‘A really emotional day’
STICK WITH IT won on his third attempt for connections when landing the maiden under Alex Chadwick for trainer David Kemp and owner Linda Hayes.
The gelding was bought by Barry Belchem, who supported point-to-pointing for more than 60 years and who sadly passed away not long after buying the horse. His sister Linda, who used to race ride and attended meetings with Barry, now owns the horse.
“Linda’s grandchildren inherited the horse when Barry passed away and they paid for her to have the horse in training and for the ownership to be in her name,” explained David. “Barry’s best horse Moroman, who won the Horse & Hound Cup about seven years ago, won the same maiden race eight or nine years ago, so his name is on that trophy too.
“It’s been a really emotional day because this is the first winner since Barry passed away and it was at this racecourse that I first met him,” added David.
Mammoth landed the PPORA club members’ conditions (level two) under Gina Andrews for trainer Tom Ellis.
“The track was probably not the right place to take her – she’s better going right-handed,” said Tom. “She’s a staunch stayer rather than a speedy horse, but she put in a good performance – she was the fastest of the day.”
The pair also won the ladies’ open with nine-year-old mare General Arrow for The Odd Socks Partnership.
“General Arrow is turning into a bit of a legend – he’s won seven for us now and is a proper pointto-pointer,” said Tom. “He likes the spring ground and a bit of sun on his back. Gina got a flyer out of the gate on him and he kept going really well, jumped brilliantly and never saw another rival.”
“She’s a staunch stayer”