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SHILLINGSTONE: emphatic winner of the Mixed Open under George Greenock
photo: Jackie Oliver

Crowds flocked in droves in the sunshine to see the seven race card on Easter Saturday,on what must easily have been in contention for the hottest Point-to-Point on record.

The clerks of the course Charles Reynolds and Charles Millington, along with the Woodland Pytchley Hunt connections, had worked hard to ensure official going of good to firm, good in places.

In the first race, the Woodland Pytchley and Fernie Hunt Members race, four lined up to face the starter. Furze Hill was left to make the running under Stacy Bromley with eventual winner Pass The Class (Sam Hutchinson) the back marker for much of the way before taking the lead three fences from home. Action Steel chased home the winner under Tom Ellis, left in second from the final fence after Furze Hill unseated, allowing Jack Day and Northern Shadows to pick up third place.

Walter's Laddie (Johnny Bailey) defied his recent run of seconditis when seeing off the challenge of The King of Angels. The even money favourite ran prominently before ridden to join long time leader The King of Angels at the last to run on by one and a half lengths with Ungaro (Heather Kemp) twenty lengths back in third.

A small but competitive field of four went to post for the Mixed Open. Shillingstone, back between the flags after his third in a Hunter Chase last time out, never looked in any danger as he and rider George Greenock cruised past long time leaders Aztec Warrior and Teeton Bollinger four fences from home, running on to finish 12 lengths ahead of Aztec Warrior (George Henderson) and Proud Andees (Will Telfer) a head back in third.

A long journey paid off for Dale Peters, winning the novice Club Members aboard his father's Carapuce. Held up early, the winner went second three fences from home before taking it up before the last. The pair ran on strongly four lengths ahead of Early Wings (George Saunders) and a further five lengths ahead of Teeton Dazzler (Lizzie Harris).

Omme Antique took the Open Maiden under Joe Docker, with the winner taking a keen hold and chasing the leaders until out-jumping Anamcqueen (Mark Wall) at the last and running on to win by two and a half lengths. O Ellie continued his placed form to finish 15 lengths back in third under Matt Smith.

The Restricted was a pillar to post victory for Briery Star who recorded the second fastest time of the day when failing to see another rival. He travelled strongly throughout under Jamie Goss to finish six lengths ahead of Malt Max (Will Telfer) and a further fifteen lengths ahead of Portalon (Leo Mahon).

Dingely's final race of the day, the 2m4f Maiden restricted to four, five, six and seven year olds went to the promising Now Then Charlie. Improving on his fourth last time out on his debut run, the winner never looked in any danger and made Jack Quinlan's quick trip from Sandown worthwhile. The improving Park Run chased the winner home by eight lengths under Henry Kinchen, with Caught Looking (Tom Ellis) a length and three quarters behind.

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