18 May 2009 Report: South Durham - Mordon
by John Milburn
DESPERATE BOB: winner of the Open Maiden race
photo: Grace Beresford
The Yorkshire Point-to-Point season came to a close in fantastic style on Saturday as a 7 race card was strongly supported, This included the domination of the Dawson-Wade combination, John Dawson in particular was the star on show as he recorded his first treble.
Dawson recorded his first win in the Hunt Members race, aboard Persian Prince. Making all from the start, Dawson set a slow pace throughout, but after increasing the tempo six out, the pursuers never looked like reaching the leader. His task was made a lot easier when Saddlers Singer fell, bringing down Abandon Ship, which resulted in the unseating of Crashtown Leader's rider.
Dawson's second winner came in the 2m4f Maiden aboard Lady Delilah. The pair led tuning into the straight along with Willybegood, who weakened into third, and the danger came from All Lit Up and Miles Seston who joined the leader two out. The pair battled all the way to the line with Lady Delilah just coming out on top by a short head.
The treble was completed in the Restricted with Knoxhill Archie. Having taken 16 attempts to win his Maiden, the penny looks to have dropped, as the pair made it a quick double. Leading a long way, out the pair were always travelling well and sprinted clear from the last to win from Areyacoddinme.
John Wades yard was also in form and completed a double, the second of which came from Always Right in the Confined under the burden of 13st 1lb. The gelding, who finished eleventh in the Cheltenham Foxhunters, led into the straight and eventually won comfortably from Allborn Lad who ran a blinder in second. Baron Romeo stayed on strongly from the rear to take third.
The Ladies Open was a hot event and saw Jo Foster pull even further clear in the area Ladies Championship. The well backed On Y Va travelled strongly in the straight and was pushed clear after the last to win well. Oaklands Luis ran on well for second, whilst Becky Mason gave One Five Eight the ride of her life in third, just missing out on the Novice Ladies Championship.
Tom Greenall continued on his national conquest aboard Network Oscar, who was driven along four out but responded well. Forty Shakes and Browns Beck were upsides jumping the last Greenall galvanised his mount and stayed on strongly. Forty Shakes finished second, and Browns Beck was third.
The Open Maiden ended the season, and it was won by Desperate Bob under Andrew Glass, who kicked ten clear after four out, a move that proved to be decisive.
Chris Dawson maintained his lead to win the Mens Championship with his brother closing on him in second. Jo Foster reclaimed the Ladies Championship after a gap of several years, whilst newcomer Alison Pocklington won the Novice Ladies Champion courtesy of her horse Texas Ranger. The Greenalls finished one-two in the Mens Novice Championship, as Toby Greenall narrowly beat brother Jake.
