REVIEW
NORTHERN POINT-TO-POINT CLUB
MUSSELBURGH
SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2002

by Dave Scott

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.