Point-to-pointer Polly Gundry under investigation

H&H point-to-point columnist Polly Gundry was called to the stewards’ office after her charge Alysia’s Flame raced dramatically better a week after a poor run.

Alysia’s Flame ran in a maiden on 30 January at Charing under Ian Chanin. The horse bolted before the start, then was slowly away and tailed off before being pulled up.

On 6 February, the same horse won her maiden at Black Forest Lodge ridden by Polly.

Polly claims she expected a good run from Alysia’s Flame at Charing and spent the next week schooling her.

“I admit I made a mistake in thinking she would behave well when she was not disciplined enough to do what she was told during her first run this season,” said Polly. “But now I’m being investigated for putting my mistake right seven days later.”

Both times Alysia’s Flame was backed down to 5-1 from 11-1, which Polly put down to the owner’s bets.

This has been referred to the British Horseracing Authority, whose point-to-point executive Freddy Arthur confirmed there is no investigation of breaching the non-triers rule, but that they are assessing the improvement in horse performance.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (17 February, 2011)

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