Last weekend saw the Hurworth point-to-point at Hutton Rudby take place and the day started with a kids 100m dash, which was in aid of McMillan Cancer Support, with the winner being Ella McGrath. The seven-race card got underway with the Hunt Members race and it would go to the John Dawson-trained and -ridden Sartorial Elegance for owner and Clerk of the Course Stevie Cook.
Bought for £3,500 at Doncaster's Spring sale last season, the son of Kayf Tara led from four out and gradually pulled well clear, with Phil Greaves' Balach Mor second on only his second start between the flags, and Glamorous Nellie in third.
The Restricted saw Lottie Crane quickly jump to the head of the Ladies championship as Caviar d'Allen doubled up on his Charm Park win to score in decisive fashion. Bought through bloodstock agent Mark Gichero last season, the penny seems to have finally dropped and he has shown a relentless attitude on both starts this season. Always to the fore, the pair galloped on strongly to beat the consistent Classical Lady and John Dawson, whilst Alright Marlene was well beat in third. Lottie's team appear in good form this season: "I learnt a lot last season as everything was new," said Lottie of her new training set up, and she hopes to build on this success.
Cup Final (pictured) put up another gutsy display in the Veteran Conditions race under Ross Wilson for trainer Sarah Dent. The pair travelled well to lead approaching the last and stayed on gamely to fend off former Harry Hogarth inmate Alto Des Mottes and Aaron Anderson, for trainer Russ Garrity, whilst Big Sound stayed on well after the last to finish third. Formerly trained by Ben Haslam, Cup Final joined Sarah Dent's team last year and has troubled the judge on every run since. "Once something comes to him, he always finds a bit more," said rider Ross Wilson.
Toni's Oscar scored on her British debut in the Open Maiden for former rider-turned-trainer Richard Smith. The daughter of Oscar swooped to the lead after the last under Joe Wright and just held on from early pace-setter Miss Charlton, who rallied after the last under Will Milburn, whilst bumper winner Twist About made late headway into third for Will Easterby. Bought for the bargain price of £1,500 at Goffs Spring Sale last May after finishing down the field in a handful of runs in Irish Maidens, her trainer admitted: "To be honest, I didn't think she would like the ground or the track."
The Ladies Open went the way of Major Ridge under Rosie Howarth, but it was a slight surprise as the outsider of three set out to make all the running. However, as the odds-on favourite looked set to pounce, Irish Anthem and Immy Robinson came to grief three out and handed the race to the leader, while Asylo and Lottie Crane tried to chase down the pace-setter but could not quite get there in second.
Black River put up another impressive performance as he ran away with the Men's Open under Will Easterby, who further solidified his position at the head of the jockeys Championship, as his only other rival was One Conemara who looked outpaced from four out and plugged on at the one pace under John Dawson .
The Conditions race saw the longest traveller of the day in Mr Snuffles from the Joe O'Shea stable who spent approximately five hours to get to the Yorkshire meeting, but it proved a worthwhile journey. Always travelling well, Mr Snuffles quickened to lead down the back straight under Huw Edwards and stayed on well to fend off Mr Pepperpot and John Dawson, with McMurphy back in third under Jack Teal. This was the fourth win for the eight-year-old son of Mr Dinos, and no doubt novice hunter chases could be on the agenda in the future.