06 May 2008 Zetland - Witton Castle
Welcome To Unos: scored for the third time this season in the Ladies' Open
Oliver Greenall, who rode a double the previous day at the Pendle Forest & Craven meeting, drew further clear in the Gentleman national riders' championship by riding a treble at the Zetland meeting at Witton Castle. He is now 14 winners clear of the chasing pack in the race for the title.
His first winner was on the well backed North Island who, after drifting in the betting to 10-1, was backed into 4-1 second favourite and punters never had a moment of worry. The pair led after the ninth fence and were always proving too strong for the odds on favourite, Cop Howe, who, after looking dangerous with two to jump, weakened approaching the last and was 8 lengths adrift at the line.
Greenall showed why he will be a worthy champion when coming from a seemingly hopeless position with three to jump to force George The Grey up to win the Restricted by a neck. The pair were still only 6th jumping the last fence, but flew up the run in to beat the front running Quinta De Lobo.
Greenall's treble came courtesy of Von Origny who just got up in a driving finish to beat Lutin De Moulin by a head in the Men's Open, whilst Serena Brotherton and Welcome To Unos won their third race of the season when easily winning the Ladies' Open.
Both Maiden races produced close and exciting finishes. In division 1 Lewesdon Prince got the better of the front running High Moor on the flat to give trainer Cherry Coward her fourth winner of the weekend, whilst Oriel Flyer, under Steve Charlton, rallied gallantly, when challenged by Sams Party approaching the last, to win by 4 lengths to give The Now Were Farming Syndicate, comprising five Newcastle University students, their first winner.