THE Bank Holiday Monday saw the latest in the Yorkshire point-to-point calendar when the Zetland held their meeting at
Witton Castle near Bishop Auckland.
Even with the recent dry spell organisers did a good job at watering with jockeys describing conditions on the soft side of good, with one rider describing the ground as “beautiful”.
One yard in flying form on the day was that of Cherry Coward, who saddled three runners, from which they got three winners.
The most exciting race of the day was the Ladies’ Open which went the way of Wizadora partnered by current Yorkshire leading rider Kate Lowcock for Cherry Coward. The pair looked unlikely winners on the approach; however a determined Kate saw the pair gradually pick off rivals and with a spirited run mowed down the competition to take the victory.
Kate said: “I thought I was going to pull up down the back straight and then I thought she might be fourth and once she passed one she thought...I’m having it.”
Coward’s continued with their treble in the opening Conditions race aboard Game As A Pheasant and it was a welcome return to the winners enclosure for rider Jack Andrews; the pair made all the running and stayed on well to hold off Hollow Tree and Christy Furness in second.
The second of Jack’s wins came in the Intermediate race and would go the way of previous dual course winner Royal Chant - once again trained by Cherry Coward.
The Open Maiden attracted four runners but resulted in an exciting finish; the Pete Fahey-trained 4-year-old Byland Abbey took the race under John Dawson.
Meanwhile the Men’s Open saw an emphatic victory from the Guy Brewer-trained Dark Mahler under Joe Wright, who sprinted clear in impressive style to win, with Sposalizio in second.
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