Jockey EJ Hills bags first win on A Country Mile at Holderness point-to-point at Dalton Park

Jockey EJ Hills bagged her first win aboard A Country Mile in the Ladies’ Open Race, sponsored by The Ice Company. EJ, who works for trainer Richard Guest, was having only her fourth ride.

She said: “He is some boy. I had another five gears to go at, he is brilliant jumper.”

Hand Act or Part and Emma Todd would not go down without a fight and finished second. Back in third was Galant Nuit ridden by Yasmin Burt.

Marleen, a 4-year-old debutante by Stowaway for Francesca Nimmo and Charlie Poste was the winner of the four, five and six-year-old Open Maiden Race over 2 miles, 6 furlongs, sponsored by Frontier.

Partnered by Henry Morshead, the pair raced handily, taking the lead from two fences out to score by 15 lengths.

Henry, who is based at Kim Bailey’s yard, said: “I watched a video of her schooling beforehand, so I knew she jumped well. I never picked up my stick once; she has a good turn of foot.”

Although this race was a Goffs spring sales p2p Bumper qualifier, connections indicated that Marleen will head straight to the sales.

Charlie Poste said: “She was bought from the Doncaster Sales as an unbroken 3-year-old, she is straight forward and tough.

"I was worried when they went a slow gallop but she did it well.”

Not Far Wrong gave another sound performance under Billy Garrity to finish second. Third place went to About Time.

His Excellency and jockey Clare Hardwick demonstrated that they have struck up a formidable partnership, winning the PPORA Club Members Race, sponsored by Henderson Insurance Broking Group.

Always at the head of affairs, the pair, who were sent off favourite, set a furious gallop leaving only 3 finishers out of nine runners.

Owner and trainer Michael Dawson who is based near Louth, said: “He is not short of speed! As a 5 year old, he ran in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival and finished third behind Simonsig, as for the tail swishing, well that is just him! He is two from two this season. Clare gets on well with him.”

Fresh from a win at Revesby Park the day before, Clare said of her horse: “He is very clever at a fence; this has acted as a confidence booster and has cemented our partnership.”

Rumble of Thunder ran another good race, finishing second under Jack Teal. Ivan Boru was the only other finisher in the hands of Christy Furness.

Jockey Richard Smith, riding Royal Deal, persevered in the Mens Open Race sponsored by Smailes Goldie Turner, giving a never say never die ride to win by 3 lengths.

“I had legs like jelly when I got off, it was hard work!” Richard said after securing his 80th point-to-point winner. Panama Canal looked the likely winner under Tom Strawson, turning for home, whilst Colorado Kid and Will Easterby came home in third.

The Mobile Man won the Restricted Race, sponsored by Trophy Pet Foods in the hands of Jack Andrews and trained by Cherry Coward.

Most pointers are acquired from public auction at Doncaster or Ascot for example, but this was not the case for The Mobile Man, who was bought after owner Simon Gospel saw him advertised on the Facebook group, “Point-To-Point”.

“It was his breeding that caught my eye, he is by Milan and his Dam Sire is Lord Americo, so he is bred to get 3 miles. I only paid £2000 for him, which is turning out to be not a bad price!” said Simon.

Jumping the last upsides the winner Bentons Lad and Will Milburn finished a length back in second. Sees More Finale were back in third, ridden by Ross Wilson.

Crazy Penguin got his head in front at the third time of asking for rider/trainer Will Easterby to win the Open Maiden Race, sponsored by The 4 Friends. The gelding by Milan was bought from Charlie Longsdon’s yard at the Doncaster sales in May and had come second on both his previous starts at Alnwick and at Askham Bryan.

Will said: “He missed a couple but the staying track suited as he does all his best work at the end.”

Yoohoof is progressing all of the time and was a close second under Richard Smith. Will Milburn and Monarch’s Glory put in a sound per-formance to finish back in third.

Only two runners went to post in the Hunt Race, sponsored by Beal Homes.

Max My Boy ridden by Tom Strawson set a steady gallop whilst Chris Dawson sat in behind on Lortzing and was well held until a problem with the tack occurred, forcing Lortzing to be pulled up with a circuit to run.

This left Max My Boy to undertake the remainder of the course on his own, which is no easy task; however Tom Strawson reported he was a “textbook jumper”.

Sandra Gray, representing the winning owners - the Max & Dibble Partnership - said: “The Grimthorpe Gold Cup will be the next target but needs give in the ground. He is a solid stayer.”

The next fixture is the Hurworth at Hutton Rudby on Saturday, March 18.