12 April 2011 Report: Bedale - Hornby Castle
by Will Milburn
A huge crowd turned out this weekend to attend the Bedale Point-to-Point with the meeting being blessed with almost tropical weather.
The Mens Open saw an upset in the form of 14-1 shot Valiant Shadow and Andrew Glass. Clear over the last, the pair stayed on well to hold off Over To Joe. The favourite, Finney, who never seemed to jump with much fluency, was back in third. The winner was bought out of Wales and was previously in training with Peter Bowen. Valiant Shadow has improved with each run this season.
The Ladies Open also saw an improved effort from Blandings Castle as he bounced right back to his best. With Pip Tutty on board, he made all the running here and gradually drew clear on the final circuit, winning easily in conditions he relishes. I See A Star stayed on into second, whilst Emma Todd and Maddison De Vonnas managed to jump the last two fences with only one stirrup and did well to stick on for third.
The Confined Conditions race went to Jabo and Fred Bethell; the pair made all the running and stayed on well to hold off the fast finishing Go Moss Go under a power packed ride from Mark Walford, while Abandon Ship made a short lived effort two out and stuck on for third. The winner gave Fred his fourth success, three of which have been on this horse.
Two riders rode their first winners during the meeting. Ivo Thomas won in the Members race aboard New Time; they were left clear four out and allowed to come home and win easily, with Budge Ya Butt a long way back in second. New Time was bought out of Jonjo O'Neill's yard as a schoolmaster for Ivo who is a regular face out hunting with the Bedale - he received a huge reception when returning to the paddock.
The Restricted went to Brother Mark and John Roche who was recording his first win between the flags. The pair led 4 out and stayed on well to hold off Forge Valley, who made most of the running and came with a renewed challenge between the final two fences but couldn't reach the winner. Once Before recorded a much improved effort for Sam Drake back in third.
Division One of the Open Maiden went to the Cooper Wilson trained Dark Night, ridden by Mark Walford. Dark Night was settled in second for most of the race; the three runner field went a very sedate pace until three out, where it became a sprint to the finish. Long time leader Bad Boy Bonney eventually struggled to match the winners pace back in second. Easily Miss Led looked a nice sort and jumped well on its debut for Sam Drake until unseating. Cooper Wilson has been training for 20 years and finally got his reward by recording his first success here. He was welcomed back to rapturous applause, while Mark Walford became the third family member to win this race, with father Tim and brother Robert (who won this twice) all winning it in the past.
Division two of the Open Maiden was the most well contested with six runners. Roman Road took the honours for Ian Smith, the pair led from a long way out and stayed on well to win; the only danger was Never Forget Poppy who stayed on well into second. However, he lacked fluency over his fences and will need to improve on his jumping to win. Meertrix plugged on for a remote third.
