08 February 2010 Report: Old Raby Hunt Club - Witton Castle
by Will Milburn
LUTIN DU MOULIN: on his way to winning the Ladies Open
photo: Jon Hodd
The Old Raby Point-to-Point began the Yorkshire season, which saw the Dawson and Greenall families in flying form as they took six of the seven races between them.
The highlight of the day came in the Ladies Open which saw Anna Dawson give Lutin Du Moulin a fantastic hold up ride. She went to the lead at the last to hold off the fast finishing Andre Chenier, who showed an improved effort for Charlotte Cundall. The always-prominent Keeverfield kept on well for third. This gave Anna Dawson her second career win and she looks every bit as good as her two brothers.
John Dawson won the Club Members Maiden race aboard Beau Dandy who stayed on well to go clear after the last on his first racecourse appearance. Runner-up Devils and Dust made most of the running and stayed on gamely to just hold on for second for Gemma Tutty, while Easby Mandarin took third. Beau Dandy was bought in Ireland and was the owner's first runner for fourteen years.
The impressive My Old Piano and Tom Greenall won the Intermediate race, to maintain his unbeaten record. The pair were restrained well in rear and made very smooth headway in the straight. Jake Greenall and Joseph looked the danger jumping the last, but the favourite showed too much class and pulled clear. Nectar De Guye, who made most of the running, stayed on well in third.
The Cherry Coward-trained Sonevafushi won the Mens Open in effortless fashion. Always in the lead, Jake Greenall sent his mount clear in the straight and won with little fuss. Shanteen Lass stayed on to take second, whilst Ballyvogue ran in snatches but stayed on into third.
Chris Dawson took the Restricted race with the Graham Russ-trained Oaklands Bobby who proved his stamina by making all the running, winning easily after his only danger unseating two out. Miss Tosca stayed on the best of the rest into second, with Millers Rose grinding it out to take a remote third.
Dark Moon went a small way to paying back his £25,000 price tag when he won Division One of the Open Maiden race under Toby Greenall. Held up in rear, the pair made good headway and was driven out to hold off brother Oliver and One More Gypsy by half-a-length. Chapman's Peak showed improved form to take third, with Mr Gossip catching the eye in fourth.
The final race of the day went the way of Boxbury who was ridden by Mark Walford. The pair were always going well in midfield and after a steady pace asserted after the last to hold off the fast finishing Hunt Ball and Oliver Greenall. The newcomer Brave Admiral ran on well after been restrained well in rear to take third and end an excellent day's racing.
