10 March 2009 Report: Duke of Beaufort's - Didmarton
RIEN A PERDRE: and Tom David clear the last on the way to winning the Open Maiden
The Beaufort Point-to-Point at Didmarton proved a magnet for racegoers on Saturday afternoon where local horses took a majority of the races, although the raiding party from the Easterby stable in Yorkshire did not go away empty handed.
Chippenham based Michael Hawker paid a moderate sum for Sheknowsyouknow at Ascot Sales last July but that proved money well spent after the 8-year-old mare had seen off her rivals in the Members. Given an enterprising ride by Mark Wall the mare was at the forefront of affairs from the start and had too much in reserve when challenged by the favourite Jimmy Tennis at the penultimate.
North Nibley trainer Julie Houldey left the meeting with two winners after Just Talking had taken the West Midland Area Club race under David Mansell and Polly Whittaker had steered Landi Beau to success in the second division of the Maiden.
Just Talking and Eaton Hall had a titanic battle over the final two fences which eventually went to the favourite although Eaton Hall's efforts were not aided by the attentions of a loose horse although his jockey was not sure this made any difference to the result.
The biggest cheers of the day were reserved for the winner of the day's concluding contest, which resulted in a popular victory for Polly Whittaker. As befits a "fifth season ex-Irish Maiden who front runs" Miss Whittaker set off to make the most of these attributes and this obviously played to his strengths. Dave Mansell and Maddie's Dream pestered their rival during the final half-mile and were still in with a shout when suffering a heavy fall at the penultimate, which left Mansell nursing an injured shoulder. Left well clear by this fall Landi Beau finally opened his account in the colours of the rider's father Mark.
Seanin McPhersons stable had a season to forget last year but the introduction of a new all weather gallop at their yard near Stow on the Wold is beginning to reap benefits and that results in Rien a Pedre completely outclassing his rivals in Division One of the 8-year-old and upward Maiden.
Bibury jockey Mark Wall completed his double on Bradley in Division Two of the 5, 6 & 7 year old Maiden, who showed better speed on the flat than Rocklandslad who had been level with the favourite at the last.
