REVIEW |
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The final meeting of the Northern Area Point to Point
season took place on Saturday at Hexham Racecourse. Highlight of the meeting was a double
for evergreen jockey Jimmy Walton on Marteeny and Finest of Men. The opening 2 ½ mile maiden was won
in good style by the promising Banana Ridge. Spizzichino was a fortunate winner of
the 3 mile maiden as Highland Island was in a clear lead and going well
when slipping up on the final bend. This
left Spizzichino to come home 30 lengths clear of the favourite Chase The
Moon. Jimmy Walton gave Marteeny a patient
ride in the restricted race. They
sat in just behind the leaders for most of the race then quickened well to
take up the running 2 out and eventually win by 4 lengths from Timberley. Finest of Men completed a quick
double for his rider when winning his second race on the course at the
last two meetings. The
doubles didn’t look likely going down the back straight as Supreme Day
opened up a lead and appeared to be going best.
However Finest of Men responded to strong driving from his pilot to
snatch the initiative close home and win by ½ length. The Ladies open was won by
Pharmistice who was given a confident ride by Nicola Stirling.
They took up the running approaching 2 out and then stayed on well
to win by 2 lengths from the gallant Harden Glen. Starbuck was another to win his
second race on the course at the last two meetings Always going well he
took up the running going to the third last and then ran on resolutely to
hold off the challenge of Batoutoftheblue by 4 ½ lengths. The members race which brought the
season to a close was a match and saw the favourite Dino’s Minstral come
home a distance clear of Little Hawk.
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