REVIEW NORTHERN POINT-TO-POINT CLUB AREA CLUB MUSSELBURGH SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2003 by Chris Simpson |
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Going - Good to Firm The latest meeting on the Northern Point to Point circuit was
held at Musselburgh Racecourse. Racegoers were treated to a great afternoons racing in
brilliant spring sunshine which was highlighted by a treble for rider
Kevin Anderson. The meeting began with the members race for novice riders and
provided a first ever winner for Alistair Findlay riding Gaultier Gale.
Sticking close to the inside rail thru' out Alistair brought his mount
with a well timed challenge up the home straight to collar the better
fancied Kovach and win by 3 lengths. Favourite backers were lucky to collect in the second race as
The Met Man was well clear when coming to grief 4 out.
This left the way clear for the odds on favourite Colonel
Conca to win easily from The Preacher Man.
This win provided some consolation to the " Colonel "who
was unlucky to be disqualified at Corbridge recently. It was a similar tale in the 2nd division of the
restricted when Sandhills Boy appeared to have the race at his mercy only
to fall 2 out. Kevin Anderson
and Harleyburn were the ones to benefit and they went on to win by six
lengths from Si Celia. The Ladies open race provided a close finish between two
stable companions from Tim Reeds yard.
Commanche Law under Alison Hamilton stayed on too strongly in the
closing stages for Blyth Brook ridden by Pauline Robson.
There was only a neck between them at the line. There was another thrilling finish to the Mens Open where
Howayman ridden by Kevin Anderson just held on by 1/2 a length from the
strong finishing Poynder Park. The
second may have been a little unlucky as he appeared short of room in the
closing stages. The stewards
held an enquiry but allowed the placings to remain unaltered.
Note should be made of the fourth horse Proud Foundation who
finished with a wet sail and may be seen to better effort on a longer
course. The Maiden race saw On The Luce provide the second leg of a
double for trainer Tim Reed. He
was always holding the second Roman Way up the home straight and
eventually won by 3 lengths. Roman
Way jumped well thru' out and
ran by far his best race of the season.
He should be capable of winning a maiden in the near future based
on this performance. The final race of the day was the Open Mares Maiden Race.
It was won comfortably by Avenel who provided the final leg of
Kevin Andersons treble. The 11-year-old mare collared the front running Sporty Spice
turning into the home straight and won going away by 5 lengths. This is the second year that the meeting has been held on Musselburgh racecourse. Last years meeting was held on a Sunday and attracted a bumper crowd. The organisers experimented with a Saturday meeting this year and the attendance appeared to suffer. It may be that the meeting once again reverts to Sunday next year for this excellent venue. Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
Race 4
Race 5
Race 6
Race 7
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