14 April 2009 Report: Bedale - Hornby Castle
POPPY DAY: and Once Before (nearest) jump the last in the Restricted race
The Bedale Point-to-Point received brilliant weather all day and with enormous crowds, car parks overflowing and runners abundant, was probably one of the best days this season.
The day was a day for first timers, as two novice riders acquired their first wins.
The Hunt Members race saw a huge revival from Texas Ranger who used to be a top class Pointer on his day until losing his form. Now in the hands of the Pocklington family, he led from flag fall and was never headed, giving Alison Pocklington her first win on only her third ride. Favourite Elusive Swallow could never quite bridge the huge gap and got second, whilst Déjà vu, who was always in rear, stayed on well for third.
In the Ladies Open Delfina and Anna Dawson caused an upset as she powered up the straight past Wilfie Wild and Interdit to record her first win at 20-1. The old timer Wilfie Wild looked as though he would win but had to settle for second whilst Interdit ran a respectable third. Hot favourite Sea Scout was a very disappointing fifth.
The first race saw the talented Keen Whip find his best form and was much better suited by this easier ground; always travelling well he made smooth headway to the lead and stayed on strongly up the straight and can surely progress more. Abandon Ship stayed on well to be second, but favourite Master Wolfe never travelled or jumped well and could only manage third.
The Restricted race saw the Mason team bag another winner. Poppy Day was well ridden by Joanna Mason and despite being challenged by the strongly travelling Once Before, Joanna forced her mount out after the last to win by two and half lengths. The Real Tom Eoin made al lot of the running and ran very well to get third.
The Mens Open saw Unjust Law justify favouritism. Always travelling well, Tom Greenall challenged the leader Briscoe Place at the last and he pushed his mount out to win cosily by two and a half lengths. Lutin Du Moulin was always in rear and never travelling well but stayed on strongly to secure third.
The Maiden saw Miss Sunflower adopt front running tactics, Tina Jackson was never headed and kept finding plenty from the front allowing the pair to win easily by 25 lengths. This was probably the most impressive performance of the day. Snowy Descent went well for a long way, however was never put under any great pressure and is one to watch in second, whilst Augustus Livius took third.
Tom Greenall completed a double in the last when restraining the troubled Red Square Express in the rear; he made steady headway through the field and took it up after the last to beat Glad Star and Rachel Clark by one and a quarter lengths. Clark made most of the running and looked to have the race won turning in however found one too good, while Richard Walker received the biggest cheer of the day when riding his best race for a while in third.
