Seldom can the judge have been so grateful for the introduction of the ipad as an aid in determining the results than at Witton Castle on bank holiday Monday 5th May, where the very large crowd which packed the hill for the Zetland fixture were treated to some great racing with thrilling finishes. The lakes around which the course is set provided an ample water supply which, coupled with a lot of hard work by the organisers, produced a racing surface which was well received on the day.
The star turn of the meeting certainly wasn't one to give the judge much trouble however as Surprise Attack put up another great performance to easily beat a field containing some decent rivals in the Sherwoods Mens Open. Emir Sacree set out to try and repeat his all the way win at Sheriff Hutton under Joe Wright but John Dawson never let the leader get too far out of his sights and always had Surprise Attack tracking him. As they turned for the long run home the pair had the race between them and when John brought his mount to challenge the contest was soon settled as Surprise Attack swept clear to win by an easy five lengths and notch up his fifth win of the season for owners the Racy Ladies Partnership, and put himself in contention for the national leading horse award. Speaking afterwards, trainer Alice Dawson commented “the plan was always to go for the Cartmel hunter chase on May 26th but now he's in contention for the leading horse award we might have a rethink and stay in point to points to have a crack at that.” The win helped to keep John in contention to retain his area title, for which he started the day tied with Thomas Easterby and he added “he’s thriving. We've learned something today as they went a really good gallop. If we do stick to pointing, Tabley would be the target.”
Title rival Thomas Easterby matched John Dawson's winner when his mother Sarah's Benefact finally got his head in front at the fourteenth attempt in the Latimer Hinks Restricted. Having taken the running up as they turned for home the pair faced a challenge from Agirlcalledchloe and Felix Foster and after a sustained duel the two horses flashed past the post together with Benefact getting the verdict by a short head. The drama continued however as a steward’s enquiry was called into interference as they neared the line after which the placings remained unaltered.
Speaking afterwards, Thomas said “there was some interference but we were both leaning on each other so it was six of one and half a dozen of the other. He's taken a long time to lose his maiden tag but we trained him hard in early season thinking he'd soon win but he didn't like the soft ground. He relishes the quick ground and he actually did it a bit cosily in the end.”
Despite the short head verdict there, that wasn't the closest finish of the day as even the modern technology couldn't split them in the Ripon Farm Services Maiden race. Royal Maggs was sent off a shade of odds on having followed winning an Alnwick flat race on debut with a close second on her first try over fences at Overton and trainer, rider Jack Teal always had her to the fore here. Up the home straight all her rivals were well beaten bar for Cinque Terre under leading northern area jockey Nick Orpwood who gradually wore the favourite down and managing to get his mount up on the line to force the dead heat in a tremendous battle.
Both winning horses race in the colours of connections whose involvement in pointing runs long and deep. Royal Maggs is the latest in a long line of homebred pointing winners produced by Steve and Josie Knowles of Beechwood Grange Stud near York, the best of which would be JJ Henry who went on to win the John Hughes Trophy over the national fences at Aintree in 1991. “My father started with pointers in 1946” commented Josie afterwards “ we have four running this season and we have the younger siblings but they will be the last for us as we finished with the stud two years ago.” having often sold their horses on in the past, Josie continued “we'll be keeping these and enjoying them.”
Cinque Terre runs in the colours of Wooler based Tocky McKie who has had much success over many years between the flags, riding great pointers such as Nostradamus in the early 80s at the same time as husband Ian was twice national mens point to point champion jockey. The win was a real family affair as Cinque Terre is trained by daughter Jessica. “We bought him in the summer from Ireland” said Tocky afterwards “He’s a lovely horse who stays for ever and we'll keep him pointing next season. He's been screaming out for good ground and a flat track and we're a bit short of those in the Northern Area.”
Alex Wilson's three horse string continued its wonderful season when the Magnolia Stables Racing Club's Tanora took the Low Grange Quarry Conditions Race (level 2) for 8yo’s and over. Sent off at odds of 12/1 the mare was always to the fore under pilot Pippa Brown and were chased hard by the Grimthorpe Gold Cup winner Blue Sans and Joe Wright but try as they might, the latter pair couldn't quite peg the leader back under this much shorter trip with Tanora holding them off to win by a neck. The victory was the first for the mare for since 2023, having missed last season and that means all three of Alex's horses have now won this season. “She's an awkward mare. She just does what she wants but I love her for it!” said a proud Alex afterwards. “She's entered for the Heart Of All England at Hexham next Saturday and there's no reason not to have a go now after that.”
Pippa's winning ride cemented her position at the head of the Yorkshire Area Ladies Novice championship as well as keeping her well in contention for both the overall Yorkshire Ladies championship and the National Ladies Novice title.
Rosie Howarth matched Pippa's win to kept herself in pole position in the Yorkshire Lady Jockeys Championship when Sunset On Fire won the Todds Highway Maintenance NPPA and Yorkshire Areas 5yo and Over Conditions race (level 2). Having raced in midfield he was produced for a well-timed challenge and ran on well to beat Titanium Bullet and Felix Foster by two and a half lengths with the rest finishing in a bunch close behind. Sunset On Fire was following up on two good seconds so was due a win which delighted his owner Chris Richardson who helps build the Dalton Park course every year and is one of the most enthusiastic supporters in the area. “I own him in partnership with Cherry Coward who trains him but I pay the bills!” laughed Chris. Despite this being the winner's third victory from ten career starts, Cherry added “He's still a bit green but he is a very straightforward horse.”
The day's other race saw a return to pointing for Middleham farrier Justin Landy who boasts one of the most impressive strike rates around with a win to runners ratio of around 75%. The latest success came via Do No Wrong who was making his first appearance between the flags and ran out an easy winner of the S G Petch Ladies Open in the hands of Natasha Cookson who was sitting on the horse for the first time. Owned by Justin's mother Pauline Southerington. Do No Wrong had his task made easier when favourite Killer Clown and Daisy White parted company with each other just after halfway and he came home ten lengths clear of Deerstalker and Isobel Mactaggart. “The target is the Ladies Open Point To Point Championship Final at Stratford” said Justin afterwards, a race he won in 2019 with Meldrum Lad. “He was probably a bit short here so that should put him bang on for Stratford.”
The next Yorkshire meeting is the finale of the area season next Sunday 11th May when Charm Park near Wykeham plays host to the Derwent – Scarborough Races fixture. Watering is well underway and will continue up until raceday with the organisers aiming to provide the best going possible. The excellent course usually provides good quality racing and hopefully the season will go out with a bang.