JO Foster took her number of wins for the season to 12 when landing a double at the South Durham point-to-point at Howe Hills last Saturday.
Her first leg came when Quango followed up his Zetland Ladies win by taking the confined hunts race. Noel Wilson riding Highbeath (J Milburn/Middleton), trained by his wife Niki, tried to make all and very nearly succeeded.
Quango, not only ridden by Foster but also owned and trained by her, was held up in the early stages. He moved smoothly approaching the second last, challenging Highbeath at the last, and the pair fought out a great battle to the line, with Quango just getting up close home to win by half a length.
Ten lengths back in third was the Annabelle Armitage-trained Invest Wisely (Middleton). Ridden by owner Robert Hartley, he finished strongly after dropping out of contention on half way.
Foster completed her double when the David Easterby-trained Silver Groom (K Barron/Holderness) put up yet another impressive performance.
Silver Groom made most, northern raider Running Mute (J Vesty/Jedforest), ridden by Val Jackson, tried to keep tabs on him, but Silver Groom slipped into another gear after the second last and was not put under pressure to score an eight-length win.
Running Mute finished second, eight lengths in front of the Freyer Hartley-owned, ridden and trained Temple Garth (Sinnington). He kept on at one pace without looking like landing a blow on the leaders.
The Simon Robinson-trained and ridden Shining Light (Zetland) sprung a 33-1 shock in the men's open. Shining Light took up the running with a circuit to go and quickened the pace to slip his field.
He was five lengths clear two out and kept on well down the hill. The chasers narrowed the gap but had too much to do to get on terms.
Two lengths back in second was the favourite Brighter Shade (Bluebell Partnership/Bilsdale). The Sarah Dent-trained horse went second three from home under Phillip Kinsella, but could not reach the winner.
Four lengths back in third was Majority Major (R Dobson/Bramham). Partnered by trainer Wayne Burnell, the 13-year-old stayed on well to the line.
There was a great finish to the three-runner members race, with John Mackley's Leg Beforum and the Taylors' Heather Lad fighting out a great battle.
Ridden by Lee Bates, Leg Beforum led with a circuit to go until the David Raw-ridden Heather Lad went to the front with four to jump. Nothing separated the pair coming to the last and in a driving finish Leg Beforum got up by a short head to give Bates the lead in the national novice riders title.
Fifteen lengths back in third was Don Foster's Shining Fountain. Ridden by Larry McGrath, he held every chance until weakening three from home.
The stewards enquired into possible interference between the first two, but they considered it was accidental and did not affect the result.
Meeting host John Wade saw his five-year-old Rolling River (South Durham) come out the impressive winner of the first division of the maiden.
Rolling River was held up in rear by Trevor Glass, but gradually progressed over the second circuit before running on strongly on the run to the last and keeping on well for an eight-length win.
Madmidge (P England/Badsworth), ridden by Nick Kent, went in front two from home and held the lead at the last, but had no answer to the winner's finishing speed.
In what looked an above standard maiden, Grant Tuer's The Murphy Meistar (Hurworth) ran a promising race back in third. Ridden by Larry McGrath, he held every chance two from home, but weakened approaching the last.
After four placed efforts this season, the consistent Lingham Lady (J Swiers/West of Yore) picked up a deserved win in the second division of the maiden.
The mare raced prominently under Stephen Swiers, moved to the front after the second last and galloped on strongly for a 12-length win.
The Milo Watson-owned and ridden Lights On (Meynell) finished second. He raced prominently, but could only keep on at one pace on the run to the line.
The Wayne Burnell-trained and ridden Baltic Oak (B Lofthouse/Bramham) finished two lengths back in third. He was going well at the second last, but failed to last home.
The restricted went to Sylvia Robinson's Gunna Be King (York & Ainsty). Gunna Be King led by the second last and ran on strongly for a six-length win under Wayne Burnell.
Penny Peppermint (R Barr/Cleveland) took second with a mile to run and, keeping on at one pace for Clive Mulhall, held that to the line from the Dodgsons' Normins Hussar (Hurworth). Ridden by Mark Walford, the outsider went third two from home and kept on to the line.
l The Yorkshire season closes tomorrow with the Old Raby Hunt Club meeting at Witton Castle, first race 2pm
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