REVIEW |
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Northern Deal's winning
run continued in the Mens Open during Saturdays Berkeley Point to Point at
Woodford, when the Dick Baimbridge trained gelding retained his unbeaten
record for the season with his fifth win of the current campaign. The
8-year-old faced just four rivals but was made to pull out all the stops
by the West Country challenger Tell Tale before prevailing by 3 lengths.
Adrian Wintle was initially disappointed with his mounts performance until
it was discovered that Northern Deal had recorded the fastest time of the
day. This was another fine training performance by the Berkeley trainer
who has turned what was previously a moderate performer into a top class
Point to Pointer. Teme
Willow beat Heavy Hustler in last years Members but the 12-year-old gained
compensation on Saturday. It became a battle of attrition up the home
straight between Blue Rosette and Heavy Hustler with Polly Gundry and
Hottentot breathing down their necks in third. The favourite fought off
the attentions of Blue Rosette and had sufficient reserves to hold the
challenge of Hottentot in a blanket finish to land the prize for Anna
Clifford and her Frampton on Severn based father Rollo. Dorset
Trainer Richard Barber landed a treble, taking the Ladies with Rimpton Boy
and both divisions of the Maidens with Keitho and Landrover. Steady Eddy
made much of the running in the Ladies but after his departure at the 14th
Rimpton Boy was never in trouble and came home well clear of his rivals. Despite
Keitho and Landrover's previous form figures both horses started favourite
for their respective events. John Honeyballs 8-year-old had failed to
complete the course in previous Point to Points but was nursed round in
this contest by Nick Williams before quickening clear on the run in. Landrover
was the impressive winner of his race, taking the lead at the end of the
back straight and galloping his rivals into the ground from that point to
score an impressive win in the colours of his Malmesbury based
owner/breeder Lucy Dickinson. Beadnall Bay took the Restricted after Julian Pritchards mount Spring Cabbage had slipped up on the bend after the 15th while Merry Shot scored a surprise win in the Intermediate at the expense of the runner up Border Farmer.
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