09 June 2009 Report: Tiverton Staghounds - Bratton Down
by Lucy Johnson
SOUTHWAY QUEEN: a first training success for Emma Jackson
photo: Tim Holt
Tom Greenall equaled his brother Oliver's record of riding 56 winners in a single Point-to-Point season after he rode a double at Bratton Down on Sunday.
The first winner came in the Intermediate on the favourite Snake Rave who was pushed to track the leader turning for home, took it up after the last and then was all out to hold off the determined challenge of Amanda Bush on Lord Fitzroy. The seven year old, who is owned by Alice Easterby and trained by David Easterby, is likely to go under Rules in the future.
The same combination teamed up for the record-equaling winner in the Restricted when Special Portrait won by three lengths. "I thought Tom gave him a super ride," said Easterby, who plans to bring a handful of horses to the season's finale at Umberleigh on Saturday.
Trade Off's next engagement will be opening the village fete at Hazelbury Bryan, home of his trainer Louise Alner, following his brave win in the Mens Open. The eleven-year-old, who took his career total to 15 wins, took up the running after the last under Sam Allwood and stayed on to hold off the challenge of Bannow Strand who gained ground with every stride up the run in.
Bill Du Pont, who jointly owns the horse with Annie Tory, said: "I could tell from his jumping that he was really enjoying himself. What a wonderful horse to own, a really super horse."
The Devon and Cornwall Ladies' Novice championship turned into a red hot affair after Becky Barnett booted home the Mike Vanstone-trained Arctic Sky to win the opening Members' race. In doing so, Becky drew level with Alice Pearn in the championship.
Skyhawk has been working on his own since he joined Dick Baimbridge six weeks ago but that didn't stop the eight-year-old from winning the Ladies Open race under Claire Allen. The subject of a heavy gamble, the eight-year-old was sent ahead with over a circuit to go and after a brief challenge from Paddy The Piper and Emile Zola two out, asserted up the run in to record an eight length victory.
Baimbridge said: "He'd done all his work and schooling and he's the only horse I have in now so he's had to do it on his own. I wouldn't take him before as there was a cough in his previous yard. He's a nice horse and won his first start over hurdles and ran in the Triumph Hurdle."
Emma Jackson scored her first winner as a trainer when Southway Queen took the concluding Maiden. This was Ian Chanin's last ride of the season as he will be riding in Germany and Sweden at the weekend.
"Her owner Tom Watts bred her and he is the best owner to have - unbelievable" said Jackson. "She's an absolute poppet to look after although she has been quite weak. Lucy Gardner would have ridden her but she's out of action for a while because of her accident."
