REVIEW
COTSWOLD
ANDOVERSFORD
SUNDAY 7 APRIL 2002
by Pete Mansell

Raymond Moulds Grand National hero Bindaree appeared none the worse for his exertions in Saturday's Aintree marathon and looked a picture of health when he was paraded before an appreciative audience during Sundays Cotswold Point to Point at Andoversford.

Success in the saddle continues to evade Fergal O'Brien, head lad at Nigel Twiston Davies yard at Naunton who finished fourth on Tee Tee Too in the Members but his training exploits cannot be faulted, a fact emphasised by Look in the Mirror's pillar to post victory in the Ladies.

Jelly Nolan had Chris Hammett's 11-year-old in front from the start with Members Cruise is close contention. His presence was more of an irritation than a threat and he was unable to respond when the winner drew clear between the final two fences. O'Brien was unclear about future plans for Look in the Mirror but indicated that he will probably kept to Point to Points in the foreseeable future.

It had been a busy afternoon for Miss Nolan who saddled two runners from her Naunton stable in the Members. Partnering Arctic Grey she eventually had to settle for second place behind Greenwich and Robert Biddlecombe who were scoring for the sixth time in succession. The Jenny Powell/Marilyn Scudamore owned gelding led from halfway but Biddlecombe had a major challenge on his hands when Nolan produced Arctic Grey with a well-timed run approaching the last, but Greenwich was not going to be denied and held on to win by a length.

Cherokee Run scored his second victory in six days in the Intermediate. Front running tactics had been successfully employed at Paxford and faced with similar conditions the Chaddesley Corbett trained gelding again attempted to make every fence a winning one. Ed Gretton's mount jumped superbly but had a fight on his hands when Geoff Barfoot Saunt produced Master Buckley with a strong challenge turning into the home straight and the runner up was probably flattered by his proximity to the winner who was eased down in the final strides.

33-year-old Bromyard Property Developer Robert Langley scored his first win and his girlfriend Elaine Hill her first training success after Raise a Gale's impressive win the Maiden. The ex-Irish mare was always in contention and swept into a clear lead at the penultimate before sprinting away from her rivals on the flat to win by 10 lengths.

Hook Norton Farrier Andy Martin and Banbury owner Rosemary Gasson landed a double with Freedom Fighter taking the Confined while stablemate Romany Chat was successful in the Land Rover sponsored Mens Open. Half the ten strong field were still in with a chance in the Confined but Freedom Fighter suddenly burst clear of the chasing pack to win far more easily than the official verdict suggests.

The West Country challenger Fanfaron was all the rage in the Mens Open and Paul Phillips mount made the running from the start. Unfortunately, he was unable to establish a clear lead and had nothing left in reserve when Martin produced Romany Chat with a winning run at the penultimate.