The Sinnington Hunt staged their rescheduled meeting last Saturday in the stately grounds of Duncombe Park. Race goers turned out in their masses to view what was set to be some quality racing.

The in-form duo on the day was that of Nichola Naughton and Ian Smith who recorded a double in what was possibly the two most hotly contested races of the day. The first leg of their double came in the Confined Race with Lem Putt, who put a disappointing effort behind him at Sheriff Hutton to win gamely here. The pair led two out and with a wall of horses stacking up behind them the pair battled on gamely up the Duncombe Park hill to fend them all off. The 13-year-old Kildonnan was staying on best at the finish to get up for second, with Stagecoach Diamond back in third.

The second leg of the double came in the Mixed Open race and was something of a surprise to most. Scrum V, whose overall form left him with a bit to do, beat some useful rivals. Ian Smith's mount stayed on gamely on the flat to beat recent Sheriff Hutton winner Dark Moon, who weakened after the last, by half a length. Third place went the way of the Val Jackson-trained Cast Iron Casey who was having his first run between the flags. The winner was bought by owner Cecilia Hope who noticed the horse whilst turned out to grass during the summer with one her other horses and liked the look of him so much decided to buy him. All three were recording their first ever doubles as Cecilia Hope was also the owner of Lem Putt.

The Novice and Veteran Riders race went the way of Pristine Condition who has now been purchased by The Honourable Johnny Greenall, Lord Daresbury's brother. Ridden by Jack Greenall the pair made most of the running and after leading over the last stayed on well to win and justify favouritism. Canada Street travelled well to challenge the leader, however looked outpaced in the closing stages whilst Desert Tommy, who struggled to go the early frantic pace, came from out of the clouds to take third.

The Members race was fought out by husband and wife Guy and Freya Brewer, with the latter getting the better. Father Murtagh made most of the running, however John Dillon and Freya Brewer always looked keen not to hit the front to soon and saw a hands and heels ride nail husband Guy on the line. The winner was going one better here after finishing runner-up in this event last year to the delight of owner Judith Hodgson.

The Restricted race saw what could be a classy recruit to Pointing with the Easterby trained Classinaglass victorious again, partnered by Tom Greenall who also recorded a double on the day. Runner-up Grounded Again continues to run well and looks surely capable of taking an event of this type before long, whilst Paint Me Silver took third after looking outpaced from two out.

Three Maiden races ended the day, with Division One going the way of 40-1 outsider Avinapaddy. The homebred son of Old Vic has needed some time to come to hand at the age of eight but stayed on well up the hill to beat the Maxine Stirk-trained Railway Park, who after travelling fairly strongly throughout was a bit outpaced in the final stages. Mister Splodge looks another who is improving with age and experience as he stayed on nicely for third.

Division Two went the way of another homebred in Royal Deal, for David Easterby and Tom Greenall. The pair cruised clear after the last to win with very little fuss. Congella, who led approaching the last until weakening in the closing stages, was giving trainer Phillip Maddison his first ever runner, whilst Silent Snow took third for the Bethell team.

The final race went to Candleford who won with something in hand from Sky Bull who was giving Simon Hunter his debut ride, with the huge odds-on shot Sous Mix, who came to challenge at the last but weakened tamely, back in third.

Report by Will Milburn

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