ALLERTON claimed a hard-fought victory in the Novice Riders Race at the Clifton-on-Teme Point-to-Point race in Upper Sapey.

After a succession of leaders, Allerton disputed the lead with Take Over Sivola, Kyles Faith and Kilmacallogue Bay as they raced downhill towards the third from home.

With other rivals dropping out of contention, Allerton and Kilmacallogue Bay straightened up for the judge with the race between them.

Despite their novice status, both Pinchin and Emma Yardley rode like seasoned professionals and with their horse’s hardly breaking stride they battled it out all the way up the home straight before Allerton was deemed to have prevailed by a neck.

This was a first success for 17-year-old Miss Pinchin who is based with Fergal O’Brien at Naunton and this victory put her in front in the race to become the Areas Leading Lady Rider. Pine Banks enhanced her chances of challenging for the Ladies Title after Horsham Lads success in the three- mile, six furlong West Midland Area National Mixed Open.

The start of this race was delayed for 45 minutes as medical staff dealt to 20-year-old Harry Phipps who suffered several broken bones in the preceding race.

Despite additional prize money for the Mixed Open there was a disappointing turn out but as is often the case it provided an exciting finish.

Horsham Lad and Ice Cool Benny shared the lead until the former took the running half a mile from home. Ice Cool Benny challenge dropped away at this point so Upton Centurion moved into contention and finished strongly which made Miss Banks pull out all the stops in the home straight.

Leo Mahon seems to have this year’s Riders Championship in his grasp but Mark Wall consolidated second position after Flying Gnu’s victory in the nine-year-old and over Conditions Race.

Results: Conditions (four ran) – 1 Flying Gnu (M Wall, 4-7 Fav), 2 Parthian Empirre, 3 Gold Duster; Restricted (five ran) – 1 Treacyswestcounty, Miss L Wheeler, 4-5 Fav), 2 Dynamo Frankie, 3 Master Mariner; Novice Riders (eight ran) – 1 Allerton (Miss L Pinchin, 8-1), 2 Kilmacallogue Bay, 3 Be Definite; Mixed Open (three ran) – 1 Horsham Lad (Miss P Banks, 4-5 Fav), 2 Upton Centurion, 3 Ice Cool Benny; Intermediate (two ran) 1 Abbery View (P Gerety, 1-8 Fav), 2 The Brig at Ayre; Mares Open (nine ran) – 1 Betterlatethanneva, 3 Following Mama; Open Maiden (eight ran) – 1 Templefortune (Z Baker) 4-1, 2 Earl the Pearl (only two finished).