23 March 2010 Report: Hurworth - Hutton Rudby
by Will Milburn
The Hurworth Point-to-Point held its meeting this weekend at Hutton Rudby and despite wet weather throughout the day there were several very large fields as well as a decent cround. The ground was riding heavy and most races took some getting.
One Jockey who is in form this season and riding particularly well is Charlotte Cundall, who steered her father's horse Andre Chenier home to win the Ladies Open.
Andre Chenier made good head way two out and was travelling strongly towards the last along with Blandings Castle and Pip Tutty, who was having her first ride back from injury; however Charlotte Cundall drove her mount out and stayed on very strongly up the run in to win by two lengths with Blandings Castle, who was prominent for a long way, staying on for second; Nawaadi ran a career best in third.
Another Jockey in form was John Dawson, who started a double in the Mens Open with Oaklands Luis. Dawson made most of the running and was pushing his mount with just under a circuit to go; his determination payed off as the pair powered home to beat the odds-on favourite Pristine Condition, who found very little when asked for an effort. Forty Shakes threatened briefly three out but could only manage third.
John completed his double in the first division of the Open Maiden aboard Thatsthereasonwhy. The pair moved up strongly after the second last and a win never looked in doubt as Dawson rode his mount out after the final fence. One More Gypsy tried to stay on but looked very tired, ultimately hanging on for second, whilst pace setter Toplander stuck on for third on only his second racecourse appearance.
The Hunt Members started the day and saw local Trainer / Rider Paul Frank record a popular winner with Fox Point. The pair sauntered into the lead between the final two fences and eventually won with a bit in hand.
Fox Point has reportedly not been right for the last couple of years, but finally came good here. High Moor finished second, however his jockey Ian Smith failed to weigh in, promoting Baron Romeo and Nomadic Ice into a remote second and third respectively.
The Confined saw a very strong field take part with 17 runners. Brize Norton was sent off as favourite and went one better here than on his recent two starts; Guy Brewer pushed his mount to the lead at the last and stayed on best up the run in. Oaklands Bobby was always prominent and ran an excellent race in second; he will surely have more to come. Ginger Biscuit without a doubt recorded his best effort so far in third, whilst No Complaint gave Jack Greenall his best ride to date in fourth.
The second division of the Maiden saw Augustus Livius handle the very testing conditions in good style, always going well. Augustus Livius moved up to the lead after two out and soon looked in command, however Irish import Yes I Can ran a much improved race on his form, whilst Sutton also recorded a progressive run after making some of the running before weakening into third.
Keith Anderson, who is a van driver, trains Augustus Livius along with his wife who is a chef in one of their local pubs and were delighted with the success.
One of the most impressive performances of the day was that of Sea Senor in the Restricted race and made almost all the running under Jake Greenall; although looking tired jumping the last stayed on best to win comfortably. Lewesdon Duchess travelled well for a long way and recorded her best effort this season in second, whilst Two Powers stayed on well for the Stuart Ross team back in third.
