JOCKEY Tina Jackson landed a double at the South Durham point to point held at Howe Hills last Saturday.
A large crowd, admitted for free, saw Jackson partner Wynyard Dancer (Cleveland) to success in an exciting Ladies Open.
Three were in the air together at the last - Wynyard Dancer, trained by Jackson for her father, Alan Jackson, the favourite Legendry Line (Middleton) and the in-form Heather Lad (South Durham).
In a great battle down the run-in, Wynyard Dancer was always just in front and was a length clear at the line. Second was Charles Taylor's Heather Lad, ridden by Annabelle Armitage, three-quarters of a length in front of Legendry Line, trained and ridden by Serena Brotherton.
Jackson's double was completed on the Graeme Russ-trained and owned Oaklands Ted in the second division of the Maiden, which produced another good finish. Oaklands Ted led by half a length at the final fence from the favourite, Brown's Beck (Stainondale), who was a length up on Rosdari (J Pighills/Pendle Forest).
The three fought out a great finish, with only a length between them at the line.
Oaklands Ted kept on well and was never headed on the run-in, while David Brydon's Brown's Beck, ridden by Michael Morley, rallied close home and just failed to peg back the winner. Close up in third was the Jo Foster-ridden Rosdari, who also finished strongly.
After being narrowly beaten the previous week at Easingwold, the Jacqui Sawney-trained Journey (Cleveland) took the Men's Open under Nigel Smith.
Adopting his usual front-running tactics, the 12-year-old was never headed.
Queenies Girl (Hurworth) and the favourite Buddy Girie (York & Ainsty) both challenged over the last three fences, but Journey landed two lengths clear at the last and increased the lead to eight lengths at the line.
Tackling open company for the first time, the Paul Frank-trained and ridden Queenies Girl was second, four lengths in front of Buddy Girie, who was ridden by trainer Phillip Cornforth.
There was drama in the Confined Hunts race when the favourite Forty Shakes drew up alongside long-time leader Quango and both slipped up on the final bend approaching the second last.
This left the only other runner, the Cherry Coward-trained Strongtropper (E Dunn/Middleton), who had been ten lengths down, to come home alone under Jacquelin Coward.
In the Restricted race, three of the five runners were out of the race with a mile to run. Hattie was in front when badly hampered by two loose horses, causing him to slip up.
John Mackley's Carew (South Durham), trained by Sarah Dent, was left in front and was never seriously threatened after.
Ridden by Lee Bates, he was 20 lengths clear at the last, a lead he increased to a distance at the line.
Point debutante Up The Kyber (J Iveson/S Durham), ridden by Ben Woodhouse, was in touch until weakening after the third last.
The Members race was a very local affair, won by Sir Alf, who is trained by Maria Myco at the venue. Ridden by Chris Dawson, Sir Alf led two from home and, though the Susan Grant-trained Diamond Monroe (Lord Daresbury) challenged over the final two fences, he always looked to have plenty in hand and was good value for his two-length win.
Diamond Monroe, ridden by Oliver Greenall, finished second, ten lengths in front of Joe Di Capo, ridden by owner/trainer Simon Robinson.
l The men's jockeys' championship went to Ben Woodhouse and Oliver Greenall, who won the men's novice championship, was runner-up.
The ladies championship went to Serena Brotherton, with Tina Jackson the runner-up. The leading lady novice rider was Emma Brader.
Lord Daresbury was the leading owner, Mister Bromley, trained by Serena Brotherton, was the leading open horse and Queenies Girl, trained by Paul Frank, was the leading novice horse.
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