By Robin Moule.

 

A SCOTTISH raiding party proved hot to trot when runaway winners of the final at the annual Hellifield Harness Racing highlight at Peel Park on Sunday.

Breeder, owner and trainer Hamish Muirhead travelled down from Stirling to first see his seven-year-old superstar Cash All just get up in a thrilling finish to win its heat, the third race on the card, before going on to comfortably land the final by three-and-a-half lengths under an enterprising and perfectly timed ride by driver Hugh Menzies. Both races were run over one mile and 440 yards.

Cash All, who last year became the fastest one-mile harness racing horse in the country when recording a scintillating 1mn 56secs at Nun Monkton, has maintained his form, winning three races and placing in others before arriving at Hellifield.

The horse clearly acts on the track, having won a heat two years earlier. At the latest renewal Cash All boosted lifetime prize money of over £7,000 by a further £2,400 with victories in both races, receiving the Aubrey Knights Trophy for winning the heat in a fast time of 2mns 57.1secs and the Tom Holgate Trophy when landing the final with another excellent time a shade over 3mins.

Runner-up in the final, sponsored by Dunbia, was opening race winner and recipient of the Bill Dawson Trophy, GDs King, owned by B Ritchie, trained by Barnoldswick’s Teresa Haythornthwaite and driven by her son, James Haythornthwaite, whose brother Richard kept it in the family by finishing fourth on Race 4 runner-up, Takemetothelimit, again trained by mum Teresa. James also picked up The Bobby Brown Trophy for the driver receiving most points on the day.

Placed third in the final was Race 2 winner and recipient of the Wolfenden Memorial Trophy, JMs Macy Hallstar, owned by M Beaton, trained and driven by Andrew Cairns, who trains near Denholme.

Two heats were won by horses trained by Alexis Laidler, who is based near Darlington. First home in the fourth race and recipient of the William Moore Trophy was The Lion King, owned by Raymond Huschka, and driven by the trainer’s son William Laidler Jnr, followed by a seventh race success for Be Like Me, owned by Clifford Beaumont-Dowse, and this time driven by the trainer’s husband, also William. The horse received the Lance Dinsdale Trophy.

Winners of the two maiden races were: Race 5 for the Young Gee Lee Trophy - Heart of Fire, bred, owned, trained and driven by Austwick’s Neil Holgate. Race 6 – Laneside Lego, owned by Neville Bainbridge, another Scottish raider trained by Keir Cullen, driven by Grant Cullen. The winner received the Alan Tattersall Trophy.

Other race sponsors were RH Joinery and D&H Concrete, Wolfenden Concrete and Hansons Butchers, Goad & Butcher Solicitors, Gisburn Auction Mart and Settle Brewery, C Hanson & Sons and Smart The Bookmaker, Field & Fell and N Booth Haulage, and Ronnie George.

Organised by Hellifield Harness Racing Association, the day attracted one of the largest crowds in recent years, with recognised Covid guidelines in place. The raceday programme contained a special tribute to long-time Hellifield Harness Racing Club chairman Stephen ‘Bobby’ Brown, a true stalwart of the sport, who died earlier this year and under whose guidance the annual event donated over £20,000 to charity. This year’s proceeds will again support local charities, primarily Settle Swimming Pool.

“Warm thanks must go to all concerned for making the day such a huge success. We are already looking forward to our 2022 midsummer highlight!” said Hellifield Harness Racing Association secretary Gillian Wild. Full results are at the British Harness Racing Club website at www.bhrc.org.uk and on Facebook.