CHARLOTTE Dun completed a poignant double at Sunday’s Lauderdale point-to-point, on what would have been her father Michael’s birthday.

Molten Brown, was the fitting winner of the opening Border hunts race, and provided her first success.

The gelding is owned by Northern Area secretary Tony Hogarth on whose Mosshouses land the meeting is held.

In the first of what proved to be an afternoon of exciting finishes, he got the better of evens favourite Shantou Magic by a length.

The 13-year-old was having just his third start this season.

“He is better on this better ground,” said Tony.

Charlotte is about to complete a university course in rural business, with her final exams looming.

“He produced a great jump at the last,” she enthused.

The Dun double was completed when Nine Altars, owned by Charlotte’s mother Jane, got up by a head in a drama-packed ladies’ open.

The complexion of the race changed three out when Abbeyview and Damiens Dilemma both fell, impeding Oscar Stanley who unseated his jockey.

Nine Altars has been with the Dun family for about a year now, having previously raced under Rules for Ian and Ann Hamilton.

“He’s had six runs this season,” said Jane, “and I thought the ground would be fast enough for him.

“He definitely stays though, and we might run him again at the Border at Hexham.”

Charlotte, who currently leads the Northern Area ladies’ championship table, added: “He’s a real gentleman and such a nice horse to do, and it’s lovely to ride a winner in Dad’s colours.”

Michael Dun’s untimely death in 2015 at just 54 – just a day after commentating at the West Percy point-to-point – shocked the Borders farming and racing community.

Rebecca and Philip Hewit, who farm Sunnyside at Reston, landed the NPPA conditions race with Whiteabbey who got the judge’s verdict to score by a narrow margin ahead of Lough Derg Island.

“My 16-year-old nephew has been on study leave and has been riding him out,” said Rebecca, who is about to head to Belgium with the junior British vaulting team.

“He’s always thereabouts and he deserved this,” she added.
Bang On Time was the sole finisher to claim the men’s open for Cumberland-based trainer Lynsey Kendall.

His two rivals, Pyjama Game and The Ice Factor, both ran out at the third last, leaving him to finish alone in the hands of Gary Beaumont, who works with horses for Melrose-based Geoff Adam, a racecourse director at Kelso.

Doreen Calder’s home-bred Sound Barrier finished in the winner’s enclosure at the 2017 fixture, and repeated that feat to land the restricted under Connor Wood.

“The top of the ground makes all the difference to him,” explained Doreen, “and he jumped very well too.

“I’m really chuffed, and delighted to win with a home-bred horse.

“I’m sorely tempted by the final at Stratford, although it’s not until June,” she added.

Another home-bred winner took the concluding open maiden.

Coomacarrea is bred by the Speke family from Ingleton, out of their prolific winning mare Coomakista.

“She is getting stronger all the time, and travelled well,” said Ailsa Speke of her seven-year-old.

The mare was ridden to victory by her son, Toby, who has just started a new real estate recruitment company in London, and keeps race fit riding out at Ben Pauling’s yard.

“I’ve had my most winners at this course,” he enthused.

The Michael Dun memorial trophy for the youngest jockey to complete the course, was presented to Abby Robertson.

Racing was preceded by two pony races – the 138cm division won by 10-year-old Shay Farmer from Hawick and the 148cm headed by 15-year-old Archie Frank from North Yorkshire.

LEADING awards:
Pony races, 138cm – 1, Ravara Super Ted (S Farmer); 2, Oakville Thomas (F Cromarty); 3, Pendela Pixie Prince (J Thompson). Six ran. 1l; dist. 148 cm – 1, Judge Fox (A Frank); 2, Carrowmeer Nick (S Longhorn); 3, Hawkesfield Flyer (J Thompson). Five ran. 2l;1l.
Hunt – 1, Molten Brown (C Dun) 5-2; 2, Shantou Magic evs fav; 3, Royal Avatar 8-1. Four ran. 1l; 3l. A Hogarth, Lauderdale.
NPPA – 1, Whiteabbey (A Waugh) 6-4 jt fav; 2, Lough Derg Island 6-4 jt fav; 3, Milans Well 14-1. Five ran. 3/4l; 8l. Mrs R Hewit & J Hewit, Berwickshire.
Ladies Open – 1, Nine Altars (C Dun) 2-1; 2, Scarlet Fure 6-4 fav; 3, Habbie Simpson 12-1. Seven ran. Hd; 4l. Mrs J Dun, Lauderdale.
Men’s Open – 1, Bang On Time (G Beaumont) 3-1. Finished alone. Mr & Mrs R Kendall, Cumberland Farmers.
Restricted – 1, Sound Barrier (C Wood) 3-1 ; 2, Ripstick 5-2; 3, Poetic Presence 9-4 fav. Five ran. 1/2l; 6l. Miss D Calder, Berwickshire.
Open maiden – 1, Coomacarrea (T Speke) 6-4 fav; 2, Celtic Symphony 16-1; 3, Maybe Mostley 8-1. 10 ran. 2l; 2l. Mr & Mrs I Speke, Tynedale (Caroline Dennis).