By LOUISA WOODVILLE

By LOUISA WOODVILLE

Arundel Newspapers Equestrian Editor

In the war of the Irishmen, David Bourke’s Wake Up Call came out on top in the owner-rider hurdle contest, one of 11 races at the Old Dominion Hunt Point-to-Point April 8.

The ineet had originally been scheduled for the previous day, but after rain and snow hit Rappahannock County on Friday, the organizers decided to run it Sunday to let the turf dry out some.

Jolly River and William Russell galloped eight lengths ahead of Bourke at the wire, but stewards determined Wake Up Call to be the official winner. According to Russell, Bourke lodged a claim of foul due to interference upon landing after the fourth fence.

Solo Orbit, the only other starter, was third with Don Yovanovich.

Bourke also piloted the Charlie Fenwick-trained Peer Prince to an open hurdle victory, lengthening his four-length advantage over Essayer at the last to seven at the wire.

Essayer, Woods Winants up, was second and Sampson Hall, Hilary Thorpe up, third.

“This was his first start over plastics,” said Bourke, who added that the Dogwood Stable horse came from England just three months ago.

Topeador surprised no one by jumping Henry Wood to his fourth owner-rider timber victory this year. “You can put away your stick, Henry. You’ve won this one,” blasted announcer Will O’Keefe as the pair galloped down the stretch.

Warrenton-Piedmont winner Sir Fieldmont was second, Will Russell’s News Special third and Eve Fout’s Four Indians with son Doug fourth. Two fallers — Midnight Moves (Bill Osier) and Dr. Brice (Brian Fitzgerald) — completed the field.

Piedmont winner Redskin Chief made it two in a row for lady rider Lilith Wilson, galloping a good eight lengths ahead of pace setter The Printer with Michele Rouse.

The two horses led the field throughout most of the race, drawing away from the other four horses by the ninth of eighteen fences. By the fourteenth Redskin Chief had had enough, so he went to the front