Success at the double for jockeys – and a good day for bookies

IT was a case of doubles all round for jockeys John Dawson and Paddy Barlow on the Zetland card at Witton Castle, which turned out to be a bookmaker’s benefit with only one winning favourite.

Dawson’s mount Can We Keep Him was left in front three out in the first division of the Maiden Race when favourite Boots Folly crumpled on landing and the home-bred six-year-old kept on well in the closing stages to beat Benefact by two-and-a-half lengths.

Dawson doubled up on Susan Mason’s home-bred mare Pop The Question who got off the mark at the tenth time of asking in the second division of the Maiden Race. In a slowly run contest, the six-year-old forged clear after two out to win by five lengths from Miss Tele. Barlow initiated his double on Nottinghamshire raider Caballo Diablo in the second Conditions Race. His mount inherited the lead when Roi De Dubai pulled up quickly after three out and the eight-year-old was able to coast home 12 lengths ahead of Wishfull Dreaming.

Buster Valentine’s third victory of the campaign in the Men’s Open Race completed Barlow’s double. Will Milburn’s charge had more in hand than the two lengths winning margin might suggest.

Thomas Easterby’s decision to employ catch-me-if-you-can tactics on Imperial Imp in the first Conditions Race worked a treat as his mount didn’t see another rival and had enough in the tank to repel a late challenge from Surprise Attack to score by three lengths.

Buy Some Time followed up last month’s Hornby Castle Maiden success with victory over higher rated rivals Red Delta and Lou Marvelous in the Restricted Race. Always travelling well under Joe Wright, the six-year-old went on two out and outjumped Red Delta at the last to seal a one length win.

Langley-on-Tyne raider Fightfortheroses was given a peach of a ride by Charlotte Tailford in the Ladies Open Race as the partnership led home a 1-2-3 for Northern Areatrained horses. The nine-year-old drew clear approaching four out before staying on to beat Kingrullah by four lengths. Next target is the Haydon Ladies Open at Hexham on May 18. RESULTS: 2.00pm, Conditions Race: 1, Imperial Imp (T Easterby) 10/1, 2, Surprise Attack (J Dawson) 4/1, 3, The Macon Lugnatic (T Mactaggart) 3/1, 6 Ran, 3,Dist. 2.50pm, Conditions Race: 1, Caballo Diablo (P Barlow) 5/2, 2, Wishfull Dreaming (Miss I John) 5/1, 3, You Name Him (J Dawson) 7/2, 6 Ran, 12,Dist. 3.25pm, Restricted Race: 1, Buy Some Time (J Wright) 7/1, 2, Red Delta (J Dawson) 6/4, 3, Lou Marvelous (W Easterby) 5/4 fav, 7 Ran, 1,3. 4.00pm, Men’s Open Race: 1, Buster Valentine (P Barlow) 1/3 fav, 2, Manwell (W Easterby) 5/1, 3, Inviction (R Wilson) 3/1, 4 Ran, 2,30.

4.35pm, Ladies Open Race: 1, Fightfortheroses (Miss C Tailford) 7/1, 2, Kingrullah (Miss L Fenwick) 5/1, 3, Humps And Bumps (Miss J Stewart) 12/1, 10 Ran, 4,12. 5.05pm, Maiden Race (Div.1): 1, Can We Keep Him (J Dawson) 3/1, 2, Benefact (T Easterby) 7/2, 3, Rebel Monarch (C Furness) 14/1, 9 Ran, 2.5,Dist. 5.40pm, Maiden Race (Div.2): 1, Pop The Question (J Dawson) 7/4, 2, Miss Tele (J Teal) 4/1, 3, An Buacan Mor (Miss R Howarth) 8/1, 7 Ran, 5,8.