JOCKEY Alex Edwards claimed a double at the rescheduled Albrighton & Woodland (North) Point-to-Point at Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday to continue his excellent run of form.
The latest point-to-point was rescheduled following the equine influenza outbreak two weeks previously.
Tommie O’Brien matched Edwards’ exploits with a couple of victories, while Bridgnorth trainer Phil Rowley claimed victory thanks to Wishing and Hoping’s run in the Men’s Open.
A strong run under Edwards in the second half of the race was enough to claim a win for the favourite, who can now be considered as a real challenger on the point-to-point scene.
Dalkingstown, stablemate of Wishing and Hoping, was well supported in the three-mile Maiden, but Edwards was able to guide the five-year old home in his first run since joining the Rowley Yard.
The Bridgnorth stable were unsettled though by The Composeur being well beaten in the two-and-a-half mile Maiden race.
Two of the sport’s big guns were in opposition, with Freetime, from the Lacey’s stable making a racecourse debut, and Rowley’s newcomer The Composeur vying for favouritism.
Freetime held the advantage, and though Edwards drove The Composeur on to narrow the gap, the former was at least three lengths clear at the line.
A major injury was suffered by the winner upon crossing the line, marring the victory.
Commenting on the nature of victory by Freetime, O’Brien said: “Not many four-year-olds are capable of doing what he did.”
Tossapenny, purchased for a substantial sum at Cheltenham in 2017, showed some of his old sparkle when taking the lead in the home straight to win the Restricted race.
Meanwhile, Dymock trainer and rider Sam Jukes saw Marcle Ridge on the way to victory in the Intermediate, after missing out with Showmetheway in the Maiden.
The jockey said: “He jumps for fun and I did not want to disappoint him. We brought him here for an education but he had no company so I left him do his own thing.”
Summer Sounds won a second race in a week when Luke Scott guided him over the finishing line in the Novice Riders, finishing with a two-to-three length advantage over the favourite Brancho.
In the Ladies’ Open, Haymount completed a late surge to cross the line in first.
Gina Andrews used her considerable experience to take the horse into second with four to jump, and produced a late surge to victory.
