23 February 2009 Report: Old Raby Hunt Club - Witton Castle
MENS OPEN: (L - R) Seafire Lad, Delphinia, Quenies Girl and Teeton Babysham
The Shackleton based team of Cherry and Jacqueline Coward took the honours at the rearranged meeting at Witton Castle on Sunday. Cherry trained her first four timer, whilst her daughter Jacqueline rode a treble.
Their first winner was Buy Onling, who led from the 12th fence in the Red Mills Intermediate race. Although challenged by the runner up Jimmys Duky at the last, the pair found plenty on the run in to win by a length.
Coward's second winner came courtesy of Narciso who came fast and late to win the Ladies Open. Still fourth with two to jump the pair quickened up well on the run to the last and took over from the leader Lutin Du Moulin at the final fence. Narciso just prevailed in a driving finish to win by a head.
Jacqueline's treble came with Chancery Lane in the first division of the Maiden. The pair pulled their way to the front at the fifth fence and led until the second last. The pair were then passed by the favourite Wantage Road on the run to the final fence, and he still held a two length lead jumping the last, but Chancery Lane responded to the jockey's urgings and rallied on the flat to win by half a length, with Gladstar a further half length back in third.
Mrs Coward's four timer came in the Mens Open with Sonevafushi, who led from the fifth fence under Jake Greenall. The pair never had to come out of second gear, eventually beating the Tom Greenall ridden Gunner Royal by an eased down 12 lengths. The winner's next target could well be the Aintree Foxhunters - a race he finished fourth in last year.
Persian Prince was backed down from 6-1 to 2-1 favourite, and won the opening Club Members race for owner John Wade. Jockey John Dawson rode well, and the pair duly obliged by taking the lead at the final fence. They drew clear on the flat to beat Buckshaw by 5 lengths.
Joanne Mason rode her third winner of the weekend when steering her mother's horse Whinny Bank home in the Restricted. The pair led from the fifth fence and gradually drew clear from Father Owen from the second last to win by 8 lengths from the fast finishing The Tinkerater. The 1-2 favourite My Old Piano fell at the 13th when travelling well under Tom Greenall.
The concluding Maiden race went to the Cumberland based Tommy Morrison on Millers Rose. Tommy also owned and bred the 7 year old.
The Sinnington Hunt will hold their rearranged meeting at Duncombe Park on Saturday with a 1st race time of 12-30 pm.
