This weekend saw an excellent card of racing at Charm Park near Wykeham, an eight race card did not fail to entertain a well attended crowd and the jockey in form on the day was Nick Orpwood who had travelled down to partner Red Delta in the Restricted and then quickly stepped in for the injured Paddy Barlow in the first division of the Open Maiden. A long but very successful day, which also saw several of the organising committee members take home first honours as well. Organised by a keen young team of current and retired point to point jockeys, with profits going to the Injured Jockeys Fund and Racing Welfare.
Nick Orpwood’s first winner came in the hotly contested Restricted race, aboard the Fiona Needham trained Red Delta. The winner travelled nicely to the lead and asserted well in the closing stages and looks another progressive youngster for the rest of the season "he's such a lovely horse and he's improving all the time" said his winning trainer, who will be hoping for Cheltenham glory in two weeks time with the stable star Sine Nomine. Arthur's Seat rallied after making the early running and can certainly atone in the coming weeks, in second, whilst favourite Main Stage weakened back in third for the Ellis team.
The Open Maiden was split on the day and division two would complete Orpwood’s double as he stepped in at the last minute to ride the Sam Coward trained Sunset On Fire, which was a fitting winner with the rapidly diminishing light. Having only run once for Olly Murphy this 6yo by Flemensfirth stuck it out well at the end and forged clear of the early leader Therussiansaddler under Ross Wilson to win well. Having shown very little in his one run to date it was no surprise to former ladies’ champion jockey Jacqueline Coward of the victory "Olly rang us up and said he had this horse...he's just taken time and really suits our routine...I rode him one day and said to Sam I like this, this will be alright!" enthused the winning trainer's sister. We Done It continues to edge closer to success under Joe Wright back in third.
Division one of the Open Maiden went to Clerk of the Course Will Easterby, aboard his own Lou Marvelous. Bought from Mick Easterby this 7yo had been off the track for nearly three years with leg problems, after finishing second in a Perth bumper. Upside the runner up approaching the last, Easterby sat motionless as he allowed his mount to edge away close home and win by 2 lengths, denying the Coward team of a quick double "I was a bit cheeky there...but he's been off the track for so long I wanted to give him an as easy time as I could" said Will who has worked endlessly along with other members of the Yorkshire Jockeys Club over the last few months to get this meeting in fantastic condition. Third saw Where's Hector under Harry Myddleton, who stayed on after making the early running.
Miami Magic was a very impressive winner of the Goffs Young horse maiden for the Dale Peters team, partnered by Dale this 5yo son of Leading Light led from the word go and from three out gradually drew clear, with only Daytime Dreaming and Jack Andrews in pursuit, but the winner quickened well after the last and won with plenty in hand and could be a smart prospect for the future "he's potentially the nicest horse I've ever trained...he's a machine...he could make up into a graded horse" enthused the winning trainer/rider. Bought from Doncaster sales Miami Magic may now go for another point to point before heading to the Aintree Bumper. Third place saw a pleasing debut from Kilaro for the Bevin team and could be able to pick up a race in the near future.
The Mens Open saw pointing newcomer Buster Valentine get his head in front after 10 months off the track, he was making his reappearance for Chairman and entries’ secretary of the meeting Will Milburn, and jockey Paddy Barlow. The pair led approaching three out and stayed on well up the home straight to beat odds on favourite Senor Lombardy "once he got to the front he pricked his ears, but he was loving it, he jumped class!" enthused Paddy Barlow. The winner was retired to go eventing, but after reaching his best in that sphere it was decided to send him pointing "he's been a legend to train, he's been hacking, hunting and I wasn't sure how fit he was as I've only had him 7 weeks, but I just wanted him to enjoy it" said Will who will continue to point Buster Valentine and his next target could be in two weeks.
The opening race went the way of Christy Furness and Camdonian, trained by Jack Teal, this improving 8yo was an easy winner at Duncombe Park, he continued his good form this season and quickened well after the last to beat the Tom Ellis trained Benefaktor. Camdonian is now two for two this season and undefeated in point to points, with his only defeat for these connections coming in a Cheltenham Hunter Chase. He is certainly ready to take the step into Open company and been a novice under rules, a maiden or novice hunter chase could very well be in his aim.
Due to several delays and divisions, the final race was run under rapidly diminishing light, however organisers were swift to get the race run and the Intermediate race went to the improving Duke Account, trained and ridden by John Dawson, the pair made all the running and battled on strongly after the last with both Fire In Her Eyes and Courting Flow challenging from both sides, however a tenacious display saw Dawson come out on top. Duke Account is from a long line of winning pointers with his mother been the Grimthorpe Gold Cup winner Duchess Account and been lightly raced, this 9yo could have more to offer.
The Ellis team got on the score sheet with the Cheltenham Hunter Chase winner Fairly Famous under Gina Andrews. The pair tracked a strong pace on the final circuit and pulled clear on the approach towards the last fence, it appeared a weary finish in ground that may have been softer than ideal and could return to the top level on better ground.