A 16-YEAR-OLD jockey scored his first career double at the Badsworth and Bramham Moor point-to-point at Askham Bryan on Sunday.

Henry Crow ‘s first winner was aboard the well bred Againn Dul Aghaidh in the Restricted race, sponsored by CNG Ltd, for trainer Joseph O’Shea.

Always at the head of affairs, the pair began to draw clear six fences from home, setting a fast pace and leaving only three finishers from eight runners.

After the race Henry said: “I could have quickened up again, he took my breath away, and he is some piece of kit.

"He has such a high cruising speed and stays all day."

The owner was Henry’s father, former National Point-to-Point Champion Alastair Crow.

Benton's Lad put another sound performance under Will Milburn finishing a distant second, Jack Jordan finished back in third on Kayjaydee.

Henry’s second winner of the day, Irish Anthem, came in the Novice Riders Race, sponsored by Dodson & Horrell.

The pair made the running and Henry kept Irish Anthem up to his task to see off the fast finishing Harris ridden by Emma Smith-Chaston, who finished second.

“It was his jumping that won him the race," Henry said. "I feel really proud to have ridden my first double in my first season and I am maintaining my strike rate, which is over 20 per cent.”

Henry will be heading back to Millfield School where he is studying for his A-Levels. The win was a family affair, with Sheila Crow, Henry’s grandmother, training the winner for 89-year-old owner, Derek Pugh.

Sheila said: "Mr Pugh will be thrilled, he really wanted a cup! I do everything with this horse, no one else rides him, I hunt him and give him his pipe opener.”

Back in third place was Mickey Miller and Jack Jordan who were set with their toughest task yet and finished with great effect.

Another jockey who is enjoying their first season is Emma-Jane Hills, who followed up her first win on A Country Mile at Dalton Park to win the Ladies Open Race, sponsored by Skinners.

The pair put up a front running performance and kept finding more under a confident ride by Emma-Jane. She said: “The horse likes being in front and the others kept pushing us on. He picked up and flew home.”

Street Entertainer ran another good race to finish second, with Jess Gillam in the plate. Third place went to Forgivienne and Anna Metekohy who tracked the eventual winner for much of the race.

Rider John Dawson and Young Hurricane landed the Mens Open race sponsored by Rudding Park Hotel. The win was John’s 75th point-to-point win.

John said: "With only four runners the race played into his strengths. There wasn’t much pace so I was able to use his speed to win the race at the end. He is a versatile horse.”

A change of training regime was key to Young Hurricane’s success. Trainer Guy Brewer explained: “He has trouble with ulcers, so he lives out most of the time. I wasn’t sure how fit he would be.”

Fruit Fayre could not get passed the leader and finished second under Paddy Gerety who possibly found the sharp nature of the track a disadvantage. Close House and Jack Teal claimed third place.

The Open Maiden Race, sponsored by Brittains Vodka, was won by Sackett, who was partnered by Harry Kinder.

The pair were prominent throughout, drawing clear from two out with Not Far Wrong and Billy Garrity. Unfortunately Not Far Wrong fell at the last leaving Sackett to land the spoils.

Dibble Bridge and Joe Wright finished a distant second with Artisan Man and Jack Jordan coming home in third. Winning owner, Harry Kinder’s father Howard, said: “Sackett was bought at the May Sales at Doncaster and was given the summer off. He is by Midnight Legend and they need time to mature. The better ground has been in his favour.”

Harry, who works full time for Gill Walford’s (winning trainer) son Mark said: “He can be keen at home, so the plan was to sit handy. Every time something came to his quarters, he just went again.”

A Restricted could be on the cards in the near future for the impressive winner and could be a potent force if sent back hurdling.

Blackthirteen and Jess Gillam landed the Confined Race sponsored by Wetherby Racecourse for owner/trainer Mick Jones.

With only four runners, there was no real pace allowing the eventual winners to dictate. On Vacation, the short-priced favourite came to challenge but crashed out at the last fence. According to Dan and Jack Teal finished in second place. Third place went to Ross Na Righ and Peter Fahey.

Mick Jones said:“He is a spring horse who likes better ground. He had a virus last season but started to come good in his last couple of runs.”

Jess Gillam, who is secretary for Tim Easterby, spoke fondly of the popular 13-year-old: “Today was his day, he loved been in command of the race and he just kept plugging on!”

The next fixture is the Middleton at Sheriff Hutton on Sunday, April 2.