SEASON PREVIEW
by Arthur Thompson

The 2007 Yorkshire Season gets underway in the bowl of Witton Castle where the host are the Old Raby Hunt.

Set in central County Durham just off the A68 signposted between Toft Hill and Witton-le-Wear. Handy for A1M.Viewing is excellent from the bank car parking is good. Good food and beer outlets and trade stands.

A flat course set in a bowl the runners go around the lakes of Witton Castle. The course was laid out in 1984 and as been used by a number of hunts over the years.

A right hand track with7f 19j which all jump well.

The start is way out on the course; two fences are taken before the turn into the home straight and three plain fences before turning right to face the open ditch. It’s a long run to the next plain fence which is taken as the runners turn right into the back straight.

Races are often won here going to the last fence and with a short run in; it’s the one that jumps the last best wins.

Ben Woodhouse, the reigning Yorkshire Champion, is the one to watch having won seven times in the last two years at this meeting.

Ben looks likely to be the bookies favourite to regain the Yorkshire Championship again, but will be hard pushed by Guy Brewer and Steve Charlton, but watch out for Oliver Greenall who could spring a surprise this year.

The Ladies Championship should go the same way as 2006 with Jacqueline Coward regaining the title.

Serena Brotherton looks light handed this year with Legendary Line and Emperor’s Son retiring, but Serena will pick up other rides and could still push Jacqueline to the line.

The Trainers title went to Bob Woodhouse in 2006 but will find Michael Brown chasing him all the way this term.

Michael has a yard full this year with Badr, Caribbean Lad, Hadeqa and Noggler; all won or were placed in 2006 and should give the yard a good start to 2007.

The Yorkshire Point to Point Owners & Riders Association hold their first ever meeting in April at Charm Park.

A new challenge for 2007, The PointingYorkshire.co.uk Challenge Trophy, begins at Charm Park at the Derwent meeting

The WWW.POINTINGYORKSHIRE.CO.UK CHALLENGE TROPHY

The challenge is open to all jockeys.

Points are awarded to the first three to cross the line.

Points are allocated as follows:

MENS/LADIES OPEN RACES
1st Place – 10 Points
2nd Place – 7 Points
3rd Place – 5 Points

ALL OTHER RACES
1st Place – 7 Points
2nd Place – 5 Points
3rd Place – 3 Points

DEAD HEATS
Points will be half of the above.

The Challenge will start at the DERWENT Meeting at CHARM PARK and also ends at CHARM PARK at the STAINTONDALE Meeting.

MEETINGS
Derwent 4th March
Holderness 11th March
Hurworth 17th March
Badsworth & Bramham 24th March
Middleton 1st April
Bedale 7th April
Staintondale 9th April

The winner will be the rider with most points. In case two or more riders on equal points, then the rider with the most second places will win the challenge.

The Trophy will be awarded to the winning Jockey at the CLEVELAND Meeting on 15th APRIL.

The Trophy remains the property of PointingYorkshire.

Things are looking good for another top class season in Yorkshire in 2007!