REVIEW
NORTHERN POINT-TO-POINT CLUB AREA CLUB
MUSSELBURGH
SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2003

by Chris Simpson

Going - Good to Firm

The latest meeting on the Northern Point to Point circuit was held at Musselburgh Racecourse. 

Racegoers were treated to a great afternoons racing in brilliant spring sunshine which was highlighted by a treble for rider Kevin Anderson.

The meeting began with the members race for novice riders and provided a first ever winner for Alistair Findlay riding Gaultier Gale. Sticking close to the inside rail thru' out Alistair brought his mount with a well timed challenge up the home straight to collar the better fancied Kovach and win by 3 lengths.

Favourite backers were lucky to collect in the second race as The Met Man was well clear when coming to grief 4 out.  This left the way clear for the odds on favourite Colonel  Conca to win easily from The Preacher Man.  This win provided some consolation to the " Colonel "who was unlucky to be disqualified at Corbridge recently.

It was a similar tale in the 2nd division of the restricted when Sandhills Boy appeared to have the race at his mercy only to fall 2 out.  Kevin Anderson and Harleyburn were the ones to benefit and they went on to win by six lengths from Si Celia.

The Ladies open race provided a close finish between two stable companions from Tim Reeds yard.  Commanche Law under Alison Hamilton stayed on too strongly in the closing stages for Blyth Brook ridden by Pauline Robson.  There was only a neck between them at the line.

There was another thrilling finish to the Mens Open where Howayman ridden by Kevin Anderson just held on by 1/2 a length from the strong finishing Poynder Park.  The second may have been a little unlucky as he appeared short of room in the closing stages.  The stewards held an enquiry but allowed the placings to remain unaltered.  Note should be made of the fourth horse Proud Foundation who finished with a wet sail and may be seen to better effort on a longer course.

The Maiden race saw On The Luce provide the second leg of a double for trainer Tim Reed.  He was always holding the second Roman Way up the home straight and eventually won by 3 lengths.  Roman Way jumped well thru' out  and ran by far his best race of the season.  He should be capable of winning a maiden in the near future based on this performance.

The final race of the day was the Open Mares Maiden Race.  It was won comfortably by Avenel who provided the final leg of Kevin Andersons treble.  The 11-year-old mare collared the front running Sporty Spice turning into the home straight and won going away by 5 lengths.

This is the second year that the meeting has been held on Musselburgh racecourse. Last years meeting was held on a Sunday and attracted a bumper crowd.  The organisers experimented with a Saturday meeting this year and the attendance appeared to suffer.  It may be that the meeting once again reverts to Sunday next year for this excellent venue.

Race 1

Members Race for Novice Riders

 

 

1st Gaultier Gale

A. Findlay

8/1

2nd Kovach

P. Strang-Steel

5/2

3rd Hoh Tel

C. Gillon

6/4 Fav

Dist. 3 lengths &1/2 length

9 Ran

 

Race 2

Restricted Race ( Div .1 )

 

 

1st Colonel Conca

C. Gillon

4/6 Fav

2nd The Preacher Man

M. Thompson

4/1

3rd Poppers

T. Scott

25/1

Dist.12 lengths & Dist

6 Ran

 

Race 3

Restricted Race ( Div. 2 )

 

 

1st Harleyburn

K. Anderson

5/2

2nd Si Celia

D. Jewett

2/1 Fav

3rd Sixties Melody

C. Gillon

6/1

Dist. 6 lengths & 2 lengths

11 Ran

 

Race 4

Ladies Open

 

 

1st Commanche Law

A. Hamilton

5/2

2nd Blyth Brook

P. Robson

4/5 Fav

3rd Miss Portcello

J. Hollands

5/1

Dist. Nk & 8 lengths

5 Ran

 

Race 5

Mens Open

 

 

1st Howayman

K. Anderson

5/1

2nd Poynder Park

R. Morgan

7/1

3rd Sparkey Smith

W. Ramsey

2/1Fav

Dist.1/2 length & 1/2 length

8 Ran

 

Race 6

Open Maiden

 

 

1st On The Luce

R. Morgan

2/1 Fav

2nd Roman Way

A. Richardson

14/1

3rd Hi Buddy

J. Galbraith

8/1

Dist. 3 lengths & 15 lengths

12 Ran

 

Race 7

Open Mares Maiden

 

 

1st Avenel

K. Anderson

2/1 Fav

2nd Sporty Spice

L. Hislop

12/1

3rd Oaklands Millie

P. Kinsella

5/2

Dist. 5 lengths & 7 lengths

7 Ran