12 December 2011 Scout Seas off the competition
by AGA
Sea Scout, who in 2007 was the first northern-trained four-year-old to win a Point-to-Point, made virtually all to land the spoils by a wide margin in the AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Championship qualifier at Alnwick on Sunday, December 11th.
He and Unowatimeen set a breakneck gallop, 30 lengths clear of their rivals, but the favourite was shaken off before the home turn. And although New Alco was running on at the finish he could never get in a blow at the winner.
It is the third time in five seasons that Sea Scout has triumphed first time out. It was originally thought that he needed quick ground, but connections have realised that he shows his best with more cut and he is unlikely to run in future unless the word ‘soft' appears in the official going.
The horse is trained by Iveston farrier Russell Ross for a five-strong partnership headed by taxi driver Gary Jackson, while rider Claire Metcalfe has a background steeped in racing. The niece of former trainer Norman Chamberlain, Claire was the stable lass who looked after and led up Red Marauder when he won the Grand National in 2001.
Race winner Claire Metcalfe was filmed after the race being interviewed by respected Point-to-Point photographer John Beasley. The video can be viewed online at http://www.agaliving.com/aga-living/aga-point-to-point.aspx
AGA LADY RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
The standings in the race to win an AGA Total Control cooker worth almost £10,000 are as follows:
12 points - Angela Rucker
10 points - Rachel King, Claire Metcalfe
6 points - Bridget Andrews, Sarah-Jayne Davies, Catherine Walton
5 points - Frankie Hickman
4 points - Claire Hart, Rachel McDonald
3 points - Chloe Boxall
2 points - Emily Stead
1 point - Camilla Henderson
For further information contact Jess Shanahan at the AGA press office.
Call 01263 711588 or email jessshanahan@mabelgray.com
