|
REVIEW |
| Last Sunday saw the
resumption of Point to Pointing in the area at Ratcheugh. Tiring
going and a strong headwind in the straight saw fields strung out
like the washing and a high percentage of
non-finishers.
Highlight of the day was an excellent treble for jockey Andrew Richardson. He kicked off with Parade Racer in the Mens Open. This one was always travelling well and sauntered home from the race fit Makin Doo. Given soft ground a follow up victory is likely before a tilt at Hunter Chases. Half an hour later Richardson brought Tarajan with a well-timed run to land the spoils in the Confined. This one had form under rules and had run a promising race last year. He looked fit and did the job nicely. What A Fiddler was second and this one should improve markedly for its run. The treble was completed in the first part of Division 1 of the Maiden when Bertie O'Toole appreciated stronger handling and the drop in class from Ladies races to hack up. Always handily placed in the race he accounted for Broom Close and the debutant Peppernick. The last named took a while to get the hang of things but ran on nicely in the closing stages and should find a Maiden in due course. Earlier Riverside Run made his class tell in the Members when coming to collar Rum Rebel between the last two and win the race for the second year running under Andrew Robson. The Restricted fell to Yorkshire Raider Jolly Minster when that one stayed on better from two out than the hard ridden Border Burn with Meifen Boy a distant third. With many of the fancied horses failing to complete the form may be moderate but as they say jumping is the name of the game. The Ladies race fell to Balisteros (again), but he had to pull out all the stops to hold the persistent challenge of Knight Templar, a recruit from the National Hunt sphere. The runner up should land races although being based in Yorkshire will probably be campaigned down there. Phar Echo was a distant third while of the others Rash Reflection ran well until blowing up after four out. Part 2 of Division 1 of the Maiden fell to Ardmayle under Freddie Arthur. Distinct was second and should pick up a Maiden while Winsome Wallace was a distant third. The concluding maiden was won by debutant Mozielaw from the Rhona Elliott yard and provided Morag Neill with her first ever winner. This one travelled well and quickened nicely and on this evidence will pick up a Restricted. Bobby Wonder ran well enough in second with Vino Tinto a respectable third. Unlucky horse was Brush and Go which was leading and travelling well until a mistake 5 out seemed to damage Luke Morgan's tack. He disappeared behind the farm seemingly trying to get his irons back but by the time Brush and Go reappeared he was riderless. He could be one to watch. Next meeting is the Jedforest at Kelso in two weeks. A preview will appear next week. |