Galashiels jockey Kelly Bryson made a victorious return to the saddle when winning the open maiden at Saturday’s Berwickshire point-to-point.
Sidelined for some 10 months after a horrific race fall left her with a broken shoulder blade, Bryson made a winning comeback at Kelso’s Friars Haugh course aboard Show Public for Hawick owner/trainer Phillipa Shirley-Beavan.
“We bought him in France as a foal,” said Shirley-Beavan, who was bound for Fairyhouse at 5am the following morning to watch Rapidolyte De Ladalka run in the Irish National.
Greenlaw-based Rebecca Hewit, who trains the British junior vaulting team, celebrated her first pointing success when Whiteabbey took the opening CKD Galbraith members race.
Whiteabbey was given to Hewit by former owner Liz Johnstone to go hunting, and also spends one day each week with Riding for the Disabled.
“I only got him at the end of October, just before the opening meet, and he’ll be my play horse for the summer,” said a clearly delighted Hewit.
Jack Clark’s first ever point-to-point win was celebrated at the 1996 Berwickshire meeting, and the Blainslie owner was back in the winner’s enclosure after Paddy Curry’s victory in the Bill Hardie Memorial NPPA Club members’ race for novice riders.
Paddy Curry – given an impressive ride by Hawick teenager Tom Hamilton – was bought “over the dinner table” from Irish National Hunt trainer Dessie Hughes.
He also provided Earlston-based Elspeth Watson and daughter Charlotte with their first training success.
Former Jethart Callant Raymond Shiels enjoyed a second course victory with Tomzatackman, who followed up his Buccleuch maiden win to head the concluding Brogan Fuels restricted race.
“I’m really chuffed with that as he didn’t really like that tacky ground,” said Shiels. A run in Kelso’s Buccleuch Cup on Monday is now being considered.
Morpeth jockey Val Jackson celebrated her 92nd career success when riding Cast Iron Casey to win the Bonhams ladies’ open race – a qualifier for the £10,000 Aga Championships hunter chase final at Stratford on June 7.
It was a deserved victory for the 11-year-old, who had finished runner-up in two previous ladies open races at the track.
Thirsk owner Gillian Lee made a worthwhile three-hour journey when Willofhisown, bettered his previous course second to land the Meadowhead-Parks.co.uk open maiden race for eight year-olds and over.
The gelding was bought at Ascot Sales in 2010 out of trainer Emma Lavelle’s stable.
Molten Brown was in contention when crashing through the wing at the last, and local jockey Charlotte Dun was taken to Borders General Hospital for treatment to a minor knee injury.
Fife’s Jamie Alexander, 48 years old the previous day, enjoyed a belated birthday celebration when riding Noir Et Vert to win the John Watson Seeds men’s open – a qualifier for the £7,500 Bonhams championship hunter chase final at Cheltenham on May 1.