29 March 2011 Report: Badsworth & Bramham Moor - Whitcliffe Grange
by Will Milburn
The Badsworth & Bramham Moor held their Point-to-Point this weekend at there new course at Whitcliffe Grange; a seven race card drew in a huge crowd from local town of Ripon along with many regular race goers.
The day couldn't have started any better as it was blessed with glorious sunshine which continued all day. With such warm weather, the ground was riding on the fast side, however this did not deter any of the competitors. Jockey in form was Mark Walford who, after struggling to record his first winner of the season several weeks ago, racked up a double here.
The first of his two successes came in the Confined Hunts race aboard Go Moss Go. Walfords mount relished these fast conditions; settled in midfield, the pair made good progress throughout and challenged long time leader Quinta de Lobo at the last and stayed on well to win. New Time returned to something like his best back in third. Steven Jones, Owner of the winner, reported he knew it was time to run the horse as Go Moss Go had dropped him twice on the gallops the previous Wednesday.
The second of Walford's double came in the Open Maiden race, which saw an emphatic success from Saddlers Mot, who looked to simply outclass her rivals here. The pair made most of the running and sauntered clear from two out to win hard held. Play To Win stayed on well from a long way back under Jo Foster to take second, whilst Pleasure Pursuit who chased the winner for a long way had to settle for third.
The class act on the day came in the Ladies Open and saw prolific winning Pointer Keeverfield make it four on the bounce this season. Sam Drake made most of the running aboard her mount and stayed on well after the last to justify their very short odds and solidify Sam's position as leading Owner in the country. Lutin du Moulin bounced back to form here in second as he attempted to chase the winner down the back straight but could never quite reach him. Blanding's Castle and Maddison de Vonnas fought out the minor honours, with Blandings Castle taking a distant third.
The Restricted race went to the well supported Plenty Of Chat; he and early leader Brother Mark were disputing the lead two out, however the winner's class began to show as he drew clear approaching the last and won a shade comfortably. Brother Mark stuck on for second, whilst Next Girl never looked happy back in third and may not have been suited by the conditions.
The Mens Open went to The Stickler, who thrives on this ground; always prominent, Richard Smith led approaching the last and the pair stayed on well under a determined ride to fend off the fast finishing Hesthegaffer, who never travelled a yard for jockey Oscar Churton and can surely atone soon. Over To Joe was bang there at the finish but just missed out to come third.
The Novice Riders race went to Bafana Boy, ridden by Drew Holmes who was having a change of scenery as his day job is working in fashion, which sees him regularly travel abroad to the top fashion shows. The pair led a long way from home, however looked a sitting duck as Wantage Road, who had never travelled a yard for Rebecca Mason, came to tackle approaching the last. However the winners determination showed as he dug deep to pull clear up the run-in and win. Wantage Road was back in second and Thistle put in a good display back in third after making a lot of the early running for Max Johnson.
The final race was ivision two of the Open Maiden and went to the 10-year-old Gunner Snow and Jo Foster; the pair were left clear two out but still had to fend off Joe The Plumber who was staying on strongly near the finish, however Gunner Snow just prevailed. Gunner Snow was not broken in until he was eight and is now Jo's father's regular hunter; Jo herself spent six hours hunting on him the previous week with the Middleton.
