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TINKERS BURROW (right) AND ABBEY ST BATHANS: provided Owner and Trainer with a one-two in the Mare's Maiden
photo: Steve Hunt

The Atherstone Point-to-Point took place on Sunday, 25th April at Clifton-on-Dunsmore.

The opening Hunt Members race attracted a field of eight, on a day during which all races had healthy and competitive field sizes. Hot Lips Page recorded her first Point-to-Point success in taking the race under Sarah Phizacklea at 5/2, turning over the favourite My Best Buddy, ridden by Nick Docker. Taking up the lead at the last to go on for a three-quarter length success, the French-bred daughter of Hamas was winning for Trainer Victoria Thirlby and Owner Tim Thirlby.

The Confined attracted nine of the entrants and went to a surprise winner in 20/1 Iron Hague, ridden by Adam Wedge, who beat the 7/4 favourite Pennytino and Johnny Bailey. There was only a neck between the two at the post, with the son of Among Men registering a first victory since a 2005 flat win.

The PPORA Club Members Mares Maiden was contested by 13, with the Bill Warner-trained pair of Tinkers Burrow and Abbey St Bathans providing a stable one-two; both mares are out of the Strong Gale mare Spalese and run for Owner Judy Wilson. The 5/2 favourite, Could Be Good, managed third, with the rest failing to complete.

Tinkers Burrow was making her debut and had six lengths in hand at the line, winning in pleasing style, whilst her year-older half-sister was always prominent but couldn't stay with the winner as she went to the lead two out.

Favourites took both Open contests, starting with True Friday in the Mens; sent off even-money after her Hunter Chase third and subsequent Open second to Denvale, the Joe Docker-ridden mare came home ahead of Walter's Laddie, a half-brother to the first and second in the Mares Maiden, who was in turn followed by Galaxia.

Zilcash took the Ladies for Gemma Hutchinson as the 4/7 favourite, with Hannah Watson steering Beet De Bob into second; the winner is unbeaten in all completed Point-to-Point starts and, having gone to the lead three from home, was soon in command of his rivals.

The Restricted went to The Partalonian, always kept handy by Chris Smith who was riding for Trainer Alison Dare and Owner Patricia Willis; the partnership came home ahead of Easy Dancer and Arbour Hill, with all three sharing 5/2 joint-favouritism.

The closing Horses & Geldings Maiden had a field of 13 and went to Dave Mansell on Namur, the 4/1 joint favourite, from Up And Away under Johnny Bailey. Owned and trained by Theresa Morris, the French-bred son of Lute Antique was winning his first Point-to-Point at the 11th attempt, with his previous efforts yielding three encouraging places.

The next Midlands Area Point-to-Point fixture is the Fernie, featuring the Fernie Four Miler Mixed Open, which takes place at Dingley on Saturday, 1st of May.

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