Jack Power had a day to remember at the Berwickshire fixture with the first treble of his career on Glory, Ex S'Elance and Tanora. After being placed twice at Alnwick last month, ex-hurdler Glory deservedly got off the mark in the Active BP & Wild Plum Escapes PPORA Club Members Maiden Race. Always travelling well behind the leaders, the 7-year-old was produced with a well-timed challenge to hit the front approaching the last and kept on well to score by five lengths from Torngat (Tom Greenwood).
The winner carried the well-known colours of octogenarian Newton-by-the-Sea handler Victor Thompson who has made a welcome return to the Pointing ranks this season. Coincidentally, his last success between the flags also came at Friars Haugh with Senor Alco in April 2017 and his afternoon got even better when ex-hurdler Ex S'Elance came up trumps on his first start over fences in the 2m4f Kelso & Musselburgh Racecourses PPORA Club Members Conditions Race. The 9-year-old eased his way into contention on the final circuit under a patient ride from Power before heading Garbanzo (Joanna Walton) at the last and went clear on the run-in to win by four lengths in course record time. Thompson, who sent out his first winner under Rules at Cheltenham in December 1971, said: ''It's just like the old days being back among the winners. I originally thought he (Ex S'Elance) might need the run after a six-weeks break but changed my mind after seeing him school so well for Jack on Thursday. Both winners will run again at Alnwick on February 26.'' Power added: ''After getting him in a good rhythm, the contest unfolded perfectly as the leaders got racing a long way from home and came back to us.''
Power's red letter day was completed by ex-chaser Tanora's victory in the Ennova Law Owner-Trainer Conditions Race. The 8-year-old mare repelled a determined challenge from Teds Charley Roe (Lucy Brown) throughout the final mile and prevailed by a neck in a driving finish. This was a first winner with only his fifth runner for Easingwold handler Alexander Wilson, who bought the mare privately last year out of Sam England's yard. Wilson, who works for Morrisons in one of their vegetable packaging departments, was keen to praise North Yorkshire jumps trainers Harry Hogarth and Mark Walford for the use of their gallops. Nick Orpwood opened his account for the season with a short-priced double on Takethepunishment and Watch Law to put him on 99 career winners between the flags.
In the 6-runner Prime Property Ventures Men's Open Race, Takethepunishment lost fifteen lengths when almost carried off the course by a loose horse after the ninth but Orpwood didn't panic and gradually worked his way back into contention before asserting from two out to beat the rallying Cuneo (Lyall Hodgins) by six lengths in a fast time. Much better on left-handed tracks, Tocky McKie's evergreen 13-year-old gelding has now won 5 times in 8 visits to Friars Haugh and might return to his favourite venue for the Buccleuch Open on March 11. Orpwood doubled up on the lightly raced Watch Law in the Lycetts & HPM Cooper (Building & Roofing) Restricted Race. The 8-year-old Court Cave gelding cruised into the lead three out and had the prize sewn up by the next before coasting home five lengths ahead of last season's Haydon Maiden winner Red Opium (Rosie Howarth).
He was bought privately in Ireland as an unraced 5-year-old and trainer Jess McKie said of her mother Tocky's charge: ''He's a tricky character at home and not our usual chasing type.'' Orpwood added: ''He's a free-going sort but I managed to get him a bit of cover and knew he had plenty left in the tank coming down the hill to four out.''
The ultra-consistent Ballydonagh Boy (Rosie Howarth) set out to make all the running in the Mountfair Farming Ladies Open Race. Jumping superbly from the outset, the 9-year-old was still to be headed when losing momentum following his only mistake two out. Fightfortheroses (Charlotte Tailford) had three lengths to find at that point but found another gear when the chips were down and ranged upsides Howarth's mount coming to the last which he met perfectly before edging in front on the short run-in to score by a head in course record time, with dual course winner Thyne For Gold (Immy Robinson) three lengths away in third. This 8-year-old Galileo gelding, who started his career on the Flat with Aidan O'Brien, is a half-brother to 2011 Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi. He was bought privately last year by Charlotte out of Ben Haslam's yard. She reported that her new recruit had enjoyed being out hunting with the Haydon the previous Saturday and is likely to follow the same routine this weekend ahead of the College Valley Ladies Open on February 26. Jacqui Irvine Lang's sprightly 12-year-old gelding Okey Dokey relished the better ground as he landed a second career success under a peach of a ride from Newcastle University Agri-Business student Emma Brown in the Bedmax Scottish Borders Conditions Race for Veteran and Novice Riders. Always lying handy, he was on terms with the leaders two out before forging clear going to the last and had five lengths in hand at the line over Paddling (Tabitha Threadgall) with the improving Cooldine Bog (Jack Stenhouse) a further two lengths away in third.
The main action was preceded by 2 pony races over 4 furlongs. The 10-runner Press Mains Cottages 138cm and under Open Race was won by Leamington Spa raider Churchill (Hamish McGregor) from Mohammed Ali (Cara Wilson) and Oscar (Caden Borthwick). The 9-runner Adam & Company Wealth Management 148cm and under Open Race was won by Kelso teenager Jake Dickson on Curragh Tulip with the minor placings filled by Lucky June (Tara Kane) and Willsarben 1 (Leah Barnfather).
The ratio of runners (43) to individual horses entered at the Berwickshire (49) was a remarkable 87.75%, maintaining the trend set at the previous 3 Northern Area fixtures this season.
The next Northern Area meeting is the College Valley & North Northumberland at Alnwick on February 26 which concludes with a 2m Flat Race. All the fences and bends have been moved to fresh ground since last month's Percy card.