02 March 2009 Report: Blankney Hunt - North Carlton Racecourse
A large crowd attended the Blankney Point to Point at North Carlton on Sunday. 45 horses contested 8 races. The ground was riding on the fast side of good. This led to some faster times than had been recorded at the first meeting here a month ago. Once again the big screen was available for viewing.
The first race was the RGL Carpets Blankney and Burton Members race. All 5 of the horses entered were declared to run. The grey veteran pointer Silver Streak made the early running before being challenged by 4-9 favourite Yann's, who was well ridden by Miles Seston and hugged the inside rail most of the way. Civil Gent, ridden by first time jockey Alex Theaker, was also in contention when Silver Streak unseated his jockey. Civil Gent was no match for Yann's, who finished fourth in a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon last week. The loudest cheer of the day was heard when Oliver Chapple, a retired dentist and keen Blankney supporter passed the line on his hunter Pickled Walnut. A delighted Chapple picked up the prize for the first heavyweight past the post.
It was a good day for Chris Bealby's amateur rider Adam Wedge. He completed a double for Bealby's wife Antonia who trains Point-to-Pointers alongside her husband's licensed yard at Barrowby near Grantham. The first leg of the double came in the Bluefin Insurance Services Ltd Confined race which was a very competitive affair. Wedge's mount Just Jove was in contention from the outset along with the second placed Beauchamp Oracle. Oscar The Boxer was third for Harriet Bethell, who won at the last meeting at North Carlton at 66-1 on Creative Time. The fourth placed Rust En Vrede, trained locally by Dean Howitt, was outpaced almost from the start but stayed on well for Tommy Parr.
The second leg of the Antonia Bealby/Adam Wedge double came in division 1 of the 4, 5, 6 and 7 year olds Open Maiden, sponsored by Mr and Mrs Oliver Griffin. This time they won with the 5 year old favourite Hendaway, who had fallen on his debut at the last meeting at North Carlton. The second horse was Ahwaak, also a 5 year old. Having made the journey from the Ledbury, he was beaten by 6 lengths. Adam Wedge is now the clear leader at this early stage in the D & M Barthorpe sponsored Novice Riders Championships.
In Division 2, sponsored by Blankney Pony Club, experience paid off for Holderness Master Chris Richardson's The Real Tom Eoin. The 6 year old - now in his second season - took a while to get his head in front but won by 8 lengths from the favourite Torksey Lock, who had made most of the early running.
The PM Engineering Contractors Ltd 8 year olds and over Maiden race went to Mrs Sue Smith's Shaamit The Vaamit, who took up the lead approaching the last fence. The 9 year old former hurdler was well ridden by Matthew Mackley.
