Point-to-point: Strawson and Andrews clinch Garthorpe rider prizes

Gina Andrews, who is dominating the national lady riders championship, rode a double, starting with a popular victory on Can Mestret in the Mixed Open race to cement her position as leading lady rider at Garthorpe this season.

Letbeso filled the runner-up spot.

The second leg of the Andrews’ double came in the closing Open Maiden race over two-and-a-half miles when the five-year-old Pass The Glass went clear of Black Heart City after the last fence, giving Gina a 28th success of the season.

At the start of racing, six points separated Tom Strawson and Dale Peters in the Midlands Area Gentleman Rider Championship.

Peters closed the gap to two when favourite Dido scored an easy victory in the Intermediate race, beating Bravehearted Harry and Rory Bevin by 12 lengths.

Strawson’s only ride of the day, Panama Canal provided him with one extra point when finishing third in the Mixed Open.

This left Peters with one last chance to take the area title when he got the leg up on Why Lie in the Restricted race over a two-and-a-half mile trip.

Why Lie was running well and disputing the lead when taking a fall, leaving Derksen, ridden by Tabitha Worsley, to win by 15 lengths from Too Much Too Soon.

Ed Glassonbury landed the opening PPORA Club Members’ race on Oyster Shell, edging past Carpincho at the final hurdle to win by a length.

Henry Crow extended his lead in the North Western area Novice award in the PPORA Club Members’ race for novice riders, taking his ninth win of the season on board Double Dan by 10 lengths from Kyle’s Faith.

Seventeen-year-old Philip Armson broke his duck at the 36th attempt, when riding Max O to victory in the Open Maiden race.

Armson, whose father Richard was a top Garthorpe jockey, led from flag fall to win by three lengths.

The Garthorpe Championships prizes were then presented to Tom Strawson (leading male rider), Gina Andrews (leading female rider) and Hazell Hill (leading horse).