ROBBIE Henderson scored a hat-trick of wins at the Bratton Down Point-to-Point organised by Tiverton Staghounds, writes Donna Harris.

The victories extending his lead at the top of the area men’s jockey leaderboard Whenharrymetsally gave Henderson his first win of the day in the opening members race, pleasing the favourite backers who had backed him into odds on.

Henderson was stalking Right Enough, ridden by Tom Chanin, over the last and took over on the run in, coming home two lengths ahead.

Whenharrymetsally is trained by Keith Cumings who said: “She is a tough mare and lovely to do, stays well, and will be a nice breeding prospect in a couple of years time.”

Delighted owner Andrew Broggio said: “She won the members race here last year. She does anything we ask of her and will now get a well-deserved summer off.”

Hameldown Tor, trained at Ottery St Mary by Ed Walker, gave Henderson his second win of the day in the men’s open race.

A good crowd had turned up at the Bratton meeting, but for this race many had to dive for cover during a torrential downpour.

Those who stayed by the rail witnessed a classy performance by Henderson.

He played a waiting game, led over the last and stretched ahead up the run in, leaving the favourite, Findlays Find, back in third behind the Will Biddick ridden Posh Totty.

Owned by The Otter Club, Ken Edwards claimed: “He has given us so much fun this summer, having been in the frame on all of his starts this season, and also winning at Trebudannon.

“I had a winner at the Royal Cornwall show yesterday and this is a bonus.”

Hameldown Tor’s win puts trainer Ed Walker equal second in the national trainers championship for yards with eight horses or over.

Henderson’s treble came when Kings Scout from the Marie McGuinness yard took the restricted race.

Henderson rode another patiently ridden race which saw the rest of the field fade in the rain-softened ground.

Kings Scout won by four lengths ahead of Golden Squirell and Apassionforfashion, who had stayed on under Jacqueline Coward a neck behind in third.

Trainer Marie McGuinness said: “Kings Scout suffered a foot problem last season which had taken a long time to come right, then also had a back problem in his sacro-illiac joint.

But thanks to the hard work of farrier Toby Wheeler and our vet Phil Browne, he came right.”

Megan Nicholls broke a Pointing record when driving home Current Event to win the ladies open – her 17th win from 20 races as a 16-year- old.

Current Event’s trainer, Rose Loxton, is the National leading trainer for seven horses or less.

She had a tough season last year, losing one of her best horses, and nearly gave up training.

When asked what her methods of training are, she said “I think turn-out is important, keeping things as natural as possible, riding around fields.

“We go to gallops once a week, no special feeds, just plenty of carrots.”

Jacqueline Coward had brought four horses down from Yorkshire the night before and stabled them with Richard Barber at Seaborough.

Billing gave her a win in the intermediate race, having led from flag fall with outsider Bathwick Scanno chasing her all the way to the line, finishing a length down in second.

Coward is now just one race behind Bridget Andrews in the National Ladies table, and this race saw her collect the Harold Scott Memorial Cup for the best riding performance of the day.

The open maiden race started at a slow pace, with none of the 15 runners keen to take the lead.

Will Biddick then set off on Nudge The Nugget but was soon overtaken by the favorite Grey Dream under David Noonan.

However this was a race for Kylemore Lough under jockey Nick Williams who timed his move to perfection, leading two out and going on to score by one and a half lengths with Grey Dream in second.

Owner Mick McMahon said: “It’s his third run and everything has gone to plan so far, he is only five and the last one I have bred.

“He will come home now for a rest, and the plan may be to run him under rules or carry on pointing next season.”