A RUPERT Abrahams double was the highlight of the Zetland point to point held at Witton Castle on Monday, with both his winning horses trained by Robin Tate.
First leg was a very impressive front-running performance by Royal Snoopy (M Abrahams/West of Yore) in the Men's Open. Putting in some fine leaps, Royal Snoopy set a strong gallop which he kept up all the way to the line.
The John Cranage-trained Chaos Theory (R Burridge/Sinnington) was held up early by David Thomas. He closed with a circuit to go and four from home was on the heels of the leader.
Chaos Theory tried to challenge between the last two, but the 11-year-old Royal Snoopy found extra. Chaos Theory tired rapidly and crawled over the last as Royal Snoopy kept on well for a ten-length win.
Glendamah (S Robinson/York & Ainsty), ridden by Michael Morley, quickened well approaching the last and took second from the very tired Chaos Theory on the flat.
Abrahams completed his double with a fine tactical ride on the five-year-old Parsifal (M Abrahams/West of Yore) in the second division of the Maiden.
Parsifal was held up early, taking closer order with a circuit to go and joining the leaders four from home. The youngster hit the front three from home and, with the favourite Bobby Buttons (Cleveland), had gone clear two from the finish.
Under strong driving from Nigel Tutty, Bobby Buttons tried to challenge running to the last, but Jill Jones' horse could not get on terms and Parsifal kept on to the line for an impressive five-length win.
Another fine front-running display came in the Ladies Open, where Michael Humphrey's Supercharmer (Farndale) loved the rattle of the fast ground.
Putting up some spectacular leaps for Jenny Riding, Supercharmer was strongly challenged on the run to the last by the favourite, Mick Brown's Hadeqa (Sinnington), ridden by Serena Brotherton, and the Jo Foster-trained and ridden Ballad Minstrel (Yorks PTP Club/Pendle).
A length separated them at the last, but Supercharmer dug deep and was never headed as he galloped on for a two-length win.
Hadeqa, who the stewards found was accidentally interfered with but without affecting the result, finished second, a length in front of Ballad Minstrel.
The finish of the day came in the Confined. The Graduate (C Robertson/Holderness), a powerful front-runner from Tony Walker's yard, tried to make all in the hands of Simon Walker.
The Serena Brotherton-owned and trained Emperor's Son (Middleton) travelled well on the heels of the leaders. Four from home, he challenged the long-time leader and running to the last he showed in front for the first time.
It looked as if The Graduate had nothing else to give, but he rallied after the last and in a driving finish just failed to regain the lead by a neck as Emperor's Son held on.
A good standard Restricted went to Mrs Smith's Sweeping Storm (South Durham), who was given a fine ride by Chris Dawson.
John Wade's Devil's Perk (South Durham), ridden by Trevor Glass, was sent off favourite for this race. Four out, Devil's Perk and Sweeping Storm had gone clear and the pair stayed together until Sweeping Storm went in front by a length at the last.
Staying on well, Sweeping Storm increased that lead to five lengths at the line, but unfortunately second-placed Devil's Perk finished injured.
Five lengths back in third was the Phillip Cornforth-trained and ridden Karinga Leap (York & Ainsty), who ran on well in the closing stages.
After several near misses including five placings, Trish Russell's Ravenscar deservedly picked up his first win in the first division of the Maiden.
Favourite Nomadic Blaze (D Atkinson/Bedale) hit the front at the final ditch, but he couldn't get away from the Simon Walker-ridden Ravenscar.
Ravenscar showed in front at the second last and, under strong driving from Walker, kept up the gallop for a four-length win from the one-paced Nomadic Blaze, who was ridden by Peter Atkinson.
The Members race went to the Simon Robinson-owned, trained and ridden Ben From Ketton.
Ben From Ketton took it up at the final ditch and landed 15 lengths clear of Master Adam (N Edminson) at the third last, a margin he had increased to a distance at the line.
Master Adam, who finished second, was ridden by Kate Edminson.
* The Bilsdale point to point takes place at Easingwold tomorrow, first race 2pm.
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