Ben Roe

THE final National Classic race of the British point-to-point season took place at Chaddesley Corbett’s Worcestershire meeting last Saturday and it was won in good style by Gary Hanmer’s What A Laugh.

Expertly ridden by Gillon Crow, the 10-year-old, who ran in two Irish points back in 2010 and also finished second in a Limerick maiden hurdle for Edward Stanners, extended his excellent record in British points to 10 wins from 13 attempts.

Jack Barber’s Coronation Gold Cup winner Benedictus was a strong favourite to complete a Classic double but appeared to be stretched by the three-mile, two-furlong trip and could only finish third, three and a half lengths behind the gallant runner-up Stone.

Elsewhere at the popular West Midlands venue, which will play host to the Anglo-Irish Challenge on May 25th, there was an eye-catching victory for Tom Malone’s Wind Of Hope.

The six-year-old, who placed in six of his 10 starts between the flags in Ireland including when a close second at Belclare in March, was having his first start in Britain and never looked in any danger in the hands of Will Biddick.

At Pyle in Wales for the Llangeinor & Pentyrch, jockey Bradley Gibbs dominated the headlines with a superb four-timer.

Three of his wins were for owner-trainer David Brace, including his fourth winner, which came in the open maiden aboard the ex-Irish pointer Only Time’ll Tell.

The seven-year-old son of Gamut placed in two of his four starts in Ireland, including behind the 2014 Arkle winner, Western Warhorse, at Affane in 2012.

The 2010/11 Ladies Champion Gina Andrews moved a step closer to winning her second individual title with a fine treble at the West Norfolk meeting at Fakenham.

Smiths Hill, winner of a seven and eight-year-old maiden at The Pigeons in 2011, got the ball rolling in the PPORA Club Members Conditions race, before wins on See You Jack (ladies open) and Condorman (open maiden) completed the feat.

The latter may also be a familiar name amongst followers of the pointing scene in Ireland, having finished a close-up third in a maiden at the Anglo-Irish Challenge at Tattersalls Farm in 2013.