By Emma Forman

The South Wold Point-to-Point committee successfully re-arranged their meeting at Revesby Park on Saturday and were rewarded with glorious spring sunshine, a large crowd and some exciting racing action. Following all the bad weather, the Midlands area hosted their first meeting in 8 weeks on ground officially described as “good”. The highlights were a double for jockey Jack Andrews and an open race win for the Lincolnshire trained horse Panama Canal.

The feature race of the day was the D & M Barthorpe Mixed Open race where Panama Canal was a popular winner. The Burton qualified 13 year old, who showed signs of returning to form when finishing third at the Holderness meeting, was able to score by 5 lengths from Callhimwhatyouwant; providing 17 year old Philip Armson with his third winner and second consecutive winner for the Robinson family. Panama Canal has now qualified for the Timico Mixed Open Final Hunter Chase at Cheltenham and the Skinner’s Ladies Open Final at Stratford, however his most likely next outing is the Fernie Four Miler at Dingley in a fortnight, a race he won last year. “He has had a good man getting him fit.” Said the winning owner Milson Robinson alluding to fact that he (a septuagenarian) rides Panama Canal every morning. “I am just grateful that not many other people were brave enough to turn up. It is great that Philip has now won on a horse that his Dad, Richard won on for us.” He added.

Philip Armson later finished third on Artisan Man for Yorkshire keeper Mary Sowersby, behind the most impressive winner of the day Big Man Doe. The Millenary six year old made the two and a half hour drive from Stratford worthwhile for Martin and Jane Wanless when taking the Spilsby NFU Restricted race on the bridle in the hands of Jack Andrews. “The key to this horse is the better ground.” Explained Mrs Wanless of the Irish six year old who won his maiden at Dingley at the backend of last season and has been unsuited by the prevailing soft ground. “We have around 12 horses in at the moment and this one was purchased in Ireland by my husband who works for a horse transport company. We had runners at the meeting last year and we are supporting Revesby Park again today.” She said. Dulwich Hill finished second.

Jack Andrews had to settle for the runner up spot in the opening Open Maiden race, run in memory of Melvyn Leach and kindly sponsored by Steve and Yvonne Alcock, when riding Chosen Tribe for Tik Saunders. The winner here Thomas Todd made every yard of the running in the hands of Samantha Klug. Owned by Samantha, in partnership with Lincolnshire farmers Louise Todd, Martin Copley and Richard Burton, the 8 year old who had shown promise at both the Holderness and Cottesmore scored readily. Samantha Klug reported that the Louise Todd homebred has taken some settling and initially went to Laura Morgan’s stables to run in a bumper.

Veterinary undergraduate Meisha Micklewright took her tally of winners to three when the Chris Bealby trained L’Eldorado took the Gleadell Agriculture Midlands Area Club Members race for Novice Riders. The 13 year old, now the winner of 12 races, will hopefully run in the £1000 Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members Novice Riders Series Final at Garthorpe next Sunday. “I used to ride out at Richard Woollacot’s stables and then I met Tom Chatfeild Roberts at university. It was felt by connexions that L’Eldorado would benefit from a novice lady rider so I was lucky enough to get the ride.” Explained the delighted Meisha.

Owner John Chatfeild Roberts was once again in the winner’s enclosure when Love Manhattan won the PPORA Club Member’s race sponsored by Maltings Off Road Ltd, this time ridden by his son Tom. The eight year old has not been enjoying the soft ground, however he certainly put his best foot forward at Revesby with Helpston and Jack Andrews in second place.

Bingo Star was another horse to benefit from the good ground when winning the Crane Family Intermediate Milk race with Yorkshire horse Streets of Milan back in second place. “The key to this horse is the good ground. When Streets of Milan came to him he just kept finding more.” Said winning jockey Jack Andrews. Bingo Star who is trained by Stuart Morris, has now qualified for the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate Hunter Chase Final at Cheltenham on Friday 4th May.

Toby Hunt’s 12 year old Dingley specialist Done A Runner won for the first time this season in the Nine Year olds and Over PPORA Club Members Conditions race sponsored by Friends of the Midlands Area Point-to-Point Association. “He has enjoyed a varied training routine on the farm which keeps him interested.” Explained the winning rider Dale Peters. Gowanauthat was in second place with Paddy The Stout in third.

Next weekend the Point-to-Point in the Midlands Area is the Quorn Point-to-Point at Garthorpe, first race 1.30pm.