Horse & Hound columnist Richard Burton looks certain to take the 2010/11 National Men’s Point-to-Point Championship after Transporter’s restricted win at a rain-lashed Bratton Down on Sunday.
The former three-time champion, who was making his first visit to the Devon course, has a 37-34 lead over Phillip York, who pulled up Son Of Karinga when well-beaten after making the early running.
Phillip’s earlier mounts, Cavite Zeta and Caught In Time were unsuited by the softened ground and could only finish third and second respectively, despite being well-supported in the market.
“If Phillip had won on those two, we would have probably shaken hands and settled for a tie, but it just didn’t quite work out.
“It will be hard for Phillip to ride three or four more winners now and I’m sorry for him, as I know what it’s like to be so close”, said Richard, who lost out 54-50 to Ashley Farrant after a hard-fought battle for the 2004 title.
The season ends with the Torrington Farmers fixture at Umberleigh on Saturday.
