South Durham at HOWE HILLS, MORDON

Saturday 13th May 2000
by Richard Watts

Peter Maddison’s mare Cede Nullis (Middleton) sprung a 20-1 surprise when winning the Ladies Open at the South Durham Point to Point held at Howe Hills last Saturday.

The favourite, John Mackley’s Japodene (South Durham) took up the running with a circuit to go. She looked set to win when pulling clear three from home under Ruth Clark. Ridden by Laura Eddery Cede Nullis moved into a challenging position and started to run on strongly after the second last. Cede Nullis drew level at the last and quickened well on the run to the line to win by two lengths. Temple Garth (Sinnington) who was outpaced at the third last stayed on strongly approaching the last and just failed by a length to take second from Japodene.

Doug Jemmeson’s Red Spectacle (West Of Yore) completed a double when winning the Mens Open under Nigel Tutty. The 7-4 favourite went well throughout the race and always looked the winner. He sat in second until quickening impressively on the run to the last to win by a comfortable six lengths. The Fiona Needham Primitive Streak (West Of Yore) finished second. He put in some spectacular leaps under Rupert Abrahams but could only keep on at one pace when the winner quickened away. Simon Robinson on his own Lottery Ticket (Zetland) was left a remote third when Syd Green fell at the second last.

The Tina Jackson trained and ridden Sally Scally (Cleveland) looks an exciting prospect for Ladies Opens next season and Howard Thompson’s mare put in another speedy performance to easily take the Restricted. The mare was held up in the early stages, she moved smoothly through the field on the second circuit before taking it up at the second last and running on strongly to win by four lengths. Lord Nick (Cleveland) ridden by Clive Muhall was also held up in the early stages. The Christine Barr trained horse closed to second at the second last but could not match the pace of the winner. He finished second two lengths clear of David Atkinson’s Lord George (Bedale). Ridden by Peter Atkinson he was always in the first three but was outpaced from the second last.

Maria Myco’s Majority Major won the Members race but all the credit goes to jockey Trevor Glass who did remarkably well to keep the favourite on the track when he tried to run out at the third. Glass had to work hard on the eleven-year-old but his mount finally responded and came clear on the run in to win by four lengths. Ridden by David Raw the Taylor’s Heather Lad finished second. He raced prominently throughout but could not match the winners speed after the final fence. Fifteen lengths back in third was Matthew Smethurst on Baltic Lake (J Smethurst). The eight-year-old was close up until weakening after the third last.

Legbeforum (J Mackley/South Durham), trained by Sarah Dent made all the running in Division One of the Maiden until Stygian Star (J Smethurst/South Durham) drew level at the third last under Mathew Smethurst. The pair fought out a good battle until Legbeforum quickened clear approaching the last and stayed on strongly to win by ten lengths under Stephen Swiers. Stygian Star weakened rapidly after the last but still finished second twenty lengths clear of third placed Sylcanny (P Gibbon/Zetland) who made slight late headway under John Davies.

Chris Dawson’s Spectacular View (South Durham) put in some fine leaps on the way to winning the Second Division of the Maiden. Ridden by Mathew Clayton he raced prominently until hitting the front four from home. From that point onwards the result was never in doubt as the five-year-old galloped on strongly to win by fifteen lengths. Running Mute (J Vesty/Jedforest) finished second under Tommy Scott; he kept on at one pace after the winner quickened clear. Catton Lady (M Dodgson/Cleveland) finished three lengths back in third. She made much of the running under Clive Mulhall and kept on at one pace from three out.

Sixteen year old Paul Robson partnered The Alleycat (P Shirley-Bevan) Jedforest to victory in the Intermediate. The favourite Noble Hymn (C Featherstone/York & Ainsty), chasing a hat trick, tried to make all in this race but he always looked uncomfortable on the firm ground and he couldn’t respond when The Alleycat went clear after the second last. The Alleycat opened up a fifteen-length gap at the line. Ridden by Clive Mulhall Noble Hymn finished second, ten lengths clear of Orswellthatenswell (R Tate/Bilsdale) who weakened after the third last under Fiona Needham.

*The Yorkshire Point to Point season has now finished. David Easterby and Fiona Needham retained their respective jockey's championship. John Mackley was the areas leading owner