Badsworth at WETHERBY
Sunday 13th February 2000
by Richard Watts

Sunday’s Badsworth point to point held at Wetherby saw a number of useful horses contest the three divisions of the Maiden. The most impressive Maiden winner was the Marley’s Romantic Native (Middleton) who took the First Division.

Emperor Ross made most of the running until falling two from home where Square One (R Price/Belvoir) was left in front; the Chris Bealby trained horse was two lengths up at the last but Romantic Native was staying on strongly for Clive Mulhall and the six year old took it up half way up the run in and pulled impressively clear to beat Square One by five lengths. There was a good run back in third by the five year old Eddie Rombo (Sinnington) who plugged on well for owner Ben Woodhouse.

Ian Bray’s Polar King (Middleton) justified heavy market support in the Second Division. The Woods owned and trained Mr Bossman (Zetland) made much of the running with the Dalton trained Madame La Claire (York & Ainsty), the favourite. Madam La Claire, ridden by Clive Mulhall weakened out of contention two from home as Polar King moved into contention. The pair fought out a great battle to the line with the determination of David Easterby getting Polar King home by a length and a half. Mr Bossman, ridden by Trevor Glass, was a gallant second with Madame Le Claire keeping on for a distant third.

Tim Walford’s yard has had a slower than normal start to the season but their five year old Guilsborough Gorse looked one to follow when winning the Third Division. The youngster jumped well for Guy Brewer and took command from the long time leader Play Lord on the run to the last; he cruised up the run in to win by six lengths. The Christine Barr trained mare Gemolly (Cleveland) finished fast to take second under Clive Mulhall with David Atkinson’s Go Nomadic (Bedale), running on from a mile back to take third for Peter Atkinson.

For the second successive week Monkey Ago (Pendle Forest), owned, ridden and trained by Jo Forster took the Ladies Open. This was a far easier win than at the Old Raby as setting a strong pace; Monkey Ago soon had his rivals in trouble and he kept on well to the line, the fall of Tudor Lodge two out and the refusal of Take The Buckskin at the last left Stride To Glory (Cleveland) a remote second under owner Helen Arnold.

Norman Mason’s yard have been in top form under rules and that form was maintained when Rubon Prince (Middleton), a rare representative between the flags for the yard took the Restricted race. Ridden by Larry McGrath Rubon Prince took the lead two from home; he was three lengths up at the last and kept on well to record an eight length win. Cherry Coward’s Scruton (York & Ainsty), ridden by David Easterby, made up a lot of ground from the rear to take second without seriously threatening the winner. Back in third was the Cheshire raider Mr Mark (L Brennan) who raced prominently throughout under David Sherlock.

The first fence departure of the favourite Solba threw the Mens Open wide open and it was the heavily backed Class Of Ninetytwo (A Wynne/Sir WWW) who took advantage under Chris Stockton. Four from home the race was between Class Of Ninetytwo and the Annabelle Armitage trained trio; J R Kay (Pendle Forest), Sunrise Sensastion (York & Ainsty) and Concerto Collonges. The four were all in contention two from home but Class Of Ninetytwo was keeping on gamely in front. The Chris Denny owned and ridden Sunrise Sensation looked the biggest danger at the final fence but Class Of Ninetytwo stayed on dourly to the line to keep him at bay by two lengths. Sunrise Sensation finished four lengths clear of J R Kay in second. Ridden by owner Nick Bannister the J R Kay put up a very encouraging seasonal debut back in third.

The mares race saw a fine front running performance from the Chris Bealby trained Ardeal (Quorn). Ardeal was strongly challenged by Nigel Tutty on Flip The Lid (P Sawney/Cleveland) over the last three fences but the Ashley Bealby ridden mare had two much stamina for Flip The Lid and exherted up the run in to win by twenty lengths. The Jacky Sawney trained Flip The Lid finished second, twelve lengths clear of the favourite Hiltonstown Lass (P Watson/Middleton) who finished a dissappointing third under Guy Brewer.

In the Members, the Shaun Harris owned and ridden Kind Prince pulled clear from the last the beat the favourite Asked To Leave, ridden by trainer Ian Bennett, by three lengths, with Bex Boy, ridden by trainer Katie Fletcher, a remote third.