), as we left the lorry park, and as ever Beazo was on hand to capture the moment. Our attention has now turned to the next AGA Ladies Open which takes place at Sheriff Hutton on Sunday - our first visit to Yorkshire this season, and a race which will hopefully feature our reigning AGA Champs, Amicelli and Jacqueline Coward.