13 May 2008 South Durham - Mordon
Always Right: the most impressive novice in Yorkshire this season, is set to contest the Men's Open
The Yorkshire area Point-to-Point season comes to a close on Saturday with the South Durham meeting at Mordon, Nr Sedgefield. 122 entries have been received and with 32 entered in the maiden this has been divided resulting in a 7 race card.
The meeting starts at 2.00pm with the Members race which has a very respectable entry of 13, which include the Maria Myco trio of Forty Shakes, Shapani, and Sir Alf who would win on the bridle if he had been in the form of previous years. Abandon Ship looked like he was getting his act together at the last meeting, but stable mate Celestial Hall can win for Richard Smith.
The Confined race looks competitive and has recent winners in the field including The Fairhill Boy, Harwood Dale, Network Oscar, and Jimmys Duky on whom Lucy Bell will be attempting to maintain her lead in the Ladies' Novice Championship in which she holds a slender lead over Pip Tutty. However, North Island, who put in an impressive performance to win at Witton Castle, can score again.
Always Right, who has been the most impressive novice seen in Yorkshire this season, can continue his progression by winning the Men's Open but will have to be at his best to hold off Pikachu Blue and Sonevafushi.
The Ladies' Open has an entry of 14 which includes Interdit, Themanfromcarlisle, General Grey, Wilfie Wild, and Narciso who can win his fifth race of the season for top trainer in the area Cherry Coward.
The Restricted has the largest entry, of 25, and the top two rated horses are Pristine Condition and Farmer Frank who is the apple of trainer Nick Kent's eye and can win.
The first division of the Maiden sees Arctic Omen, who was just touched off at Heslaker, amongst the 16 entered along with Nina Chester, who looked as if a maiden victory was within her grasp when 2nd at Easingwold, along with Poppy Day, who was only touched off on the flat when 3rd at Heslaker.
The second division of the Maiden looks the stronger one. Lewesdon Duchess, who fell at the 3rd last when leading at Easingwold, can run another big race, Sams Party, has been in the frame in each of her races, but Crow Spinney, who looked a winner in waiting when 2nd on his debut at the last meeting, can win and round off a very memorable season for rider Oliver Greenall.