OLIVER Greenall increased his lead in the National Championships with a treble at the York and Ainsty Point to Point, held at Easingwold on Sunday of last week.
Two of Greenalls winners were on horses owned by Eric Brooke and trained by David Easterby; the first of which was Chorizo (Middleton), who won the Mens Open and by doing so made it five wins from six outings this season.
Over To Joe, ridden by Simon Walker, made most of the running until headed two from home by Chorizo. Chorizo looked set to come clear, but Over To Joe kept on well and battled back to get within three lengths at the line.
The second winner was Bow School (Middleton) who won the Restricted. Bow School was in front at the second last, but was joined by the final fence by the Mark Walford-ridden Malton.
Bow School found extra on the flat, and was ridden out to secure a two-length victory.
Greenalls third winner at the meeting was on the Cherry Coward-trained Mystically (Middleton), who won the Second Division of the Maiden.
This completed a double for the trainer.
Mystically made good headway to lead three from home.
He had to withstand a strong finish from Treehouse, ridden by Steve Charlton C the fiveyear- old stormed up the run in and just failed to reach the winner by a neck.
Cherry Cowards double had been initiated in the First Division of the Maiden, which was won by Come on Pops (B Dunn/Middleton), ridden by Mark Walford. Walford came with a superbly-timed run to challenge Hello Noddy after the final fence. In a great battle to the line, Come on Pops prevailed by half a length over the Richard Smith-ridden Hello Noddy.
Mark Walford then completed a double in the Open Maiden, when he rode Oliver Turners Culbanu (Bilsdale).
Lewesdon Duchess fall three from home left the nine-yearold in front and he was never seriously threatened thereafter.
Nina Chester, who had disputed the lead for much of the race, kept on at one pace from the third last to finish eight lengths second, under L Pounder.
There was a comfortable win for Cop Howe (P Shields/Sinnington) in the Confined. He went in front three from home and quickened impressively to the line, where he was seven lengths clear. The veteran Glenelly Gale, ridden by Toby Greenall, finished second.
The Members race was won by Gabor (B Ramsden), ridden by Steven Magee. Gabor raced prominently and finished strongly to collar long time leader Pinnacle Ridge on the flat and win by two lengths. Pinnacle Ride was ridden by Rachel Clark.
Briscoe Place (A Dawson/Cumberland), ridden by Caroline Hurley, made all to win the Ladies Open. The Emma Dwyer-ridden Be The Tops came from well back and, finishing strongly, just failed to get to the winner by half a length.
ñ On Monday, the Zetland Point to Point takes place at Witton Castle, first race 2pm.
Last week, two of the areas most senior jockeys fought out a great battle in the Mens Open at the Cleveland point to point held at Howe Hills.
Nigel Tutty, rider of Bobby Buttons (J Jones/Hurworth) and Chris Cundall, rider of Andre Chenier, have a combined age of over a century, but you wouldnt have thought that as they produced a thrilling race.
Browns Beck, ridden by Steve Charlton, led for most of the final circuit with Bobby Button and Andre Chenier travelling well in behind.
Three out Andre Chenier took up the running, but by the final fence Bobby Buttons moved to the front. A great battle to the line ensued with Bobby Buttons half a length in front on the line.
Andre Chenier finished second, four lengths clear of Browns Beck.
At the other end of the age scale, 18-year-old Andrew Glass won the Members race on Alisons Treasure, who is trained by his father Trevor. The gelding was held up in the early stages, he made good headway to lead four from home and from that point the race was never in doubt as he ran on to win by six lengths.
Castle Gunner, ridden by Rachel Clark, who had made all until headed at the fourth last, finished second.
A win in the restricted on Eric Brooks Lord Gee (Middleton) took jockey Oliver Greenall seven clear in the National jockies championship. The 6-1 shot led, but was being pressed by the favourite Silk Parasol and, coming to the final fence, a blunder saw Silk Parasol fall to leave Lord Gee to come home by eight lengths.
Second-placed Quinta De Lobo was disqualified for failing to draw the correct weight.
Keen Whip, ridden by Steve Charlton, was promoted.
The Greenall/Brook combination looked set for a double when Network Oscar took up the running in the Confined, but he fell at the final fence to hand the race to Deirdre Johnstons Monte Cristo (Bedale), ridden by Chris Johnson.
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