REVIEW |
A marathon 11 race card was the reward for the Northern Point
to Point Club’s effort to stage a new meeting at Musselburgh racecourse. The opening club members race was divided at the entry stage.
In division 1 Pauline Robson landed what was to be the first leg of a
treble aboard Arctic Sandy in the Anderson-Green colours. This one easily
accounted for Dream of My Life and Forty Love and will win again. Half an hour later Pauline made it two when the ex National
Hunt Star Lord Dorcet absolutely hosed in from Kovach and the fast
finishing Charlieadams. The winner was entitled to be a little ring-rusty
following a lengthy lay off and will undoubtedly make his mark in Hunter
Chases. The third would have benefited from a more vigorous ride and can
lift a race of this nature on decent ground. Pauline’s treble was completed in the Ladies race when she
was aboard the exciting Teelin Bay, also in the Anderson-Green colours.
This was a bloodless victory from Rash Reflection, which continues to run
well, and is surely a stepping-stone to better things. The Intermediate was another divided race, but this time on
the day. Nisbet was the winner of the first division under Jane Hollands
when accounting for Derryrose and Bertie O’Toole. The interesting horse
here was Sixties Melody which ran well on its pointing debut for Kevin
Anderson. This one should be watched. Mini Cruise won the second division by a diminishing neck
from Happy Blake and in the process provided the first leg of a double for
Luke Morgan who followed up this success by partnering Si Celia in
Division 1 part 2 of the maiden for younger horses. This one denied
favourite The Preacher Man by a short head in a driving finish. Unlucky
horse was Ascot Touch who hardly jumped a fence and was reeling the
leading pair in hand over fist only failing by a length. Eddy’s Son under Dale Jewett was a comfortable winner of
the Mens Open from Falcons Flame and Teejay n’ Aitch. Elsewhere on the card Ballylesson provided the promising Paul
Robson with a winner in Division 1 part 1 of the young horse maiden easily
accounting for Sinch and Albarden. This one has had jumping problems but
seemed to appreciate the better ground and can go on from here. Suetsu ran out a comfortable winner in division 2 of the
young horse Maiden under Noel Wilson from Debonair Boy and Toft Hall. One
to catch the eye was Rocky Fountain who unseated four out when in
contention and still travelling fairly well and can win a Maiden. The meeting finished with two Maidens for older horses. In the first division Clive Storey partnered Billie Thomson’s Kelly Canyon to an easy success from Henah Hill and Craigdale while Alex In Action survived a terrible last fence blunder to deny favourite Smiths Wynd and provide Carolyn Hall with a welcome winner in the concluding heat. |