31 December 2009 Report: Harkaway Club - Chaddesley Corbett
by Pete Mansell
BURNTOAKBOY: an impressive winner of the opening race
photo: Alex Harris
There is an old saying that "Fortune favours the brave" and that remarks certainly applies to Monday's Point-to-Point at Chaddesley Corbett.
After passing an early morning inspection one area of the course was still causing concern but this problem was quickly overcome by re-aligning the final bend.
Burntoakboy had well documented breathing problems last year, which resulted in an operation mid way through the season, but there were no signs this was inhibiting the horse in this grade and he scored an easy victory under Tom Weston in the Club Members Conditions.
The horse's owner Dr Richard Newland, from Claines near Worcester, was on holiday in Australia but will no doubt receive positive reports on his return.
Kidderminster owner Colin "Bampa" Basterfield sent Skyhawk to Pointing legend Dick Baimbridge last spring and had no reason to regret that decision when the eight-year-old gelding won two races at the end of last season. That winning run continued when Skyhawk justified favouritism in the Ladies Open.
The Bandit led for the first circuit but those efforts took their toll and they were passed by Skyhawk at the last open ditch. The favourite had the race in safe keeping from this point although Claire Allen had to give her mount a couple of slaps to hold the challenge of Freud Bacon over the final two fences.
Winning trainer Dick Baimbridge has nothing left to prove and despite his advancing years still does most of the schooling on the eight-year-old who is undefeated since joining the Berkeley trainer last spring. He does have one ambition "I'd like to train a winner when I'm 80" and as he passes that major milestone in his live during May you would not bet against him doing it.
The Intermediate produced the closest finish of the day. Dave Mansell pushed Maranach into the lead approaching the island fence but he could not shake off the attentions of Posh Dude. The lead alternated several times over the last two fences before Posh Dude finally got his head in front just before the line.
