05 April 2011 Report: Middleton - Whitwell-on-the-Hill
by Will Milburn
TOM GREENALL: four wins for the former champ
photo: Jackie Oliver
One of Yorkshire's premier meetings was held this weekend at Whitwell-on-the-Hill, much effort was put into producing good racing conditions which drew in many runners. The beautiful weather attracted many spectators, who took full advantage of the beer tent.
The highlight of the day was the Grimthorpe Gold Cup, which saw out-and-out stayer Rimsky, along with jockey Tina Jackson, hold on narrowly to win in an action packed finish. The pair were never headed and were ten lengths clear at one stage, but after giving her mount a breather down the back straight, Jackson kicked on three out to hold off the fast finishing Mr Gossip and Willywonthe, with only a length covering the first three home. Rimsky continued to pull out more as the chasing pack came to him and could be a fairy tale ending to an illustrious career for Tina Jackson, who may retire from riding at the end of this season.
Another jockey on form was Tom Greenall who notched up a four-timer. He started his sequence in the Members race with Sea Senor, the pair led were never headed and galloped on well to win by twelve lengths. Favourite Impact Zone and Joanna Mason came from a long way back to take second while Adin Abroad, who chased the winner till three out, stuck on for third under Will Milburn. Sea Senor had been reluctant to race on his last two outings but was much sweeter today.
Tom secured his double in the Restricted race aboard Chip N Pin. Settled in rear, the pair swept past long time leader Yes I Can between the final two fences to win comfortably. Yes I Can stuck on for second while Chapel House, who looks on an upward curve, secured third.
The Intermediate was a qualifier for the final at Cheltenham and went the way of Bitter Blue. Tom Greenall looked in danger two out but once he got stuck into his mount, the pair scooted away after the last to win well. Lem Putt ran a good race to finish second, while front-running Joseph wasn't far away in third for Tom's brother Toby.
Division One of the Open Maiden was won by Brompton Brow and completed Tom Greenall's four timer. Restrained in midfield the pair made stealthy headway on the final circuit and sauntered away from three out to win hard held. He should progress further. Arty Farmer took a remote second, whilst Goinfordacominhome was third for the Gary Hanmer team. Brompton Brow was a £22,000 purchase from Ireland as a foal by Mick Easterby, who knew the gelding would win after working exceptionally well during the week.
The two-and-a-half mile Maiden went to Guy Brewer and Sharese who established a big lead early on, with Lord Luso joining him with a circuit to go. The pair were twenty lengths clear four out and it was Sharese who stayed on the best to win for trainer Maxine Stirk. Sharese has now earned himself a ticket to one of Brightwells' Premier Sales at Cheltenham in the next few weeks.
The final race was Division two of the Open Maiden race, which went to Joanna Mason and Oriel Bank, trained by her father Ian Mason. Always travelling well in midfield, the pair came to the lead two out and got the better of Counttoten on the run-in to win nicely. The runner-up ran a promising race on his Pointing debut, whilst Sprout ran a similar race for third. The winning six-year-old had been in the yard since a foal and several disappointing efforts were put down to soft ground, but he relished these quicker conditions.
The Club Members race went the way of the Greenalls again, however this time it went to younger brother Toby Greenall and Pristine Condition. The pair stayed on well in the straight to beat Moment Of Madness and Guy Brewer, who made most of the running.
